No permits are required, but the complicated and expensive logistics are enough to keep usage minimal. Middle Fork Flathead River rafting trips float several different sections of the river due to easy access from US Hwy 2. Glacier National Park does not issue camping permits for the Middle Fork. Several commercial rafting businesses use this section of river. Middle Fork of the Flathead River, Montana. The Middle Fork of the Flathead River forms the southwest border of Glacier National Park. From deep in the wilderness, it flows roughly 70 miles before it’s confluence with the North Fork of the Flathead. If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our. The Flathead River represents the combined flow of hundreds of headwater creeks funneled from the glacial cirques of Glacier National Park and other wild places within the U.S. and Canada. The Middle Fork Flathead River originates in the Great Bear Wilderness at the confluence of Strawberry and Bowl Creeks. Middle Fork river camping is administered by the USFS/FNF and is subject to Flathead National Forest camping regulations. 12362500 South Fork near Columbia Falls 12363000 Flathead River at Columbia Falls 12367500 Stillwater River at Lawrence Park Roads and homes may experience flooding due to backwater. However, if you drew a line to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, celebrating its 50 th anniversary this year, it'd lead straight to the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, right here in Glacier Country, Montana.. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. Undesignated River Camping Regulations. Flooding to low lying areas adjacent to the river will occur. Comprising the southwestern boundary of Glacier National Park, the Middle Fork of the Flathead flows through a glaciated valley, surrounded on all sides by national park, forest, and wilderness. Shot from the original entrance to Glacier, the Belton Bridge. URL: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/uv? It starts deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and flows into the Flathead River. The Middle Fork of the Flathead had never been on my radar before, but a quick Google revealed a gem of a river that actually inspired the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act back in 1968. The Middle Fork of the Flathead originates in the Great Bear Wilderness and creates the southern border of Glacier National Park. A 50-year-old Lethbridge, Alberta, man drowned Tuesday after capsizing in the Spruce Park Rapids on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. NOTE: Forecasts for the Middle Fork Flathead River near West Glacier are issued routinely year-round. The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. Our raft guide with Glacier Raft Company, AP, added to the experience by explaining many things along the river, and he is also a great raft captain! Many roads will be inundated with flood water and become impassable. The outflow is completely different as it runs through … Flathead River Montana – The drainage is one of America’s coolest river systems. Its drainage basin lies to the east of the South Fork Flathead River and the Hungry Horse Reservoir. As the Middle Fork Flathead River flows through numerous canyons, many of the portages are difficult. Flathead River Fly Fishing Hatches. The Middle Fork Flathead River is a 92-mile (148 km) river in western Montana in the United States, forming the southwestern boundary of Glacier National Park.Its drainage basin lies to the east of the South Fork Flathead River and the Hungry Horse Reservoir.Towns along the river include West Glacier, Nyack, Pinnacle, Essex, and Nimrod. Towns along the river include West Glacier, Nyack, Pinnacle, Essex, and Nimrod. It then continues its journey southwest, passing Kerr Dam before eventually emptying into the Clark Fork near Paradise, Montana. Flooding to homes and agricultural lands is also possible. Beginning in Essex, the river turns into a recreational class river and follows Highway 2, dwarfed by tall mountains on either side. Policies and Notices, U.S. Department of the Interior | The Middle Fork is well known for some of the best whitewater rapids in Montana. 3370.0 CFS 07-17-2020 00:45 View River Forecast: Recommended Flow Minimum: 1000.0 Average: 6000.0 Maximum: 10000.0: Typical Season Begins: April Ends: September: Recommended Use Kayaking: Yes Rafting: Yes Canoeing: Yes SUP: No Packrafting: No Fishing: Yes: Primary Gauge M F Flathead River near West Glacier MT: Length 4.71 Mile(s) Gradient 24.59 FPM View All Photos in Gallery. Enjoy the thrilling whitewater, hike to a mountain lake, fish for native trout, and relax around camp for five glorious days in the Great Bear Wilderness of Montana. At night some of the lights of West Glacier may be visible. The river is divided into several distinct sections. We went on … Read more. Middle Fork Webcam on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, the southern boundary of Glacier National Park in West Glacier, Montana. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. Checking current river flows is recommended before venturing out onto your favorite river on a Montana fly fishing trip. She had nothing to say about the river, about … Page Contact Information: Montana Water Data Support Team The primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the United States and connects the interests of human-powered recreational river users with ecological and science-based data to achieve goals within our mission. From the headwaters to Schafer Meadows, a narrow channel and log jams make the river generally unsuitable for floating. The Flathead River in Glacier National Park during winter It is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Due to it’s glacial influence, the Flathead is not known for it’s prolific insect life. Thanks to simple logistics and only one other commercial outfitter, the Middle Fork Flathead is our most affordable trip on a pristine wilderness river. 1.45   1.28 caww02. Horizontal Datum: The Middle Fork of the Flathead River is a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This view, from near Park Headquarters, shows the river as it flows under the West Glacier bridge. Press enter or select the go button to submit request, Chance of Exceeding Levels During Entire Period, Short-term Probabilistic Guidance (Experimental), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data and Site Info for West Glacier, NRCS - National Water and Clilmate Center, National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center. The Middle Fork of the Flathead River originates in the heart of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The upper section of the river offers primitive recreation in a wilderness setting. Middle Fork Flathead River. This cold, clear water flows into the North, South and Middle forks of the Flathead, which merge together near Columbia Falls to begin a southward journey. Camping is limited to one … Most trip reports revolved around using a bush plane to fly in, but a previous packrafting trip report mentioned a fairly accessible trail to get down to the river. It flows out of deep wilderness and feeds the largest lake west of the Mississippi. The highway follows the river from Bear Creek all the way to West Glacier at the confluence of the North and Middle Forks, however the road is hardly noticed. 6 of us hiked down Morrison Creek to just the above the confluence with the middle fork. However, for two and a half hours our guide (Sammy) provided incessant and inane prattle--all about herself. Discover and book Glacier National Park Scenic Float - Middle Fork Flathead River on Tripadvisor Click on any of the links below to view current real time river flow data for northwest Montana rivers. Warning: Javascript must be enabled to use all the features on this page! Beginning in the Canadian Rockies north of Glacier National Park, the Flathead flows south through northwestern Montana into Flathead Lake. Flooding to low lying areas adjacent to the river is possible. They say no river flows in a straight line. In late August the water flow is 5% of the spring run-off rate, ... My wife, daughter, and son-in-law had a wonderful time white water rafting on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. In the winter the only activity along the river might be the … Page Last Modified: 2020-12-20 18:05:20 EST It does get all of the western freestone insect hatches but slightly muted in numbers. For details. Privacy It was here on the Middle Fork where the idea for the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was born, when famed wildlife biologist John Craighead was fighting the proposed Spruce Park Dam in the 1950s. Just completed a low water trip on the middle fork with flows at about 1200 cfs at West Glacier. This is why you don't drink too much the night before a series of Class IVs on the last day of a 5-day rafting trip. is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates That flows into Flathead Lake. Flooding affecting low lying areas adjacent to the river will occur. Glacier National Park Scenic Float - Middle Fork Flathead River cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Longitude: 114.009167° W, NAD83/WGS84, Search by city or zip code. Find our, Summary of all available data for this site, Instantaneous-data availability statement. Title: USGS Current Conditions for Montana Description; River Details ; Map + Directions; Description. Group float on the Middle Fork Flathead River in Montana. Flathead River Class: Class III - IV River Length 26 miles Time: 3 - 4 days Season: June to August. USGS 12355500 N F Flathead River nr Columbia Falls MT. The Middle Fork of the Flathead River is a beautiful and scenic place--and our registration and procedures went smoothly. Camping is limited to designated river sections; see map above. Winter storm in Glacier National Park. FOIA When someone thinks of Montana, there's a good chance they're thinking of the Flathead River, whether they realize it or not. Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map Fishing can be good on the Middle Fork, particularly just prior to spring runoff when fish are migrating from Flathead Lake on their spring spawning runs. * We've detected you're using a mobile device. Flathead Lake Current Elevation Select USGS Streamflow Readings. The North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork all come together to form the Main Stem near Columbia Falls. The South Fork flows through Hungry Horse Dam and joins the Flathead just 10 miles (16 km) below the confluence of the North Fork and Middle Fork. We avoided the upper tough stretch of rapids from Schaefer to Morrison by starting here, and floated down to just above Spruce Park portaging around that to where the logan dirty face trail hits the river. Reaches designated wild and scenic include the entire North Fork south of the Canada–US border, the entire Middle Fork, and the South Fork above Hungry Horse Reservoir. James Fredrick Wilson was floating the river in an inflatable kayak with a group of other kayakers when he capsized on some rocks, according to a news release from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. National Water Information System: Web Interface, Add up to 2 more sites and replot for "Discharge, cubic feet per second", Add up to 2 more sites and replot for "Gage height, feet", Accessibility 12355000 North Fork at Flathead BC 12355500 North Fork near Columbia Falls 12358500 Middle Fork near West Glacier 12359800 South Fork above Hungry Horse Res. Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps, Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps, Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks, Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks. Party size is limited to 12 People. Together the North, South and Middle Forks of the Flathead River drain approximately 4,464 square miles (12,000 km2) with an average annual discharge of 9699 cubic feet (275m3) per second, as measured in Columbia Falls. USGS 12358500 M F Flathead River near West Glacier MT. U.S. Geological Survey The Middle Fork Flathead River is a 92-mile (148 km) river in western Montana in the United States, forming the southwestern boundary of Glacier National Park. Northwest Montana River Flows. Many sections of the Middle Fork of the Flathead are comprised of canyons as well as class II-III whitewater. Available data for this site Click to hide station-specific text (About shift-adjusted ratings). During the summer watch for rafters. Latitude: 48.495278° N, Available data for this site Click to hide station-specific text (About shift-adjusted ratings). The Middle Fork Flathead is a pristine, scenic run originating in the North end of the Great Bear Wilderness. 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