Middle Fork of the Flathead River (Class II-III): We completed 43 miles from the Border to Big Creek. North Fork of the Flathead River Mapby River Rat Maps Thankfully, conservationists prevailed, and in 1976 the North Fork was designated a National Wild and Scenic River alongside its kindred South Fork and Middle Fork. By Associated Press , Shop Staff Notes: This is THE trustworthy map for floating or accessing the wild and beautiful, North Fork of the Flathead River. The North Fork, considering the rugged and mountainous terrain it flows through, is a relatively tame river for floating. The lower 17 mile section to Blankenship Bridge and the confluence of the Middle Fork The proposed dam was cancelled by 1950. Flathead River. Missouri River (Three Forks to Holter Lake), Yellowstone River Map #2 by River Rat Maps, Clark Fork River Map #2 by River Rat Maps, River Mileage that has been ground truthed with GPS. This river, along with the Blackfoot River, are excellent choices for plan-B options when the Smith River gets too low to float because they both offer amazing floating and fishing and camping along their routes and being western freestone streams, the fly selections are very similar. Our maps highlight outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, and are smartphone-GPS compatible! See this page's contributions. Less than 6 miles (9.7km) below this confluence, the combined river joins the South Fork Flathead River, forming the main Flathead River. The river then crosses the CanadaUS border into the state of Montana, where it begins to delineate the western boundary of Glacier National Park. The dam would have inundated some 25 miles of river and submerged nearly 20,000 acres of the park. The East side (river-left) of the NF of the Flathead is Glacier National Park and the West side (river-right) is mostly national forrest with a few private land pieces scattered along the river. Campground Map. Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license, excluding photos, directions and the map. The river is sometimes considered the upper headwaters of the Flathead River, although the North Fork is its official name in the U.S. Other naming conventions for the river inclu 06088500 Muddy Creek near Vaughn, Montana (POR: 82 years); Updated June 11, 2020 - USGS water-resources The river starts in Canada and flows along the west edge of Glacier National Park. The river is navigable for up to 6 miles upstream from its confluence with the South Fork. It forms the western border for Glacier National Park and is incredibly beautiful. The main part of the Flathead River begins where the North Fork and the Middle Fork meet near West Glacier. Log jams and strainers are a major hazard so be extra careful here. The North Fork Flathead River divides the Flathead National Forest from Glacier National Park. The designated river includes the North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork above Hungry Horse Reservoir and features recreation, scenery, historic sites, unique fisheries and wildlife such as grizzly bears and wolves. [5], Although the North Fork is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River (1975) in the United States, its greater length in BC (31 miles (50km), not including headwaters forks) is not. Rafting & Paddling the South Fork Flathead River. Questions or concerns about USGS streamflow data in Montana and Wyoming can be directed to Kirk Miller (kmiller@usgs.gov; 307-775-9168).Updated September 18, 2020 - USGS water-resources monitoring activities were restored effective August 17, 2020 at the following site:. An oil train derailment could permanently degrade the river and downstream waters, harming communities and the economy. It is a Class III+ river, with steeper gradient upstream, expect narrow channels, shallow gravel bars and logjam potential. The Middle Fork is paralleled by Highway 2 but access is more difficult. Towns along the river include West Glacier, Nyack, Pinnacle, Essex, and Nimrod. The cabin is perched on a grassy field beside a stand of pine trees and near the North Fork of the Flathead River and Tepee Creek. Board president Roger Sherman said that Headwaters Montana played a significant role in protecting the North Fork of the Flathead Rive from Canadian coal mine development in the early 200s with passage of the North Fork Watershed Protection Act. Based on the page South Fork Flathead River. The North Fork Flathead River (Ktunaxa: kqaskanmituk [3]) is a 153-mile (246km)[2] river flowing through British Columbia, Canada, south into the U.S. state of Montana. We have all the gear you need to have a memorable trip to Montana. Be the first to review North Fork of the Flathead River by River Rat Maps. North Fork of the Flathead River Access Map by River Rat Maps. North Fork Flathead River Enabling legislation for Glacier National Park established the northwestern park boundary as the middle channel of the North Fork of the Flathead River. Supported by Flathead Valley interests, the dam and reservoir were opposed by the National Park Service, as between 10,000 acres (4,000ha) and 20,000 acres (8,100ha) of park lands would have been flooded. The campground is 20 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road. A raft floats past a towering cutbank while floating the upper North Fork of the Flathead River in late July. Other River Rat Maps available from CrossCurrents Fly Shop: Smith River, Missouri River below Holter, Missouri River (Three Forks to Holter Lake), Blackfoot River, Beaverhead, Bighorn, Big Hole, Bitterroot, Clark Fork #1, Clark Fork #2, Alberton Gorge, Jefferson, Gallatin, Madison, Rock Creek, Yellowstone #1, Yellowstone #2, NF of Flathead. 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. Floating the South Fork of the Flathead River is perhaps one of the finest floats anyone can do in the lower 48. The White River has adequate flows through early July. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. The North Fork Flathead River (Ktunaxa: kqaskanmituk ) is a 153-mile (246 km) river flowing through British Columbia, Canada, south into the U.S. state of Montana. Purchased in Montana so NO SALES TAX, North Fork of the Flathead River Access Mapby River Rat Maps. NOT in Glacier Park. Float fishing gets you to good water but some sections have high-rated whitewater so get a 3 Forks of the Flathead float map. This Norht Fork of the Flathead River Map is a high quality, detailed river map printed on durable waterproof and tear proof, plastic of the beautiful NF of the Flathead River in Montana from the Canadian border to Columbia Falls (at the Confluence with the Middle Fork of the Flathead River). DISTANCES: The North Fork of the Flathead from the Canadian/U.S Border to Blankenship Bridge is 58 miles. The Federal Railroad Administration must act now to address the threat of tra The scenery is spectacular, as the river flows through a pristine and remote wilderness. Also makes for a nice souvenir of your Glacier National Park trip whether you were on aGuided Trip or were fishing and exploring on your own. The North Fork Valley is accessed by a 60+ mile long gravel road with lots of pot holes. Your email address will not be published. This Norht Fork of the Flathead River Map is a high quality, detailed river map printed on durable waterproof and tear proof, plastic of the beautiful NF of the Flathead River in Montana from the Canadian border to Columbia Falls (at the Confluence with the Middle Fork of the Flathead River). The Middle Fork has bigger cutthroat, up to 16- 18, but lower numbers than the North Fork. At a Glance The river is sometimes considered the upper headwaters of the Flathead River,[4] although the North Fork is its official name in the U.S. Other naming conventions for the river include Flathead River - North Fork, North Fork of Flathead River, and North Fork of the Flathead River. Other than the small community of Polebridge (which has no electricity), the North Fork Flathead River passes through no towns for its entire length. [7], Media related to North Fork Flathead River at Wikimedia Commons, North Fork of Flathead River, North Fork of the Flathead River, The river at the boundary of Glacier National Park, Map of the Flathead River drainage basin showing the North Fork, Calculated by adding Canada and US numbers given in, "FirstVoices: Nature / Environment - place names: words. Aerial - North Fork Flathead River (MT) 01 - white balanced (10322018694).jpg 4,288 [6], In the 1940s the Glacier View Dam was proposed, which would have flooded much of the river's valley between Glacier View Mountain and the CanadaUS border. It is one of the three primary forks of the Flathead River, the main inflow of Flathead Lake and a tributary of the Columbia River via the Clark Fork River and the Pend Oreille River. DIY South Fork of the Flathead . ), Rapids -location and descriptions and tips, Points of Interest both cultural and natural. Thanks to Mapbox for providing amazing maps. It then meets the Continental Divide and turns south, winding through a broad glacial valley. Learn how your comment data is processed. The surrounding Glacier View Ranger District is bordered on the east by the Middle Fork of the Flathead River and Glacier National Park. The river itself is moderately wide and moves quickly. Photo: Wikimedia, Public domain. Unfortunately, the rail shipment of toxic and flammable Bakken oil threatens this special place. Water in the BC section remains relatively pure as there are no permanent residents or livestock in this drainage north of the border. Floating & Paddling the North Fork Flathead River. Its drainage basin lies to the east of the South Fork Flathead River and the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Roughly following the "inner" and "outer" North Fork Roads and Montana Secondary Highway 486, the river winds southwest past Kintla Lake, Bowman Lake, Quartz Lake, Logging Lake, and Lake McDonald, then turns west and south into a narrower valley before joining the Middle Fork Flathead River near the southwestern entrance of the national park, several miles northeast of Columbia Falls. A raft floats past a towering cutbank while floating the upper North Fork of the Flathead River in late July. Middle Fork Flathead River. You are actually in Flathead National Forest and on private land. The remote northwest corner of Glacier National Park, the area drained by the North Fork of the Flathead River, offers the adventurous visitor a chance to enjoy a wilderness experience away from the tourist crowds.The North Fork features forests of lodgepole and ponderosa pine with a series of small scenic lakes: Logging, the Quartz Lakes (lower, middle, and upper), Bowman, and Kintla. Rock Creek River Map (Hwy 38 Bridge to Clark Fork River) by River Rat Maps is THE Rock Creeki River Access Map that is high quality, detailed and printed on durable waterproof and tear proof, plastic. North Fork Flathead River is a river in Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Rocky Mountains, MT. River is the largest tributary to the upper South Fork. Since 1977 Montana River Outfitters prides itself in offering only the finest river trips available. Flathead River rafting can be found on the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River. The entire river in Montana is essentially floatable, although the area above Ford access site can have some slow floating and some dragging of the raft during low water. The South Fork of the Flathead begins deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness at the confluence of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek. Weve got you covered. In the 1940s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sought permission to build Glacier View Dam on the North Fork of the Flathead River that serves as the western boundary of Montanas Glacier National Park. Description. The US Forest Service (USFS)/Flathead National Forest (FNF) has administrative authority on the Flathead Wild and Scenic River including the North Fork. Bordered by Glacier National Park and other protected areas, the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Flathead River is a pristine national treasure. Flathead River North Fork - OffTheGridMaps OffTheGridMaps high-resolution, hyper-local maps are available all over the state of Montana and highlight your favorite outdoor activities like This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Required fields are marked *. This campground has a 14-day stay limit. Big Creek Campsite / Big Creek Boat Ramp / River View at Big Creek. The application of nitrogen fertilizer on cropland in the fall or on frozen soils will be restricted in vulnerable groundwater areas. The Middle Fork Flathead River is a river in western Montana in the United States, forming the southwestern boundary of Glacier National Park. DURATION: We spent 3 days on the river. Our maps highlight outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, and are smartphone-GPS compatible! Copyright 1998-2016 CrossCurrents, Inc.. All Rights Reserved. Headwaters marshaled bipartisan local support for the protection measures. The upper 41 miles above the Camas Creek Bridge are classified as Scenic under the 1976 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. We camped at the put-in and take-out, so we took 5 days and 5 nights overall. Great to have one for pre-trip planning. Diversion Dams (Info thats critical to boating safety. Need to Renta Drift Boat or Raft or a other river equipment and gear foran upcoming Montana floating and/or fly fishing trip? This includes quarter-sections of land where 50 percent or more of the quarter-section is in an area with vulnerable groundwater and in DWSMAs that have nitrate-nitrogen concentrations at or in excess of 5.4 mg/L nitrate-nitrogen. Ktunaxa", "Flathead River Basin Hydrologic Observatory, Northern Rocky Mountains", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=North_Fork_Flathead_River&oldid=997693508, Landforms of Glacier National Park (U.S.), Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, USGS gage #1235550, 4.1 miles (6.6km) from the mouth, South Fork Canyon Creek, Kimmerly Creek, Depuy Creek, McGinnis Creek, This page was last edited on 1 January 2021, at 19:52. Access Descriptions like what type of boat ramp or walk-in, private, public, etc. 1-406-761-1677 923 10th Ave N., Great Falls, MT Montana@montana.com LATEST NEWS. 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. 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. Pets must be on a leash at all times while visiting campgrounds. Searchers have recovered the body of a man who was swept away and apparently drowned while trying to cross the Middle Fork of the Flathead River north of Essex. It gains volume with the contributions of the White River, Big and Little Salmon creeks, Black Bear Creek, and other small tributaries. North Fork Flathead River The North Fork Flathead River is a 153-mile river flowing through British Columbia, Canada, south into the U.S. state of Montana.It is one of the three primary forks of the Flathead River, the main inflow of Flathead Lake and a tributary of the Columbia River via the Clark Fork River and the Pend Oreille River. The North Fork Flathead is undeniably a The Flathead River (Salish: ntxetk, ntxe ), in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Montana, originates in the Canadian Rockies to the north of Glacier National Park and flows southwest into Flathead Lake, then after a journey of 158 miles (254 km), empties into the Clark Fork. Glacier Anglers- Flathead River North Fork - OffTheGridMaps OffTheGridMaps high-resolution, hyper-local maps are available all over the state of Montana and highlight your favorite outdoor activities like fly-fishing, The Middle Fork of the Flathead River Media in category "North Fork Flathead River" The following 7 files are in this category, out of 7 total. This is bear-country; proper food storage is required. This one section of the river is still massive and is separated in two parts by the largest freshwater lake in the western United States, the Flathead Lake. It is one of the three primary forks of the Flathead River, the main inflow of Flathead Lake and a tributary of the Columbia River via the Clark Fork River and the Pend Oreille River. Forming the western and southern borders of Glacier National Park, the Flathead River is a hidden gem of Montana with spectacular scenery, unsurpassed fishing and excellent wildlife viewing. To the north is Canada and west is the Kootenai National Forest. The North Fork Flathead River is truly one of Montanas wild streams. Your email address will not be published. The rugged area includes the landscapes of Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall and Great Bear Wilderness areas. [1], The river originates in a valley northeast of Lake Koocanusa in the Clark Range, and flows west. The North Fork of the Flathead is Class I-II but it has some serious danger for inexperienced floaters. River in late July, Rafting & Paddling the South Fork shop Staff Notes: this is largest Application of nitrogen fertilizer on cropland in the lower 48 and flows along the River flows through, is Class. Shop Staff Notes: this is the largest tributary to the North and Forks. Flathead begins deep in the BC section remains relatively pure as there are no residents, considering the rugged area includes the landscapes of Glacier National Park this is bear-country ; proper food is. 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