Middle Fork Flathead River
Encyclopedia
The Middle Fork Flathead River is a 92 miles (148.1 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.
The river's headwaters lie in the Bob Marshall Wilderness
at the confluence of two small streams, Strawberry Creek and Bowl Creek. From there, it runs north, receiving many tributaries from glacial valleys to the east and west, most of them inside Glacier National Park. The river begins to parallel U.S. Highway 2 as it winds north-northwest, and after a long and narrow course, the river enters a wider valley and begins to spread out and braid between meadows and forested slopes. It then enters another narrow gorge, turning generally westwards, then passing the southwestern entrance of the national park, receives a tributary from Lake McDonald
, a large glacial lake to the north, from the right. The river then proceeds southwest to meet the North Fork Flathead River
, southwest of West Glacier and northeast of Columbia Falls
, forming the main stem of the Flathead River, which eventually flows into the Clark Fork River (the Pend Oreille River
).
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, forming the southwestern boundary of Glacier National Park. Its drainage basin lies to the east of the South Fork Flathead River
South Fork Flathead River
The South Fork Flathead River is a major river in Northwestern Montana in the northwest United States. It is one of the three main forks of the Flathead River, a tributary of the Clark Fork River...
and the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Towns along the river include West Glacier
West Glacier, Montana
West Glacier is a small unincorporated community in eastern Flathead County, Montana, United States. The town is at the west entrance to Glacier National Park and is located on U.S. Route 2 and a main line of the BNSF Railway. The headquarters complex for Glacier National Park is located nearby...
, Nyack, Pinnacle, Essex
Essex, Montana
Essex is an unincorporated community in Flathead County, Montana, United States. Located in the northwestern part of the state, Essex lies near Glacier National Park, southwest of East Glacier and southeast of West Glacier. Amtrak's Empire Builder makes a flag stop at Essex, westbound at 7.41pm...
, and Nimrod.
The river's headwaters lie in the Bob Marshall Wilderness
Bob Marshall Wilderness
The Bob Marshall Wilderness is a wilderness area in Flathead National Forest of western Montana in the United States. It is named after Bob Marshall , an early forester, conservationist, and co-founder of The Wilderness Society. The Bob Marshall Wilderness extends for 60 miles along the...
at the confluence of two small streams, Strawberry Creek and Bowl Creek. From there, it runs north, receiving many tributaries from glacial valleys to the east and west, most of them inside Glacier National Park. The river begins to parallel U.S. Highway 2 as it winds north-northwest, and after a long and narrow course, the river enters a wider valley and begins to spread out and braid between meadows and forested slopes. It then enters another narrow gorge, turning generally westwards, then passing the southwestern entrance of the national park, receives a tributary from Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. It is located at in Flathead County in the U.S. state of Montana. Lake McDonald is approximately 10 miles long, and over a mile wide and 472 feet deep, filling a valley formed by a combination of erosion and glacial activity...
, a large glacial lake to the north, from the right. The river then proceeds southwest to meet the North Fork Flathead River
North Fork Flathead River
The North Fork Flathead River is a 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, a tributary of the Pend Oreille River, via Clark Fork. The river is sometimes considered the upper headwaters of the...
, southwest of West Glacier and northeast of Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls, Montana
Columbia Falls is a city in Flathead County, Montana, United States. The population was 3,645 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Columbia Falls is located at ....
, forming the main stem of the Flathead River, which eventually flows into the Clark Fork River (the Pend Oreille River
Pend Oreille River
The Pend Oreille River is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately long, in northern Idaho and northeastern Washington in the United States, as well as southeastern British Columbia in Canada. In its passage through British Columbia its name is spelled Pend-d'Oreille River...
).