Three Forks of the Flathead Wild & Scenic River Comprehensive River Mgmt. Plan

Page updated: January 2025

On this page: Introduction | Background | Background Documents | Project Documents

The Flathead National Forest is engaging in a planning effort in coordination with Glacier National Park to develop a Comprehensive Management Plan for the three forks of the Flathead River. The plan will encompass the 219 miles of designated Wild and Scenic River within the North, Middle, and South Forks of the Flathead River. A draft of the Comprehensive River Management Plan is anticipated to be available for public review in summer of 2025. 

There are multiple opportunities for public involvement in the development of the Comprehensive River Management Plan. 
 

Comprehensive River Management Plans

An overview map of the Three Forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River

Wild and Scenic River management plans protect and enhance the outstandingly remarkable values identified in Wild and Scenic designation. Management of the three forks of the Flathead is currently directed by the 1980 Flathead Wild and Scenic River Management Plan.  

The Comprehensive River Management Plan project will revise the 1980 Plan to maintain compliance with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The plan will reflect and account for the changes that have occurred since the Wild and Scenic designation, including visitor use patterns, environmental conditions, Endangered Species Act species listing, and other laws that affect resources within the Wild and Scenic River corridor. The plan will provide direction towards meeting and maintaining desired conditions, as well as monitoring indicators, triggers, and thresholds for adjustment to management of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River into the future.  

Plan implementation is driven by three primary mechanisms: intergovernmental coordination, individual agency action, and partnerships with non-governmental organizations and the public. Future projects and site-specific activities must be consistent with the regulatory guidance provided in the Comprehensive River Management Plan, as well as the Flathead Forest Plan. 

The Flathead National Forest began the planning effort in 2018 and released a proposed action in 2019, which included public scoping and a series of public meetings. While there have been delays in plan development, the Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park have continued work on components of the plan and are incorporating public input from the 2019 public engagement efforts. 
 

 
A kayaker floats on the South Fork of the Flathead River

Wild & Scenic River Designation

The Three Forks of the Flathead was designated a Wild and Scenic River in 1976 and is a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It encompasses the North Fork of the Flathead from the Canadian border to its confluence with the Middle Fork, the entire Middle Fork, and the South Fork from its headwaters to Hungry Horse Reservoir. The North Fork and the lower Middle Fork form the boundaries between the Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park. Portions of the Middle and South Forks flow through the Bob Marshall and Great Bear Wilderness Areas. A total of 219 miles of the Flathead River are included in the designation. 

The Wild and Scenic River Act became law in 1968.  It is intended to recognize that certain selected rivers of the nation possess outstanding, remarkable scenic, recreational geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values that shall be preserved in free-flowing condition and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. 

 

Background Documents

Project Documents & Meeting Recordings