Flathead River Patrol Reports

Jump to: Middle Fork Reports | North Fork Reports

North Fork Road, Blankenship Road, and Belton Stage Construction

There will be a full road closure for the last 5.1 miles of the North Fork Road to the Canadian Border starting August 6, 2023 through October 2023. Partial road closures with 30 minute delays should be anticipated on sections of Belton Stage Road, Blankenship Road, and Glacier Drive between Polebridge and Polebridge Ranger Station. Find the latest on these projects at the Federal Highway Administration website.

Note: Be aware that river conditions can change rapidly depending on weather and other factors. These condition reports are for reference only, and are not authoritative guides.

Cubic Feed per Second (CFS) and Water Depth are based on USGS Survey Stations near the river segment. Current stream-flow data can be found at NOAA's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.

How to Read the Hydrograph

Middle Fork Flathead River

2023 Patrol Reports will be entered as patrols are completed, usually starting in mid-to-late June and early July.

Middle Fork CFS and Water Depth from the USGS Survey Station at West Glacier (123585000)
Date (2023)	Put-In	Take Out	Length (mi.)	Float Time (hrs)	CFS	Water Depth (ft)	Observed Conditions
September 8, 2023	Blankenship	House of Mystery	11	3.5	1120	2.33	Moderate Flows: Water clear, little to no debris present. Many obstacles/rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available, unlikely craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in few locations.
September 7, 2023	Essex	Paola	7	4	1200	2.39	Low Flows: Water is clear + little to no debris present. Most rocks + obstacles exposed. All rock bars exposed. Most craft will need to be pushed through some sections. Portage may be required in some sections. Very slow water + minimal hydraulic efforts.
August 26, 2023	Moccasin Creek	Blankenship	14.5	5	638	1.89	Low Flows: Water is clear with no debris present. Most craft will need to be pushed through some sections. Most rocks, obstacles exposed, all rock bars exposed. Very slow water, minimal hydraulic effects.
August 25, 2023	Moccasin Creek	Blankenship	14.5	5	676	1.93	Low Flows: Water clear, little to no debris present Many rocks/obstacles exposed Navigable channel generally available, unlikely craft will need to be pushed Reduced/moderate hydraulic effects
August 18, 2023	Blankenship	SF Confluence	9	4	585	1.83	Low/Moderate Flows: Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Heavy craft may need to be pushed. Slow water with reduced hydraulic effects in most locations.
August 18, 2023	Moccasin Cr	West Glacier	9	4	585	1.83	Low/Moderate Flows: Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Heavy craft may need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in few locations.
August 6, 2023	Blankenship	House of Mystery	9.5	5	724	1.98	Low/Moderate Flows: Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Heavy craft may need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
August 6, 2023	Moccasin Creek	Blankenship	14.5	4.5	724	1.98	Low/Moderate Flows: Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Heavy craft may need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
August 5, 2023	Blankenship	House of Mystery	9.5	4	734	1.99	Low/Moderate Flows Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Heavy craft may need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
August 5, 2023	Moccasin Creek	Blankenship	14.5	5	734	1.99	Low/Moderate Flows: Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Heavy craft may need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
August 4, 2023	Moccasin Creek	Blankenship	14.5	5.5	695	1.95	Low/Moderate Flows: Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Heavy craft may need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
August 4, 2023	Cascadilla	Moccasin Creek	7	4	695	1.95	Low Flows: Water clear with no debris present. Most rocks, obstacles, and rock bars are exposed. Most craft will need to be pushed through multiple sections. Portage may be required through the Nyack Flats section. Water is very slow with minimal hydraulics.
July 23, 2023	Blankenship	House of Mystery	10.5	4.5	937	2.18	Low-Moderate Flows Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in few locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
July 23, 2023	Moccasin Creek	Blankenship	14.5	4.5	937	2.18	Low-Moderate Flows Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
July 22, 2023	Moccasin Creek	Blankenship	14.5	5	960	2.2	Low-Moderate Flows Water is clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface and rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
July 22, 2023	Paola	Cascadilla	11	4.5	960	2.2	Low-Moderate Flows Water clear. Little/no debris present. Most rocks/obstacles exposed. Most craft will need to be pushed through some sections Slow water. Minimal hydraulic effects.
July 21, 2023	Paola	Cascadilla	11	4	972	2.21	Low-Moderate Flows Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. All rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
July 21, 2023	Essex	Paola	7.5	4	972	2.21	Low-Moderate Flows Water clear. Little/no debris present. Most rocks/obstacles exposed. All rock bars exposed. Most craft will need to be pushed through some sections. Portage may be required in some sections. Very slow water. Minimal hydraulic effects.
July 9, 2023	Moccasin Creek	Blankenship	14.5	4.5	1470	2.54	Moderate Flows Water is clear with no debris present. Many rocks and obstacles are exposed with many rocks just beneath the surface of the water. All rocks bars are exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed in some spots. Water is generally slow with reduced hydraulic effects. There are still strong hydraulic effects present in some spots.
July 9, 2023	Paola	Cascadilla	12	4.5	1470	2.54	Low-Moderate Flows Water is clear with no debris present. Many rocks and obstacles are exposed with many rocks just beneath the surface of the water. All rocks bars are exposed. Havy craft may need to be pushed in some sections. Light or small craft should be OK. Water is slow with reduced hydraulic effects.
July 8, 2023	Moccasin Creek	Blankenship	14.5	4.5	1510	2.57	Moderate Flows Water is clear with no debris present. Many rocks and obstacles are exposed with many rocks just beneath the surface of the water. All rocks bars are exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed in some spots. Water is generally slow with reduced hydraulic effects. There are still strong hydraulic effects present in some spots.
July 8, 2023	Bear Creek	Paola	12	5.5	1510	2.57	Low Flows Water is clear with no debris present. Most rocks and obstacles are exposed and all rock bars are exposed. Large or heavy craft may need to be pushed in some sections. Small craft likely won't need pushing. A navigable channel is generally present. Water is slow with strong hydraulics present in a few locations.
July 7, 2023	Paola	Cascadilla	12	3.5	1560	2.6	Low-Moderate Flows Water is clear with no debris present. Many rocks and obstacles are exposed with many rocks just beneath the surface of the water. All rocks bars are exposed. Havy craft may need to be pushed in some sections. Light or small craft should be OK. Water is slow with reduced hydraulic effects.
July 7, 2023	Bear Creek	Paola	10.5	4	1560	2.6	Low Flows Water is clear with no debris present. Most rocks and obstacles are exposed and all rock bars are exposed. Large or heavy craft may need to be pushed in some sections. Small craft likely won't need pushing. A navigable channel is generally present. Water is slow with strong hydraulics present in a few locations.
July 6, 2023	Glacier Rim	House of Mystery	13.5	3.75	1610	2.63	Moderate Flows Water Clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rocks bars exposed. Naviable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
June 23, 2023	Cascadilla	West Glacier	16	6	2640	3.21	Moderate Flows: Water Clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rocks bars exposed. Naviable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
June 24, 2023	Bear Creek	Paola	10.5	4.5	2525	3.15	Moderate Flows: Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacle exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rocks bars exposed. Naviable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hyrdraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
June 24, 2023	Paola	Cascadilla	12	3.5	2520	3.15	Moderate Flows: Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacle exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rocks bars exposed. Naviable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
June 25, 2023	Bear Creek	Paola	10.5	4.5	2420	3.1	Moderate Flows: Water clear. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacle exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Many rocks bars exposed. Naviable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
June 26, 2023	Paola	Cascadilla	12	4.5	2420	3.1	Moderate Flows: Clear Water. Little/no debris present. Some rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks bars exposed. Naviable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.

North Fork Flathead River

2023 Patrol Reports will be entered as patrols are completed, usually starting in mid-to-late June and early July.

North Fork CFS and Water Depth from the USGS Survey Station at Columbia Falls (123555000)
Date (2023)	Put-In	Take Out	Length (mi.)	Float Time (hrs)	CFS	Water Depth (ft)	Observed Conditions
August 26, 2023	Great Northern Flats	Blankenship	11	4.5	685	1.75	Low-Moderate Flow: Water clear, little to no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles/rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed in some sections. Slow water, reduced hydraulic effects.
August 25, 2023	Great Northern Flats	Blankenship	11	4	695	1.77	Low Flow: Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface. Most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
August 13, 2023	Big Creek	Glacier Rim	11.5	4	721	1.82	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
August 13, 2023	Coal Creek	Big Creek	9.5	4	721	1.84	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
August 12, 2023	Coal Creek	Big Creek	9.5	4	732	1.84	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
August 11, 2023	Blankenshp	House of Mystery	9.5	4.5	666	1.92	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
August 11, 2023	Great Northern Flats	Blankenship	11	4	753	1.8	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
July 30, 2023	Blankenship	House of Mystery	10	5	764	2.02	Moderate Flow Water clear. little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles/rock bars exposed. Navigable channel generally available. Unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Moderate hydraulic effects in some locations.
July 30, 2023	Great Northern Flats	Blankenship	11	5	816	1.98	Low-Moderate Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Many rocks/obstacles exposed. Many rocks near the surface most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduce hydraulics.
July 29, 2023	Glacier Rim	Blankenship	4	1	834	2	Low-Moderate Flow Water is clear. Little to no debris present. Many rocks. Obstacles are exposed, many rocks near the surface, most rock bars exposed. Heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water. Reduced hydraulic effects.
July 28, 2023	River Mile 29	Coal Creek	5	2	851	2.02	Low Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Most rocks/obstacles exposed. Heavy craft will likely need to be pushed through some sections. Slow water, reduced hydraulic effects.
July 27, 2023	River Mile 36.5	River Mile 29	7.5	6	869	2.04	Low Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present. Most rocks/obstacles exposed. All rock bars exposed. Most craft will need to be pushed through some sections. Portage may be required in some sections. Very slow water. Minimal hydraulic effects.
July 26, 2023	Ford	River Mile 36.5	8.5	5.5	887	2.06	Low Flow Water clear. Little/no debris present Most rocks/obstacles exposed. All rock bars exposed. Most craft will need to be pushed through some sections. Portage may be required in some sections. Very slow water. Minimal hydraulic effects.
July 16, 2023	Big Creek	Glacier Rim	12	4	1140	2.42	Low-Moderate Flows Water clear with no debris present. Many rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Generally slow water with moderate hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
July 16, 2023	Coal Creek	Big Creek	9	5	1140	2.42	Low-Moderate Flows Water clear with no debris present. Many rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Generally slow water with moderate hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetaion entirely exposed.
July 15, 2023	Polebridge	Coal Creek	9.5	3.25	1190	2.51	Low-Moderate Flows There is a downed cottonwood tree spanning the right channel at approximately RM 27.5. There is a navigable channel on river left around the strainer. Water clear with no debris present. Many rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Generally slow water with moderate hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
July 15, 2023	Ford	Polebridge	11	4	1190	2.51	Low-Moderate Flows Water clear with no debris present. Many rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Generally slow water with moderate hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
July 14, 2023	Polebridge	Coal Creek	9.5	2.5	1240	2.52	Low-Moderate Flows There is a downed cottonwood tree spanning the right channel at approximately RM 27.5. There is a navigable channel on river left around the strainer. Water clear with no debris present. Many rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Generally slow water with moderate hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
July 14, 2023	Ford	Polebridge	11	3	1240	2.52	Low-Moderate Flows Water clear with no debris present. Many rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Generally slow water with moderate hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
July 6, 2023	Big Creek	Glacier Rim	12	3.5	1350	2.63	Low-Moderate Flows Water clear with no debris present. Many rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Generally slow water with moderate hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
July 2, 2023	Ford	Polebridge	11	4	1570	2.8	Low Flows Water clear with no debris present. Many rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Generally slow water with moderate hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
July 2, 2023	Border	Ford	14	4	1570	2.8	Low Flows Water clear with no debris present. Many rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Generally slow water with moderate hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
July 1, 2023	Ford	Polebridge	11	3.5	1610	2.83	Low Flows Water clear with no debris present. Many rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Generally slow water with moderate hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
July 1, 2023	Border	Ford	14	4	1610	2.83	Low Flows Water clear with no debris present. Many rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; heavy craft may need to be pushed through some sections. Generally slow water with moderate hydraulic effects in some locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
June 30, 2023	Coal Creek	Big Creek	9.5	3.5	2120	2.87	Low/Moderate Flows: Water clear with no debris present. Some rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Moderate hydraulic effects in locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
June 30, 2023	Polebridge	Coal Creek	10	3.5	2120	2.87	Low/Moderate Flows: There is a downed cottonwood tree spanning the right channel at approximately RM 27.5. There is a navigable channel on river left around the strainer. Water clear with no debris present. Some rocks exposed with many just under the surface and many rock bars exposed. There is a navigable channel generally available; unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Moderate hydraulic effects in locations. Seasonally flooded vegetation entirely exposed.
June 13, 2023	Big Creek	Glacier Rim	11.5	4	3140	3.81	Moderate Flows: Water clear with little to no debris present. Some rocks and other obstacles are exposed out of the water. There is a navigable channel generally available, and it's unlikely that craft will need to be pushed. Strong hydraulics are present in some locations.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/flathead/recreation/?cid=fseprd589522&width=full