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

Page updated: April 1, 2024

The Flathead National Forest is reengaging in the planning effort of a Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP) for the 3-Forks of the Flathead River, in coordination with Glacier National Park. While the planning effort experienced delays, the Flathead National Forest continued to work on preparing the draft of the plan for analysis. At this point, the Forest is again making progress towards providing a plan for public review by autumn of 2025. The information below provides background and context from the initiation of the Comprehensive River Management Plan.

Background

Valuable background information on the Three Forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River from the 2018 public information sessions.

An overview map of the Three Forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River The 3-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.

The river and surrounding lands offer recreational opportunities and access to outstanding resources for a variety of public lands users. The CRMP will address the current status of these resources, outline goals and desired conditions, determine user capacities, and create a monitoring strategy and plan to carry forward A kayaker floats on the South Fork of the Flathead River .

The public is encouraged to contribute to this planning effort that will secure the outstanding remarkable values of the 3-Forks of the Flathead River for future generations. The planning team will be reaching out to the public to provide information on background of the statutory requirements of a CRMP under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, describe the need for change from the current river management plan and to gather public input on management issues for the CRMP.

This CRMP effort will be coordinated by HydroSolutions Inc, a Helena, Montana engineering, water, and natural resource consulting firm, who was recently awarded the contract to complete the CRMP after a competitive bid process. Bids for the project were received and reviewed by the Flathead National Forest under an existing Region 1, USDA Forest Service Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract. Work began in October 2017 and is scheduled for completion in 2020.