About Northwest Montana
Area Information
Montana has always been known for its opportunities for adventure for as long as anyone can remember. The Flathead Valley is surrounded by miles of wilderness, forest and park land offering endless opportunities for exploration. Whether it is hiking up the millions of miles of trails, fishing in the clear blue rivers and lakes, rafting down the whitewater, skiing in the powdery snow, golfing at one of the many great courses, or just sitting back and taking in all of the sites, it won't take long for you to discover what makes Montana extraordinary. The Flathead Valley is a wonderful and diverse place, and there is truly something here for absolutely everyone, no matter what your needs, desires, or dreams area.
Flathead Lake
One of the defining elements of the Flathead Valley is Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. It stretches north and south for 27 miles and averages 7 miles in width! It is truly a sight to behold. Flathead Lake is fed by the three forks of the Flathead River. Flathead Lake was created by the glaciers that moved down the Rocky Mountains from Canada. They built up a natural moraine at the southern end of the Lake, present day Polson. When the ice age ended, more than 10,000 years ago, the surrounding glaciers melted and filled the large depression, creating what we now know as Flathead Lake.
Flathead Lake was the main mode of transportation before there were roads or trains. In the early 1900s steamboats carried passengers and freight back and forth from Demersville (approximately 4 miles south of Kalispell on the northern end of the lake that no longer exists) to Polson. When the road on the west shore was finished the steamboat traffic ended. Polson was the first settlement along the shores of the lake in 1880, and began as Lambert's Landing and then was established as a town in 1898. Somers was founded in 1902 as a mill town and was a central point for logging operations. Bigfork was founded in 1901 by Everit Sliter.
There are six state parks and several fishing access on Flathead Lake. Wildhorse Island is a landmark in Flathead Lake. It is located at the south end by Big Arm and rises 850 feet out of the water. A trip to this State Park will bring sights of a few remaining wild horses, Big Horn Sheep, deer, owl, eagles and osprey. There are numerous hiking trails around the island and great places for a picnic.
Although Flathead Lake is a natural lake, Kerr Dam at the southern end of the lake in Polson helps to control the water levels of the lake. During the winter season the water is let out of the lake until May when the lake reaches full pool again. Lowering the lake helps to meet power demands as well as protect many docks and property during the winter from ice movement. Flathead Lake has some remarkable storms and during a windy day it isn't uncommon to see large whitecaps rolling across the surface.
Perhaps the most famous aspect of Flathead Lake is the legendary "Flathead Lake Monster." The locals will tell you tales that go back hundreds of years of sightings of this creature. Often there are large waves that may appear on the calmest of days with no boats in sight, some speculate that there is a huge sturgeon living in the lake, but no one knows for sure.
No visit to the Flathead Valley is complete without sampling some of the Flathead Cherries that are famous. The climate of the Flathead Valley is conducive to the cherries growth. As spring comes to the Flathead, the white blossoms begin to show and then in late summer the bright red juicy fruit are ready for picking.
Flathead Lake Stats
Maximum Length - 27.3 miles
Maximum Width - 15.5 miles
Maximum Depth - 370.7 feet
Average Depth - 164.7
Area Covered by the Lake - 191.5 sq miles
Area Covered by Islands - 5.5 sq miles
Volume of Water - 5.56 cu miles
Length of Shoreline
Mainland - 161.4 miles
Island - 26.2 miles
Total - 187.6 miles
Climate
People have also found that the climate is much milder than many expect. The Valley offers 4 distinct seasons. Spring offers warm afternoons with wildflowers blooming in the meadows and mountainsides. The Flathead Valley has three scenic "wild" rivers which are at full pool during the spring season and offer a great opportunity for the adventurous whether it is by whitewater rafting or kayaking.
The summer offers warm temperatures with an average of 78 degrees and low humidity. It is a perfect time to take advantage of the many lakes and rivers. The lakes and rivers are a water enthusiasts dream and great for waterskiing, windsurfing, fishing and boating. There are many outdoor concerts, theatrical events and festivals held throughout the valley. The summer is a great time to take advantage of a number of activities. The Flathead Valley has been called one of the "50 Greatest Golf Destinations in the World" and the summer is the perfect time to take advantage of more than twelve stunning courses.
Autumn brings crisp cool mornings, and the magnificent changing colors of the birch, tamarack, maple and other trees. Wildlife is abundant. In Montana the four legged residents far outnumber the two-legged ones. Pack your binoculars and your camera and take a trip to one of the many national parks or wildernesses; you will almost always have a chance to sight the wildlife
Winter is the favorite season for many. While many think of cold Montana winters, the Flathead Valley has experienced mild winters due to its location on the western side of the continental divide and is often referred to as the "banana belt". The temperatures are usually in the mid 20s to 30s. The average snowfall is 55 inches. The Big Mountain in Whitefish offers over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. Blacktail Mountain in Lakeside is the Valley's newest ski area and offers great skiing, hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails as well as cross country skiing, dog sledding and sleigh rides.
Flathead County Climate
Average Annual Temperature 42.6°F
Winter Average 36°F
Summer Average 78°F
Average Annual Rainfall 16.51 in.
Average Annual Snowfall 55.2 in. (range of 16-100 in.)
Average Growing Season 104-129 days
Elevation 3,000-10,000ft.
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