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RiverBrain

Montana – US

Class
III- to III
Length
8 Mile(s)
Put-in elevation
3,328 Feet
Take-out elevation
3,173 Feet
Typical season
March to October

Current Flow

3,810 CFS

Gauge height: 4.13 FT

Reading from Jul 10, 2026 9:45 PM

-1.67/hr (12h) -0.83/hr (24h)

Running

Hit some laps

Primary gauge
N F Flathead River nr Columbia Falls MT Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗ NOAA river forecast ↗

Recommended levels

Minimum1,000
Average7,500
Maximum11,000

Recommended use

  • Kayaking
  • Rafting
  • Canoeing
  • SUP
  • Packrafting
  • Fishing

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Flow history — last 6 days

Photos

No photos added for this run yet.

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Description

As the North Fork of the Flathead passes the Camas Creek road upstream from here the river enters a canyon setting.  Remnants of a very large forest fire from the early 2000's scar the landscape as the new vegitation is re-emerging.  This is another very scenic run on the North Fork with not nearly as much river traffic as the Middle Fork sees. 

Rafters continuing from upstream will notice the river picks up a little here and there are several sections with some sizable waves that approach class III in nature.  At medium to lower flows this run contain at least 3 very good surf waves for kayakers.  1 just below the putin, 1 half-way down the run and the last upstream a half a mile or so before the takeout.  At high/flood flows expect very strong turbulent water with continuous waves throughout.  Some features wash out and there are not a lot of eddy's.  At lower flows this melows out and some of the waves start to come in.

Expect wet and soggy weather and cold water throughout most of the year.  Everything should be read and run on this stretch but always keep an eye out for logjams and wood.

Rapids

No rapids added yet.

Access

Type Name Elevation Camping Water Boat ramp Vehicle access Description
Put-In Big Creek Access 3,328 Feet Yes No Yes All Vehicles

See run and access info here.

Take-Out Glacier Rim Access 3,173 Feet Yes No Yes All Vehicles

The Glacier Rim ramp is just before the North Fork Road turns into dirt.  There is a sign pointing it out so follow the road down to the river for the ramp.  This area also has some primitive camping options and a pit toilet.

Camps

No river camps added yet.

Permit

No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.

Fishing

No fish species have been associated with this run yet.

Community Run Notes

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