Montana 2004: Whitewater Rafting on Lower Flathead River
Flathead Raft Co. in Polson, MT offers half-day whitewater rafting trips on the Lower Flathead River. Since Amanda was too young and small to participate, Arian and Amanda spent the day together while Joe, Amy and Tammy put on wetsuits and braved the wild rapids!
Amy and Joe waiting to go rafting.
Place the mouse over an image below to view here.
The trip is supposed to have Class II and Class III rapids but it was early in the season and the river was still high. There were rapids that we could imagine being much greater with the water level lowered. Still we had a great time!

Flathead River is fed primarily by snowmelt, resulting in clear, cold water. Because it was early in the season, the water was still a bit chilly. We decided we had better use the wetsuits provided by Flathead Raft Co. Of course, Joe had fun walking around singing "fat guy in a little suit . . . "

The Flathead Raft Co. guides are friendly and knowledgeable. Our guide was from the area and had spent many seasons taking rafters down Flathead River. Along the trip he pointed out interesting river facts and wildlife - and much to Joe's delight it included a bear on the riverbank.

Scroll down to see more pictures of the whitewater rafting trip.
Tammy and Joe.  View of river.  Joe sucking in his stomach. 
We entered Lower Flathead River at Kerr Dam (west of Polson) and exited at Buffalo Bridge. This seven-mile stretch has four distinct rapids clustered in the middle of the run, where the river makes a couple of tight bends through a little canyon. The best playing is at flows between 10,000 and 20,000 cfs. At low flows, the rapids require some tight maneuvering. Medium flows cover the rocks, and form good waves and a couple holes. Higher flows wash out most features, and the run becomes a fast flush.

Kerr Dam, built in 1938 by the Montana Power Company, is on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The dam is a symbol of economic progress. For many Indians, it is also one of spiritual loss because it transformed the Flathead River falls into a quiet lake.
Whitewater Rafting on Lower Flathead River.
Place the mouse over an image below to view here.
River entry point.  Joe praying.  Rafting group.  Bear spotted.  Joe and Amy.  Keep paddling. 

Will we make it through the rapid?  Raft full of water.  Mean little sister, Tammy.  Cold water!  Tammy and Amy.  Amy and Joe. 
 
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