Flathead September River News: Trip Planning, Events & Job Opportunities

This float season was one for the records and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without you! We’re wrapping up an education plan for the three forks of the Flathead River and your notes and feedback throughout the year have been extremely valuable in helping shape what will be prioritized and strategies to best deliver education and outreach to ensure the future of the Flathead River system is safeguarded for future generations. Have something you want us to note? Drop us an email or connect with a Flathead Rivers Alliance representative at Sept. 24th River Gear Swap + End-of-Year Celebration.

REMINDER
BEAR AWARE- Bear sightings might increase as foraging ramps up ahead of a long winter. Be alert, have bear spray accessible and always properly store and dispose attractants to reduce human-bear conflicts. Required/recommended river gear HERE. Additional info can be found online with GNP and Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

PREVENT WILDFIRES- Fire season is still active around the Flathead Valley. Fire danger remains very high and conditions can change quickly. Minimize campfires by using a camp stove whenever possible and note fire pans or fire blankets are required or recommended on river. Required/recommended river gear HERE. Learn about fires, trails and road closures Flathead National Forest HERE and Glacier National Park HERE.

RIVER ALERTS, GEAR, TRIP PLANNING TIPS, OUTFITTERS & RESOURCES HUB

The 2022 Flathead Waters Cleanup event returned Saturday, August 13th, 2022. This Flathead Basin-Wide event was hosted by Flathead Rivers Alliance, Flathead Basin Commission, Flathead Conservation District, Flathead Lakers, and Lake County Conservation District and brought together over 210 agency, organization and community member representatives in an all day volunteer event to not only cleanup trash, but celebrate the region’s incredible waterways. Participants removed over 5,100 LBS of trash improving 150 miles of riverbank and lakeshore. Learn more event and sponsors HERE. Did you volunteer and still want to submit photo(s)? Submit event photos HERE.

2022 River Gear Swap & Celebration- September 24th- Flathead Rivers Alliance and Montana Kayak Academy will hold their first annual end-of-season river gear swap and celebration. This is your chance to buy, sell and swap rafts, kayaks, SUPs, duckies, roof racks, overnight gear, and other river gear while supporting both nonprofit organizations. We invite you to come toast to a great float season!

Learn more, visit HERE or email info@flatheadrivers.org for more info.

2023 Big Sky Watershed Corps Member
Interested in becoming an AmeriCorps Big Sky Watershed Corps member? Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position interviews will begin the last week of August. Learn more HERE.

Partnership Coordinator Trainee (GS-301-5/7/9)
Flathead National Forest is hiring a Partnership Coordinator Trainee (GS-301-5/7/9). The Partnership Coordinator Trainee would assist in the development of partnership efforts with non-governmental organizations, other government agencies, community organizations, and other local or regional stakeholders.

The position will be open for applications September 6-16, 2022 on USAJobs.gov. Any U.S. citizen or national is eligible to apply--you do not need to have prior Federal experience to be eligible. For more information about the position, contact Tami MacKenzie, tamara.mackenzie@usda.gov.

2023 Seasonal River Patrol (Forestry Aid/Forestry Tech GS-3/4/5)
Flathead National Forest, Hungry Horse-Glacier View Ranger District, expects to hire several temporary employees for the 2023 summer field season in its Wild and Scenic River program. Applications will be accepted upon release of the competitive temporary job applications announcements, which is from 9/29/2022 to 10/6/2022. All applications must be submitted through the USA Jobs Website. Learn more HERE or contact Echo Miller-Barnes, echo.miller-barnes@usda.gov, (406) 387-3800 for more information.

Flathead Trails Fair- October 2nd- celebrate the launch of Flathead Trails Association. Meet 30+ non-profit and agency partners that make up the constellation of trail builders, fixers, and educators land and water-based, in the Flathead.

Learn more HERE.

CSKT Cultural Waterways Ordinance Presentation- October 7th- In 2021, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes applied a Cultural Waterways Ordinance to the lower reach of the Flathead River in Montana, designating it the Lower Flathead River Cultural Waterway. Join CSKT and Wild & Scenic Rivers Coalition virtually 10:30-11:30 AM MDT, to learn about ordinance’s history, significance, possible broader applications, and how those of us working in river advocacy can better support sovereign Indigenous river protection efforts.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://rivernetwork-org.zoom.us/j/84617516771
Meeting ID: 846 1751 6771
One tap mobile. Find your local number: https://rivernetwork-org.zoom.us/u/kZbguVmjl

North Fork Preservation Association spotlight Tale of Two Rivers: Beyond the Border. Learn more HERE and HERE.

We can’t thank our river community, partners, volunteers, donors, and sponsors enough! Our programming and projects wouldn’t be possible without your support. Interested in becoming a 22/23 Season Corporate Sponsor? Visit HERE or email info@flatheadrivers.org to learn how.

BECOME A SUPPORTING MEMBER | DONATE

Recreate Responsibly | Flathead Wild & Scenic River

Most AIS Inspection Stations will start closing late September/October, so if you’re traveling in and out of the Flathead Basin or into Glacier check HERE for status. To ensure health of watershed you’ll need an inspection for your watercraft. Always Clean. Drain. Dry to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Note: River levels have dropped significantly. There are hydraulic features on the river and hazards that may be difficult to navigate at current river levels. Know your skill level and always wear a PFD/Life Jacket!

River access site conditions are posted weekly on our Facebook and Instagram feeds and/or stories. If you head out to river and want to share photos with us send them HERE with photo credit and location and we’ll share on our platforms.

FLATHEAD AUGUST RIVER NEWSLETTER

EXPLORE WEBSITE