2025 Spring River Safety Workshop: Kicking Off the Flathead Float Season
May 14, 2025 – Kalispell, MT — As the snowmelt pushes rivers into peak flow, Flathead Rivers Alliance (FRA) welcomed the community to its Spring River Safety Workshop, hosted at Sacred Waters Brewing Company to help river-goers start their float season safely and confidently.
What We Covered
From 6:00 to 8:00 PM, local river safety professionals shared crucial insights and demonstrations:
Understanding spring river dynamics, including high flows, unpredictable hazards, and temperature risks
Cold-water immersion safety: what to expect in hypothermic conditions and how to prepare
Proper use of throw bags and personal flotation devices
Real-life river search and rescue stories and best practices, including K9 support gear for canine companions in distress
Experts from North Valley Search & Rescue—with their K9 team—and seasoned guides from Glacier Raft Company led programming, sharing decades of experience navigating the Upper Middle Fork, North Fork, and John Stevens Canyon regions of the Flathead watershed.
Guest Presenters
Glacier Raft Co.
www.glacierparkcollection.com/activities/glacier-raft-co
Jon Clausen, Lead Guide
Glacier Raft Co has been in operation since 1976 out of West Glacier, Montana. They operate in the remote Upper Middle Fork in the Great Bear Wilderness, the entirety of the North Fork and have trips on the water daily on the whitewater of John Stevens Canyon below Moccasin Creek. They train intensely every spring during run off and our guides form a deep respect for the rivers and their challenges.
North Valley Rescue Association (Search & Rescue)
https://nvsarmt.org/
Their mission is to aid, and to endeavor to assist in the saving of life and property in Flathead County, Montana, or elsewhere as an emergency arises. Their response area is made up of the Flathead River watershed in Northwest Montana and territory borders the west side of Glacier National Park and continues down to the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
Why It Matters
Held just before peak season, this free public workshop is designed to reduce risk and enhance river safety knowledge across the 219 miles of Flathead Wild & Scenic River. With the unpredictable fluctuations in early spring river conditions, proper education on gear, water reading, and rescue awareness is essential for both new and experienced users.
Join the River Community
This workshop was part of FRA’s larger 2025 outreach mission, which included:
River Ambassador and Citizen Scientist volunteer trainings
2025 Volunteer stewardship events like Earth Day Access Cleanup (April 26), River Weed Rodeo (June 27), and Flathead Waters Cleanup (August 9) Learn more: Events — Flathead Rivers Alliance or Annual Stewardship Events — Flathead Rivers Alliance
FRA's ongoing events and volunteer opportunities aim to build a safer, more informed, and engaged river community across the Three Forks of the Flathead Valley.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe
Whether you're planning your first float or are a seasoned paddler, we encourage everyone to visit our Trip Planning Hub for river alerts, float planning, and gear suggestions—especially during spring when river conditions can shift rapidly: Three Forks of the Flathead River: Alerts, Trip Planning, Outfitter, & Resources — Flathead Rivers Alliance
Receive FREE weekly river + weather forecast e-Newsletter: Subscribe — Flathead Rivers Alliance
For details on upcoming events, safety videos, and how you can volunteer with FRA’s River Ambassador or Citizen Scientist programs, please visit our Events page or get in touch via info@flatheadrivers.org.
In Gratitude
Thank you to North Valley Search & Rescue for bringing their K9 unit and expertise, and Glacier Raft Company for offering decades of guiding experience and gear insight. A big thanks also to Sacred Waters Brewing Company (3250 US Highway 2 E, Kalispell, MT 59901) for hosting our community event in their beautiful outdoor space.
Together, we're safeguarding the Flathead—ensuring that education, passion, and safety flow freely with every current and paddle downstream.
— Sheena Pate, Executive Director, Flathead Rivers Alliance
