Flathead Rivers Alliance (FRA) and agency partners have identified a need to improve river corridor large hazard tracking for the river corridor. Organizations are currently inventorying hazards individually and there is a desire to streamline and expand reporting and information sharing. FRA is interested in developing an online tracking system that organizations and public can report hazards through. Long term goal is to be able to prioritize hazards that warrant removal.

How are large hazards currently identified?
Large hazards are currently identified during agency River Ranger floats and Flathead Rivers Alliance volunteer events by watercraft, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

What do we classify as large hazards?
Over the years, hazards have been identified in the Three Forks of the Flathead River ranging from remnants from the 1964 flood on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River to rare isolated dumping. The most commonly identified hazards in this category are railroad and Highway 2 remnants from the 1964 flood.

Will we remove all identified large hazards?
The intention is to prioritize removal of manmade hazards that aren’t under cultural or historical protection and the act of removing wouldn’t be detrimental to the environment. There is a system of permitting and approvals that would need to occur before certain hazards could be removed.

*We will not be removing large woody debris as it is naturally occurring and essential for the health of river system. However, we do hope to help in the process of sharing when strainers are present on the river.