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One of the neat things about Flathead
Lake is the backdrop of the Mission and Swan Mountain
Ranges. These Rocky Mountain ranges, particularly the
Mission range extend almost right out of the water to 8 or
9,000 feet.
Flathead Lake elevation is roughly 3,000 feet above sea
level, so the mountains extend a good 6,000 feet (over a
mile) above the water on the east side of the lake. Much of
the year, the Mission mountain ranges are covered in snow
which reflects off the surface of Flathead Lake.
Flathead Lake Marinas
There are few marinas on Flathead Lake although there
are many public boat launching facilities around the lake.
One of the most popular boat launch ramps is at Somers and
secondly at Polson Montana. Flathead Lake is notorious for
big waves from windy conditions. There are endless stories
of experienced boater who are found caught out in severe
weather and waves with little notice.
One particular boat remembers 10' swells developing on the
lake in a matter of minutes and was jus barely able to get
his boat to a protected bay. So be careful and make sure
your boat is big enough for Flathead Lake. Also always make
sure you have adequate flotation devices, a radio, cell
phone, etc.
Flathead Lake Living
Living on Flathead Lake has quickly become only
possible for the wealthy. As of 2007, average lakefront
property on Flathead Lake is $10,000 per lineal feet. That
means if you want a 100' of frontage on a half acre lot or
so, you'll need $1,000,000. That is cheap by
Hawaii or California coast prices, but that is just for the
land. Let us say that you'd like a fairly gently sloping lot
with a nice sandy beach, assuming you can find one, that'll
run you an easy $20,000 per lineal foot of lakefront. The
west side of Flathead Lake is best for sunsets and day
photography as the angle of the sun generally reduces glare
from the
lake.
Kerr Dam
The dam on the south end of the lake regulates
Flathead Lake water level. Kerr Dam is just south of Polson
Montana. The dam regulates the lake level by 10 feet. There
are a number of good spots close on the east bank for
spectacular photos in the late spring when the all the
floodgates are open.
Glacial Lake Missoula
Turing various ice ages, an ice dam would occur in
Idaho or close to the Montana border and the entire
Missoula, Mission and Flathead valleys would fill with water
forming Glacial Lake Missoula. It is believed that the ice
dam collapsed and much of the lake would spill out into
Oregon and then flow to the Pacific Ocean. Today, Flathead
Lake is only a fraction of the original size during the ice
ages.
Flathead Lake Islands
Flathead Lake has a number of islands, including Wild
Horse Island. Wild Horse Island is so large that a herd of
wild Bighorn Sheep lives on the island with a number of wild
horses. There are over 25 miles of island shorelines in
Flathead Lake and over 160 miles of shoreline total. |
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