Swan
Bigfork Dam to Bigfork Powerhouse(The Wild Mile)
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 1.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 100 fpm |
| Gauge | Swan River Near Bigfork, Mt |
| Flow Rate as of 32 minutes | 1510 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 22, 2018 |
In 2002 AW signed a Settlement Agreement with project owner PacifiCorp and other parties (National Park Service, MFWP, Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce, Bigfork Whitewater Festival Organization, Bigfork Development Company, Flathead Lakers, and Flathead Whitewater Association) providing the public with new opportunties to enjoy the Swan River. Flows on [...]Read More
WOW!! This is it!! The 'Wild Mile' !! Home of the Bigfork Whitewater festival held at the end of May.
Locals get to run this as early as the first part of April, depending on snow melt. Runnout extends longer than most Montana Rivers, thanks to Swan Lake, which feeds out warm water into July most years.
If you are new to the mile, be sure to scout the 'Big Drop' about a hundred yards from the putin.
For 13 miles from Swan Lake to Bigfork Dam, the Swan river is flat and lazy. But from the dam to the powerhouse, the river drops 100 feet in 1.25 miles. Past the powerhouse in Bigfork, the river enters Flathead Lake.
As flows drop in summer, scheduled opportunities are provided thanks to the advocay of American Whitewater. During the month of July and August the generators are turned off on Wednesday evenings to restore the full project flow into the river channel. These releases take place from 5 pm - 9 pm and are contingent on project inflows equal to or greater than 800 cfs at 8 am the day of the release. In most years this provides boatable flows on Wednesday evenings through the month of July but by August inflow typically drops below 800 cfs and the releases are no longer provided.
Put in: River left just below the dam.
Take out: River left, just below the powerhouse.
Jul 12, 2006
There is a closed dirt road along the river. Drive up through big fork past a fly shop as far as you can. The road is closed so you will have to walk. The dirt road offers very limited views of the river. To get good shots you will have to hike down a steep hill on some very faint trails. I was able to hike the whole section but it was not easy. Expect lots of climbing over trees and rocks. The run is very continuous class 4 (at 2500cfs)
But that is the run above the playspot. There is an easily accessible playspot. But to access it you will need to speak to the home owner as the only way to take pictures is to be in someone
Jan 1, 1900
Copyright Randy Clark.
