Missouri

Great Falls

Reach banner

DP
Dustin Prinzing

May 30, 2008


The stretch of water below Morony dam offers a great day float for
those intersted in seeing a different part of the Missouri. There are two
optional takeouts; one at Widow Coulee on the Highwood road (shorter
float but longer shuttle) or at the Carter ferry. Ive floated this stretch
several times and love it. Right when you put on you want to get river
right to catch the nice class II run, but watch out for a couple ledges
that could surprise you. Its a very short time before you get to Belt Creek
, youll see a high grass ridge jetting quickly to a huge wave at med-high
flows. Even though its only a 30-50 yd stretch, the wave there is sweet
and offers great play. After another 2 miles of swift Class II youll come
upon the ledge. This is the stopping point for a motorized craft downstream
, and at med-high flows is pretty sweet. Be sure to scout and scramble
up the hill to see a Lewis and Clark marker commerating their portage.
Running the ledge is possible through the tongue. For those not interested
the line is river left. there is also another sweet play wave right above
this ledge at med-high flows, and a sneak line hugging the right cliff.
Another 2 miles of II's and your to Widow Coulee (look for an outhouse)
or another 5 miles or so to Carter.

?
Untitled

Aug 24, 2006


From Eric Vincent




The second picture is mislabeled as 'Great Falls', it is actually Black Eagle Falls. There is a really nice wave hole and surf wave that lie just down stream (30 yards) of that pic. The dam/falls Great Falls is about 5 miles downstream. Below the last dam in the area, Morony Dam, there is a four mile stretch of class II (III) water. Great play where Belt Creek comes in, and a pretty large, sticky hole 1/2 mile downstream

SB
Shawn Baker

Mar 24, 2004


Tailrace Rapids is pretty fun--it is just off of the far right side of the 'Great Falls Mighty MO' photo. Climb down the embankment in the left side of the photo, paddle across the river visible in the lower part of the photo, and enter through the eddy at the bottom of the tailrace. Don't trespass on the Montana Power/dam land--Great Falls boaters have done a pretty good job of maintaining a good relationship with the corporate neighbors--don't ruin it for them! I paddled it last spring at about 6,000cfs, and it was pretty fun. Locals can probably provide better beta; tailrace flows will vary with the amount of power generated. Check in with Bighorn Wilderness Outfitters downtown for good information, too.

WR
Will Reeves

Jul 14, 2003


I took a look at the map for this run and there are some steep creeks falling into this gorge. Also it appears as if there was a mile long rapid below the next dam near sulfur springs see http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=12&n=5270663&e=495950&s=25&size=l&u=1