Flathead Lake, Moraine-dammed lake in Montana, United States.
Flathead Lake is a moraine-dammed lake in northwest Montana, about 30 miles long and 16 miles wide, with a maximum depth of 370.7 ft. Its irregular shoreline holds a dozen small islands, and the Polson Moraine near Polson marks the glacier's southernmost extent. The Mission Mountains border the east shore and the Salish Mountains the west.
Flathead Lake is a remnant of the glacial Lake Missoula. The Polson Moraine marks the glacier's farthest advance; a buried bedrock hill kept the moraine from being cut through, so the meltwater never drained. Kerr Dam, built at the outlet in 1930, raised the level slightly; the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have owned and operated the hydroelectric dam since 2015.
The name comes from the traditional inhabitants of the region, the Flathead peoples, whose history is tied to these waters. Today, boat docks, lakeside vacation homes, and small marinas shape the look of the shoreline.
Visitors reach the shore along several small roads leading to public boat ramps and campgrounds. Those arriving in summer will find swimming spots and launch points for boat trips.
Wild Horse Island sits in the middle of the water and hosts bighorn sheep that visitors can watch from boats. The island once served as a protected grazing area for horses kept safe from raids.
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