How Dangerous Are Montana Lakes

Unfortunately, Montana doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to waterway drownings and accidents. While the state has breathtakingly beautiful lakes and rivers, many are dangerous, resulting in many fatal accidents. There are various causes for these unforeseen tragedies, described in detail below. So, how dangerous are Montana Lakes? Continue reading to find out about drowning rates, lakes with the most treacherous features, and more.

Montana Drowning Rates

Montana has a high drowning rate. For example, between 2018 and 2021, there were 2.32 deaths per 100,000 people. In fact, the state had the third-highest drowning rate in the U.S. from 2018 to 2021. Alaska had the highest, with 4.4 deaths per 100,000 people. Hawaii came second with 3.34 deaths per 100,000 people.

Drownings and Accidents in Montana Lakes and Rivers

Accidents also account for a large amount of waterway fatalities in Montana. For example, boating accidents and getting stuck under a capsized kayak are common. However, some lakes and rivers in Montana are more dangerous than others. They include:

1. Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake has had its fair share of tragedy. Unfortunately, several visitors have lost their lives on this lake. For example, in 2021, a kayaker named Nicholas Lockwood was found dead in Flathead Lake. His cause of death was drowning due to rough waters that resulted in his kayak capsizing. In 2019, a man was boating with a group of friends near Bird Island and jumped into the lake for a swim. However, due to unknown circumstances, he started drowning. His friends managed to pull him out of the water and do chest compressions, but sadly, he didn’t make it. Furthermore, in 2008, three men drowned in the southern portion of the lake within five days of each other.

2. Bitterroot River

Bitterroot is an extremely dangerous river in Montana because it is unpredictable. The river’s character changes each year, and water lovers must be aware of the new obstacles, fallen trees, debris, and irrigation dams. One area of the river is extremely dangerous: the supply ditch diversion dam, a low-head dam built to divert water for irrigation about three miles downstream from Woodside. This dam creates strong currents that can cause a boat to capsize. This area is the site of many accidents and one fatality. However, Bitterroot River has taken more than one life. Several people have drowned in this river due to boating, kayaking, and floating accidents, including two children aged three and six.

3. Yellowstone River

While most of the Yellowstone River is peaceful and flows slowly, certain areas have strong currents and rough waters, especially at Yankee Jim Canyon. Many locals felt the might of this river in 2022 when heavy rainfall and melting snow caused the Yellowstone River to flood. Unfortunately, the floods caused significant damage to roads, bridges, and some homes.

Fall and winter are the most dangerous times to be on Yellowstone River due to the high tide, murky waters, and rapid currents. While swimming in this river is unsafe due to garbage, undertows, barbed wire, and other sharp objects, people still enjoy boating on its waters. Sadly, many people have lost their lives in boating and rafting accidents on Yellowstone River, like the 33-year-old Christopher Johnson, who fell out of his raft and drowned near Gardiner. However, there is no information about how he fell out of his raft or drowned, as he was found wearing a life jacket.

4. Rock Creek

Rock Creek is a tributary of the Clark Fork River, and the area is notorious for black bears and grizzly bears. While the grizzlies have never been seen around the creek itself, they were sighted in the remote ridges above Rock Creek. Therefore, when visiting this area, always be alert and cautious.

While there are no reported bear attacks at Rock Creek, there have been several deaths. For example, Alfred Tully lost his life when his raft capsized after it hit a log jam. Tully was not alone. The other person on the raft managed to survive the ordeal. Furthermore, in 2020, a body was found in Rock Creek and later identified as George Rudy. Autopsy results revealed that Mr. Rudy died as a result of accidental drowning.

5. Clark Fork River

Clark Fork River has a terrible reputation for being one of America’s most dangerous rivers due to industrial pollution. The Smurfit-Stone pulp mill is one of the biggest culprits, even though it has been closed for over 10 years. This mill sits downstream of Missoula in an active floodplain. Due to its unlined and unsafe waste dumps, it leaks toxic chemicals and heavy metals into the groundwater, which runs into the Clark Fork River. As a result, the fish in this area are too contaminated to eat.

But this river has also claimed many lives due to accidental drownings. For example, in 2021, a woman’s body was discovered in the river, and although life-saving measures were attempted, they were unsuccessful, and the woman passed away. Also, in 2021, a one-year-old girl went missing while on a family outing, but a family member discovered her body under the East River road bridge shortly after. Furthermore, in 2015, a 13-year-old boy was floating on the Clark River with friends and family when he overturned at the rapids known as The Jet. His brother surfaced and made it back to the shore, but Jonah Anspach disappeared under the water. Search and rescue started immediately, but they only found his body the next day.

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