13S 



BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 



is apparently composed of sediments deposited in the manner mentioned 

 as a large delta. The course of the river is plainly traced into the lake 

 for some distance by the delta thus formed, which for a distance of from 

 one-fourth to one-half mile from the shore is sufficiently high to be 

 covered by vegetation and in some places by shrubbery. Beneath the 

 surface of the water the formation is discernible for a long distance far- 

 ther into the lake. Consult Plate XXXVII. 



The opportunities for interesting and valuable geological study in 

 connection with the Station are therefore apparent at first sight. Whether 

 in connection with a study of the bottom of the present lake or as a sep- 

 arate study of the glacial deposits along the valley north to the bound- 

 ary the study will be both of value and of interest. To students who 

 have had some general work in geological study the field is a most prom- 

 ising one. A study of the valley from the upper end of the lake north- 

 ward with particular reference to its relation to the older lake and river 

 will certainly afford work for many students. This portion may be a 

 delta itself or only the sediment of quieter waters. Beyond all of these 

 questions a study of the territory within greater distances, especially 

 north of Kalispell and around the divide between Swan river and the 

 Big Blackfoot tributaries, may bring out information that will throw great 

 light on the history of many other portions of old topography of the 

 western slope of the Rocky mountains. The Mission mountains will 

 prove to be an interesting study from the petrographical standpoint as 

 will also the Kootenais. In view of the recent developments in the study 

 of the Miocene Lake beds of Montana it would seem that Flathead lake 

 offers a great field of study as both ancient and recent beds can be studied 

 at once." 



In addition to the above notes by Mr. Smith may be given the follow- 

 ing: 



The outlet is called by some Pend d'Oreille river, by others Flathead 

 river. Some consider Flathead river to extend from its source to the 

 lake, then from the lake to the Missoula river. Others give the name 

 Pend d'Oreille to the stream from Flathead lake to the Missoula river. 

 The river formed by the junction of the Missoula and Pend d'Oreille is 

 called Clarke's Fork of the Columbia. 



The present outlet of Flathead lake is of recent origin. The river 

 for several miles near the lake is swift and rocky, a series of rapids 

 alternating with more quiet water. About a mile from the lake there 

 is a large bank of clay through which the river has cut. The clay is 

 continuous with and apparently a part of the moraine mentioned. At the 

 river bank it has been cut and eroded by the wind and rain. The bank 

 is abrupt and steep, the clay clinging together so as to form cliffs, some 

 ending in sharp pinnacles. Below the clay is the bed rock, similar to 

 that found at different places around the lake. The river has done some 

 cutting through the solid rock bed, but not much. At one place the chan- 

 nel is partially dammed by a large rock in the center of the river. Above 

 and below this place the river is a beautiful sheet of foam, with several 

 small falls. It is as beautiful a rapid as one usually sees. In my esti- 

 mation it is superior to the rapid above the first falls in the Yellowstone. 

 Plate XLV shows the rapids as seen from the hillside some two hun- 



