An outstanding example of a Resource Natural Area (RNA) in 

 this drainage is Coram RNA, designated part of the World Biosphere 

 Reserve System, a worldwide network of unique biologically 

 pristine ecosystems. The 839-acre site was established as a 

 natural area within the Coram Experimental Forest in 1933, and is 

 currently under consideration as a National Natural Landmark 

 (NNL). The RNA contains old-growth forest trees (some up to 500 

 years old) dominated by Douglas fir and western larch. This area 

 is used in scientific research as a control or baseline site with 

 which to compare disturbed forest areas. 



Unique botanical features found within the Flathead drainage 

 include two species of moonwort, relatives of the fern family. 

 Wavy moonwort ( Botrychiu m crenulatum ) is found primarily in marshy 

 areas in California, but it is also known from one small disjunct 

 population in the Swan Valley. This endangered species is 

 threatened by logging and residential development. Another 

 regionally endemic moonwort in the Flathead Valley is Mountain 

 moonwort ^B otrychiu m mo ntan um) , found in meadows and moist 

 coniferous forests. A rare Montana orchid recommended for 

 protection by Montana Rare Plant Project is Clustered lady's- 

 slipper (Cypripedium fa££icuJa_tum) , found only in moist wooded 

 areas at low- to mid-elevations in the foothills of the Mission 

 Mountains . 



Columbia River crazyweed (0xYtro2is cam£e£tri£ va r . 

 Colu m biana ) is known from only two areas -- the northern portion 

 of the Columbia River drainage above Spokane, Wash., and the North 

 Fork of the Flathead River and Flathead Lake in Montana. This 

 threatened plant grows on the gravelly shores of lakes and rivers. 

 Activities such as residential development, recreational use, and 

 shoreline erosion occurring along the Flathead River and Flathead 

 Lake threaten this regionally endemic species. 



Geologic Features 



Upstream from Flathead Lake one finds a variety of interesting 

 geologic features along the North, South, and Middle forks of the 

 Flathead River. Six percent of the Class I or II geologic feature 

 sites identified in the study, excluding type locations, were 

 found in the upper Flathead River drainage. 



Some of the finest examples of oxbows in the state can be 

 found along the Flathead River just upstream from Flathead Lake. 

 Formed when the river cut a new channel and eventually abandoned 

 the old channel, these oxbows are present today as crescent-shaped 

 lakes, ponds, and sloughs. McWenneger, Church, Egan, and Half 

 Moon sloughs are characteristic of this feature. 



A good example of a glacial landform eroded from bedrock, 

 known as roche moutonnee, can be seen on the hill at Somers. The 

 side of the hill facing the oncoming glacier is typically abraded 



53 



