Whitefish River (Montana)
The Whitefish River is a southward-flowing stream originating at the outlet of Whitefish Lake. The river is a tributary of the Stillwater River just before it reaches the Flathead River in Flathead County, in the U.S. state of Montana. The Whitefish River is part of the Columbia River basin, as the Flathead River is a tributary of Clark Fork, which is tributary to the Pend Oreille River, which is tributary to the Columbia River. History Whitefish River and Whitefish Lake were named in the 1850s for the abundant whitefish harvested there. The Salish called them epɫx̣ʷy̓u, "has whitefish". Course The Whitefish River originates in Whitefish Lake and flows generally south until it joins the Stillwater River just before the Flathead River about east of Kalispell. The river's uppermost reach leaves the lake and flows through the city of Whitefish for . The Whitefish River has three tributaries of significance. Small Cow Creek flows southwest and discharges into the river downstream from Whitefish Lake. Next, several headwater tributaries beginning in the Whitefish Mountain Resort form Haskill Creek which flows south to the Whitefish River downstream from Whitefish Lake. The third tributary to Whitefish River is Walker Creek which begins in the