Montana’s Most Powerful Waterfall Sends 11 Million Gallons Per Minute Through a Natural Stone Labyrinth

Visit Kootenai Falls

Just west of Libby, Montana, Kootenai Falls drops 90 feet over ancient rock formations, one of the largest free-flowing waterfalls in the Northwest.

While tourists hit Glacier’s packed trails, locals know this stretch of the Kootenai River for its thundering rapids, swinging bridge, and sacred significance to the Kootenai tribes who’ve gathered here for centuries.

Carved a Billion Years Ago

The rocks at Kootenai Falls come from the Belt Supergroup, a set of sedimentary rocks that formed about 1.5 billion years ago when a shallow sea covered much of Montana.

The land has cracks and folds caused by powerful forces pushing the earth around 50 to 100 million years ago.

You can also find fossilized stromatolites here (layered formations made by ancient bacteria) including ripple marks, salt casts, and mudcracks preserved in the rocks.

An Explorer Marked the Trail

In the early 1800s, Canadian explorer David Thompson (an agent of the Northwest Fur Company) navigated the Kootenai River region, portaging around the falls on a trail 300 feet above the river.

His journal describes the precarious nature of this trail. He faced harsh winters, relied on hunting and fishing, and even faced hostility from the Peigan Indians who were wary of fur traders selling weapons to their enemies.

Packs Incredible Water Power

Water rushes through these falls at 731 cubic meters per second, one of Montana’s strongest flow rates. During spring, when snow melts, this amount can triple and shake the nearby cliffs.

Years of powerful water flow have carved holes and channels in the rock below. These carved paths split the water into several streams that join back together downstream, creating a unique pattern you won’t see at other Montana waterfalls.

The Swinging Bridge Above

A 210-foot suspension bridge hangs 100 feet above the gorge, giving you amazing views of the falls. It was constructed in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and revamped again in 1950 after the 1948 flooding.

The bridge gently sways as you walk across, adding some excitement to your visit. Strong steel cables and wooden planks keep you safe. This natural bridge was also featured in the famous 2015 movie “The Revenant.”

Rainbows Appear in the Mist

The rushing water creates a constant mist that rises from the falls. When sunlight hits this mist between mid-morning and early afternoon, colorful rainbows often appear.

The mist works differently throughout the year. In winter, the water droplets freeze into ice sculptures and frost along the canyon. Summer brings full rainbow arcs, while winter shows fragments of color through the freezing air.

Fish Swim Up These Falls

Kootenai River supports various fish species, including rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, bull trout, brook trout, and mountain whitefish that gather in calm pools below the falls, waiting for the right moment to swim up.

The Kootenai people often used dip nets, spears, bone and thorn hooks, weirs, trenches, and snares to catch fish from these falls. The rive is also considered a Blue Ribbon fishery in the United States.

Remains Wild and Undammed

The falls remain one of the few major waterfalls in the western United States that still flows freely, even though many proposals were sent forward.

In 1978, electric cooperatives wanted to construct a dam that would divert over 90% of the river’s flow for electricity but Kootenai Falls stayed untouched.

Thanks to conservation efforts by the National American Indian Law Firm (NARF) in the 1980s, any plans for a dam were stopped.

The China Wall Next to the Falls

The China Wall stands next to the falls like a giant natural barrier. The cliff shows layers of ancient quartzite and argillite that were pushed almost straight up by forces deep within the Earth.

This wall stretches several hundred feet along the river and forms a natural bowl shape. The shape of the wall makes the sound of the falls echo, creating unique sounds that travel far through the area.

Animals Call This Place Home

This refuge provides a habitat for over 220 species of birds and 45 species of mammals. Mountain goats often climb the steep canyon walls around the falls, while eagles and ospreys nest in the tall pine trees above in winter.

You might spot river otters playing in the quiet pools near the falls early in the morning. During spring and fall, bighorn sheep sometimes visit the area when fewer people are around.

Falls Create Ice Art in Winter

When temperatures drop below freezing, parts of the falls turn into 30-foot ice formations. The mix of flowing water and freezing temperatures shapes unique ice sculptures and frost patterns.

The main water channels never freeze completely because they move too fast. This creates a striking scene where ice and flowing water exist side by side.

The Ancient Meeting Place

For generations, the Kootenai people have gathered at these falls, believing the sacred site was created by Quilxka Nupika, the supreme being. They also chose this spot for fishing and ceremonies because of its special meaning. The canyon walls create excellent acoustics that carry voices across the water. The Kootenai tribe still meets at this sacred place for their traditional gatherings.

The Bat Caves in the Cliffs

Several caves dot the limestone cliffs, some extending several feet into the rock. Researchers believe the rocks contain crystals of calcite and quartz.

While some caves are accessible, others, particularly those located behind the falls, are difficult.

Various bats, including little brown bats and long-eared myotis, shelter in these caves during hibernation periods (November to March).