Between 13,000 and 17,000 years ago, an enormous ice dam held back the waters of Glacial Lake Missoula. When that dam broke, it unleashed a series of massive floods that transformed the landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Torrents of water surged across what is now Eastern Washington, carved the Columbia River Gorge, and spread rich sediment through Oregon’s Willamette Valley before ultimately reaching the Pacific Ocean.
The story of Glacial Lake Missoula is a powerful reminder of nature’s ability to shape our world. Evidence of these floods remains visible across Western Montana and beyond, connecting us to a deep geologic past that continues to define this region today.
To learn more about the Ice Age floods and Western Montana’s unique natural history, visit the Montana Natural History Center in Missoula and The Paradise Center in Paradise.
Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents recreate responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.
July 16, 2009
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