Boaters at Flat Iron Ridge will have an easier time enjoying this popular recreational site thanks to a cooperative effort between PPL Montana and Avista Corporation.

The two companies joined forces to dredge boat-grabbing sediment that had been lingering at the base of the fishing access point, located two miles west of Thompson Falls adjacent to Montana’s scenic Highway 200.

“PPL has a very good working relationship with both upstream and downstream hydro plant owners and we all benefit from that relationship,” said Lance Elias, PPL's resource coordinator. “Our part in this project was adjusting the flow from Thompson Falls to assist our downstream neighbors. It was a small inconvenience for us, but it provided a significant benefit for Avista and the people who enjoy this recreational area.”

As part of the project, which was completed in December, the Flat Iron fishing access point was dredged for the first time in more than a decade.

“Playing in the mud was fun as a kid,” said Brian Burky, Recreation/Land Use Specialist with Avista. “But it is not fun if you are trying to launch a 28-foot pontoon boat.”

Using a super excavator, Avista removed the silt that had accumulated in an eddy at the base of the Flat Iron boat ramp. The massive piece of machinery was hauled to Thompson Falls from Richland, Wash.

The Flat Iron Fishing Access Area, a popular spot maintained by Avista and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, offers a picnic area, ADA-accessible fishing piers, a boat ramp, and an informational kiosk designed to educate visitors about the lower Clark Fork River area.

Lowering water levels took multiparty coordination from schedulers at PPL Montana’s Thompson Falls Dam and Avista’s Noxon Rapids Dam.

“PPL Montana was very helpful in reducing their water flow at Thomson Falls Dam while Avista increased their water flow through Noxon,” said Burky. “The boat ramp will now be much more usable at all water levels.”