Salish Point Park in Polson to Undergo Complete Rebuild for Shoreline Erosion

The city and tribe are partnering to rebuild the shoreline into a natural crescent to combat erosion.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:22pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a natural lakefront scene repeated in a grid pattern, using flat, unnatural neon colors and heavy black outlines to transform the everyday landscape into modern pop art.A vibrant pop art interpretation of the natural shoreline at Salish Point Park, where a unique partnership is rebuilding the eroded landscape to work in harmony with the lake.Polson Today

Salish Point Park in Polson, Montana is undergoing a complete rebuild to address erosion along the Flathead Lake shoreline. The city and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are partnering on the project, with the tribe managing the shoreline below the waterline and the city managing the area above it. The new design will curve the shoreline into a natural crescent shape built to work with the wind and waves rather than against them.

Why it matters

Salish Point Park is a cherished recreation spot along Flathead Lake, and the erosion has been threatening the shoreline for years. This partnership between the city and tribe represents a shift toward working with nature to address environmental challenges, which could serve as a model for other erosion-prone areas around the lake.

The details

The park's shoreline has been protected by a 'dynamic equilibrium beach' - a gravel shoreline designed to move with the lake - since 2008. However, after 18 years, the structure has shown signs of wear, especially on the south end where erosion has eaten away at the shoreline. The new design will curve the shoreline into a natural crescent shape that is built to work with the wind and waves rather than against them.

  • Work on the project will begin on Monday, April 13, 2026.
  • The project is expected to take about two weeks to complete.

The players

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

The Native American tribe that manages the shoreline below the waterline at Salish Point Park.

City of Polson

The city that manages the area of Salish Point Park above the waterline.

Barry Hansen

A fisheries biologist with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Natural Resources Department.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is something we do at many locations around Flathead Lake to address erosion in a natural way, mimicking nature, and Salish Point, because there was unnatural fill there from the industrial period, was a difficult site, and because we are able to succeed there, it is a good example of potential for elsewhere along the lake.”

— Barry Hansen, Fisheries Biologist, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Natural Resources Department

What’s next

Officials say the project must be completed while lake levels are low to avoid disturbing the environment.

The takeaway

The partnership between the city and tribe to rebuild Salish Point Park's shoreline into a natural crescent shape represents a shift toward working with nature to address environmental challenges. This approach could serve as a model for other erosion-prone areas around Flathead Lake.