DescriptionThe Kootenai River, a tributary of the Columbia River, is named for the Kootenais who migrated from eastern Washington into northwestern Montana. The Kootenais fished the river for white sturgeon, paddling reed canoes that had long, sturgeon-like projections on the bow and stern. The Kootenai name for the river meant “bow,” but early maps refer to it as McGillivray’s River, honoring Duncan McGillivray, a North West Company compatriot of David Thompson. Thompson explored the Kootenai River drainage for the company in spring 1808. The lowest elevation in Montana is where the Kootenai River exits Montana at the Idaho state line at 1,820 feet.Personal NamesMcGillivray, DuncanThompson, DavidOther Name(s)McGillivray's RiverContributing InstitutionMontana Historical Society Library and ArchivesGeolocation[1]
