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Intense Rainstorm Causes Minor Flooding at Historic Glacier Park Lodge

Officials say storm drains were overwhelmed Sunday evening resulting in minor flooding at Lake McDonald Lodge

By Justin Franz
People lounge and walk through the lobby of the Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park. Beacon File Photo

LAKE McDONALD – An intense rainstorm on Sunday evening flooded a small part of the historic Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park, according to park officials.

Spokesperson Tim Rains said an intense rainstorm at about 5:30 p.m. brought a steady stream of water down the lodge’s driveway and water soon started to build up in front of the lodge. Water started to seep under the doors of the lodge and into the lobby and gift shop.

The water was a few inches deep in front of the lodge, according to Xanterra General Manager Marc Ducharme. He said lodge employees reacted quickly and were able to keep most of the lobby dry by using shop vacuums. FloodCo from Columbia Falls was called in to help remove more water and Raines said they were working in the park until 1 a.m.

On Monday morning, fans were drying out carpets in the lodge’s lobby and Ducharme said it appears there was no damage from the flood.

“We’ve extracted the water and we’re back in business,” he said.

John Lewis built the Lake McDonald Lodge in 1914 and the Great Northern Railway purchased it in the early 1930s. Kirtland Cutter, the same architect behind Kalispell’s Conrad Mansion, designed the 36-room lodge. Today, the building is owned by the National Park Service and operated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts.

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