Current projections put Flathead Lake 3 feet below full pool for the summer
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum urging immediate action to address the projected low water levels of Flathead Lake this summer. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), which operate the SKQ Dam, are currently projecting lake levels as much as three feet below full pool this summer. Current water volume supply forecast predicts only 72% of the average annual water supply. Congressman Zinke is calling for increased water releases from Hungry Horse Reservoir and cooperation with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to reduce outflows from the SKQ Dam in order to stabilize lake levels.
“Montana is facing one of its driest seasons on record, and unless action is taken now, we’re looking at a repeat, or worse, of the water crisis on Flathead Lake,” said Zinke, “Our small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and communities cannot afford another devastating season. While releasing from Hungry Horse and reducing flow from the dam will not bring the lake to full pool, it will help prevent a catastrophic drop.”
In 2023, Flathead Lake dropped more than two feet below full-pool due to low snowpack and regional drought. The resulting impacts on local irrigators and small businesses that depend on summer recreation was severe. A University of Montana study estimates that Flathead County sees roughly $600 million in annual spending from lake-based tourism alone.
Congressman Zinke has led the charge on address low water levels at Flathead Lake, introducing the Fill the Lake Act in 2023 and reintroducing the bill this Congress.
Read Congressman Zinke’s full letter here.
Source: Zinke press release
photo: Pixabay
