There's good news, bad news in annual State of the Lake report

Over 100 people packed into a meeting room at the Flathead Lake Biological Station in Yellow Bay last Tuesday, for the annual Flathead Lakers meeting.

The Flathead Lakers are a conservation organization devoted to protecting the quality of the Flathead watershed. Biological Station director Jack Stanford reported in his annual State of the Lake report at the that primary productivity, or the lake’s ability to grow algae, climbed back above 100 grams of carbon per square meter per year in 2012, exceeding the water quality target of 80.  That was the bad news.

"The good news is that the decline in dissolved oxygen at the bottom of the lake isn't getting any worse," Stanford said.

Nitrogen, a nutrient that contributes to algae growth, is increasing. The increased nitrogen makes the amount of phosphorus lower on a relative basis, which results in algae growth being limited by the amount of phosphorus coming into the lake.

“This is just one indication of how complex this lake is,” Stanford said.

The information the Biological Station has gathered from decades of monitoring and research on the lake is being used to build a model unlike anywhere else, said Stanford. The model will demonstrate nutrient dynamics in the lake.  

They have already learned from modeling that one of the most fundamental things affecting the lake is wind. Two fundamental facts, Stanford said, are the lake is getting warmer and the wind is blowing more intensely than in used to.

Stanford showed a video of results for the change in lake temperature throughout the water column as wind direction and speed change. The wind pushes the less dense water at the surface, allowing colder water to take its place. A strong wind can pile up warm water on one side of the lake causing dramatic temperature changes, which can affect the organisms living in the water.

Now, Stanford said, with the station's long-term database and sophisticated computer power, it is possible to use a model to understand the lake. The model will provide information to help answer questions such as what happens if you remove lake trout? or what happens if water temperature increases?

Stanford encouraged everyone to attend the 2015 Flathead Lakers meeting to see the model results and learn what it tells us about the lake and its future.

“The biostation is poised to really do some great things over the year,” he said.

Stanford also discussed the threat of oil spills from railroad tank cars along the Middle Fork Flathead River.

invasive species

Changing the behavior of boaters is the single most effective strategy for preventing introductions of zebra and quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species. This was the message from Alberta Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Kate Wilson, who gave the keynote presentation.

Preventing transport of aquatic invasive species from areas where they have established, to new areas is critical. Boats are the primary way zebra and quagga mussels are moved. That means boaters can play a big role in preventing new introductions, by remembering to clean, drain and dry their boat every time they take it out of the water.

Wilson worked on aquatic invasive species prevention and control in Idaho and focused her degree on engaging boaters and anglers in invasive species prevention.   

Zebra and quagga mussels aren't the only aquatic invasive species that threaten both Alberta and Montana. Fish like the Asian carp and round gobi, plants like Eurasian watermilfoil and hydrilla, and crustaceans like the rusty crayfish could all wreak havoc on local waters if introduced, Wilson said.

Zebra and quagga mussels are now present in nearby midwestern and southwestern states and were recently discovered in Lake Winnepeg in Manitoba.

Introductions of many of the other aquatic invaders can be prevented with precautions taken by boaters.  

Boaters must take action. “Clean, drain, and dry your boat every time – that must become the normal practice" to save our lakes from this threat, she said.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist Linnaea Schroeer reiterated many of Wilson’s points.

While Alberta is just beginning their aquatic invasive species prevention, Montana has had a plan in place since 2004. It wasn’t until 2011, however, that boat inspections became mandatory. Schroeer reported that boat inspection crews have found 164 boats that did not pass inspection so far this year, with standing water being the most common infraction.

"Public awareness of aquatic invasive species has never been higher," she said, "but it seems that people are still forgetting to inspect, clean, and dry their boats after use."

Standing water can easily carry fish diseases, invasive mussel larvae, and weed fragments, and should be drained at the end of every trip.

 "Also worrisome," Schroeer said, "is the number of illegal live fish that crews have found." Inspectors found eight people transporting live fish, which is illegal in Montana, except on roadways within the eastern fishing district. Lake Mary Ronan is the latest victim of illegal fish movement, as northern pike were found there this summer.

“The illegal movement of fish is a huge problem,” she said.

While mandatory boat inspections are a large portion of aquatic invasive species prevention, Schroeer noted monitoring is just as important.

“We work really hard to make sure the monitoring efforts don’t fall by the wayside,” she said. “We’ve got to know what’s out there.”

2014 Stewardship Award

Flathead Lakers Executive Director Robin Steinkraus presented the 2014 Stewardship Award to freshwater ecologist Dr. Bonnie Ellis at the Flathead Lakers annual meeting. The award is given annually to an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to protecting the quality and beauty of Flathead Lake.

For over 30 years, Ellis has played a major role in the Flathead Lake Biological Station's research and lake monitoring programs that provide information about the lake's physical, chemical, and biological components and how the lake is affected by changes in its watershed.  That information, Steinkraus said, is vital for making good management, policy, and conservation decisions to protect Flathead Lake.

"Bonnie's work continues to be essential to understanding Flathead Lake and its connected river system," Steinkraus said. "And it continues to provide the foundation for the Flathead Lakers education, advocacy, and conservation work. We owe much of our organization's success to Bonnie."

Flathead Lakers executive director Robin Steinkraus and Eagle Reporter Sally Finneran contributed to this report.