Do your part to protect Flathead Lake

It’s no surprise the top concern in the latest State of the Lake report for Flathead Lake is the threat of aquatic invasive species. Boat inspections have now become a way of life here in Northwest Montana, and we can’t imagine anyone would purposely bypass an inspection station and put an uninspected boat into our pristine waters.

Flathead Lake Biological Station Director Jim Elser, who detailed the report during a Flathead Lakers’ event last week, stressed that the key to protecting Flathead Lake and its watershed is prevention and early detection of aquatic invasive species such as non-native zebra and quagga mussels. The bottom line is that every watercraft must be inspected every time before going into the water.

Other than the looming threat of invasive species, Flathead Lake is doing pretty well. The report indicated only a slight increase in nitrogen content and a slight decrease in phosphorous content.

The horror stories Elser shared about aquatic-invasive-species infestations in Wisconsin and Minnesota should be reason enough for every one of us — not just boat owners — to be mindful about doing everything within our power to make sure Flathead Lake remains as clean as it is today.

Swimmer’s big splash

Flathead Lake was in the news another time last week when long-distance swimmer Emily Von Jentzen made history by swimming the entire length of the lake and then swimming back again, a 56-mile feat. Von Jentzen was the first woman to swim the length of Flathead Lake in 2010 as a fundraiser for a young girl with cancer. Her historic double-crossing of the lake benefited two other youngsters with serious health issues.

Von Jentzen’s endurance is noting short of amazing, but equally impressive is her desire to help children with life-threatening illnesses and disabilities. She has founded a nonprofit called Enduring Waves and through many charity swims has raised nearly $50,000 to help sick youngsters. She’s making a big splash in the swimming record books and in the hearts of the families she’s helping.