Lake level on track to reach full pool by summer

The tribal-owned corporation managing the former Kerr Dam hydroelectric project reported Tuesday that the level of Flathead Lake is roughly equivalent to the target level most years for the Memorial Day weekend.

“Typically, Flathead Lake is close to 2,890 feet on Memorial Day weekend, and this year is no exception,” said Travis Togo, chief commercial officer for Energy Keepers Inc., a corporation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

“We try to have the lake in the top foot, relatively full, for recreation, by the middle of June,” Togo said. “The exact timing of fill is dependent on the natural streamflow.”

Energy Keepers started refilling Flathead Lake on March 10, more than one month ahead of schedule.

Mariah Friedlander, a spokeswoman for Energy Keepers Inc., reported in March that the seasonal refill started earlier than usual because of a lower than normal snowpack and anticipated impacts on inflows to Flathead Lake.

On Tuesday, Togo said current inflows to Flathead Lake “are around 25,000 cubic feet per second and current outflows are about 16,000 cubic feet per second.”

He added, “Last year, inflows went to over 50,000 cubic feet per second at one point. Very different year.”

Typically, operators of the Selis Ksanka Qlispe Dam allow Flathead Lake’s level to rise during the summer to support recreational use. Then, Energy Keepers begins to draw down the lake in winter to help reduce storm-related lakeshore erosion and to prepare for the inflow of spring runoff.

Reporter Duncan Adams may be reached at dadams@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4407.