Lake levels returning to normal

While the ice blocks clinging to dock pilings high above the Flathead Lake may look out of place, they signal a return to normal as water levels continue to drop.

According to the December operations report from Energy Keepers Inc., which operates the Selis Ksanka Qlispe Dam for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the surface of Flathead Lake is nearing its historical average elevation of roughly five feet below full pool.

Although December’s natural stream flow continued to register higher than usual, at 50 percent above average, January’s forecast is predicted to be on par with previous years.

The sign of relief comes after a historically rainy October swelled the lake to its brim. Operators of the dam, which was running at two-thirds capacity at the time, were forced to push back the date they typically start draining the lake to mitigate erosion during fall storms.

Lake levels have continued to drop since early December, when the dam returned to full capacity.

The operations report states that Energy Keepers plans to drain another three feet of water from the lake by the end of the month for flood control. The dam’s winter operations are driven by a 1965 agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the report states.