Spring refill of Flathead Lake gets an early start

The spring freshet is kicking off in Montana and streamflows are rising. Refill operations are underway at Flathead Lake, according to an April 28 press release from Energy Keepers Inc., a corporation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes that operates SKQ Dam on the Flathead River south of Polson.

Energy Keepers announced that this year’s refill operations began early on March 28, rather than the usual April 15, due to generally dry conditions across the basin. April water supply volume for the Flathead River Basin measured at SKQ Dam was only 64% of normal. March was one of the driest months in Montana's historical record.

Officials anticipate Flathead Lake being at approximately 2,890 feet by the end of May and into the top foot of its operating range by June 15 for recreation.