Agreement boosts lake level through July
Water flowing over SKQ Dam had slowed to a trickle by Monday evening, as dam managers adjusted outflows for another dry summer, and lower lake levels. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Energy Keepers Inc., which operates SKQ dam, has announced a partial remedy for this summer’s predicted low lake levels.
After declaring last Monday that the low water levels coming into the north end of Flathead Lake, lack of precipitation and hotter than normal spring temperatures would force the dam operators to keep lake levels from reaching full pool of 2,893 feet, Energy Keepers revised that forecast last Thursday.
By reducing the required outflow at the dam by 45%, EKI expects to maintain the lake level to within one foot of full pool for 42 days, or until the end of July, when it will drop to around 18 inches below for an additional 16 days. The lake elevation is still projected to drop to nearly three feet below full pool by Aug. 31.
EKI worked with Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Natural Resource Department to craft the compromise, which cuts the instream flows below the dam to 55% of normal for this time of year. The variance was approved by the Tribal Council and Secretary of the Interior.
“Under challenging situations, we applaud our staff for presenting a solution,” said Council Chairman Michael Dolson last week. “We supported this action to be good stewards of the resources, good economic partners, and also good neighbors.”
Energy Keepers CEO Brian Lipscomb describes the agreement as a “financial and ecological sacrifice” for the CSKT, which will lose revenue from the dam's diminished ability to generate electricity. Still, he said the outflow levels agreed upon should serve the minimum requirements of “robust fisheries, and allow more boat-dock users to remain viable during a busy summer season.”
Earlier in the week, Energy Keepers had projected that the lake level could fall to nearly two feet below full pool by the Fourth of July weekend.
There is some advantage to holding more water in the lake for a longer period of time, according to Eve James, director of Asset Optimization at Energy Keepers. While the reduction in downstream flows will impact the lower river fishery and electricity production for the remainder of June, those effects will be offset in the last half of July and in August when outflows will increase to benefit fish and hydropower generation during what is typically the hottest part of the year
She noted that without the agreement approved last week, “there would be zero days” of having the lake level within one foot of full pool.
Current predictions estimate that the lake will be within a few inches of full pool by June 30, remain at that level for up to 10 days, and stay within the top 12 inches through most of July.
“However, these are forecasts and subject to change as the weather and streamflow conditions change,” James said.
The lake will draft down in August to three feet below full pool. “We want everyone to know that now so they can prepare accordingly,” Lipscomb said.
For updated forecasts on Flathead Lake levels, including inflows and outflows, and frequently asked questions with answers, visit energykeepersinc.com/flathead-lake-data.