Drought Causing Big Dip in Flathead Lake Water Levels

Boat owners on Flathead Lake are starting to get concerned after Northwestern Energy opened the dam and let the water level drop nine inches below the recreational water level. Robin Steinkraus works as the executive director of the Flathead Lakers, a non-profit that monitors the level and quality of Flathead lake water.

"Unfortunately, the lake level is not going to be where a lot of the recreators want it to be this summer," Steinkraus said. "The snow pack is virtually gone and the record low precipitation we've had this spring is making it difficult to maintain the summer lake level."

Northwestern Energy currently manages the Dam, but it using an old drought management plan put in place by PPL Montana.

"The dam license had two conflicting requirements one for the lows in the lower river and one for the lake levels during summer," Steinkraus said. "So, when those conflict during a significant drought, like this year, the drought management plan comes into play."

According to Steinkraus, the last time Flathead Lake dropped significantly below the recreational water level was in 2001.