As level of Echo Lake keeps rising, no-wake zone imposed by state

Because of high water on Echo Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has adopted a temporary no-wake for watercraft on the lake.

The no-wake order, in effect until further notice, is aimed to reduce damage to the shoreline and structures around the lake east of Kalispell.

Flathead County commissioners requested the restriction in response to requests from residents, and because the county’s Office of Emergency Services has detected damage to homes and other structures at the lake’s current water level.

Under the temporary rule, all watercraft operators are prohibited from creating visible white water in the track of the vessel. The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission announced that the rule is in effect as long as water levels remain high on the lake.

The lake, which is located near the foothills of the Swan Mountain Range, has risen rapidly in recent weeks.

Water now has crossed the causeway road at the north end of the lake.

The commission stated that the water level is likely to continue rising because the groundwater-fed lake has no outlet to drain excess water, and there still are 91 inches of snow containing 48 inches of water at the Noisy Basin automated snow gauge on the Swan Range overlooking the lake.

Echo Lake residents have been sandbagging and taking other actions to protect their homes.