Matching inflows with outflows works

With summer 2024 in our rearview mirror and fall upon us, we want to take this opportunity to commend Energy Keepers, operators of the renamed Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam (SKQ Dam), for doing a successful job Flathead Lake at the full water levels of 2,893 feet for the entire recreation season, thereby benefitting the environment, recreation, tourism, the local economy and irrigation.

For over 20 years, the National Organization to Save Flathead Lake (NOSFL) has advocated for a balanced approach that manages the outflows from Flathead Lake with its inflows, mimicking natural flows. The research shows this concept will keep the lake full, or near full, in low-water years and has worked well through previous droughts. In the summer of 2024 that balanced process was followed by Energy Keepers.

We recognize that 2024 was another drought year but had a slower snow melt. Unlike 2023, this year’s inflows did not drop below the minimum flows as outlined in the FERC license. When future droughts are forecast, it is critically important that Energy Keepers timely request approval from federal regulators to temporarily modify minimum flows as outlined in the License to maintain full lake levels. Doing so will help avoid a repeat of the low water levels experienced in 2023.

We hope that Energy Keepers will continue to recognize the operational articles established in the license which balance the interests of all stakeholders along with tribal interests.

We also look forward to participating in a full public involvement process of a new drought management plan and the associated national environmental impact study. Public participation is critically important before it is submitted to the department of Interior.

NOSFL board of directors Carole James, Doug Averill, Rey Johnson, Justin Sliter, Scott Biggs and Scott Hollinger.