Will this summer be another lake level disaster?

The operators of the SKQ Dam in Polson, Energy Keepers Inc., which is owned by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, have announced that Flathead Lake will not reach its full pool this summer. Sound familiar? Will 2025 be another lake level disaster like 2023? 

Energy Keepers stated goal is to maximize their resources and profits. Meanwhile, recreationalists and dock owners, as well as irrigators and businesses that depend upon the lake for their annual income, must adjust to the unusable lower lake level that could very well put many out of business. 

To their credit, Energy Keepers sought and successfully received approvals from federal dam regulators to not reduce the lake level to the full 10 feet below full pool earlier this spring.  

Energy Keepers can and should also expeditiously seek federal regulatory approvals to reduce the minimum outflows specified under Section 56 of the license. Prior licensees of the dam have sought and successfully obtained approval from federal regulators to reduce the minimum outflows during drought years. Energy Keepers could also do the same while maintaining their profits since the water will flow through the dam and generate electricity later in the fall.  

To imply there is not flexibility to adjust outflows from the dam in a drought is factually incorrect and self-serving.  

The minimum outflows set by the FERC license were established 60 years ago and do not recognize the logic of lowering outflows during a drought. For the claims of climate change made by Energy Keepers in 2023, there is even more need to adjust the minimums. Matching the lake’s outflows to the inflows is another tool and follows a more natural flow instead of man-made, arbitrary outflows set 60 years ago. A more natural operation protects the lake as well as upstream and downstream interests equally.  

The Hungry Horse Reservoir level has been increasing this year. We ask that federal operators and regulators of Hungry Horse Reservoir consider this resource to offset impending physical and economic disaster at Flathead Lake.  

In 2023, Energy Keepers stated they were not required to “capture” any relief water sent downstream from Hungry Horse Reservoir to Flathead and would pass the flows on through. Federal regulators must mandate that Energy Keepers capture the reservoir water and not pass it on, maximizing their own short-term profit at the expense of lake levels and the substantial economic harm around Flathead Lake and the state, until after Sept. 15. 

Please let your elected federal officials hear from you. 

Carole James is president of the National Organization to Save Flathead Lake.