Snow pack above normal, water volume forecast largest in 50 years
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News from Energy Keepers
Spring runoff is about to commence on the Flathead. With a far above average snow pack for this time of year, we are anticipating potentially very high flows on the Flathead River during May and June. For the past seven weeks Flathead Lake was operated to the lowest elevation possible, given the natural restriction in the river channel that is downstream of the lake outlet in Polson, and upstream of the SKQ Project. It is that natural restriction in the channel that determines how much water can exit the lake. As the lake rises, additional water will flow over the channel restriction, and flows on the lower Flathead River will gradually increase. Over the coming weeks, and months, Flathead Lake will rise naturally on the river channel restriction. At this point in time we do not anticipate any difficulties in filling the lake for summer recreation. The current lake elevation is 2885.9’. The current snow water equivalent in our snow-pack, for this time of year, is 159 percent of normal. The current water supply volume forecast for water year 2017/18 is 139 percent of normal, and that is about the sixth largest in the most recent 50 year historical record. For inquiries on river and reservoir operations please contact Energy Keepers 406-872-0208.
