Groups confer on KERR Hydroelectric project
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News from KERR Hydroelectric project operation for Flathead Lake
Representatives from PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration conferred on Jan. 14, regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 10,600 cubic feet per second and the lake elevation, as of Jan. 16, is 2887.04 feet, which is 5.96 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet.
The project is being operated taking into account the previous month’s and the current stream flows. The natural stream flows for December averaged about 79 percent of normal.
Based on current information, the lake will be drafted to an elevation of about 2885.60 feet by the end of the January.
In March 2002, PPL Montana filed a drought management plan (DMP) with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior for approval. The department is currently conducting an environmental review of PPL Montana’s proposal and considering alternatives. A final DMP has not been issued. In the interim, the operation will continue to be evaluated and adjusted, as appropriate, in consultation with the parties involved and with consideration of the PPL Montana draft DMP criteria. If conditions dictate, an ad hoc consultation with the parties involved will occur prior to the next monthly call.
For more information, contact Deb Mullowney, PPL Montana, at (406) 533-3508.
