13 December 2004 PPL MT Press Release
Pursuant to PPL Montana's proposed Drought Management Plan (DMP), representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bonneville Power Administration conferred on December 8, 2004, regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of December 12, was 2889.94 feet, which is 3.06 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet.
The current and forecasted operation is based on the most current information regarding precipitation and natural stream flows and historic trends. The natural stream flows for November averaged about 120 percent of normal. PPL Montana's DMP has Flathead Lake drafting to an elevation of 2888.0 feet by the end of December. The outflows during the month should stay well above the minimum requirement of 3,200 cfs.
PPL Montana's DMP has been pending approval by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior since its submission in March 2002 following the drought experienced in 2001. On the most recent call, BIA informed the group that work on the DMP has been temporarily suspended pending a final federal budget for FY 2005. According to BIA, a draft environmental impact statement for PPL Montana's DMP proposal and other alternatives will be completed approximately six months after work resumes. Until issuance of a final DMP, Kerr Project operations will continue to be evaluated and adjusted, as appropriate, in consultation with the parties involved, with consideration of the PPL Montana's draft DMP criteria, and FERC license requirements.
For more information contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
10 November 2004 Press Release, PPLMT
Pursuant to PPL Montana's proposed Drought Management Plan (DMP), representatives from PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Bonneville Power Administration conferred on November 3, 2004, regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 6,600 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of November 9, was 2891.08 feet, which is 1.92 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet.
The current and forecasted operation is based on the most current information regarding precipitation and natural stream flows and historic trends. The natural stream flows for October averaged about 150 percent of normal. The Pacific Northwest Coordination Agreement's latest regulation has Flathead Lake maintaining an elevation of 2891.0 feet through the month of November. The outflows during the month should stay well above the 3,200 cfs minimum required.
PPL Montana's DMP has been pending approval by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior since its submission in March 2002 following the drought experienced in 2001. BIA has resumed work on the environmental impact statement for PPL Montana's proposal and the other alternatives being considered. Until issuance of a final DMP from BIA, Kerr Project operations will continue to be evaluated and adjusted, as appropriate, in consultation with the parties involved and with consideration of the PPL Montana's draft DMP criteria. For more information contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
7 October 2004 PPL MT Press Release
Pursuant to PPL Montana's proposed Drought Management Plan (DMP), representatives from PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Bonneville Power Administration conferred on October 5, 2004 regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 7,200 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of October 6, was 2892.17 feet, which is 0.83 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet.
The current and forecasted operation is based on the most current information regarding precipitation and natural stream flows and historic trends. The natural stream flows for September averaged 200 percent of normal. The Pacific Northwest Coordination Agreement's latest regulation has Flathead Lake drafting to elevation 2891.0 feet by the end of October. The outflows during the month should stay well above the 3,200 cfs minimum allowed.
PPL Montana's DMP has been pending approval by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior since its submission in March 2002 following the drought experienced in 2001. BIA has resumed work on the environmental impact statement for PPL Montana's proposal and the other alternatives being considered. Until issuance of a final DMP from BIA, Kerr Project operations will continue to be evaluated and adjusted, as appropriate, in consultation with the parties involved and with consideration of the PPL Montana's draft DMP criteria. For more information contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
(Webmaster's note: More information on the drought management plan can be found on the Lakers' Drought Management Plan page.
9 September 2004 PPL MT Press Release
Pursuant to PPL Montana's proposed Drought Management Plan (DMP), representatives from PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and the Bonneville Power Administration conferred on September 7, 2004 regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 6,800 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of September 8, was 2892.77 feet, which is 0.23 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The current and forecasted operation is based on the remaining predicted runoff as provided by the NRCS official (April - September) forecast, as well as the most current information regarding precipitation and natural stream flows. The natural stream flows for August averaged 103 percent of normal. The Pacific Northwest Coordination Agreement's latest regulation has Flathead Lake drafting to elevation 2891.7 feet by the end of September. The outflows during the month should be well above the 3,200 cfs minimum allowed.
PPL Montana's DMP has been pending approval by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior since its submission in March 2002 following the drought experienced in 2001. Because of budget constraints at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), there have been delays in the evaluation of the DMP. BIA has been conducting an environmental review of PPL Montana's proposal and considering alternatives. Absent further action from BIA, Kerr Project operations will continue to be evaluated and adjusted, as appropriate, in consultation with the parties involved and with consideration of the PPL Montana's draft DMP criteria.
For more information contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
14 June 2004 PPL MT Press Release
Pursuant to PPL Montana's proposed Drought Management Plan (DMP), representatives from PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Bonneville Power Administration conferred regarding the projected operation of the Kerr Project on June 10, 2004. The current outflow is about 14,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of June 10, was 2892.58 feet, which is 0.42 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet.
Webmaster's note. As of noon on 15 June 2004, the lake was at 2892.77, less than three inches lower than the maximum of 2893 that is authorized by the license. This difference is normal and is intended to provide the surge capacity to handle a heavy rainfall. The Flathead Lakers has adopted a lake levels policy statement calling for the lake's elevation in summer not to fall below 2892.5.
The current and forecasted operation is based on the June through July predicted runoff as provided by the NRCS official June forecast, as well as the most current information regarding snow pack and current natural stream flows. The June final runoff forecast for Flathead Lake is 68 percent of average and the current snow pack is 62 percent of average for this time of year. The natural stream flows for May averaged 73 percent of normal.
Based on the volume runoff forecasts and the current stream flows, the Corps of Engineers has concurred with PPL Montana's plan to fill the project by approximately June 15, 2003, since the risk of flooding due to weather or residual runoff is low.
PPL Montana's DMP has been pending approval by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior since its submission in March 2002 following the drought experienced in 2001. Because of budget constraints at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), there have been delays in the evaluation of the DMP. BIA has been conducting an environmental review of PPL Montana's proposal and considering alternatives. With the delays, it does not appear a final DMP will be in place for this summer. Absent further action from BIA, Kerr Project operations 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.
For more information contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
18 May 2004 PPL MT Press Release
Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Bonneville Power Administration and the Bureau of Indian Affairs discussed the projected operation of the Kerr Project on May 11, 2004. The current outflow is about 14,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of May 17, is 2891.11 feet, which is 1.89 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The lake has been filled above the end of May target elevation of 2890.0 feet. This operation has been coordinated with the Corps of Engineers (COE).
The current and forecasted operation is based on the May through July predicted runoff as provided by the NRCS official May forecast, as well as the most current information regarding snow pack and current natural stream flows. The May final runoff forecast for Flathead Lake is 71 percent of average and the current snow pack is 59 percent of average for this time of year. The natural stream flows for April averaged 147 percent of normal, indicating that abnormally high temperatures may have accelerated snow melt. Based on the volume runoff forecasts, the current stream flows, and at the direction of the COE for flood control, PPL Montana has increased outflows to reduce the rate of fill of Flathead Lake. It is expected that Flathead Lake levels will reach full pool by June 15th unless the COE determines that there continues to be a flood threat.
During the conference call there was an announcement by the representative from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) that, because of budget constraints, there would be further delays in DOI's evaluation of the drought management plan (DMP) that PPL Montana had submitted in March, 2002. DOI has been conducting an environmental review of PPL Montana's proposal and considering alternatives. In light of that announcement, it does not appear a final DMP will be in place for the summer of 2004. Absent further action from DOI, Kerr Project operations 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.
The next official runoff forecast will be available in early Jun 2004. The June final forecast will be evaluated to determine appropriate changes, as necessary, to Kerr operations through June with regard to flood control, lake refill and minimum flow release requirements.
For more information contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
10 May 2004
Warm temperatures this spring are resulting in an earlier than normal runoff of the Flathead Basin mountain snowpack. New research indicates this is a trend that has been occurring throughout the Northwest for some time. And, the multi-year drought shows no signs of disappearing.
PPL Montana spokesperson Lance Elias has said the company may have difficulty meeting is license requirements for filling Flathead Lake and meeting minimum river flows unless we get more help from Mother Nature. PPL MT letter to FERC (PDF, 1.2 MB).
In a recent letter to the B.I.A. and HDR Engineering, the parties responsible for preparing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Drought Management Plan, the Flathead Lakers pointed to these problems as another example of the importance of completing the studies and developing a fair and balanced plan that meets the needs of the Flathead. The Lakers also encouraged them to consider the new evidence that earlier lake refill will be needed as earlier snowmelt is becoming more common, and to carefully evaluate opportunities for water stored in Hungry Horse Reservoir to be part of the drought management equation.
The Draft EIS is not expected to be released before late fall, so in the meantime, let's hope for a rainy May and June!
-- Robin Steinkraus
On 22 April 2004 (Earth Day), PPL MT sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission a five-page letter (PDF 1.2 MB) warning that:
...hereby informs the commission and the U.S. Department of Interior...that the most recent forecasts indicate a significant possibility that, due to potential drought conditions, inflows into the kerr reservoir this psirng and summer may not be sufficient to permit PPLM to satisfy both the lake level requirements of article 43 of the license and the minimum instream flows of article 56 of the Kerr license during the summer recreation season. PPLM is current monitoring the situation and will continue to take steps to mitigate potential effects as soon as it is appropriate and as permitted by regulatory authorities.
21 April 2004 PPL MT Press release
Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently discussed the projected operation of the Kerr Project. Other regular participants including the U.S. Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indians Affairs were not available to participate in the call but are informed of the projected operation through issuance of the monthly operations report. The current outflow is about 3,950 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of April 20, is 2886.89 feet, which is 6.11 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet.
Webmasters's note. For a graphical analysis of the situation, please go to this special page (opens in new window).
The current and forecasted operation is based on the April through July predicted runoff as provided by the NRCS official April forecast, as well as the most current information regarding snow pack and current natural stream flows. The April final runoff forecast for Flathead Lake is 76 percent of average and the current snow pack is 65 percent of average for this time of year. The natural stream flows for March averaged 114 percent of normal. Based on the current snow pack and volume runoff forecasts, PPL Montana has reduced the outflows to minimum and is filling Flathead Lake.
Based on currently available data and forecasts, if precipitation in April is below average as was the case in March, there is a significant possibility that Flathead Lake will not attain full pool (2893.0 feet) by June 15th. If precipitation is normal for the remainder of April through June, it is expected that Flathead Lake levels will reach full pool by June 15th. The affected parties will have more information when the initial May forecasts become available in the next several weeks.
The project license includes a Corps of Engineers flood control provision for the lake to be drafted to 2883.0 feet by April 15. Runoff volume forecasts for January, February and March were 95 percent, 97 percent and 89 percent of normal, respectively. Following the license provisions for flood control and in agreement with the participants on the monthly operations calls, PPL Montana had been drafting the Lake for flood control purposes. By mid-March, however, precipitation was well below normal and snow pack was rapidly decreasing. PPL Montana reduced outflows and began refilling the lake rather than drafting it as would be the normal operation for that time of year. By the first week of April, the outflows were reduced to minimum.
For reference, if the lake were to be drafted to its lowest point of 2883.0 feet by March 31, a runoff volume of about 78 percent provides enough water to meet all the license requirements including filling the lake to elevation 2893.0 feet by June 15. The decision of PPL Montana to retain more water in the lake (i.e., not to draft the lake down to 2883.0 feet) was made with the concurrence of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This volume of water, together with only a 76 percent of average runoff volume, should be sufficient to allow the lake to refill. However, the forecasted runoff volume is based on an assumption of average precipitation over the next few months. If precipitation is below average, there may not be enough water both to refill the lake and to meet the minimum flow requirements of the license.
In March 2002, PPL Montana filed a drought management plan (DMP) with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior. The department is currently conducting an environmental review of PPL Montana's proposal and considering alternatives. PPL does not expect a final DMP to be in place before the summer of 2004. 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.
The next official runoff forecast will be available in early May 2004. The May final forecast will be evaluated to determine appropriate possible changes, as necessary, to Kerr operations through May with regard to flood control, lake refill and minimum flow release requirements.
For more information, contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
15 March 2004 PPL MT Press Release
Representatives from the PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Reclamation recently discussed the projected operation of the Kerr Project. The outflow is about 7,600 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of March 14, is 2883.87 feet, which is 9.13 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. [Webmaster's note. The license for the dam allows the lake to be drafted to 2883.]
The current and forecasted operation is based on the April through July predicted runoff provided by the NRCS official March forecast, the current snow pack and current natural stream flows. The March final runoff forecast for Flathead Lake is 89 percent of average and the current snow pack is 87 percent of average for this time of year. The natural stream flows for February averaged about 60 percent of normal.
Based on the current snow pack and volume runoff forecasts, PPL Montana is continuing to draft Flathead Lake during the month of March to approximately elevation 2883.0 feet. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout March and appropriate operational changes will be made, if necessary.
In March 2002, PPL Montana filed a drought management plan (DMP) with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior. The department is currently conducting an environmental review of PPL Montana's proposal and considering alternatives. A final DMP will not be in place before the 2004 draft and refill season. 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.
The next official runoff forecast will be available in early April 2004. The April final forecast will be evaluated to determine Kerr operations through April with regard to flood control, lake refill and minimum flow release requirements.
For more information, contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana at 406-533-3510.
13 February 2004 (PPL MT Press Release)
Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Reclamation recently discussed the projected operation of the Kerr Project. The outflow is about 8,200 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of Feb. 12, is 2885.80 feet, which is 7.20 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet.
The current and forecasted operation is based on the February final April through July runoff forecasts, the current snow pack and current natural stream flows. The final runoff forecast for Flathead Lake is 97 percent of average and the current snow pack is 93 percent of average for this time of year. The natural stream flows for January averaged about 60 percent of normal.
Based on the current snow pack and volume runoff forecasts, PPL Montana has increased outflows and is drafting Flathead Lake during the month of February to approximately elevation 2885.0 feet. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout February and appropriate operational changes will be made, if necessary. Further drafting will occur in March if snow pack and the runoff volume forecast remain near the current predictions.
In March 2002, PPL Montana filed a drought management plan (DMP) with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior. The department is currently conducting an environmental review of PPL Montana's proposal and considering alternatives. A final DMP will not be in place before the 2004 draft and refill season. 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.
The next official runoff forecast will be available in early March 2004. The March final forecast will be evaluated to determine Kerr operations through March with regard to flood control, lake refill and minimum flow release requirements.
For more information, contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana at 406-533-3510.
21 January 2004 (PPL MT Press Release)
Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation recently met by conference call to discuss the projected operation of the Kerr Project. The outflow is currently about 6,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the current lake elevation, as of Jan.20, was 2886.52 feet, which is 6.48 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet.
The project is being operated conservatively in response to the January final April through July runoff forecasts, the current snow pack and current natural stream flows. The final runoff forecast for Flathead Lake is 96 percent of average but the current snow pack has been decreasing and is only 82 percent of average for this time of year. The current natural stream flow is less than 50 percent of average.
The lower inflows have raised concerns regarding water availability. Responding to these concerns, PPL Montana is taking a conservative approach and has reduced outflows from the dam to retain water in the lake. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout the month of January and appropriate operational changes will be made, if necessary.
In March 2002, PPL Montana filed a drought management plan (DMP) with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior (Interior) for her approval. Interior is currently conducting an environmental review of PPL Montana's proposal and considering alternatives. A final DMP will not be in place before the 2004 draft and refill season. 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.
A new official runoff forecast will be available in early February 2004. The February final forecast will be evaluated to determine Kerr operations through February with regard to flood control, lake refill and minimum flow release requirements.
For more information, contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana at 406-533-3510.
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