| Lake Level for End of December Set for 2888December 7, 2005, PPL MT Press Release Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation and Senator Baucus' Office conferred on Dec. 7 regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 10,600 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of Dec. 6, was 2889.63 feet, which is 3.37 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. PPL Montana plans to draft Flathead Lake 5.0 feet below full elevation by the end of December to elevation 2888.0 feet in accordance with the drought management plan (DMP) filed by PPL Montana. In March 2002, PPL Montana filed a 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 Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
PPL MT Press Release, 5 Octobert 2005 Representatives from PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Indian Affairs conferred on Oct. 4 regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 10,400 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of Oct. 3, was 2892.86 feet, which is 0.14 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The current situation is in response to a weekend rain storm. The outflow for October is estimated to be about 6,300 cfs and, if the rain subsides as forecasted, reductions will be made over the next several days to get to that level. PPL Montana plans to draft Flathead Lake one foot by the end of October to elevation 2892.0 feet and to elevation 2888.0 feet by the end of December. 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 Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
Lake Levels Target for End of October Is 2891.5PPL MT Press Release, 9 September 2005. Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Indian Affairs conferred on Sept. 7 regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 3,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of Sept. 8, was 2892.46 feet, which is .54 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The project is being operated taking into account the previous month and the current stream flows. The natural stream flows for August averaged about 67 percent of normal and flows in September have been about 58 percent of normal. Based on current information, PPL Montana anticipates that inflows will be adequate to maintain the lake at its current elevation for the month of September. The lake will be drafted one foot by the end of October and to elevation 2888.0 feet by the end of December. 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 Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
Lake Now Expected To Stay Full All SummerPPL MT Press Release, 14 July 2005 Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration and the Bureau of Reclamation conferred on July12, 2005, regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 14,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of July13, was 2892.71 feet, which is .29 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The project is being operated taking into account the July final volume runoff forecasts for the July through September period and current stream flows. The National Weather Service's July final volume runoff forecast for July through September for Flathead Lake is 73 percent of average. The natural stream flows for June averaged about 77 percent of normal. Based on current information, PPL Montana anticipates that inflows will be adequate to maintain the lake at recreational levels throughout the summer season. 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 Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
Late Summer Lake Level UncertainPPL MT Press Release, 13 June 2005 Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration and the Department of Interior conferred on June 10, 2005, regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 35,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of June 12, was 2892.66 feet, which is [approximately] 0.4 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The project is being operated taking into account the June final volume runoff forecasts for the June through July period, the current snow pack and current stream flows. The National Weather Service's June final volume runoff forecast for June through July for Flathead Lake is 53 percent of average, assuming normal precipitation in June and July. The current snow pack is 53 percent of the average for this time of year. Because of below normal inflow forecasts this winter and spring, the lake was maintained at a higher than normal level in order to meet minimum stream flows and refill the lake. Heavy rains in early June, coupled with the higher lake level, caused the lake to fill to its recreational level earlier than planned and outflows had to be raised rapidly to a peak of about 48,000 cfs as part of a flood control response in the past week. As the inflows are now decreasing, outflows will be adjusted accordingly to maintain the lake at its summer recreational levels. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout the month of June and appropriate operational changes will be made, as necessary. Based on current information, PPL Montana anticipates that the lake will be maintained at recreational levels throughout the month of June but the longer term outlook is problematical. The ability to maintain lake levels throughout the recreational season will depend on runoff levels and precipitation during the months of July and August, which PPL Montana will continue to monitor. 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 will not be in place before the 2005 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. If conditions dictate, an ad hoc consultation with the parties involved will occur prior to the next monthly call. For more information, contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
Runoff Forecast Improves Slightly, Lake is High, & PPL MT WorriesPPL MT Press Release, 11 May 2005 Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, and the Bureau of Reclamation conferred on May 10, 2005, regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of May 10, was 2891.10 feet, which is 1.90 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The project is being operated taking into account the May final volume runoff forecasts for the April through July period subtracting the April runoff that already occurred, the current snow pack and current natural stream flows. The National Weather Services's May final volume runoff forecast for April through July for Flathead Lake is 70 percent of average, assuming normal precipitation May through July. The current snow pack is 59 percent of the average for this time of year. The natural streamflow for the month of April was about 88 percent of average. Given the low snow pack and volume runoff forecast, PPL Montana is operating the project in a manner that is causing the current lake elevation to be higher than normally is planned for this time of year. The current operating plan, based on forecasted inflows, is to increase outflows and keep the lake from filling above 2891.5 feet before the end of May. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout the month of May and appropriate operational changes will be made, as necessary. Despite the current lake inflows and outflows from the Project necessary to accommodate me early runoff, if conditions worsen over the next couple months, PPL Montana may need to seek [a] variance under the License articles from the FERC regarding refill of the lake to its full pool of 2893 feet in order to maintain a balance between outflows and lake levels throughout the recreation season. If further measures are necessary to maintain water levels, PPL Montana may also have to seek [a] variance from the Secretary of the U.S. Department Interior with respect to license requirements concerning downstream releases from the lake. PPL Montana may also seek to have additional water released from the Hungry Horse project located upstream of the Kerr project. In March 2002, PPL Montana filed a drought management plan (DMP) with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior for her approval. 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 2005 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. If conditions dictate, an ad hoc consultation with the parties involved will occur prior to the next monthly call. A new offical runoff forecast will be available in early June 2005. The June final forecast will be evaluated to determine more definitely the operations through June with regard to lake refill, flood control and minimum flow release requirements. For more information, contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana, at 406-533-3510.
Top of page PPL MT Warns It May Need Variance from License to Keep Lake FullPPL MT Press Release:, 14 April 2005 Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission conferred on April 11, 2005, regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of April 13, was 2888.65 feet, which is 4.35 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The project is being operated taking into account the April final volume runoff forecasts for the April through July period, the current snow pack and current natural stream flows. The National Weather Service's April final runoff forecast (opens in new page) for Flathead Lake forecasts runoff to be 63 percent of average, assuming normal precipitation April through July. The current snow pack is 59 percent of the average for this time of year. The natural stream flow for the month of March was about 126 percent of average. The early snowmelt has caused the inflows to stay well above average and the runoff has been held in the lake causing the lake elevation to be higher than normally is planned for this time of year. The current operating plan, based on forecasted runoff, is to increase outflows to about 13,000 cfs and fill the lake to about elevation 2889.2 feet by the end of April. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout the month of April and appropriate operational changes will be made, if necessary. Pursuant to the DMP, if conditions worsen over the next several months, in order to maintain a balance between outflows and lake levels during the recreation season, PPL Montana may need to seek variance under the license articles from the FERC regarding refill of the lake to its full pool of 2893 feet. If further measures are necessary to maintain water levels, PPL Montana may also have to seek variance from the Secretary of Interior with respect to license requirements concerning downstream releases from the lake. PPL Montana may also seek to have additional water released from the Hungry Horse project located upstream of the Kerr project. In March 2002, PPL Montana filed a drought management plan (DMP) [Lakers Drought Management Page] with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior for her approval. 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 2005 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. If conditions dictate, an ad hoc consultation with the parties involved will occur prior to the next monthly call. A new official runoff forecast will be available in early May 2005. The May final forecast will be evaluated to determine more definitively the operations through May with regard to lake refill, flood control and minimum flow release requirements. For more information, contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana , at 406-533-3510.
Top of page 2888 on 31 March Would Be Highest in HistoryOne measure of the severity of the developing drought is the decision to draft the lake only to 2888 at the end of March. That level would be the highest in history for that date. Our webmaster, James Conner, has prepared several graphs to illustrate the situation.
Flood Control Draft of Lake Halted11 March 2005 PPL MT Press Release: Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Department of Interior (Interior) conferred on March 9, 2005, regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 3,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of March 10, was 2887.33 feet, which is 5.67 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The project is being operated based on the March final volume runoff forecasts for the April through July period, the current snow pack and current natural stream flows. The March final runoff forecast for Flathead Lake prepared by the National Weather Service indicates that runoff is expected to be only 59 percent of average assuming normal precipitation April through July. The current snow pack is 50 percent of average for this time of year. The natural stream flow for the month of February was about 160 percent of average as a result of warmer than normal temperatures. The early snowmelt has caused the inflows to be well above average. However, given the current runoff and precipitation forecasts, license articles, and with reference to PPL Montana's draft drought management plan (DMP), runoff is being held in the lake, which causes the lake elevation to be higher than normally is planned for this time of year. The current operating plan is to cease drafting the lake as would normally occur for flood control purposes and to allow the lake to fill if the inflows exceed the 3,500 cfs outflow. Current estimates put the lake at about elevation 2888.0 feet by the end of March through mid-April if conditions hold. However weather conditions could change in the interim and appropriate operational changes will be coordinated and made, as necessary. Throughout the rest of this water year, operational changes for the Kerr project will continue to be evaluated and adjusted, as appropriate, in consultation with the parties involved and with consideration of the PPLM draft DMP criteria. Pursuant to the DMP, if conditions remain as forecasted, or, in fact, worsen over the next several months, in order to maintain a balance between outflows and lake levels during the recreation season, PPL Montana may need to seek variance under the license articles from the FERC regarding refill of the lake to its full pool of 2893 feet. If further measures are necessary to maintain water levels, PPL Montana may also have to seek variance from the Secretary of Interior with respect to license requirements concerning downstream releases from the lake. PPL Montana may also seek to have additional water released from the Hungry Horse project located upstream of the Kerr project. In March 2002, PPL Montana filed its draft DMP with the Secretary of the 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 2005 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. If conditions dictate, an ad hoc consultation with the parties involved will occur prior to the next monthly call. A new official runoff forecast will be available in early April 2005. The April final forecast will be evaluated to determine more definitively the operations through April with regards to lake refill, flood control and minimum flow release requirements. For more information, contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana at 406-533-3510.
Top of page Lake Higher than Average, Snowpack at 53 PercentPPL MT Press Release:, 4 March 2005 Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of Interior conferred on March 4, 2005 regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The conference call was necessitated by the dismal runoff projections for the Flathead basin. The current outflow has been reduced to 3,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). The minimum outflow for this time of year is 3,200 cfs. The lake elevation, as of March 4, was 2887.26 feet, which is 5.74 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The Kerr hydroelectric project is being operated taking into account the March preliminary volume runoff forecasts for the April through July period, the current snowpack and current natural stream flows. The March preliminary runoff forecast for Flathead Lake prepared by the National Weather Service is 60 percent of average. The current snow pack is 53 percent of average for this time of year. The natural stream flow for the month of February was about 160 percent of average. The early snowmelt has caused the inflows to be well above average. The early runoff will be held in the lake causing the lake elevation to be higher than normally is planned for this time of year. Projections show that the lake will be close to elevation 2888.0 feet by the end of March and reach full pool by mid-June. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout the month of 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 (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 2005 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 March 2005. The March final forecast will be evaluated to determine more definitively the operations through March with regard to lake draft before refill, flood control and minimum flow release requirements. For more information, contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana at 406-533-3510.
Top of page Lake at 2887.99, Snowpack at 61 PercentPPL MT News Release, 11 February 2005 Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Interior conferred on February 10, 2005, 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 February 10, was 2887.99 feet, which is 5.01 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The project is being operated, taking into account, the February final volume runoff forecasts for the April through July period, the current snow pack and current natural stream flows. The February final runoff forecast for Flathead Lake prepared by the National Weather Service is 73 percent of average. The current snow pack is 61 percent of average for this time of year. The natural stream flow for the month of January was about 206 percent of average. The trend is similar for February. The early snowmelt has caused the inflows to be well above average and the runoff has been held in the lake causing the lake elevation to be higher than it normally is planned for this time of year. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout the month of February 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 2005 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. If conditions dictate, an ad hoc consultation with the parties involved will occur prior to the next monthly call. A new official runoff forecast will be available in early March 2005. The March final forecast will be evaluated to determine more definitively the operations through March with regards to maximum lake draft before refill, flood control and minimum flow release requirements. For more information, contact Lance Elias, PPL Montana at 406-533-3510.
Top of page Lake at 2887.22, snowpack at 68 percent of average18 January 2005 PPL MT Press Release: Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, and the Bureau of Reclamation conferred on January 12, 2005, regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 7,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of January 17, was 2887.22 feet, which is 5.78 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet. The project is being operated, taking into account, the January final volume runoff forecasts for the April through July period, the current snow pack and current natural stream flows. The final runoff forecast for Flathead Lake is 81 percent of average, the current snow pack is 68 percent of average for this time of year and the current natural stream flow is about 97 percent of average. 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 2005 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 2005. 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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