Flathead Lake may fall as much as three feet below full pool by August.  

Last week, Energy Keepers predicted that the lake would reach a maximum level of 2,892.3 feet by mid-June, but the most recent forecast drops that estimate to 2,891.9 feet. The water level is expected to continue to decline to 2,891 feet by July 4 and to 2,890 feet by August. Full pool is typically 2,983 feet between June 15 and Sept. 15. 

“Unseasonably warm and dry conditions continue to significantly decrease water supply in the Flathead River Basin, and spring runoff is quickly receding, bringing river flows to extremely low levels,” states a June 10 press release from Energy Keepers Inc., the entity that manages the SKQ dam at the southern end of Flathead Lake. 

April and May saw precipitation levels at about 70% of historic norms and June is expected to be far drier. 

Snowpack across the state has also dwindled as late-spring temperatures soar. In the Flathead Basin, snowpack was a mere 43% of average on June 9. That is down from last week’s measurements, which showed snowpack at 54% of average. 

Low snowpack and little rain equate to limited streamflow in the coming months. Both the Middle and North Forks of the Flathead River are currently at half of normal flow, according to the United States Geological Survey.  

Streamflow on the South Fork of the Flathead River is currently 53% of normal, contributing to a below-average water level in Hungry Horse Reservoir. The reservoir is currently at 3,550.4 feet, about one foot below the 10-year average for early June. 

Both the SKQ and the Hungry Horse dams are managed to meet varying obligations, including energy production, habitat for endangered species and flood risk management.  

Energy Keepers successfully requested a flood risk management deviation in mid-March from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The approval allowed Energy Keepers to keep more water in the lake during the spring. Energy Keepers stated that Flathead Lake reached the maximum permissible water level on May 26, and that the SKQ dam continues to maintain minimum flows. 

While the projected water level may limit the use of some private docks, public boat ramps are expected to remain fully accessible during the summer.  

Energy Keepers will continue to provide forecasts through June and July at energykeepersinc.com/flathead-lake-data. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley may be reached at 758-4433 or [email protected].