On this week 52 years ago: Fireworks banned, post office emergency, lake levels rise

The Flathead Courier, June 20, 1974

Council Prohibits Sale and Use of Dangerous Type Fireworks

Polson might look forward to a "quiet" Fourth of July, according to an emergency city ordinance which was passed Monday night by the city council and will go into effect immediately.

In the meeting, at which Mayor Norene Mosley presided and all aldermen attended, City Attorney Keith McCurdy was instructed to draw up an ordinance prohibiting the sale, purchase and use within the city limits of certain fireworks, dangerous-type defined as such items as sky rockets, roman candles, "dago" bombs, bottle rockets and fire crackers.

The action was carried by a four-to-two vote. The two councilmen opposed were Dr. Gordon Fisher and Dave Pugh … 

Saturday Service Stopped

General Delivery and parcel post service on Saturdays will be discontinued in Polson Post Office starting Saturday, June 22, it was announced this week by Postmaster Ervin Powell.

"City delivery service and the availability of post office boxes make this service no longer necessary," he said, pointing out that in cases of need or emergency, arrangements may be made to pick up parcel post.

The Polson postal official also said that the new city delivery services are progressing well. The biggest difficulty to date has been handling mail without the new box numbers.

"If proper box numbers are not used, there is a good chance of mail delivery being delayed one day," he added.

Lake Level Rising with Big Runoff

Flathead Lake's level has risen about a foot during the past week as the spring runoff is pouring off a record snowpack in the high country.

The Corps of Engineers on Tuesday said that the lake's level had reached 2,891.3 feet on Monday, and the elevation is to continue rising this week, but at a slower rate. Full pond is 2,893 ft. Inflow averaged 57,400 cfs. On Sunday, the outflow was 43,000 cfs.

Boaters are advised to watch for floating debris in the lake and river. High water upstream has brought numerous limbs and logs into the lake.

Inflow at Hungry Horse reservoir averaged 39,900 cfs on Sunday, and outflow was reduced to 200 cfs. on Thursday, when levels at Columbia Falls approached flood stage.

The outflow will be maintained at this rate until the flood stage drops at Columbia Falls, probably later this week. Hungry Horse reservoir rose about 18 feet last week, reaching an elevation of 3,525.5 ft. by Monday. It's expected to rise another 15 ft. by next Monday.