Looking Back: Polson votes on underground water that “threatens” the city

A look back into the local weekly archives

25 years ago

Lake County Leader, July 5, 2001 

Burns says Secretary Northern predicts lake levels ‘should stabilize’ 

POLSON — The level of Flathead Lake continued to draw pointed attention last week from officials, including Montana’s Congressional delegation. On Friday, Montana Senator Conrad Burns noted in a press release that he received personal assurance from Interior Secretary Gale Norton that outflows from Flathead Lake will reduce on July 1, which should stabilize lake levels. 

The news that outflows would be reduced wasn’t a surprise, but Norton’s position that lake levels will stabilize is contradictory to PPL’s predictions. The tribes agree with the Interior Department’s prediction of a stable lake level and have requested additional outflows to compensate for reduced outflow in June. 

The lake level, which peaked on June 23 at 2,892.6 feet above sea level, has continued to edge down, to 2,892.45 on Friday afternoon and 2,892.21 on Tuesday. Outflow at Kerr Dam (now known as SKQ Dam) into the Flathead River was ramped up to 12,700 cfs during late June, in accordance with the Interior Department directive … 

50 years ago 

The Flathead Courier, July 1, 1976 

Wagon Burner III Regatta is set for this weekend at Polson 

The summer's first major speedboat regatta in the Polson area will be staged this Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4. It's the Wagon Burner III inboard and outboard race program sponsored by the Kicking Horse Job Corps Center and sanctioned by the American Powerboat Assn.

Competing for national point standings will be some of the top boats and drivers in the Pacific Northwest.

Inboard classes will include 145 and 280 categories. Outboards will include the pro, C-outboard hydro, stock outboard, J-stock hydro, A-stock hydro, B-stock hydro, and D-stock hydro.

There will also be an outboard performance class (OPC), and it will have the SJ and UJ divisions, according to race program chairman Dave McGuigan. The referee will be Paul Price.

It was announced on Monday that a special event will be held during the racing program. A special "Old 280 Class" will be run, featuring local drivers and boats. The names of these drivers were not available.

Several national contenders in their respective classes will be in Polson for the running of the annual event. Leading the list is Hoagy Carmichael of Whitefish.

Carmichael was the nation's high point winner in the 145 inboard class in 1975 in his boat "Hoagy's Hornet." Also on hand will be Polson's Gene Bird and "Locomotion" competing in the 280 outboard class, as well as Chuck Able and Gene Hedman of Whitefish, both national contenders in the OPC class.

The Corps members and staff have been, and still are, selling Wagon Burner Regatta buttons for $1, and the purchase of a button will be good for the price of admission for both days of racing.

75 years ago 

The Flathead Courier, July 5, 1951

Chamber Urges Vote on Bonds 

The Polson Chamber of Commerce is urging a big turnout for the July 11 drainage bond election, President Lloyd Harris stated. 

“Most of the voters know what the issues are,” he said. “Sentiment appears to be favorable. The important point is that at least 40 percent of the registered voters must express themselves if the election is to be decisive.” 

“Mayor Derr, tell us this is probably our last chance if we want to take advantage of the $100,000 appropriated by the federal government to help pay the drainage costs. It is becoming increasingly apparent that unless we can take away some of the underground water that threatens our city, we will have more and more difficulty in protecting our streets, sidewalks and basements. The proposed drainage plan should help the situation materially.” 

“We hope, therefore, to see a good vote next Wednesday.