Flathead Lake Data
SKQ Drought Management Plan
Streamflow conditions in the Flathead Basin remain below normal and similar to 2023 and 2024 the project is being operated to increase the likelihood of meeting refill and minimum instream flow requirements (see SKQ’s drought management plan). January was incredibly dry in the basin and snowpack in the Northfork of the Flathead is low. However, there are still snow building months ahead.
Both weather and streamflows are highly uncertain. A warm and rainy event can rapidly increase streamflows in the spring, and similarly a cold and dry event can keep the streamflows quite low compared to normal. Temperatures, precipitation, and snowpack conditions such as density, all play a part in determining how high or low stream flows move as well as the timing of the runoff. If an early runoff is detected, EKI will coordinate flood risk management deviations with the USACE as needed to refill the lake.
SKQ project outflows and the Flathead Lake elevation are dependent on many variables including lake inflows, weather, the demand for electricity, and non-power constraints such as the downstream fishery and flood risk management needs.
Aug-26-2024_Lake-Data
The water supply forecasts and inflows did not change much this week. Project outflows will remain fairly stable. Flathead Lake remains at full pool at 2893 ft and will stay in the top foot through the holiday weekend. The project drafts to approximately 2891 ft by October 31 to mitigate the impacts of wave action on shoreline erosion. By the end of September or early October one can expect flows to increase on the Lower Flathead River below the SKQ project. Be safe and enjoy the rest of the summer recreation season. The range of forecast posts will start up again next spring. For any comments regarding the forecast chart please send them to [email protected].
SKQ project outflows and the Flathead Lake elevation are dependent on many variables including lake inflows, weather, the demand for electricity, and non-power constraints such as the downstream fishery and flood risk management needs.
Aug-19-2024_Lake-Data
Flathead Lake remains at full pool. The water supply forecasts and inflows did not change much this week. Project outflows will remain fairly stable.
SKQ project outflows and the Flathead Lake elevation are dependent on many variables including lake inflows, weather, the demand for electricity, and non-power constraints such as the downstream fishery and flood risk management needs.
Aug-12-2024_Lake-Data
Flathead Lake remains at full pool. The water supply forecasts did not change much this week. Project outflows are likely to slowly decrease as Flathead Lake inflows recede.
SKQ project outflows and the Flathead Lake elevation are dependent on many variables including lake inflows, weather, the demand for electricity, and non-power constraints such as the downstream fishery and flood risk management needs.
Aug-5-2024_Lake-Data
Flathead Lake remains at full pool. The water supply forecasts did not change much this week. Project outflows are likely to slowly decrease as Flathead Lake inflows recede.
SKQ project outflows and the Flathead Lake elevation are dependent on many variables including lake inflows, weather, the demand for electricity, and non-power constraints such as the downstream fishery and flood risk management needs.
July-22-2024_Lake-Data
Flathead Lake remains at full pool. The water supply forecasts did not change much this week. Project outflows are likely to slowly decrease as Flathead Lake inflows recede.
SKQ project outflows and the Flathead Lake elevation are dependent on many variables including lake inflows, weather, the demand for electricity, and non-power constraints such as the downstream fishery and flood risk management needs.
July-15-2024_Lake-Data
Flathead Lake remains at full pool. The water supply forecasts did not change much this week. Project outflows are likely to continue decreasing as Flathead Lake inflows recede.
SKQ project outflows and the Flathead Lake elevation are dependent on many variables including lake inflows, weather, the demand for electricity, and non-power constraints such as the downstream fishery and flood risk management needs.