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.
June-3-2024_Lake-Data
The water supply forecasts did not change much this week. Due to continued dry basin conditions, project outflows are historically low. However, with the recent precipitation and cooler weather the lake is on track to fill within the top foot by early to mid-June.
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.
May-28-2024_Lake-Data
The overall water supply forecasts for May to September decreased slightly, mostly for May and June. Due to continued dry basin conditions, project outflows are historically low. However, with the recent precipitation and cooler weather the lake is on track to fill within the top foot by early to mid-June.
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.
May-20-2024_Lake-Data
The overall water supply forecasts for May to September increased slightly, mostly increasing streamflow forecasts for May and June. Due to continued dry basin conditions, coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on May 14, 2024 allowed EKI to begin refill of Flathead Lake with minimal impacts to flood risk. Under normal conditions flood risk management requires Flathead Lake being below 2890’ at the end of May.
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.
May-13-2024_Lake-Data
The overall water supply forecasts for May to September dropped, mostly decreasing streamflow forecasts for the month of June with a slight increase for May. Due to dry conditions, coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will allow EKI to operate Flathead Lake below 2892’ feet in order to increase the likelihood of Flathead Lake refilling into the top foot in June with minimal impacts to flood risk. Under normal conditions flood risk management requires Flathead Lake being below 2890’ at the end of May.
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.
May-06-2024_Lake-Data
The water supply forecasts did not change much this week. Due to dry conditions, coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will allow EKI to operate Flathead Lake up to 2892’ feet in order to increase the likelihood of Flathead Lake refilling into the top foot in June with minimal impacts to flood risk. Under normal conditions flood risk management requires Flathead Lake being below 2890’ at the end of May.
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.
April-29-2024_Lake-Data
The water supply forecasts for April to September dropped nearly 7%, mostly decreasing streamflow forecasts for the month of June. Due to dry conditions, coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will allow EKI to operate Flathead Lake below 2892’ feet in order to increase the likelihood of Flathead Lake refilling into the top foot in June with minimal impacts to flood risk. Under normal conditions flood risk management requires Flathead Lake being below 2890’ at the end of May.
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.