Lake elevation anticipated to drop by end of January
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Representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, PPL Montana, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration conferred on Jan. 13 regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current outflow is about 10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of Jan. 21, was 2887.46 feet, which is 5.54 feet from full elevation of 2,893 feet. Based on current information, PPL Montana anticipates that lake elevation will be 2886.50 feet by the end of January.
As of Dec. 31, the snow pack level was 115 percent of normal, and the stream flow was 131 percent of normal. The project is operated taking into account the January final volume runoff forecasts for the April through July period, snow pack and natural stream flows. The January final runoff forecast for Flathead Lake is 108 percent of average. Current stream flow is 182 percent of normal and current snowpack is 124 percent of normal. By comparison, as of Jan. 20, 2010, the stream flow was 91 percent of normal and the snow pack was 83 percent of normal.
In March 2002, PPL Montana filed a drought management plan with the Secretary of U.S. Department of Interior for approval. The department is currently conducting an environmental review of PPL Montana's proposal and considering alternatives. A final DMP has not been issued. In the interim, the operation will continue to be evaluated and adjusted, as appropriate, in consultation with the parties involved and with consideration of the PPL Montana draft DMP criteria.
The operation of the project, and in particular, decisions with respect to the lake levels, are subject to constant monitoring, and re-evaluation as the weather patterns themselves may rapidly change. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout January and appropriate operational changes will be made, if necessary. If conditions dictate, an ad hoc consultation with the parties involved will occur prior to the next monthly call.
For more information contact Deb Mullowney, PPL Montana, at (406) 533-3508.
