Congressman Ryan Zinke is calling on the U.S. Department of the Interior to take immediate action to prevent what he warns could be a “catastrophic drop” in Flathead Lake levels this summer. In a letter sent to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Zinke urged coordinated efforts to stabilize the lake, including increased water releases from Hungry Horse Reservoir and reduced outflows from the SKQ Dam, operated by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT).
With western Montana bracing for one of its driest seasons on record, current forecasts project only 72% of the region’s average annual water supply. The CSKT have indicated lake levels could fall as much as three feet below full pool in the coming months—a scenario that could have major environmental and economic consequences for the Flathead Valley.
“Montana is facing one of its driest seasons on record, and unless action is taken now, we’re looking at a repeat, or worse, of the water crisis on Flathead Lake,” Zinke said. “Our small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and communities cannot afford another devastating season. While releasing from Hungry Horse and reducing flow from the dam will not bring the lake to full pool, it will help prevent a catastrophic drop.”
Flathead Lake saw significant water shortages in 2023, dropping more than two feet below full pool due to low snowpack and persistent drought. The resulting disruption to local agriculture and the tourism economy was severe. A University of Montana study estimates that lake-based tourism contributes approximately $600 million annually to the Flathead County economy.
Zinke has been vocal in recent years about the need for a long-term solution to lake level management. In 2023, he introduced the Fill the Lake Act, aimed at requiring federal agencies to prioritize lake stabilization when making water management decisions. He reintroduced the legislation earlier this year as the region once again faces drought conditions.
“The situation on Flathead Lake is more than a local issue—it’s a federal one. The lake is tied to federally managed reservoirs and tribal agreements that require coordination and leadership at the highest level,” Zinke said.
He is urging Secretary Burgum to work in cooperation with the CSKT, the Bureau of Reclamation, and other stakeholders to develop and implement a water management strategy that balances ecological health with economic sustainability for communities around the lake.
By: BSH staff