Kerr Dam on target for lake levels

Representatives from Pacific Power and Light Montana, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs conferred on Dec. 12 regarding current and projected operations of the Kerr Dam Project.

The current outflow is about 13,200 cubic feet per second and as of Dec. 18 the lake elevation is 2,889.08 feet, which is 3.92 feet from the full elevation of 2,893.0 feet.

Project operations take into account the targeted month-end elevation, current and forecasted stream flows and weather conditions.

The lake will be drafted to an elevation of about 2,888 feet by the end of the December.

However, the operation of the project, and in particular, decisions with respect to lake levels, are subject to constant monitoring, re-evaluation and change as weather patterns themselves may rapidly change. Appropriate operational changes will be made, if necessary.

In March 2002, PPL Montana filed a drought management plan with the Secretary of the 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.

For more information, contact Deb Mullowney, PPL Montana, at 533-3508.