High water table found at cemetery locations

Findings from a recent water test show high groundwater at both of the proposed sites for a new Whitefish cemetery. Those results have sparked opposition from one neighborhood association.

Established in 1917, the current Whitefish Cemetery has reached capacity and no new lots are available for sale. Two proposed sites for a new cemetery are southwest of the city’s wastewater treatment plant along the Whitefish River and on the southern portion of the city’s public works shop off of West 18th Street.

Applied Water Consulting evaluated the sites this year and found that each has a high water table.

“Excavation of graves could encounter shallow groundwater at the bottom of the grave and then groundwater would percolate into a burial plot and ruin a casket or disturb the remains,” the report notes.

The report said the city shop site should be discarded from consideration.

Water levels there were within 6 feet of the ground surface on at least three dates in June, the report noted. The bottom of a 6-foot deep grave could be inundated under those circumstances.

At the river site, the highest levels were within 6.8 feet of the surface, which is deeper than a grave depth. However, only 1 to 2 inches of snow was on the ground when water meters were installed in mid-December. The report notes that normally there would be at least of one foot of snow on the ground.

“The water-level peak that occurred this year is likely a conservative estimate with regard to an average year,” the report said.

Applied Water said the river site was the better choice when compared to the shop site, but they expressed further concern about embalming chemicals that could contaminate the river though groundwater discharges. They recommended that scenario be evaluated.

Those concerns raised a red flag for the Riverwood Park Community Association, a group representing 108 homeowners in the Riverwalk neighborhood across the river from the proposed cemetery site.

Association president Saundra Alessi wrote a letter to city council and the ad-hoc cemetery committee about the possibility of a cemetery contaminating the river with pollutants. She was also concerned about the negative affects of tree removal that “will alter our views of the Whitefish River and have a negative impact on property values.”

Alessi also noted the high water table in that area.

“Interesting enough, the experts do not recommend the Whitefish River sites for a cemetery, they merely state that it has more potential than the city shop site,” Alessi said.

“With all the water quality knowledge the city has acquired over the past several years it would seem prudent to be absolutely certain that no additional pollutants be added to the river.”

Alessi also alleged ad-hoc committee members acted inappropriately at a recent public hearing.

“There did not seem to be any proponents for a public cemetery at the public hearing,” Alessi wrote. “It was interesting to note that rather than answer the questions of those concerned citizens who attended the public meeting in an effort to accurately report back to the city council, the committee members preferred to inappropriately argue with those who voiced an opposition to the proposed sites.”

With the water tests and Alessi’s letter of opposition in mind, ad-hoc committee members on Oct. 18 decided to make no recommendation to city council about a location for a new cemetery. Instead they will present only their findings of fact at the next regular council meeting.

“I don’t think we’re prepared to make a recommendation,” committee member Charlie Abell said.

Whitefish resident Gene Lamb met with the committee at the Oct. 18 meeting and suggested they consider his agricultural land off of Karrow Avenue near the Assembly of God church. He has about 15 acres available for a cemetery that offers views of the surrounding mountains. There are water and electricity hook-ups in the vicinity, he said.

“I’m not going to try and farm that land,” Lamb said. “It’d be a beautiful place with beautiful views.”

Lamb wasn’t certain about the cost per acre.

Committee member Ole Netteberg expected there would be opposition from the Karrow Avenue neighbors.

The committee drove out to tour the site following the meeting.