Cemetery site ruled out by water tests

Another site in the search for a new city cemetery has been eliminated after it was found to have high groundwater levels.

Testing for the potential site off Karrow Avenue found groundwater was typically three to five feet below the surface, and sometimes within one and a half feet of the surface. Gene Lamb offered the 15-acre property last winter as a potential site for purchase. The property is owned by the Lamb Family Trust.

Environmental Health Consulting completed groundwater monitoring on the site this spring. All of the six sites had groundwater shallower than desired, the company reported in a letter to the city. It was noted that compact glacial till soil on the site allows for limited internal drainage.

Necile Lorang, who chairs the cemetery committee, said the group is still looking for a site.

“We’re still seeking possible properties,” said Necile Lorang. “We haven’t put our fingers on the property yet that will pass the soil test.”

At the City Council meeting July 1, city manager Chuck Stearns mentioned a site on Lion Mountain as a possibility.

Two previously proposed sites for the cemetery were eliminated from consideration after they were found to have high groundwater. The sites were 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.

In January City Council extended the service of the ad hoc committee charged with looking for a site. Council gave the committee up to another two years to continue its search for a suitable site.

Established in 1917, the current Whitefish Cemetery has reached capacity and no new lots are available for sale.

As part of the city’s preliminary budget, some improvements to the current cemetery are planned. The budget includes $30,000 for an irrigation system to replace the current system which is failing. Replacing of the system will also free up space for the installation of a columbarium.

The cost for a columbarium is budgeted at $23,000. The columbarium is expected to be self-funded from the sale of the columbarium vaults.