County seeks disaster declaration for Flathead Lake

Flathead County commissioners asked Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday to issue a disaster declaration for Flathead and Lake counties owing to the economic fallout from Flathead Lake’s diminished water level.

The July 24 request came after a regional water management team that reports to the federal Bureau of Reclamation opted against releasing more water from the Hungry Horse Reservoir into Flathead Lake earlier this month.

“They’re suffering some severe hardships due to these low levels,” County Commissioner Brad Abell said of businesses, residents and farmers who rely on the lake.

As of July 24, Flathead Lake’s surface water level was at 2,890.87 feet, nearly 2 feet below the full pool mark. Residents and politicians alike have raised concerns about the economic effect the low water level will have this summer on lake-reliant businesses, as well as agricultural needs.

The commissioners’ letter to the governor pointed to the effects on irrigation and local businesses as the main reasons for the disaster declaration request. Irrigation intakes drafting from lake backwaters are dry, according to the letter, putting crops at risk. Marinas and businesses on the lake are closing and waterfront property owners are facing the loss of rental business.

According to Abell, the disaster declaration would help businesses qualify for low interest loans to mitigate the negative effects from the low water levels.

The letter cited previous examples wherein officials increased the flow out of the Hungry Horse Reservoir to offset low water levels in the Flathead Lake. In 2001, the Bureau of Reclamation adjusted the amount of water coming out of the dam to help Salmon flows and Flathead Lake levels.

But the regulations followed by dam operators have since changed. In the letter, commissions wrote that they — and others dependent on the lake — were left in the dark about the alterations.

“Recent changes to the Federal Management Plan were made without notification to local government or private entities,” commissioners wrote in the letter. “Those changes are having catastrophic impacts for our communities and no relief is available without a state disaster declaration, which could free up lower-interest monies for our farms and businesses to stay viable as they plan for the future.”

The request for a disaster declaration came the same day that Montana Congressman Matt Rosedale sent a letter to Commissioner Camille Touton of the Bureau of Reclamation, asking the agency to reconsider its decision against releasing more water from Hungry Horse Reservoir.

“The decision not to allow more water to flow into Flathead will devastate the area’s agriculture in an action that will ripple throughout the state,” Rosendale said in a statement.

Rosendale is the latest of Montana’s delegation to request action. U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke has also advocated for taking water from Hungry Horse Reservoir and putting it into Flathead Lake. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines have also encouraged action.