Meeting on boat wakes coming up

Hungry Horse News

On Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. the Flathead Conservation District and Flathead River Commission will present the results of a study on the impacts of recreational boating on the Flathead River.

The meeting is at the Diamond B, not far from the river at 2909 Danford Lane, Kalispell.

The study was carried out in 2022 in response to concerns identified by local stakeholders and riverfront landowners in Flathead County. Over July-September 2022, wave energy and power were measured and correlated to type of boat and use at monitoring stations along the lake-influenced, lower 22-mile section of the Flathead River. 

Results suggest boat wakes are a substantial eroding force on sensitive streambanks. The community meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the study results and view a section of the river that is heavily impacted by boat recreation. The meeting will inlude a presentation of findings from a study of boating impacts on the Flathead Rive and a discussion of study findings and opportunity to comment. People can also view a section of the Flathead River that is impacted by boat recreation