© 2023 Concerned Citizens of Western Montana

On August 22, 2023, Representative Matt Rosendale sent a letter to the Flathead and Lake County Commissioners concerning his inquiry with the Bureau of Reclamation pertaining to Flathead Lake levels:

A pdf copy of Rosendale’s letter can be found at this link:

2023 08 22 Rosendale Letter to the Flathead and Lake County Commissioners.

As of the posting of this letter, we were unable to get a copy of the attachments referenced in Rosendale’s letter.  We have contacted Flathead and Lake County for a copy, and if we are able to track them down, we will post them for your reference.

A pdf copy of the Lake County Commissioners response to Representative Rosendale’s letter can be found here:

2023 08 25 Lake County Letter to Rosendale

It’s not very often that “WE THE PEOPLE” can see that those we send to Congress understand that they are there to represent, and to help “WE THE PEOPLE.”  Representative Rosendale clearly has shown many times that he has our interests at heart, and is respectful enough to respond to our requests for assistance.  He would indeed be an awesome Senator.

August 22, 2023

Dear County Commissioners,

As you are well aware, the level of Flathead Lake is concerning to myself and many other Montanans. Low water levels have effects that ripple across the state, affecting many Montanans and their businesses far beyond your counties. Flathead Lake was reportedly a shocking 26 inches below full pool and the state is facing a drought. There have been worse droughts in recent history where the lake did not reach such disastrously low levels. This leads to serious questions about why this is happening and what can be done to mitigate this problem.

I wrote to the Bureau of Reclamation on July 21st and my office received a response on August 21st. I am attaching my initial letter and the BOR response here. Given their response and the continued concerns with Flathead Lake and the Kerr Dam, I am writing to request information about the Technical Management Team (TMT) meeting that was held, as well as other information that will be useful to me as I try to address this issue. Your response to the following questions would be greatly appreciated:

  • If the proposed increased flows would not be enough water to alleviate the concerns of the irrigators and recreationists around the lake, then how much-increased flow would be able to accomplish this?
  • What information or evidence is available that shows that these potential releases would hurt the project’s ability to refill next year?
  • The Department of Interior has suggested that the TMT has concerns about biological implications related to these potential releases. Could you please detail these concerns?
  • Is there need for concern about the management of these dams and reservoirs? If so, how can management be improved?
  • Is there anything that can be done to help manage these waters more efficiently so that we do not face an issue like this in the future?

Thank you for your continued vigilance and work in trying to help solve this problem. In the coming weeks, we can all find a solution to help with the low water levels while mitigating potential negative externalities. Please provide a response at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr.

Member of Congress

NOTE:  While this is a good letter, it’s a shame that Representative Rosendale isn’t making any connection to the implementation of the Flathead Compact, the tribes’ Flathead Lake and Hungry Horse Dam water rights, or the fact that if the tribes’ water rights were being enforced this year, people throughout Swan, Flathead Lake and Flathead River above and below the lake would also be dealing with water calls by the tribe in addition to the low lake levels.  If the tribe’s water rights were being enforced, our problems would be exponentially greater.

IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT THESE DOTS BE CONNECTED IN ORDER TO GET TO THE REAL HEART OF THE PROBLEM. 

At a minimum, the Flathead Compact and its implementation, as well as the tribe’s ownership of Kerr Dam, and control of the Flathead Irrigation Project must also be reviewed when considering the causes of current and future water shortages.

There is a reason Montana refused to quantify the tribe’s water rights or study the impacts of the compact before it was ratified.  It would never have been ratified if legislators and the public understood its impact on water uses all over western Montana.

“WE THE PEOPLE” must challenge our leadership, including our county commissioners, to become informed about the Flathead Compact and its effects.   It’s imperative that we help them make these connections, especially if it is proven that the compact and the tribe’s ownership and control over western Montana water contributes to, or is the cause of the problem.

Montana allowed this to happen, and it needs to be held accountable for it.