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Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. Almost 28 miles long and up to 15 miles wide with a maximum depth of 370 feet, it is one of the cleanest lakes of its size and type anywhere in the populated world...
The North Fork watershed still sustains the diversity and abundance of wildlife found historically, with unique predator and prey relationships and the highest density of grizzly bears in the interior of North America. And in the 427 square miles of the watershed that lie in British Columbia, there hundreds of millions of tons of coal and the methane trapped in it. The largest deposit of coal lies just six miles northwest of Glacier National Park...
Critical lands are ecologically significant areas that provide clean water and wildlife habitat, as well as recreational opportunities. Lands critical to maintaining water quality in Flathead Lake, such as vegetated streams and river banks, floodplains and wetlands, often serve as the "kidneys of the lake." When left in a natural state, these areas provide a buffer zone that filters out nutrients and other pollutants before they reach the water.
Flathead Lake and the other waters of the Flathead watershed are at risk due to the potential for accidental introduction of exotic aquatic species. Zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, whirling disease, and New Zealand mud snails are a few of the destructive and aggressive invader species that threaten our waters. And at least one exotic, the flowering rush, is already established in Flathead Lake.
In one way or another, all lakes and ponds are freaks. Water naturally tends to run down through streams to the ocean. Lakes can exist only in places where something prevents water from running down hill. So every lake must have its reasons. The reasons for Flathead Lake's existence start back in the last ice age and extend far beyond the lakeshore...
Kerr Dam's operation has modified the hydrograph of Flathead Lake in some surprising ways. In this section you'll find links to realtime lake levels and streamflow data, information on the license for Kerr Dam, hydrographs for all water years beginning with 1908, updates on dam operations, the saga of the drought management plan, and more.
The Flathead Watershed is one of the fastest growing areas in the state. From 1990 to 2000 Lake County and Flathead County grew by 26% while the state population as a whole grew by about 13%. Problems often associated with growth are emerging, such as degradation of water quality, air quality and wildlife habitat, and the loss of family farms and open space. The problem our communities in the Flathead face is how to accommodate growth and provide economic opportunities while maintaining the quality of life we now enjoy and new residents expect...
Research shows that water quality in Flathead Lake has not improved since 1977. Primary productivity, or the rate of algae growth, is increasing according to Flathead Lake Biological Station Director Dr. Jack Stanford. And the amount of dissolved oxygen in water at the bottom of Big Arm Bay is declining. These two trends are indications are the opposite of what we would prefer...