“If there was an oil spill on the Middle Fork of the Flathead, there would be irreversible consequences for the ecological and socioeconomic integrity of the entire system, from the Middle Fork all the way down to Flathead Lake. Those impacts would essentially be realized for thousands of years.”

Enjoy this issue of the Flathead Lake Monitor.

• An Awarding Spring

• Landscaping for Clean Water

• Supporting Tomorrow’s Conservation Leaders

• Protecting the Waters and Lands We Love: The Flathead River to Lake Initiative

• 2024 Summer Events

• The Threat of Aquatic Invasive Species Looms Closer Each Year

• And more!

by Larissa Balzer of Ocean Sewage Alliance

Owning a home is more than just having a place to live; it's about taking on responsibilities that ensure your household runs smoothly and sustainably. If your home relies on a septic system, you might not realize it, but you have an important role—you're not just a homeowner; you're also a wastewater treatment operator! While this might sound daunting, embracing this role is crucial for maintaining your system’s health and protecting your shared neighborhood environment. 

Let’s delve into why septic system maintenance is important and how you can fulfill your role with six simple principles.

My tenure as the new Executive Director of the Flathead Lakers began near the end of a hot, busy July.  A family emergency derailed my initial starting date and forced me to begin during one of the busiest weeks of the year for our organization.  Just seven business days into my new job I was speaking in front of a crowd of 140 Flathead Lakers members and delaying the start of a fantastic set by Rob Quist and his band.  The feeling of being out in the deep part of the lake without a life jacket was setting in quickly.  Who was I and what did I really know about defending the Flathead watershed?  

Our Poker Paddle event last Saturday was a huge success.145 people registered for our Poker Paddle event helping us raise over $9,000! Despite a bit of wind, everyone had a fantastic time. Congratulations to our best hand winner, Tim Lattig, with a full house, and to our worst hand winner, Megan Pope, with a 10 high card.

Swim Guide testing began for the 2024 season at the beginning of July and will continue through Labor Day. Every Monday, our Big Sky Watershed Corps member, Shane Urban, along with the help of our new Board members, Karen Sykes and Marsha Brown, will be sampling for E. coli levels at 16 beautiful swimming beaches around Flathead Lake to ensure they are safe and clean for all swimmers.

We are excited to announce our 1981 J-24 Sailboat is up for auction online! This is a fantastic opportunity to own a well-maintained, high-performance sailboat. This is a 40 year old boat, often described as the “world’s most popular one-design keel boat.”

We are proud to announce that Mollena Sydnor is the inaugural recipient of the Flathead Lakers Scholarship! Mollie will be attending the University of Montana to major in Environmental Science and Sustainability with a concentration in Ecosystem Science and Restoration.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) recently identified two non-native species introduced through aquarium dumps, posing a threat to local ecosystems.

The Flathead Lakers are proud to announce the appointment of Coby Gierke as their new Executive Director, effective July 22, 2024. Bringing nearly two decades of leadership experience in environmental conservation, Mr. Gierke is poised to lead the organization into its next chapter, continuing its mission “Working for clean water, healthy ecosystems, and lasting quality of life in the Flathead Watershed”.

Enjoy this issue of the Flathead Lake Monitor.

• New Board President Takes The Helm

• Owen Sowerwine permanently protected

• Navigating the Delicate Balance of Flathead Lake Summer Water Levels

• 3 New Board Members + 1 New Big Sky Watershed Corps Member

• 2023 State of the Lakers

• Annual Report

• And more!

This April, Flathead Lakers staff, volunteers, and a MT Conservation Corps Crew helped Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) maintain two riparian restoration projects across Flathead waterways.

The presence of “forever chemicals”, PFOA and PFHxS, and belonging to the family of per  and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, in Kalispell drinking water prompts questions. These  chemicals were found in three wells at levels exceeding proposed federal water standards. Are  they harming the Flathead watershed and aquatic life? Are they harmful to humans at modest  or elevated concentrations? Can we do anything to reduce exposure to them?

As a new season approaches, the threat of aquatic invasive species (AIS) to Montana's waters looms larger than ever. Inspection stations opened up March 9th in Ravalli, Dillon, Anaconda , and The FWP Regional Office in Kalispell.

Nearly fifty years ago, a man named Owen Sowerwine dreamed of safeguarding a 405-acre community treasure with exceptional, intact forested river bottom habitat near Kalispell. This week, that vision blossomed into reality.

After years of collaboration between Flathead Land Trust, Flathead Audubon Society, Flathead Lakers, and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the Owen Sowerwine property is now permanently protected by a conservation easement held by Flathead Land Trust

Recently, the EPA revealed its cleanup plan for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund site along the Flathead River, opting to contain all toxic materials on-site. This decision has raised concerns among the local community regarding the long-term risks of leaving highly toxic contaminants including cyanide, arsenic and fluoride buried on site.

The Montana Land Board granted approval for a purchased conservation easement on over 400 acres of pristine riverine habitat along the Flathead River near Kalispell on Monday. The purchase of a conservation easement on the State School Trust Land east of Kalispell, known as Owen Sowerwine, will sustain the state's management of the property as natural habitat for birds, fish and wildlife, and generate long-term funding for Montana’s K-12 schools. It will also secure public access for outdoor pursuits such as trail walking, birdwatching, hunting, fishing, and conservation education, ensuring that these activities continue to thrive for generations to come.

Dear Flathead Lakers members and friends, I wanted to share my decision with all of you to step down as Executive Director of Flathead Lakers to pursue a new professional opportunity. This decision has not been made lightly, as I have deeply valued my time at Flathead Lakers and the profound impact we have had together on the preservation and protection of the Flathead Watershed.

Last week we did the final testing of the season for for the Swim Guide. We sampled and monitored the water quality of Flathead Lake’s swimming beaches to reduce the risk of water-borne illnesses to swimmers.

What an unforgettable night it was at our Summer Soirée! We're absolutely thrilled to share that we had a fantastic turnout with over 125 incredible individuals joining us in support of the Flathead Lakers' mission. Because of your generosity we were able to raise an astounding $20,000, a remarkable contribution that will propel our efforts forward for the next 65 years and beyond!