Fill the Lake Act

This bill would require the U.S. Department of the Interior to keep Flathead Lake in Montana within a narrow water level during summer. Each year from June 15 to September 15, the lake must stay between 2892 and 2893 feet above sea level. To do this, the agency must add water from Hungry Horse Reservoir when the lake is low and release extra water downstream when it is high.

What this means for people nearby: lake levels would be more stable during the main recreation season. That could help boaters, swimmers, businesses on the shore, and fish habitat that depend on steady water. It could also change how water is moved in the river system below the lake during those months, since excess water would be released downstream.

• Who is affected: residents, businesses, and visitors around Flathead Lake; communities downstream of the lake; managers of Hungry Horse Reservoir
• What changes: the lake must be kept between 2892’ and 2893’ MSL by adding water from the reservoir or releasing extra water downstream
• When: every year from June 15 to September 15