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Welcome to the quarterly River to Lake newsletter.
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Owen Sowerwine Fundraising Milestones and New Challenge
We have some fantastic news and a new challenge to share with you regarding the Owen Sowerwine project. Our community’s support has been incredible so far, and we need your help to keep the momentum going.
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Good news:
The Flathead Land Trust, Flathead Audubon Society, and the Flathead Lakers have achieved a significant milestone in securing funding for the project. Together, partners raised $85,000 towards our $100,000 Community Challenge Match. Additionally, the Flathead Land Trust received a generous grant of $200,000 from the Kendeda Fund through the Heart of the Rockies Keep it Connected Program, and Flathead Audubon Society was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Whitefish Community Foundation. These grants give our conservation efforts a significant boost.
New Challenge:
To complete the project, we still need $200,000. A final appraisal for the purchased conservation easement came up significantly higher. While partners are pursuing more grants, we also need your support to bridge this gap. Together, we can overcome this obstacle and ensure the success of the Owen Sowerwine project. Let’s make a difference in our community!
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In the News
- Community support needed to protect 400 acres along Flathead River, by Sean Wells, 8KPAX, April 18, 2023.
- Bridging the Funding Gap for Owen Sowerwine, by Tristan Scott, Flathead Beacon, April 16, 2023.
- Matching campaign launched for Owen Sowerwine conservation easement effort, Daily Inter Lake, April 7, 2023.
- Owen Sowerwine rich with natural habitat, by Kate Heston, Daily Inter Lake, March 26, 2023.
- Local nonprofits offering free tours of Owen Sowerwine, Bigfork Eagle, May 3, 2023.
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Partners Celebrate New State Park in Somers
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Last April, the Sliter family, the public, and R2L partners gathered to celebrate the newest State Park on Flathead Lakes' shores: the Somers Beach State Park. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks purchased the land from the Sliter family. Andrea Goudge Sliter, whose father wished to see this land become a community park, shared a conversation with her sister, Linda. Andrea asked whether the family was doing the right thing. Linda wisely counseled 'Somers Beach is going to be a Montana State Park! We will always be able to come here, and our children and grandchildren will always be able to experience the beauty and magic of this place.'
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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks manages the park and plans to build a few recreational amenities, including a gravel road and cul-de-sac so visitors can deliver recreational equipment to the water’s edge, three small rental cabins and two host sites, picnic areas, and restrooms. Learn more about this state park at Somers Beach State Park (photo by Eric Witts/Flathead Lakers).
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In the News
- Development plan for Somers Beach State Park finalized, by Kate Heston, Daily Inter Lake, April 20, 2023.
- FWP developing visitor amenities at Somers Beach State Park on Flathead Lake, Daily Montanan, Keila Szpaller - April 19, 2023.
- Flathead Lakers, Flathead Land Trust celebrate new state park on Flathead Lake, by NBC Montana Staff, April 15th 2023.
- FWP Finalizes Development Plan at New Somers Beach State Park, by Tristan Scott, April 18, 2023.
- Celebration at new Somers Beach State Park, Bigfork Eagle, March 29, 2023.
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Maps and Tools to Assess Landscape Conditions
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Study Assesses Septic Pollution Vulnerability
The Western Montana Conservation Commission (formerly the Flathead Basin Commission and UC3) launched an online tool, the Flathead Basin Septic Risk Model, that helps identify areas in the Flathead where aging septic systems could pose a threat to clean water in our rivers, lakes, and aquifers. The tool highlights areas where shallow groundwater, proximity to water bodies, slope, and soil types (with a low capacity to remove nutrients) could lead to water pollution from aging septic systems, especially when found in high density.
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Do you have a septic system? You can do your part in protecting clean water by maintaining your septic system. If you live in the Flathead Basin, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance. To learn more about the cost-share program and see if you qualify, please visit the Lake County Conservation District’s website.
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Flathead County in Moderate to Severe Drought since June
As a consequence of warmer than usual temperatures in May, which melted most of the snow in the mountains, and little rain in June, water levels in Flathead rivers and lakes have quickly declined. Northwest Montana has been experiencing a long-term deficit of 20 or more inches of precipitation over the last five years. Kalispell had its 10th-driest June on record, with less than a quarter of its typical precipitation (Graph Source: USGS.gov).
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The River Conditions Tool allows users to check water temperature, streamflows in rivers, river alerts or closures, fishing access sites, AIS (aquatic) inspection stations, and more. (This interactive map was developed by the US Fish Wildlife Service & Montana State University, with MT Dept. of Natural Resources & Conservation, Flathead Conservation District, and Flathead Lakers).
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The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) Report shows Flathead County under moderate to severe drought conditions at the moment. Projections through October indicate that drought conditions will likely continue and expand throughout the region.
The Drought Monitor report uses precipitation, streamflow, reservoir levels, temperature and evaporative demand, soil moisture and vegetation health to determine drought conditions. Below are some sample maps showing the current conditions and forecasts. These, along with other maps, are available at the USDM and NADM websites.
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Owen Sowerwine Guided Tours
July 27 and 29
Conservation partners are offering walking and kayaking tours of the project on July 27 and July 29. There are a few openings still available for these tours:
Kayak Tour: Thurs. July 27, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Walking tour: Thurs. July 27, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Kayak Tour: Sat. July 29, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Kayak Tour: Sat. July 29, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Please call Jen with the Flathead Land Trust at (406) 752-8293 or email info@flatheadlandtrust.org to inquire about available openings and to register.
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2023 Flathead Waters CleanUp
Saturday, August 12
Let's surpass the amount of trash removed from our lakes and rivers in 2022! In 2002, 210 volunteers picked up 5,100 lbs of trash over 140 miles of riverbanks and lakeshores. You can register to pick up trash in any river, stream, pond, or lake in the Flathead Watershed at the Event Website.
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2023 Montana Lakes Conference: Montana Lakes at Risk; Challenges and Opportunities.
Saturday, October 18-20
The Whitefish Lake Institute is hosting the Montana Lakes Conference on October 18-20 at The Whitefish Lake Lodge. The conference will gather diverse resource professionals to exchange information, scientific advancements, and management strategies that promote clean and healthy lake and reservoir ecosystems. To learn more and register, click here.
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Check the Flathead Conservation District's monthly Blog
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