The Bureau of Reclamation today laid out the process it is undertaking to address requests for support from the State of Montana and congressional delegation regarding the elevation of Flathead Lake downstream of Hungry Horse Dam.
Reclamation operates Hungry Horse Dam in coordination with a Technical Management Team of stakeholders with biological interest in the Columbia River System. Decisions about increasing flow rates from Hungry Horse Dam are considered by the entire team, which includes representatives from the: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State of Montana, State of Oregon, State of Idaho, State of Washington, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Spokane Tribe of Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
The next Technical Management Team meeting is scheduled for July 12, 2023. If the State of Montana’s members of the Technical Management Team submit a System Operation Request to the facilitator of the Technical Management Team for posting on their website by July 11, 2023, the full Technical Management Team will collectively consider the proposal and make a recommendation.
Reclamation is committed to working with the State of Montana and Technical Management Team on a potential path forward.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
