With support from a $42,750 grant from the Montana DNRC, the Flathead Lakers are launching a data-driven initiative to prevent aquatic invasive species from entering Montana’s waters. By identifying and reaching out to high-risk visitors, we’re taking targeted action to keep Flathead Lake—and the rest of the state—mussel-free.

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspection stations are open for the 2025 season. Early-season watercraft inspection stations are now operating in Ravalli (managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), Dillon (Beaverhead Conservation District), and Anaconda (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks). Additional stations will be opening soon as spring boating activity increases.

The 2025 Legislative Session has officially reached its halfway point! With the sun shining and the legislature’s well-timed spring break finally upon us, we hope you get the chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy the nicer weather. As we catch our breath and gear up for the final stretch, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate our collective successes.

Applications for the Flathead Lakers 2025 scholarship program are now open! This $1,000 scholarship supports graduating Lake County seniors who plan to pursue higher education in Montana with a focus on STEM.

Congratulations to Constanza von der Pahlen, our Critical Lands Program Director, for receiving the 2025 Montana Watershed Stewardship Award! This biennial award, presented by the Montana Watershed Coordination Council and the Montana Wetland Council, honors individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to wetland and watershed conservation, restoration, and education.

The 2025 Montana Legislative Session is in full swing, and decisions made in Helena could have a lasting impact on water quality, ecosystem health, and our quality of life in the Flathead Watershed. We're closely tracking key legislation—supporting measures that protect our waters and opposing those that put them at risk. Below, you'll find a breakdown of the most important bills and where they stand.

We’re pleased to welcome Seth Abouhalkah, our 2025 Big Sky Watershed Corps Member, and Clara McRae, our Legislative Intern, to the team! Seth will focus on conservation efforts and watershed education, while Clara will support legislative tracking and advocacy during the 2025 Montana Legislative Session.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to three remarkable individuals who have recently completed their terms on our Board of Directors.

The Flathead Lakers seek a dynamic and motivated Education and Outreach Manager to lead and expand critical programs promoting the stewardship of Flathead Lake and its watershed.

As 2024 comes to a close, we at the Flathead Lakers are reflecting on all that has been accomplished this year thanks to our dedicated supporters. Together, we’ve made great strides in protecting Flathead Lake and its watershed while building a foundation for even greater success in the years to come.

We’re excited to announce a unique opportunity to secure the future of the Flathead Watershed and protect its waters for generations to come. As part of this initiative, a dedicated Lakers member has pledged $500 for each of the first 20 completed Legacy Circle pledge forms received by October 2026. This pledge match offers a special chance to make an even greater impact by joining our Legacy Circle and committing to a future gift that will protect and preserve Flathead Lake and its watershed.

We are so thankful for all of you—our incredible supporters—who make protecting the Flathead Watershed possible. Your dedication to clean water, healthy ecosystems, and the future of Flathead Lake inspires everything we do. As Giving Tuesday approaches on December 3rd, we invite you to join us in raising $10,000 to protect Flathead Lake and its watershed.

“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.