Georgetown Lake Homeowners Association
Services
Georgetown Lake Volunteer Fire Department
The fire hall can now host your community events including meetings and weddings. Please contact Fred to discuss your ideas as to how you might use the fire hall.
Fred Bjorklund, Fire Chief
406-560-3260
Anaconda Sheriff Dept
Please call 911 if a crime is in progress, someone is hurt or threatened, a weapon has been used or is present, or for any other emergency situation.
If you have an emergency. please dial 911
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Phone: 911
The Lake
GEORGETOWN LAKE UPDATE – May 2, 2023
Current Lake Elevation 6428.47 (PROVISIONAL DATA from USGS gage 12325000)
The water surface elevation is lower than normal for this time of year, based on 80 years’ worth of lake elevation data.
Elevation and Inputs
From March 31, 2023 to April 30, 2023 the water surface increased from 6428.43 to 6428.44 feet. Average weekly inflows have been consistent in April starting around 22 cfs at the start of the month and increasing to around 28 cfs at the end of the month. While inflows remain steady in the low 20’s cfs as of today, it is unlikely (<10% chance) that inflows start increasing with snowmelt before 5/15 (this is based on 2000 – 2015 streamflow data on NF Flint Cr and Stuart Mill Spring). Inflows from runoff typically peak in a 20-day window between 5/20 and 6/10.
The lake gained 29.8-acre feet of storage from March 31, 2023 to April 30, 2023. Storage gains averaged 0.5 cfs. The lake was gaining slightly more than the average monthly April outflow of 27.1 cfs, thus total lake inputs were equal to 27.6 cfs. The inflows were 82% of normal for April, which is the same as last month.
The lake is still frozen, but ice is starting to come off quickly.
Precipitation
In April, the Peterson Meadows SNOTEL site received 4.4 inches of precipitation (which is 142% of normal). All this moisture fell as snow, increasing the total snow water equivalent (SWE) at Peterson Meadows to a peak of 15.4 inches (134% of normal), since 4/26 snow has started to melt decreasing SWE to 13.4 inches (120% of normal for end of April). The Warm Springs SNOTEL site gained 4.5 inches (105% of normal), increasing SWE to 24.9 inches (107% of normal).
Climate Forecast
The latest CPC climate forecast (created April 20, 2023) shows above average air temperatures and normal precipitation for the 1-month May to June outlook. The 3-month outlook shows above average temperatures and below average moisture for May, June, July. These forecasts are updated around the 20th of each month.
Model Forecast
The water surface elevation sits at 6428.47 feet today (5/2/2023), and I used a starting elevation of 6428.44 feet from the USGS gage for April 30. The current snowpack is significantly higher than the previous 4 years (2019 – 2022) and is most like 2017. Historically, snowpack conditions are like 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, & 2017. Looking at inflows for these years, and more specifically 2017 (a year when the lake filled and the spillway was used), inflows were equal to or greater than 120% of normal in May and June. I used 120% of normal for inflows based on this analysis of historic inflow data. NRCS has not released their May predictions at the time of this update. I will include my analysis of inflows and outflows showing possible scenarios to fill the lake along with this update. While there is some wiggle room until runoff really kicks off in mid-May, making room to accommodate the above average snowpack may be necessary this month. The following monthly outflows were chosen to prevent water from going over the spillway with 120% inflows.
Wildlife
Protecting Montana's Waters
John O'Bannon AIS Area Supervisor for Southwest Montana, with the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks AIS Bureau, Presented a slide show on protecting Montana's lakes, rivers and streams from invasive mussels, snails and fish at the August Georgetown Lake Homeowners Association meeting and BBQ.
For more information please contact:
John O'Bannon
406.210.5054
john.o'bannon@mt.gov
cleandraindrymt.com
To help stop the spread of invasive aquatic species:
1. Help spread the Clean, Drain, Dry message
2. Boats traveling on the Interstate should be inspected prior to launch
3. Aquarium dumping must be STOPPED! Aquariums fish and plants can cause serious damage to our lakes and streams.
Help Protect Our Bears
BEAR PROOF GARBAGE CAN PROJECT
To order your own bear proof garbage can send an email to
KJOHNSTON@PEOPLEANDCARNIVORES.ORG
Kim Johnston 406-599-9424
COST $80.00
FOR SPRING DELIVERY
Send payment with address information to:
People and Carnivores
P.O. Box 6733
Bozeman, MT 59771
Phone: (406) 587-3389
Fax: (406) 587-3178
info@peopleandcarnivores.org
Montana Sport Fish Consumption Guidelines
What you need to know about Mercury, PCBs, and other contaminants when fishing in Montana. This guide provides information about how to enjoy healthy meals from wild fish caught in Montana.
It provides specific scientific data about the water bodies which have been tested, plus more general information for areas that have not yet been tested.
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For more information contact Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
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For information on collection and laboratory testing of fish from Montana waters, call MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks at 406-444-2449.
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For information on the health risks of eating fish, call MT Health & Human Services 406-444-2837 or email: HHSFCS@mt.gov.
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Or visit the MFWP website at www.fwp.mt.gov/fishing
Gallery
WHAT DOES THE GEORGETOWN LAKE HOME OWNER’S ASSOCIATION DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY?
Water: We are on a committee that advise Granite County on lake management. We cosponsored and participated in a Clean Lake Study to assure our lake is healthy. It Is!
Zoning: Homeowners at the lake wanted a “soft touch” zoning or development rules so we guided that process through meeting and hearings until that was achieved. ( 3 years).
Wildlife Management: We work closely with FWP and other groups to address wildlife issues in our area. This includes public presentations and promoting good management practices such as bear proof garbage cans.
Volunteer Fire Department: We support the Georgetown Lake Fire Department with equipment donations and funding for equipment for the Emergency Response Unit.
Planning Board: We have had a member sit on the Granite County Planning Board to guide development at the lake.
Meetings: GLHA holds two meetings at the lake every year to keep members informed of current issues. There are usually speakers from various agencies to inform us on topics of interest.
Watershed: GLHA has a representative sit on the Granite County Watershed Committee. This group is designed to preserve and protect the watershed including Georgetown Lake. They also promote maintaining our rural lifestyle.
Flow Gauges: GLHA also shares in the cost of maintaining a USGS flow gauge on Flint Creek. This measures the water coming out of Georgetown Lake on a real time basis. This enables us to monitor management of the reservoir by Granite County.
Membership: We welcome new members to help us with these endeavors. The cost of membership is $25. You can send a check to GLHA, PO Box 643 , Anaconda, Montana 59711. Include your address at the lake and for future mailings, email is appreciated also.