Georgetown Lake Homeowners Association
Announcements
GLHA 2023 Summer Barbecue
September 9, 2023 (Saturday) 12:00 Noon
Location: Fire Hall Behind 7 Gables
Greetings, we are gathering for our annual Summer Meeting and Barbecue this September 9th. Hope you can be there. Your GLHA remains active in issues affecting us all including: VFD Support, Permanent membership on County Dam Operations Advisory committee, Financing USGS lake discharge gage, Road & Speed limits.
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 – September 5, 2023
Current Lake Elevation 6429.06 (PROVISIONAL DATA from USGS gage 12325000)
The water surface elevation is much higher than normal for this time of year, based on 80 years’ worth of lake elevation data.
Elevation and Inputs
From July 31 to August 31 the lake elevation decreased from 6429.34 ft to 6429.02 ft. The lake level peaked this year on June 10 at 6429.68 ft, with water going over the spillway. On average, the lake lost 15.5 cfs per day over the month of August. The lake was gaining more than the average monthly August outflow of 29 cfs, thus total lake inputs were equal to 18.6 cfs for August. The inflows were 88% of normal for August.
Estimated daily inflows for August remained consistent in the 15 - 20 cfs range. Per usual, there are spikes associated with precipitation events, but they are short lived. The 2-week average inflow for the first week of September is around 17 cfs. So far, September inflows have been around 70% of normal. This trend is likely to continue, and as the weather cools off, inflows may increase with a decline in evaporation.
Precipitation
In August, the Peterson Meadows SNOTEL site accumulated 2.0 inches of precipitation (which is 250% of normal for the month). The Warm Springs SNOTEL site, which gives an idea of the higher elevation precipitation conditions, accumulated 2.7 inches of precipitation in August (225% of normal).
Climate Forecast
The latest CPC climate forecast (created August 31, 2023) shows above average air temperatures and approximately normal precipitation for the 1-month outlook. The 3-month outlook shows above average temperatures and approximately normal precipitation for September, October, and November as well. These forecasts are updated around the 20th of each month.
Model Forecast
The water surface elevation sits at 6429.06 feet as of today (9/5/2023). I used the end of August (8/31) starting level of 6429.02 ft for the model run. Given the current inflows and projected weather over the next few months, I used 70% of normal for inflows.
Temporary Modification of FERC Outflows – Borrow/Payback
As of August 15, Granite County received consent for a Temporary modification from the FERC license outflows by the 3 signing agencies (MT FWP, US FWS, USFS). The temporary modification was for an additional release of storage above the specified “30 cubic feet per second” to 40 cfs for 2-weeks. The borrow period was August 15 – 29 and the amount borrowed (calculated at the USGS Flint Creek near Southern Cross gage) was 232 acre-feet (volume released during the borrow period minus the volume that would have been released without a modification; 59.52 acre-feet or 30 cfs per day for 15 days). The Temporary Modification outlined a payback schedule to release 10 cfs less than the required amount (30 cfs), equal to 20 cfs, from October 1 – October 15. This was based on a theoretical estimate of how much volume needed to be paid back. After calculation of the true borrow volume (the 232 acre-feet previously mentioned), outflows would need to be set at 20 cfs from October 3 – October 15. This is represented in the model run shown in this update.
Todd Blythe, Montana DNRC; Water Sciences Bureau; 406-438-0717; todd.blythe@mt.gov
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 Homeowner’s Association do for our community?
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Water Management: We are on a committee that advises Granite County on lake management. We cosponsored and participated in a Clean Lake Study to assure our lake is healthy. It is!
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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).
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Wildlife Management issues: 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.
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We support the Georgetown Lake Fire Department with equipment donations and funding for equipment for the Emergency Response Unit.
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We have had a member sit on the Granite County Planning Board to guide development at the lake.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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GLHA offers a $1,000.00 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction of person or persons damaging a member’s property.
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We welcome new members to help us with these endeavors. The cost of membership is $50. 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.