Lake Monitoring

Flathead Lake Water Quality

Flathead Lake is one of the cleanest large lakes in the world - a rare and priceless public resource. Flathead Lake is a place where we create family memories and friendships. We enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing in its amazingly transparent waters. It is the crown jewel of the Crown of the Continent, a vital part of this healthy ecosystem, and worthy of our efforts to understand and protect it.

However, Flathead Lake water quality is at risk. Flathead Lake is listed as 'impaired' by Federal and State management agencies due to human-caused increases in nutrients and sediments. Additionally, introduced species have dramatically changed the community found in the lake. The FLBS Monitoring Program has documented all of these changes, and the Bio Station serves as a first line of defense against future degradation as these threats persist.

It is essential to regularly monitor water quality and ecological conditions, as continuous monitoring allows changes to be noticed early.

Sentinel of the Lake

Since 1899, the Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS) has served as the "Sentinel of the Lake", with FLBS researchers continuously learning from Flathead Lake and its watershed. This long history of research and monitoring has resulted in significant scientific discovery and insight, as well as one of the best long-term ecological and water quality records in the world.

FLBS has been monitoring Flathead Lake for over 100 years, and beginning in 1977 instituted a scientifically rigorous monitoring program. Monitoring information is provided to citizens, state and federal resource managers and politicians in order to make sound, science-based decisions to protect the Flathead Lake-River system.

Over the years, baseline water monitoring has resulted in significant water quality conservation successes:

• A ban of Phosphorus detergents
• The upgrade of local sewage treatment systems
• The prevention of mining in the upper North Fork Flathead River

"Most of us fail to appreciate that Flathead Lake is not going to stay clean and clear unless great efforts are made."
- Dr. Jessie Bierman, FLBS alumna and patron

FLBS works to understand and protect Flathead Lake and its watershed to ensure that you and your family can continue to enjoy the Flathead Lake that you have grown to love. We would appreciate your support as well.