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Commission concurs to authorize Silver Lake flow release agreement, start date likely delayed by weather
Summary
Councilors voted 12–0 to concur and place on file an agreement allowing NRDP to release up to 2,856 acre-feet from Silver Lake into the Clark Fork between July 6 and Aug. 20, 2026; NRDP likely will request a short postponement due to heavy rain, officials said.
Commissioners reviewed communication 2026-6346, which requests authorization for Chief Executive Gallagher to sign an agreement with the Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) for a managed release from Silver Lake into the Clark Fork River.
Angie Mulligan (public works budget manager) introduced the communication; Water Plant Operator Mr. Keenan told commissioners he had been contacted by NRDP staff and expected a one-week postponement of the start date given recent high rainfall. Keenan said the important contractual elements are the total 45-day release window and the total volume requested. The agreement lists a maximum release of 2,856 acre-feet; Keenan noted conversion factors when commissioners asked about gallons per acre-foot.
Commissioner Fisher raised concerns that beginning releases amid a wet spring might require extending the end date past Aug. 20; Keenan and other staff said the master services agreement allows mutual adjustments to start and end dates and that, in practice, NRDP may use the full allocated volume. The commission voted 12–0 to concur and place the communication on file.
The vote does not itself change scheduled operations; Keenan said the county and NRDP will coordinate the exact timing if weather conditions warrant a brief postponement.
