NorthWestern Corporation
d/b/a NorthWestern Energy
3010 W. 69th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
www.northwesternenergy.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kerr Hydrologic Operation Update for Flathead Lake
Butte, Mont. – May 29, 2015 – Representatives from NorthWestern Energy (NWE),
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Energy Keepers, Inc. (“EKI”), Bureau of
Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bonneville Power Administration conferred
on May 15th regarding current and projected operation of the Kerr Project. The current
outflow is about 12,700 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the lake elevation, as of May 29,
was 2891.01 feet, which is 1.99 feet from full elevation of 2893.0 feet.
Consistent with our Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license and
associated drought management plan requirements, NWE is operating the Kerr project
taking into account the May volume runoff forecasts for the May through July period, the
forecast precipitation, the current snowpack and the current natural stream flows.
Estimates using the current projected runoff forecast indicate that achieving the inflow
necessary to fill the lake to 2893.0 feet by June15 may be questionable.
On May 28th, the volume runoff forecast for Flathead Lake prepared by the National
Weather Service for the May to July period is 62% of average, which has decreased
from the 91% projection last month for the April to July period. The natural stream flow
for the month of April was about 119% of average; however, the stream flow for May
has been only 64% of average. The current snowpack level is only 55% of average for
this time of year.
After review, discussion and consultation with the Tribes, Corps, and Bureau of
Reclamation, NWE notified FERC and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) of
possible drought conditions and the potential for NWE to seek a variance from our
FERC license Article 43 (lake elevation) and Article 56 (minimum flow) if conditions
persist or continue to diminish. Forecast conditions have improved slightly in the last
few days. If conditions materialize as currently forecast, it is possible that there will be
sufficient inflow to fill Flathead Lake by June 15, 2015; however, due to the lack of
snowpack, the forecast is heavily dependent on precipitation to maintain both lake level
and downstream Flathead River license required flows. While no variances may be
ultimately required, NWE decided to provide the FERC and DOI, as well as other
interested parties, advance notice of the potential need for a variance.
In March 2002, a drought management plan (“DMP”) was filed with the Secretary of the
U.S. Department of Interior for approval. The department is currently conducting an
environmental review of the proposed DMP and considering alternatives. A final DMP
has not been issued. In the interim, the operation will continue to be evaluated and
adjusted, as appropriate, in consultation with the parties involved and with consideration
of the 2002 DMP criteria. If conditions dictate, an ad hoc consultation with the parties
involved will occur prior to the next monthly call.
NorthWestern will issue future press releases regarding the Flathead Lake level on a
timely basis as the refill period progresses over the next few weeks.
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About NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE)
NorthWestern Energy provides electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving
approximately 692,600 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. More information on NorthWestern
Energy is available on the company's website at www.northwesternenergy.com.
Media Contact:
Butch Larcombe
(866) 622-8081
Butch.larcombe@northwestern.com