Fall Highway Cleanup Oct 5th
Swan Lakers is devoted to preserving and improving the water quality and natural, cultural, and historical resources of Swan Lake, Montana; including its headwaters, its drainages, and appurtenant lands.
Established as a non-profit 501(c) (3) in 2005, Swan Lakers is a group of friends and neighbors who value the unique character and quality of our community, much of which is based on the pristine nature of the Swan Basin watershed. Our efforts to preserve and protect this valuable resource include Water Quality Studies, Aquatic Invasive Species Inspections, the Adopt-a-Highway MDOT program, and Swan River Cleanups. Our organization serves members and the greater community by providing the data, discussion and educational material necessary to make informed decisions regarding issues that affect the watershed’s present and future well being. Through collaborative efforts with other community organizations and government entities, we work to build a consensus that allows all those who appreciate our special home, residents and visitors alike, the opportunity to maintain the quality of life we all enjoy. Participation from all who share the Swan Lakers vision is encouraged. Photos for Banner by Kay Bjork
Please join us for our Fall Highway Cleanup on October 5th, meet us at the Ferndale Market at 10:00 am. Always a fun and worthwhile event!
August 23, 2019 Fish Wildlife and Parks AIS Newsletter. Very informative information, please click on the link below…
Thank you to our 14 person Swan River Cleanup Crew for volunteering on a cool Saturday morning!
The overall consensus is we have made a big difference throughout the last several years with our cleanups and message of keeping Swan River Lovely…we do not see nearly the amount of trash as we used to. Our mesh trash bags have made a huge difference, we’ve gone through over 300 this season. We mostly found the usual beer cans/bottles, tennis and golf balls and lots of flip-flops! We had many “thank yous” from people in their river front yards, so all in all it was a very successful, rewarding morning.
Fun was had by all at our 15th Annual Membership Meeting and Appreciation Party. Thank you Jamie for being our gracious hostess this year!
May 15th, 2019 AIS article from MTPR…
https://www.mtpr.org/post/aquatic-invasive-species-prevention-groups-work-build-partnerships
Aquatic Invasive Species - With regard to AIS, their spread is a growing problem across the United States and Canada. AIS that threaten Montana include Quaga and Zebra mussels, Curly Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Millfoil. Unfortunately, Quaga and Zebra mussels have been found in Montana this past year. Their presence in our state is proof of how easily they can be moved from place to place on trailered watercraft. The introduction of these mussels would be a catastrophe for Montana’s waterways in terms of appearance and the effect on fishing. They reproduce rapidly in the millions fouling shorelines, clinging to structures like pilings, and clogging irrigation systems. They are filter feeders that interrupt the food chain that supports our fish populations. They can literally destroy a fishery.
The Swan Lakers carry out inspections of watercraft to screen for the presence of AIS. Please see the section of our website, “Get Involved and Volunteer”, and join us in protecting Swan Lake and its watershed. More information is available from the Flathead Basin Commission: http://www.flatheadbasincommission.org/chd_sec3pg2.asp
Congratulations to the Flathead Bio Station for new grant to track AIS! February 2019
https://flatheadbeacon.com/2019/02/18/flathead-bio-station-awarded-nasa-grant-track-aquatic-invasive-species/
Montana Mussel Storymap - Montana Natural Heritage Program, December 2018
Please check out this new “Story Map” developed by the Montana Natural Heritage Program together with the Montana Departments of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Natural Resources and Conservation. It is an interactive demonstration of Montana’s Invasive Mussel Response Guidelines and tools that will be used in the event of a detection of invasive mussels in Montana waters. Click on link below…
Montana’s Response to Invasive Mussels Story Map
We’d like to share with you another video prepared by some folks in British Columbia. It is filmed at Kalamalka Lake, which is just south of Vernon, B.C., and about 100 miles north of the U.S./Canada border. Kalamalka Lake, like Swan Lake, is part of the Columbia River watershed. The situation there is very similar to Swan Lake. It’s beautiful, and so far, pristine lake is located upstream on a watershed. Please take a few minutes to view this video, by clicking on link below…
Splash Mob – Protecting Our Freshwater
The Flathead National Forest is pitching a new project in the Swan Valley that it says would benefit forests, streams and human communities…click on link below for more information.
http://www.mtpr.org/post/flathead-forest-proposes-70000-acre-restoration-resilience-project
‘Fish Detective’ Gains Attention for Pioneering Research…Walleye introduced to Swan Lake in 2015 identified. Click on link to read this interesting article -
https://flatheadbeacon.com/2018/10/04/fish-detective-gains-attention-pioneering-research/
Walleye Illegally Moved into Swan Lake: http://flatheadbeacon.com/2017/12/08/fish-detectives-pursue-illegal-walleye-case/
Swan Lake Map – We have for sale a map that displays Swan Lake and it’s surrounding mountains. The map displays the depth contours of Swan Lake and identifies the names of various features around the lake. It was produced by the Flathead Lake Biological Station and is similar to those also made for Flathead Lake and Whitefish Lake. All revenue will be applied to support the Swan Lakers’ monitoring and conservation efforts. The poster is 24″ x 18″ and the cost per poster is $20, shipping and handling included. If you are interesed in purchasing a map, please email info@swanlakers.org
Swan River Gauging Station Click on link below for up to date data.
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/uv?12370000
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