Full Text
Watershed Management and the Whitefish Climate Action Plan Seasonal Projections Water Supply Environmental Threats of the water supply for the City of Whitefish comes from surface water. comes from Haskill Basin (Second & Third Creek) comes from Whitefish Lake (25% in the summer) 100% 90% 10% Precipitation (inches) Temperature 2071-2090 projected 1986-2005 historical National Center for Atmospheric Research Summer 2017 was the 2nddriest is spent per year in the US to control damage caused by invasive species 3,662,823 97,396 Acres burned in wildland fires in Montana from 2008-2017 Acres burned in 2018 and 5th warmest since 1895 $137 billion Haskill Basin Easement Climate-Resilient Forest and Watershed Management Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response Water Conservation Climate Action Plan Initiatives City of Whitefish Partnered with US Forest Service, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Trust for Public Land to raise $9 million in grants Gained the rights to easements to maintain structures on Second & Third Creek and maintained legal access to Stoltze land Preserved access to clean water in perpetuity, saving over 1.5 million in water treatment costs F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. Sold 3,020 acres of land valued at $20.6 million for reduced price of $17 million Retained access to their sustainably- managed forest Community Members 83.6% approval for 1% resort tax increase to raise $8 million Maintained recreational access and habitat diversity in Haskill Basin After the forced abandonment of First Creek in 1975 due to E. coli contamination and sedimentation caused by development, it became clear that something needed to be done to protect Whitefish’s surface water supply. Due to its reliance on surface water, Whitefish is considered highly sensitive to contamination. The City provides water to more than 6,500 residents. How can the City maintain a healthy watershed while reducing demand for drinking water from Haskill Basin and Whitefish Lake during the hot summer months? Summer drought leads to evaporative losses in Whitefish Lake at the same time that consumptive demand peaks, leading to lower water elevations. Support Water Quality Monitoring Improve Mandatory Watercraft Inspections Develop AIS Rapid Response Plan odorata Fragrant Waterlily spicatum Eurasian Watermilfoil Dreissena polymorpha Zebra mussel Dreissna rostriformis bugensis Quagga Mussel Threats Detected Expand water storage on south side of Whitefish Cost: ~$8.4 million Manage inflow/outflow from reservoir at treatment plant to reduce spillage into Viking Creek Conduct feasibility study for a groundwater well Second & Third Creeks supply 1 to 3 million gallons of water per day. Wildfires increase susceptibility of watersheds to flooding, erosion, and contamination by ash and debris. This damages aquatic ecosystems, and puts drinking water supplies at risk. Maintain healthy forests through conservation partnerships Limit the impact of residential and commercial development on local waterbodies Coordinate fire adaptation strategies with landowners, firefighters, and land managers Identify and mitigate risks from wildfire, flooding, landslides, and other hazards Success Story: In 2013, 23.5 pounds of Eurasian watermilfoil had been removed from Beaver Lake. By 2017, thanks to the Whitefish Lake Institute, there were only two plants left. →More exposed shoreline →Increased nutrient suspension →Decreased aquatic habitat →Decline of native species →Higher lake temperature Implementing water conservation methods can save thousands of gallons of water per year and push back a water treatment plant expansion that would cost $10 million + an extra $500,000 annually to operate. Smart Metering Gray Water for Landscaping Xeriscaping Irrigation Optimization - Reduces operating costs - Provides hourly consumption info - Supports conservation efforts - Reduces demand for treated drinking water - Drip irrigation uses 30-50% less water than sprinklers - Automatic timers can prevent over-watering - Native plants often require less water than transplants - Xeriscaping greatly reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation Average Water Bill (per 10,000 gallons used) WHITEFISH: $59.81 KALISPELL: $32.60 BOZEMAN: $48.88 BUTTE: $49.24 GREAT FALLS: $19.85