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your homegrown newspaper August 9, 2023
Vol. 19, No. 47
Fires pg. 5
Ecology,
Still Bloomin’ pg. 14
Discovery shared SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL
The Flathead Lake Biological Station, which conducts ecological research with an emphasis on fresh water, held their annual open house Aug. 4.
State of lake addressed during annual FLBS open house By Summer Goddard Valley Journal
Pioneer Days pg. 18
YELLOW BAY — The clarity of Flathead Lake’s water is the same in 2023 as it was in 1977.
This fact, emphasized Flathead Lake Biological Station Director Jim Elser, is something to be proud of. Elser, who also serves as Bierman Professor of Ecology
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for the University of Montana, spoke to visitors at the Aug. 4 open house about the overall state of lake. At nearly three feet below full pool, the lake’s low water level
was a primary topic of interest. In a slideshow presentation he shared with attendees, Elser pointed to mediocre snowpack, rapid spring runoff and severe
see page 2