MEADOW LAKE FISHING ACCESS SITE CAMPGROUND IMPROVEMENTS FWP-DN-POR-R3-25-006

Apr 11, 2025 10:58 AM

Meadow Lake FAS is managed by FWP through a property easement and cooperative management agreement with Northwestern Energy. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Northwestern Energy (formerly Montana Power Company) a license to operate the Missouri-Madison Hydroelectric Project 2188 in September 2000. Article 426 of the license outlines provisions for recreation management within Project 2188. This project is part of the effort to meet those licensing requirements for recreational use of and improvements placed on the property.

The proposed project is a major upgrade to the existing FAS and includes improvements for a new day use area along with increasing the number of available campsites from an existing 7 to a total of 12 sites. An additional vault latrine will help to keep up with the increased use from additional campsites and the designated day use area. Improved road access with a designated entry/exit to the site will help address any traffic safety concerns. Operation and maintenance will be maintained within the existing regional budget.

Day use and overnight camping at Meadow Lake FAS are very popular with the recreating public and as such places a high maintenance demand on the current site. The high level of use has also resulted in occasional noncompliance with site rules. The addition of more campsites and an official day use parking area and personal watercraft boat access with help alleviate these issues and give the public more opportunity to recreate at this site. This project will improve overall access by creating a day use area that includes a developed trail to the lake. This will ease foot traffic on the existing shoreline and help decrease erosion that will result in maintaining proper fish habitat. The addition of a new dock will allow people to have a more stable area to unload a canoe or fish.