Here Are Montana’s Most Polluted Lakes

As the days grow longer it won't be long before Montana sees an influx of tourists who want to visit and take advantage of our amazing rivers, streams, and lakes.

Not just the tourists-locals are hitting the water already in a big way. Here is a little reminder to everyone using the water: if you have a watercraft (including paddleboards) you will need to have them inspected before use.

Montana, like many other states, is doing what we can to try to keep invasive species out of our waters.

Read More: AIS: Massive Mussel-Fouled Boats Pass Through Montana Recently 

Trying to keep Montana's waters clean is a challenge, especially with more people coming to our state all the time. When it comes to Montana's most polluted lakes, there is one lake that stands out more than all of the others, and that shouldn't be a surprise.

⬇️Keep Scrolling To Guess Montana's Lakes From Google Earth⬇️

Montana's Berkeley Pit is the most polluted lake. Due to mining pollution the area has been declared a "Superfund" site and has been in the cleanup process by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since 1983. With the amount of pollution in the pit, who knows if people will ever be allowed on the water.

Lake Koocanusa, located in northern Montana on the Canadian border, contains pollutants from coal mining operations in Canada, according to MECI.org. Selenium has been found in Lake Koocanusa.

Not all polluted lakes in Montana are polluted from mines.

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Flathead Lake, even though it is one of the clearer lakes in the country, still has pollutants. The University of Montana has been studying the presence of microplastics in the lake. Even though the amount of microplastics is smaller than other more populated lakes, there are more than there should be. The Flathead Lakers have been working to keep the lake clean.

Montana has over 3,000 lakes, how much do you know about them?

Related: Montana's Lakes: From the Deepest to the Longest, To the Most Beautiful Lake Town

According to the EPA, most of Montana's lakes are in good condition. The lakes that aren't have algae growth or high levels of nitrogen or phosphorus.

Be safe and remember to have fun on Montana's waters.