Posted on August 18, 2025
The Missoula County Commissioners approved a large dredging project Thursday to remove sediment buildup from a popular boating and float plane dock in Seeley Lake.
The project will remove 600 cubic yards of lakebed to restore space for boats and planes along the shoreline of Lindey’s Prime Steakhouse. Owners of the business said the project is needed to keep the entire marina open.
“We have been trying to do this for a long time and we see the problem with the lake, exposing all of the weeds and everything because the prevailing winds push everything down there,” Lindey’s owner Mike Lindemer said. “We have an issue, and we are trying to address it and do it right.”
Dredging projects remove sediment, soil or debris from the bottom of a body of water. County regulations limit dredging to 500 square feet, making the Lindey’s project 33 times more than what is normally allowed.
On Thursday, the commissioners had to decide whether to give the business a special permit to do the work.
Several Seeley Lake residents expressed support for the project, noting Lindey’s shoreline naturally picks up more sediment because of the geography and water flow of the lake.
“Its a hive of activity, especially at this time of the year,” Seeley Lake Community Council Chair Tom Browder said. “With our mill closed, we need to grow our tourism business.”
Not every organization supports the project. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes objected to the dredging, citing concerns the site could have culturally significant items underneath the ground.
Heimel noted one condition of the project requires work to halt if culturally significant items are discovered during the dredging.
Other conditions include protecting riparian areas along the shoreline and annual monitoring of the site for the next five years. Work is expected to begin at the end of summer or early fall.
“I just want to commend you all for doing such a thorough job, a careful job, really being considerate of the lake and the history,” Commissioner Josh Slotnick said.
