Avista To Close Gates At Post Falls Dam
POST FALLS, Id. — After some of the highest water levels since 1997 Lake Coeur d’ Alene has finally dropped back down to its summer elevation.
Earlier this spring a large, melting snowpack had pushed the lake several feet above flood stage but some time Thursday the lake will level off.
That clears the way for Avista officials to begin closing the gates at the Post Falls dam.
People living along the Spokane River can expect water levels to rise about two feet as early as Friday.
Avista hopes to have the river back up at its summer elevation by the Fourth of the July. As a condition of it’s license Avista can’t close spillways until lake Coeur d’ Alene drops down to its summer elevation. The lake is expect to reach that level late Thursday afternoon, or early Friday morning.
However, the Post Falls boat launch will not be open until July 5th.
This all comes as great news for Harbor Island residents who can now launch their boats this coming Fourth of July weekend. Harbor Island
boaters have been put on hold
waiting for water levels to drop.
The closing of the dam also means a spectacular display of water power over the falls in downtown Spokane is winding down. However, Hoopfest fans probably won’t notice a difference. The Spokane river is expected to be running about 12,000 cubic feet per second through the weekend.
