Lake Pend Oreille operations discussed

PRIEST RIVER - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representatives gave a lesson in "Albeni Dam 101" during a public meeting held earlier this week to outline the current and upcoming water management operations of Lake Pend Oreille.

But the audience of roughly 40 concerned citizens seemed to come away from the meeting feeling the education was less than adequate. They adamantly demanded the Corps of Engineers keep the local communities better informed through transparency and future public hearings.

"If you make decisions in Bonner County affecting recreational economic interests of our people you will hold meetings with the commissioners and they will be public meetings," said Bonner County Commissioner Mike Nielsen to the agency representatives. "That's federal law and you will adhere by it."

Nielsen added, "You don't come in here with four government agencies and make a deal with the tribe to give them millions for bull trout and screw up our lake. That's not going to be tolerated."

As the existing long-term management plan for the lake sunsets, federal agencies that manage the Albeni Falls Dam - located on the Pend Oreille River between Oldtown and Priest River near the Idaho-Washington border - are considering taking additional water from Lake Pend Oreille in late summer to benefit the bull trout habitat downstream.

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter took action earlier in the month after requesting a meeting in Sandpoint this fall to initiate development of a new long-term management plan.

In a letter to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and Bonneville Power Administration, Otter stated, "Current operation of Albeni Falls Dam is far from compliant with the original operating plan, resulting in fewer months than required at full pool. This has a crippling effect on the scenic and recreational values regionally and specifically causes economic harm to Bonner County and communities around the lake."

Otter also wrote of his concerns of a late summer call on water from Lake Pend Oreille, calling the action, "Unacceptable" and one Idaho will not support.

"There are better options available for helping local bull trout populations than drawing Lake Pend Oreille down in late summer," Otter said. "Idaho wants to restate its position on the Columbia River Treaty with Canada. Equitable sharing of the benefits of the hydropower system and flood control should be the Treaty's only functions. Environmental function is a domestic responsibility and should be left to the sovereigns. The State of Idaho through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has primacy and statutory authority over management of fish and wildlife within state borders."

In a response, Bonneville Power Administration CEO Elliott Mainzer issued a letter disagreeing with Otter by stating the current operations at the dam are fully consistent with the project's authorizing legislation and that BPA is, "Currently working with the Kalispel Tribe through our MOA to identify effective and implementable actions to improve conditions for bull trout, including fish passage at Albeni Falls Dam and habitat restoration, while being mindful of our overall project requirements."

Mainzer also wrote that the BPA has been in contact with Idaho's representative on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, Bill Booth, and will, "further coordinate with him regarding a meeting in Sandpoint" per the governor's request.

Representatives at the meeting confirmed they are currently working on a proposal with federal partners, the Kalispel Tribe, State of Idaho and Lakes Commission and their goal is to finalize new lake level coordination process by the spring of 2015.

Kokanee spawning and the dewatering of kokanee redds were a main point of discussion but the underlying theme of the meeting seemed to be that the 'lakers' and river enthusiasts would like to see the lake at full pool for a longer duration each year.

The Corps contends however that, "summer pool elevations are constrained by other responsibilities such as fisheries and flood risk management."

During the meeting, Corps representatives said they are only required to raise the lake level for one month each year but have been continually keeping the elevation raised for three months.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects Operation Manager Ryan Linehan presented the audience with an overview of season operational parameters.

During the current summer months, the lake elevation is held between 2,062 to 2,062.5 feet from the end of spring runoff until early to mid-September.

During the fall, the lake is operated between elevations 2,060 to 2,062.5 feet in September and targets a draft to an elevation no lower than the minimum control elevation by mid-November. The November objective is to stabilize the lake within a .5 foot range of the minimum control elevation for kokanee spawning, to prepare for winter floods and generate coordinated power for the whole Federal Columbia River Power System. In December the lake level is managed to avoid dewatering kokanee redds.

In the spring flood season the objective is to manage runoff for flood risk management. The project will frequently go on "free flow" to pass as much water as possible through the project which helps minimize flood elevations on Lake Pend Oreille.

Lake elevation may increase during this period, up to 2,060 feet in elevation, and water stored above elevation 2,056 feet must be evacuated by April 1 for flood risk management.

Current operating procedures have the lake above 2,062 feet through Sept. 15 with a target of 2,060.5 feet by Sept. 30. From Sept. 26 to Sept. 28 flows will be held steady for the Head of the Pend Oreille Rowing Regatta. Flows throughout the month of October will target 2,053 feet by Oct. 31.

Lake levels are targeted to be within the winter minimum control elevation of 2,051 feet by mid-November and the pool may fluctuate due to winter storms with no Flexible Winter Power Operations this year.

To receive email notifications about theses meetings join the stakeholder list by emailing the public affairs office at DLL-NWS-PAOTeam@usace.army.mil. To track current and recent operations visit: www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nws/hh/www/index.html.

In addition, individuals can also request to receive flow notification updates whenever Seattle District Water Management makes a change at Albeni Falls Dam by emailing the public affairs office at the above address.