Drought to affect Priest Lake recreation

The summer water recreation season could come to an end sooner than usual at Priest Lake.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources issued a notice Tuesday alerting Priest Lake users to the situation.

"Due to the severe drought conditions northern Idaho is currently experiencing and the lack of natural flow into Priest Lake, the Idaho Department of Water Resources will likely be unable to maintain the summer pool elevation of 2,437.64 feet above sea level (3.0 feet gage height) through to the end of recreation season," said a press release. Gage height is the elevation of the water surface in a specific pool at a streamgauging station.

Water resource officials advised boat and property owners to monitor lake conditions because it may become necessary to remove watercraft from the lake before low water conditions make it unsafe to do so.

Keith Franklin, senior water resources agent with the state, explained that because of the nearby dam, his agency is charged with operating Priest Lake.

Due to the low water flow into the lake, the gates are already almost closed, he said.

"The lake is full right now, but as we get later into the summer and fall, we want to caution people the elevation is going to drop beyond our control," Franklin said.

The water resources department is fielding calls from concerned boat owners asking when they should pull their boats from the water.

Franklin said it's a decision boat owners will have to make for themselves, and agency officials are encouraging people to visit the U.S. Geological Survey's water data website regularly to keep themselves apprised of the water levels.

Up-to-date lake water surface gage elevations can be found online at http://on.doi.gov/1i5UHb1.

Select "Pend Oreille River Basin Site No. 12393000" for USGS water data for Lake Pend Oreille.

Questions can be directed to Franklin or Gio Del Papa of the Idaho Department of Water Resources at 208-762-2800.