Putting finishing touches on dam

POST FALLS — After opening about a year behind schedule and $1 million over budget, Avista Utilities' South Channel Dam project on the Spokane River is down to the finishing touches and roaring with water.

Mary Jensen, project manager, said all that's left is landscaping and constructing an ADA-accessible overlook at the dam for the public to enjoy. Those portions are expected to be completed late this summer.

The dam, one of three that Avista owns at the site, is not used to generate power, but helps lower lake and river levels during the spring runoff season. The new structure replaced an 108-year-old one.

Jensen said the project was delayed due to a cave that was found on the north bank that required new permits, the original concrete not being as strong as originally thought and the slowdown of work over the winter as a result.

"You do your best with inspections and engineering beforehand to estimate a tentative schedule, but this was a 100-year-old structure," she said. "It was a ripple effect."

Jensen said work never completely shut down over the winter, but a minimal crew was on site part of the season.

She said the project went about $1 million over budget, pushing the cost to $15 million due to the reengineering and redesign and cost of new materials.

"We wanted to make sure we did it correct to make sure it lasts another 100 years," she said.

The cost for the project will be shouldered by ratepayers on both sides of the border in a future rate case that will include other projects.

Debbie Simock, Avista spokeswoman, said it is estimated the project will raise the rates of the average Idaho electric customer 20 cents a month, or .2 percent.

Simock said Avista appreciates the understanding of the neighbors in the Q'emiln Park area during construction, the noise and traffic.

A time-lapse video of the dam's construction will be posted at avistautilities.com within the next two weeks.