Avista to begin Lake Coeur d'Alene drawdown

Avista will begin its annual fall drawdown of Lake Coeur d’Alene starting Tuesday, Sept. 6. The lake will be gradually lowered approximately a foot from full pool by the end of September, and an additional 1.5 feet per month thereafter until reaching its natural winter level. Property owners and boaters should take measures to secure docks and boats for the winter season during this period.

As part of Avista’s license to operate its Spokane River Hydroelectric Project, which includes Post Falls Dam, Avista is required to maintain the level of Lake Coeur d’Alene at or near the summer full-pool elevation of 2,128 feet from as early as practical in the spring until the Tuesday following Labor Day.

The lake has dropped more than 3 inches below full pool, which has triggered Avista's minimum discharge requirements to be decreased from 600 cubic feet per second to 500 cfs at Post Falls Dam. It expects to continue the 500 cfs discharge through Sept. 6, based on the lake level.

Once the annual drawdown begins, flows will increase in the Spokane River downstream of Post Falls. At the same time, river elevations between Lake Coeur d’Alene and the dam will gradually decrease to accomplish the drawdown. Spill gates at Post Falls Dam will not be opened for the drawdown, and the Post Falls boat launch and river below the Spokane Street bridge will remain open for recreation until November, except for a couple of days in September when Avista will be conducting tests on the South Channel Dam. River users should be aware water levels can fluctuate at any time depending upon weather and dam operations.

Customers can access water flow information at avistautilities.com/water flow or by calling (208) 769-1357.