Avista reducing discharge at dam
<p>LOREN BENOIT/Press Avista Utilities crews finished up the South Channel Dam on the Spokane River at Post Falls the past week. The dam will help lower lake and river levels during the spring and summer months. The former dam was 108 years old.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE — Due to the region’s continued hot, dry weather reducing water levels in Lake Coeur d’Alene, discharge at the Post Falls Dam will be reduced.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Washington Department of Ecology and Avista will implement the minimum discharge at the dam, in compliance with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license, according to a press release Friday.
Avista expects that Post Falls hydroelectric facility will begin discharging the minimum of 500 cubic feet per second this weekend or early next week. This will help balance and maintain lake level as well as keep water in the Spokane River throughout the rest of the summer, according to the release.
“In dry years like this, the connection between the aquifer and the river becomes quite clear,” said Patrick Cabbage, senior hydrogeologist for the Eastern Region Water Resources Program. “Water use by people directly affects river flows. That’s why we hope people will use water wisely and efficiently."