Spokane River access to open today in Post Falls

Spokane River recreation access opens today in Post Falls between the Spokane Street Bridge and the boater safety cables just upstream from the Post Falls Dam.

Avista announced Monday that river flows have dropped enough to allow summer operations at the hydroelectric facility.

The city of Post Falls boat launch and swim beach at Q’emiln Park will also open today.

Summer operation at the dam is expected to continue through Labor Day, weather permitting. Water levels and conditions around the dam are subject to change at any time. River users should exercise caution whenever using the waterways.

During unseasonably high flow conditions, the boat launch and swim beach at Q’emiln Park may be temporarily closed, as well as the area of the river downstream of Spokane Street Bridge. If this occurs, boaters in the area will be notified and temporary closure signs will be posted. This specific “ordinance area” is addressed in Post Falls and Kootenai County codes.

Waterflow information can be found at myavista.com/waterflow or through Avista's 24-hour telephone information line. Recorded information is provided to advise shoreline property owners and commercial and recreational users of changes in the lake elevations and river flows that may affect plans for water use on Lake Spokane, the Spokane River and Lake Coeur d’Alene. In Idaho call 208-769-1357.

Avista Utilities provides energy services and electricity to 411,000 customers and natural gas to 377,000 customers in a service territory that covers 30,000 square miles in the Inland Northwest and parts of Oregon, with a population of 1.7 million.