Post Falls boat ramp to close for the season

POST FALLS — The Q’emiln Park boat launch ramp on the Spokane River in Post Falls will be closed for the season beginning Monday, Nov. 9. 

The ramp, located upstream of Avista’s Post Falls Hydroelectric Development, is typically closed each year in mid-November due to weather conditions and dropping water levels. 

The boat launch must remain closed for safety reasons for much of the fall through spring. Generally, the ramp re-opens in the late spring or early summer, depending on the amount of inflow into Lake Coeur d’Alene.

"Please remember water levels and conditions around the dam are subject to change at any time. River users should exercise caution whenever using the waterways," a press release said.

The elevation of Coeur d'Alene Lake is 2125.79, which is about 2 feet 2 inches below its maximum summer level, Avista said. 

"We have begun our annual fall drawdown of Coeur d'Alene Lake," the release said. "Target elevation for end of November is 2123.50."

The flow in the Spokane River below Post Falls this morning is about 1140 cubic feet per second, with about 150 cfs flowing in the North Channel and about 990 cfs flowing in the South Channel. 

The flow in the Spokane River at Spokane on Monday morning was about 1420 cfs. Flows at Spokane will increase some over the next week.

The elevation of Lake Spokane at the Long Lake dam is 1535.7, which is at normal fall elevation. Lake Spokane should stay near this level until January.