Area could see flooding

SANDPOINT — Above-normal precipitation is setting up the likelihood that Lake Pend Oreille elevation and Pend Oreille River flows below Albeni Falls Dam will exceed flood stage as early as next week.

The dam is currently under a free-flow operation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, meaning all gates are fully open and the only restriction is the natural one between the lake and the dam.

Lake elevations are forecast to be above 2,062.5 feet above sea level for a week or more. Areas downstream of the lake, such as Newport, Cusick and Usk could be affected by high flows while the dam is on free-flow, according to the corps.

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