LPO drawdown set to start soon
(Photo courtesy KIRK MILLER) The annual drawdown of Lake Pend Oreille is scheduled to get underway on Sept. 18.
SANDPOINT — The top foot of Lake Pend Oreille will begin its trek to the Columbia River on Monday, Sept. 18, the Idaho Lakes Commission has announced.
From there, it won’t be lowered more than a foot before Sept. 25 or the fourth weekend and will begin its full drawdown around Oct. 1. It is anticipated to be lowered to its lowest level of 2,051 to 2,051.5 feet above sea level by Nov. 15, when kokanee typically begin lake spawning.
Historically, the lake began its drop right after labor day, which many felt was too early as there are still weeks of prime boating and fishing left in September. In 2014, the state of Idaho struck a verbal deal with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a later drawdown.
This agreement stipulates that the corps will begin drawdown Sept. 18 or the third weekend in September, whichever is later, unless emergency conditions present themselves.