Dam is on free-flow ops

OLDTOWN — Albeni Falls Dam transitioned Sunday to free-flow operations, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The dam remain on free-flow until further notice, which means the only thing impeding the flow of water are natural constrictions between Lake Pend Oreille and the dam.

Outflows will vary gradually as the lake level varies, said Jon Moen of the Hydraulics & Hydrology branch of the corps’ Water Management Section in Seattle.

“This operation will allow Albeni Falls Dam to release the maximum flow possible, based on the natural constriction,” Moen said in an email update.

The elevation at the Hope gauge was at 2,055.8 feet and the dam’s outflow was at 54,400 cfs on Monday.

Corps officials said the projected level of Lake Pend Oreille this week is 2,055.8 feet to 2,057.5 feet. The projected outflow range is 54,000-68,000 cubic feet per second.

The seasonal water supply forecast for April-July inflow volume is 145 percent of average, and snowpack in the Pend Oreille basin is above average. With the above-average forecast there is the possibility that Lake Pend Oreille and/or Albeni Falls Dam releases could exceed flood stage, the corps advises.

The agency said it would continue to operate the dam to minimize flood risk.