Winter drawdown continues on lake

SANDPOINT — The primary winter drawdown of Lake Pend Oreille continues apace, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The corps announced on Monday that outflow at the Albeni Falls Dam on the Pend Oreille River decreased from 22,500 cubic feet per to 21,500 cfs. The fall drawdown is currently will continue through early November.

The drafting operation is intended lower the lake’s level to within a 1/2-foot of the minimum control elevation of 2,051 feet by Thursday, Nov. 15, prior to when kokanee are expected to start spawning.