Spring refill underway on the lake
The annual winter drawdown of Lake Pend Oreille is set to commence on Sunday, Sept. 20, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
(Photo courtesy U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS)
SANDPOINT — Operators of the Albeni Falls Dam are continuing the spring refill of Lake Pend Oreille, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The lake is expected to increase gradually within the 2,057.5- to 2,059-foot range this week.
The day-to-day rate of refill will vary based on changing inflows to Lake Pend Oreille.
“Inflows to Lake Pend Oreille have been increasing over the past week due to warmer weather and increasing snowmelt. Albeni Falls Dam outflows are expected to continue to increase in response to rising spring inflows,” the corps said in a flow update issued on Thursday.
Albeni Falls Dam operations during May and June will be set to manage flood risk and refill rate.
The corps monitors snowpack and weather forecasts to determine timing to reach the summer operating range of 2,062 to 2062.5 feet.
In a typical year the summer range is reached in mid to late June.
“The timing for refill this year will be continually assessed as the season progresses, based on observed and forecast conditions,” the corps said.
The current seasonal water supply forecast for April-July inflow volume is 107 percent of average. Snowpack in the Pend Oreille Basin is above average.