Construction continues on Outlet Dam

PRIEST RIVER — Outlet Dam construction is in full swing this month and during this phase, 100% of the river’s flow is being directed through a man-made flume within the dam.

“This creates a dewatered area on the south side of the dam that allows for construction to occur,” Michelle Richman, Idaho Department of Water Resources northern regional manager, said.

The primary construction efforts are taking place on the south side of the dam and include an extension of the downstream concrete pad as well as the addition of boulders downstream for added protection.

Construction at the dam remains on schedule, with concrete poured on the south side of the dam in mid-December. After a brief break for the holidays, construction workers are back on the site chipping away at the project.

IDWR will continue to pass all water through the dam via the constructed flume until construction on the south side is complete. The flume capacity is nearly 800 cubic feet per second.

“Precipitation, including rain [and] snow, has led to — and will likely continue to lead to — greater inflow to the lake, which leads to increases in the lake level,” Richman said. “The purpose of this update is to provide information about these atypical operations and to reiterate that these are temporary measures due to specific construction activities. The Department will continue to provide periodic updates during the project.”