An update on Lake Pend Oreille and Albeni Falls Dam

Thursday, Aug. 29, Governor Brad Little flew into our area for a "Capitol for a Day" event in Priest River. Before and after the Priest River event, we met with the governor privately to brief him with our concerns and ask for state support to address the Albeni Falls Dam problems. On his flight into Sandpoint Airport, he and his staff flew over Lake Pend Oreille to sharpen up their insight of the importance of LPO for our area.

After the Army Corps of Engineers briefed local officials May 21, I made a point briefing the governor in person and asked for his support with this complicated issue. Since then, members of the state staff have evaluated our local issues and become more aware of the problems. Our federal elected officials sent a letter to the Corps encouraging them to promptly address the problems and to raise the lake as soon as it is safe. Our Lakes Commission also stepped up their involvement with all parties.

Over the summer we were successful in securing the recent meeting date with the governor (and staff) to further explain our concerns and give him more history on the AFD operations. Our goal was to convince the governor the AFD issue had the importance of the Snake River aquifer problem (in Eastern Idaho) for us in North Idaho. Last Thursday morning was our time to get it done.

Lakes Commission chairman Ford Elsasser opened the meeting and laid out the problems we are experiencing. Replacing the 70-year-old gates is of paramount importance and something that demands urgency. He noted the state has played an important role in the past. The Lakes Commission is the result of local legislative work and is State funded. Past Governors have weighed-in on LPO issues too. Chairman Elsasser stressed how important State and Federal support and cooperation is now with our emergency situation.

We explained Lake Pend Oreille and more than 20 miles of the river help to make our area a unique place. Untold numbers of our residents and guests treasure the time they spend ‘on the water’ or admiring it. It’s been said our local economy rises and falls with the level of the lake.

We did not downplay our concern for the safety of the dam. However, we did point out the dam was built in less time than what the Corps has said it will take to repair/replace ONE gate (3-5 years). We stressed the urgent need to get the AFD problems remedied and to have AFD operating normally as soon as possible.

Replacing the AFD gates was not the only issue discussed. Frustrations were voiced due to the limited amount of influence the State has with the Army Corps. As owners of the water rights and with concerns for the local economy and residents, the State has much to gain (or lose) from the operations of AFD.

Faced with the Corps' three- to five-year repair schedule, public safety is at risk above and below the AFD. The flooding below AFD is an obvious potential problem. Less obvious is the limited access we have to the lake in the Sandpoint area for emergency responders (think the Long Bridge and train bridges) and for mooring their boats. For example, the launch ramp at City Beach is mostly in-operable until the water level reaches an elevation of 2056. The use of Windbag Marina is limited at that water level. too.

Many mitigation strategies were also discussed. Keeping a higher winter pool, having private contractors get involved, seeking funding from outside the federal appropriations process, etc. The collective concern in the meeting gave me the hope that ‘we’ can collaboratively address these issues for the good of our area.

Staff representatives for Senator Crapo and Risch attended and pledged their support. Jim Woodward and I expressed our concerns and contributed. County Commissioner Williams and Mayors Grimm, Orr, Connolly and Eskridge were present and added to the conversation as well. John Williams represented the Bonneville Power Authority and Ed Shreever represented Northwest Power. 

After the Priest River event the Governor, staff and I toured the AFD. It’s important to get "boots on the ground." State staff and I stayed after the Governor departed for the airport to ask more questions. I think the Governor left town much more informed and with first-hand knowledge of our situation. He saw and heard the importance and urgency to move as quickly as possible.

We are committed to getting the repairs to the dam completed and to getting AFD operations in order. This issue will stay on my high priority list until we get things done.

I have received many emails about our lake level. I hope this article has helped get some of the information out. If you have thoughts or insight into this issue, please contact me.

Mark Sauter can be reached at msauter@house.idaho.gov.