Army Corps announces Pend Oreille drawdown dates
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the fall drawdown for Lake Pend Oreille will begin Sept. 23. Corps representatives will host a public event in Ponderay regarding gate repair and operations for the Albeni Falls Dam Oct. 7.
Photo courtesy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
After receiving an informal request, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agreed to a delayed fall drawdown schedule for Lake Pend Oreille set to begin Sept. 23.
Fall drawdown ordinarily starts the third Sunday of September or Sept. 18, whichever is later. This summer’s lower-than-average water level caused the USACE to push its schedule back.
The Corps will hold the summer pool through Sept. 22 before targeting 2,060 feet by Sept. 30 and 2,051 feet no later than Nov. 15.
Because operators use Albeni Falls Dam’s powerhouse for fall drawdown, not its gates, the unresolved gate problem will not be affected.
Metal flaws were discovered in one of the dam’s 11 gates in April after infrastructure was inspected as part of a rehabilitation project. All gates are original to the 69-year-old dam and have outlived their life expectancies.
The Corps has estimated it will take three to five years to completely resolve the gate problem — a timeline some locals have said is inadequate. This year, the dam’s limited functionality slowed summer refill; similar delays may occur until the gate is fixed.
According to a USACE press release, Corps representatives will host a public meeting to discuss dam operations and the gate repair project with residents. The event is scheduled to take place 6-8 p.m. Oct. 7 at Ponderay Events Center.