HAYDEN - Kootenai County commissioners are taking steps to head off any flooding in Hayden Lake.

"The abnormally high water content remaining in the mountain snowpack still needs to find its way into Hayden Lake," says a press release.

"Additionally, the Hayden Lake Dam has suffered erosion so measures need to take place in order to fortify it against rising water levels."

The county reports two steps:

* Infiltration ditches designed to increase the rate of water drainage into the aquifer are being placed in the fields below the dam.

* The face of the dam is being temporarily shored up in some of the most significantly eroded areas.

"The dam's spillway will continue to be relied upon to release lake water at optimum rates to prevent or minimize any flooding around the lake," the release said.

The Army Corp of Engineers may begin permanent repairs later this month.

The Hayden Lake Dam has been temporarily closed to public access.

Additionally, a temporary no wake zone has been established in the south end of Hayden Lake.

If sandbagging of homes and property becomes necessary, the county has placed sand and sandbags at two locations on the lake - the East Honeysuckle Avenue and East Smith Road and at the Hayden Lake Marina.