COEUR d'ALENE - As record snowfall melts in the high country, local rivers and lakes have fluctuated in recent days.

High water throughout Kootenai County is anticipated over the next several weeks, a sheriff's department press release said Sunday. However, no areas of Kootenai County are facing imminent flooding.

"(Lake Coeur d'Alene) is going to come really close to flood stage by the weekend, so we're going to really pay attention to some of the shoreline structures," said Maj. Ben Wolfinger.

If the waters reach flood stage of 2,133 feet above sea level, a no-wake ordinance for Lake Coeur d'Alene, Fernan Lake and the Spokane River will be in effect, Wolfinger said - unwelcome news for Memorial Day boaters.

Lake Coeur d'Alene's current elevation is 2,132.35 feet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

"There's a lot of debris in the water right now," Wolfinger warned. "Boaters need to really pay attention."

With the Coeur d'Alene River running high, some flooding has been reported in the Rose Lake area, according to Sandy Von Behren of the Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management.

A culvert collapse this past winter on Highway 3 has allowed more water than normal into Rose Lake, she added. Floodwaters have overtaken some outbuildings, but no homes have been damaged.

Sand and sandbags are stockpiled at Cataldo, Rose Lake, Harbor Island and Hayden Lake, Von Behren said. The supplies will be available as needed - residents should call local fire departments if floodwaters threaten their property.

"People need to keep a close eye daily if they live in flood-prone areas," she added.

Farther upstream, the Army Corps of Engineers' Coeur d'Alene River flood team is assisting Shoshone County crews at Eagle Creek near Murray. The levee at the Eagle Creek mill pond is being reinforced, county officials said.

Work was nearly finished on Monday afternoon; no flooding had occurred in the area.

Citizens who have reason to believe that they are vulnerable to flooding may want to take precautionary measures to protect their property, the sheriff's release said.

Preventive actions such as sandbagging and movement of equipment or possessions to higher ground can be accomplished with a collaborative "neighbors helping neighbors" approach, the release said.

Residents and visitors are reminded to use courtesy regarding boat wakes with the high water. Sand and sandbags may be purchased at area concrete, construction, feed and home improvement stores.