POST FALLS - Q'emiln Park's beach in Post Falls will be closed for the Fourth of July.

Due to heavy rainfall this month, Avista Utilities doesn't anticipate completely closing the spillgates of its Post Falls Dam on the Spokane River adjacent to the park and launch until mid-July. The median date for opening the launch and beach is June 22.

While the gates are open, the launch and beach are closed per law for safety reasons.

The park itself will be open, but the beach will remain closed.

"That's a bummer," said Shelly Johnson as she watched her kids play in the park on Thursday. "It's now finally starting to get warmer, so I bet a lot of families are planning to be here. But I also understand that they don't want any tragedies.

"At least there's other places to go and launch a boat."

Those who live on the river and look forward to revving up their boats each summer are also feeling the pain.

"It seems boating season on the Spokane River gets shorter every year," Post Falls resident Steve Shamion said. "Although some will recreate earlier, it's always safer to wait until normal summer levels are reached and maintained."

He said it's frustrating that boating on the river is limited to about a three-month season, while Lake Coeur d'Alene is year-round if you don't mind the cold winter months.

"Yet waterfront property taxes remain the same for both locations," he said.

Anna Scarlett, Avista spokeswoman, said the delay in the closure of the dam and opening of the launch is primarily due to heavy rain and extended runoff, not so much Avista's dam improvement project that recently started.

"While we understand people want to get out on the water and enjoy their summer activities, this is really about keeping the public safe," Scarlett said. "We're balancing a lot in meeting customers' energy needs, our FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) license conditions, environmental and recreation impact and there are many variables. Some of which, like the weather, can be quite unpredictable and are out of our control."

Closure of the spillgates have gone past the Fourth three other times in the past 15 years. The latest they were closed during that time was July 18 last year and the earliest was on May 27 in 2005.

The water flow from the dam was at 9,000 cubic feet per second on Wednesday and it needs to be at 5,400 to close all of the gates.

Avista started to close the gates at the end of May, but had to reopen them in early June due to the rain. The company closes the gates gradually so fish below the dam are not stranded in pools of water.

Agencies caution swimmers and boaters who venture out for the holiday because the water is still cold and can cause hypothermia.

For updated information on water levels on Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Spokane River call 769-1357.

n Meanwhile, near Bonners Ferry, the Kootenai River is expected to stay above flood stage for a week to 10 days.

The high water off the river has drawn many sightseers, on land and in watercraft, according to the Panhandle Health District. Caution was given to those using the river to be aware of keeping their wake as small as possible.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supervised and assisted the community volunteers in sand bagging the city levee in front of the Kootenai River Inn.

Earlier in the week, the city of Bonners Ferry declared the area a disaster regarding the current flood danger from the rising Kootenai River.

Inside

n BONNERS FERRY - The Kootenai River is expected to stay above flood stage for a week to 10 days.

The high water off the river has drawn many sightseers, on land and in watercraft, according to the Panhandle Health District. Caution was given to those using the river to be aware of keeping their wake as small as possiblle.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supervised and assisted the community volunteers in sand bagging the city levee in front of the Kootenai River Inn.

Earlier in the week, the city of Bonners Ferry declared the area a disaster regarding the current flood danger from the rising Kootenai River.