CLARK FORK — Boaters are being urged to keep their eyes peeled for deadfall timber in Lake Pend Oreille as they venture onto the water this spring.

Saturated soils on embankments on lake tributaries and pending repairs to the Clark Fork Driftyard means more fallen timber is likely making its way into the main body of the lake, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“We can expect more drift in the system this year,” said the corps’ spokesman in Seattle, Scott Lawrence.

One section of the boom, which corrals deadheads coming downstream from the Clark Fork River, has become submerged, which allows some fallen timber to float over it. That section, plus two other aging sections of the boom are slated for replacement, although the lake’s level and river flows are holding up their installation. The three sections are built and are stationed at a marina.

“We’re checking with the contractor on a weekly basis. As soon as favorable conditions allow — flow and lake level, primarily — they’re going to come in and do the installation,” said Lawrence.

Even if the driftyard was in tip-top shape, it cannot catch all the deadfall because of downstream tributaries such as Trestle Creek and the Pack River

“With the saturated soil, you could have trees on banks that are going to fall into rivers and creeks, and they’ll make their way into the system,” Lawrence said.

The corps issued periodic reminders to boaters over the past year that they may encounter deadheads in the lake due to boom issues at the driftyard. However, Lawrence said they agency has entered into a long-term contract, which should speed repairs.

It turns out landowners have also been introducing logs into the lake. Residents advised the corps last year that at least one landowner with trees in danger of falling into the lake was cutting them down with a chainsaw to prevent the root wads from being torn out of their embankment if the tree fell.

“They were protecting their property on the river, but they were dumping logs into the lake,” Lawrence said.

Boaters who encounter large pieces of drift in the lake are urged to call Bonner Dispatch at 208-265-5525.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.