BAYVIEW — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' forecast for Lake Pend Oreille at Bayview is expected to reach action stage of 2,062.6 feet early Monday morning and expected to reach flood stage of 2,063.6 feet on Wednesday due to warmer temperatures and snow melt, according to Kootenai County's Office of Emergency Management.

"Minor flooding of dock ramps, yards and recreational sites around the lake can be expected," a press release states. "Some erosional damage from wave action is possible along the windward shores."

If the Corps 10-day forecast is accurate, Bayview may easily see lake levels reaching 2064.29 feet as it did in the 2011 floods and possibly reach the 2015.74-foot level, when Bayview experienced significant flooding in 1997.

"There’s a slight chance flooding will be worse than 1997," the press release states.

The 1997 flood nearly flooded the sewer lift station in Bayview, and threatened to raise boathouses above their mooring piers and had the potential to sever their water and sewer lines.

Those living in the Bayview flood prone areas need to get prepared for the possibility of flooding. If you have not registered for Alert! Kootenai, the county’s emergency notification system go to the Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management homepage at http://oem.kcgov.us and register.

Check to make sure your sump pump is working. Prepare for sandbagging around your home or business. Check your insurance policy and coverage to be sure you have sufficient coverage.

Reidents in the Bayview area can contact Timberlake Fire District at 208-683-3333 to acquire sandbags and instructions for sandbagging techniques for community flood fighting efforts.

On Monday sand will be delivered to the parking lot that is just northeast of Bayview Fire Station No. 5 and east of the Bayview Community Center. The sand is being staged their for the Bayview community to access.

Sandy Von Behren, OEM director, said her office will continue to monitor lake levels and weather forecasts, and asks residents in flood prone areas to keep informed by making sure they are registered for Alert! Kootenai.