OLDTOWN — Operators of the Albeni Falls Dam on the Pend Oreille River transitioned to free-flow operations, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Albeni Falls Dam outflows are now completely controlled by the natural constriction between Lake Pend Oreille and the dam. Outflows will change as the lake level varies.

This operation will allow Albeni Falls Dam to release the maximum flow possible in order to reduce flood risk upstream and downstream of the dam, the corps said.

The elevation of Lake Pend Oreille increased at a higher rate late last week due to rain and high inflows to the lake, the corps said on Tuesday. Inflows to the lake have now decreased, and the lake elevation is expected to remain fairly steady this week.

Lake elevation and outflow may increase or decrease by small amounts as inflows to the lake vary this week. Lake elevation and outflow are forecast to begin increasing again by the weekend as warmer weather arrives and causes increased snow melt and inflows. Expected lake elevation range this week and over the weekend is 2,058.8 feet to 2060 feet, and expected outflow range is 75,000-82,000 cubic feet per second.

Albeni Falls Dam operations during June will be set to manage flood risk and refill rate. The corps monitors snowpack and weather forecasts to determine timing to reach the summer operating range of 2062 feet to 2062.5 feet. In a typical year the summer range is reached in mid to late June, the corps said.

The current seasonal water supply forecast for April-July inflow volume is 112 percent of average. Snowpack in the Pend Oreille Basin is above average.