Thursday, June 19, 2025
52.0°F

Lake Pend Oreille begins drop to winter pool

CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 8 months AGO
by CAROLINE LOBSINGER
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | September 26, 2021 1:00 AM

SANDPOINT — Lake Pend Oreille has begun its annual winter descent, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The lake has only dropped about a foot over the past week from its summer pool level of 2,062 to 2,062.5 feet above sea level since the drawdown started.

However, the lake is scheduled to drop to between 2,060 and 2,061 feet above sea level by the end of the month with the winter level of 2,051 expected to be reached by mid-November.

The drawdown began Sept. 17, will continue through mid-November when it will reach its winter level of 2,051 feet.

On Priest Lake, the Idaho Water Resource Board plans to increase flows from the Outlet Dam to a maximum of 400-600 cfs each day, in 200-300 cfs increments, two to three times a day, officials said.

River flow may reach up to 2700 cfs by October 5th and flows will gradually decrease as storage water in the recreation pool drains, IDWR officials said on the agency's website.

"Once the gates are clear of water, the flows will be uncontrolled," officials said. "Lake level is expected to be close to [gage height] 0.1 ft by November 1."

While construction at the Outlet Dam, which was constructed in 1978, is expected to start Nov. 1, IDWR officials said truck traffic and construction staging will begin sometime in October.

Officials said extending the height of the outlet gates will give the department additional flexibility in managing Priest Lake levels in dry years when snowpack and lake inflows are below normal.

MORE LOCAL-NEWS STORIES

Priest Lake beginning drawdowns Oct. 1
Bonner County Daily Bee | Updated 1 year, 8 months ago
Pend Oreille, Priest Lake drawdown dates set
Bonner County Daily Bee | Updated 1 year, 9 months ago
Corps continues lake drawdowns
Bonner County Daily Bee | Updated 16 years, 8 months ago

ARTICLES BY CAROLINE LOBSINGER

ImageMaker owner killed, family critically injured in Montana collision
June 19, 2025 6:51 p.m.

ImageMaker owner killed, family critically injured in Montana collision

The owner of a downtown Sandpoint photography business was killed in a June 13 crash that also critically injured his wife and daughter.

Taking the reins: Horse ride caps students' fundraising
June 19, 2025 1 a.m.

Taking the reins: Horse ride caps students' fundraising

The horse ride became the big prize students could earn as part of this year's PTA fundraiser. Davis figured the students would hit the goal; they had yet to meet a challenge they couldn't tackle and this was a prize they wanted.

PACE's big vision
June 12, 2025 1 a.m.

PACE's big vision

From ice rinks to pools and beyond, project puts community into center

It started with pools and ice rinks. But the proposed Ponderay Aquatic Center has become so much more, and the group behind the effort is hosting a community launch event next week to unveil the initiative and share short- and long-term plans with the public.