County extends no-wake zone on area waterways

SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners extended the county's “no-wake zone” to 500 feet on all navigable county waterways following this spring’s well-above-average precipitation.

The move follows a decision by county commissioners to declare a local state of emergency due to the heavy rains and snow melt. Expansion of the no-wake zone, which was recommended by Bonner County Marine Patrol, extend the “no wake zone” to 500 feet from structures, other boaters, and the shoreline.

The no-wake zone increase serves to protect the shoreline from additional erosion as well as to protect boaters from crashing into floating debris. Violators may face up to a $300 fine. No wake zones had been 200 feet from the shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille and Pend Oreille River and 100 feet from the shoreline for other waterways.

Pete Hughes, the Manager of Bonner County Waterways, wrote in an email that his office has seen an increase in “[r]eports of loose floating docks damaging other people's property and shoreline erosion caused by the waves breaking above typical erosion control.” He goes on to warn that “wakes can enhance the elevation even more causing serious damage.” The county has also lost several regulatory buoys.

The issue is especially dire on Priest Lake where heavy rainfall and snowmelt has caused Priest Lake to rise 18 inches above its typical summer pool. On June 17, the USGS website shows Priest Lake just under 5 feet. This time of year it should not be over 3-3.5 feet. As of June 24 the depth is about 4.25 feet. This week last year Priest Lake’s pool was about 3.4 feet deep, according to the US Geological Survey website.

The “[e]xtreme currents, frigid [temperatures] and large amounts of floating debris are a real concern,” especially with the start of the summer season, Hughes said. While the public boat launch in Laclede remains open, the “Bonner Park boat launch and swim area in Priest River remains closed until the Albeni Dam flows are back to normal.”

Following the flooding in mid-June, Albeni Falls Dam switched to free flow operation to allow as much water through the dam as possible.

While the extension will remain in effect until the flood threat has abated, Hughes said he did not know when that threat would subside.

“I hope with the help of boaters and recreators alike, for just a few weeks, we can prevent further damage,” Hughes said.

Lake Pend Oreille has remained at the typical summer pool level of about 2,062 feet. However, Bonner County during a phone conversation with Commissioner Chairman Dan McDonald said snow melting in the higher elevations is heading into the county, he relayed that a large flow of snowmelt is heading down the Clark Fork River. That water could hit the county and is bound to hit us by the end of the weekend.

Molly McCahon of the local Lakes Commission underscored the decision in an email to constituents announcing the state of emergency and the expanded wake zone. With the increased flood threat, especially around Priest Lake, and the erosion damage that can be caused by big wakes – especially when water levels are higher than normal, the Lake Commission’s educational campaign to “Avoid the Shore, Ride the Core” has become as important as ever.

Hughes urges members of the public to report hazards to Bonner County Recreation, which is moving quickly to remove them. The department can be reached at 208-255-5681, ext. 4.