SANDPOINT — Melting snowpack and spring storms will increase flows in Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River, according to a prediction by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The increased flows will raise the level in the lake and river, but are not expected to increase flood risk, officials said in a press release. In order to mitigate flood risk, the USACE will be increasing outflows at the Albeni Falls Dam throughout next week and will continue filling Lake Pend Oreille slowly. 

“The lake is expected to fill on or ahead of schedule to support summer recreation,” USACE officials said in the press release. 

David Varner, engineer for USACE, said at the organization’s May public meeting that the lake is on track to reach its summer pool level of 2,062.5 feet by June 19. The inflows were expected to peak on Tuesday, June 2, at around 80,000 cubic feet per second and gradually come back down to around normal inflows.  

The announcement comes despite a snowpack in the basin, which is around 57% of normal. The region was hit by heavy rainfall, around 0.27 inches in Sandpoint, during severe thunderstorms last week.  

USACE officials said that despite the lack of snow, high temperatures and significant rain have created the environment for high flows. 

“People on the lake and river should be prepared for water levels to temporarily rise or fall as the event unfolds,” USACE officials said. 

Residents can follow the modeling forecasts by visiting the National Weather Service Northwest River Forecast Center at bit.ly/4u9VxM6.