Increased flows forecast at Albeni Falls Dam

SEATTLE — Significantly increased outflows from Albeni Falls Dam are forecast due to heavy precipitation from the recent late spring storm combined with the continued melting of snowpack.

Water levels in the lake or Pend Oreille River may be noticeably higher but are not expected to result in increased flood risk, according to the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District. To mitigate flood risk, USACE officials will increase outflow at AFD over the weekend and through next week. Spill gates will be operated in their fully open or fully closed positions.

Under this operation, outflow from AFD may rise or fall in the coming days, and outflow may change faster than usual operations.

Outflows from AFD are expected to be roughly 10,000 cubic feet per second less than inflows at Lake Pend Oreille. The lake will continue to rise over the weekend, and outflows may approach 85,000 cubic feet per second, according to the news release.

Current snowpack in the basin is about 57% of what is typically observed for this time of year.

Though snowpack is below normal, higher temperatures paired with rain are forecast to create high flows. Those on the river should be prepared for water levels to temporarily rise or fall as the event unfolds.

Areas downstream of the lake, such as Newport, Cusick and Usk, should be aware of changing forecasts. For the latest modeling forecasts, visit the National Weather Service’s Northwest River Forecast Center at nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/ flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=ALFW1.