Contact: Cathy Hlebechuk (503) 808-3942 or Casondra Brewster (206) 764-6958

Oct. 1, 2007

SEATTLE— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will maintain the level of Lake Pend Oreille during the winter months to 2,055 feet above sea level. This level is expected to be reached on or about November 20.

The Corps’ Reservoir Control Center, which controls the lake level through operations at Albeni Falls Dam, began drafting the lake in mid-September.

 The winter lake elevation recommendation was  submitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the Lake Pend Oreille/Priest Lakes Commission at the September 26 Technical Management Team meeting.  At that meeting, the Corps made the decision to implement the recommended operation

This elevation provides an abundance of good spawning conditions for scarce kokanee.  Kokanee are small, lake-resident sockeye salmon and are a food source for endangered bull trout. 

Lake Pend Oreille’s winter level recommendation is determined annually in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service and Idaho fish managers to benefit reproduction of the lake’s kokanee.

Information about the lake level for Lake Pend Oreille is on-line at:

http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nws/hh/basins/pend.html.