Contact: Cathy Hlebechuck (503) 808-3942

SEATTLE - In early August, BC Hydro entered into an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bonneville Power Administration under the Columbia River Treaty that will allow a higher lake level and improve summer recreation opportunities at Koocanusa Reservoir. The agreement allows Koocanusa Reservoir levels to be supported by reducing Arrow Lakes Reservoir levels.

The additional release of water from the Arrow Lakes Reservoir will result in reservoir levels decreasing by approximately 1 foot by Aug. 31. Even with this reduction, the Arrow Lakes Reservoir is expected to remain within the desirable recreation range through Labor Day. This additional water is being released from the reservoir through the Arrow Lakes Generating Station.

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers reduced flows from the Libby Dam to 10,000 cubic feet per second Aug. 6 with another planned cut to 9,100 cfs today. Further reductions in outflows to meet the 2441.8 ft target will be evaluated on a day by day basis. This will result in the Koocanusa Reservoir reaching an elevation of approximately 2,441.8 feet by Aug. 31.

This swap means the Koocanusa Reservoir will be approximately 2.8 feet higher at the end of August than if this water transfer was not implemented, and will have a positive impact on recreational opportunities on the Koocanusa Reservoir.

The water transferred this summer will be released from Koocanusa Reservoir and returned to the Arrow Lakes Reservoir later this year through normal operations.

The Corps operates Libby Dam for flood risk management and for other purposes in the Columbia Basin and the Kootenai Valley, including hydropower generation, recreation, navigation, and fish and wildlife.