Lake Coeur d'Alene reaches summer level, Spokane River expected to rise

Lake Coeur d’Alene had reached its normal summer maximum, but the Spokane River was still moving higher enough to matter for docks, launches and riverfront recreation in Kootenai County and Spokane.

Avista’s latest water conditions update put Lake Coeur d’Alene at 2,127.99 feet, essentially the 2,128-foot normal pool NOAA uses for the lake. Avista said the lake was expected to hold near that level over the next week, while Lake Spokane was also sitting at its normal summer elevation of 1,535.7 feet. The Spokane River at Spokane was listed at about 5,020 cubic feet per second in the May 22 update, but FOX 28 Spokane reported Thursday morning flow at 5,810 cfs through Riverfront Park.

That is still far below the torrent seen in March, when the Spokane River peaked at more than 20,000 cfs, but it is enough to keep shoreline users alert. Higher river levels can change current speed, make docking trickier, and push more water against low-lying access points along the Spokane River corridor, including areas near Riverfront Park, Peaceful Valley and the Centennial Trail. For people launching boats or loading gear near Coeur d’Alene, the steady lake level means fewer surprises at the shoreline, but a rising river can still affect the way water moves through the system below Post Falls Dam.

Earlier this spring, Avista Principal Hydro Operations Engineer Patrick Maher said the Spokane River was lagging behind the lake because many gates at Post Falls Dam were still open. He said the region had only 63% of normal snowpack and that most runoff was likely already done, with Avista trying to hold Lake Coeur d’Alene within about 1 foot of its normal summer elevation. The May 22 update showed the Spokane Street Bridge above Post Falls Dam at 2,127.4 feet, about 5 inches below normal summer level, while Lake Spokane was already at summer elevation.

The difference between steady and problematic remains small. NOAA lists minor flood stage for Lake Coeur d’Alene at 2,133 feet, moderate flood stage at 2,136 feet and major flood stage at 2,138 feet. Its flood impacts page says partial flooding can begin at 2,134.75 feet, including the Coeur d’Alene Resort boardwalk, Independence Point docks, the 3rd Street boat launch and parking lot, City Beach and some lakeside recreation areas. The lake’s record crest, 2,139.05 feet on Dec. 25, 1933, is a reminder that even a few feet can change how the shoreline is used.