SPOKANE, Wash.  – June 30, 2020:  Avista is advising Spokane River users that river recreation will be permitted in the area between the Spokane Street Bridge and the boater safety cables located just upstream of the Post Falls Dam beginning Thursday, July 2. River flows have dropped sufficiently to allow summer operations at the hydroelectric facility.  

The City of Post Falls boat launch and swim beach at Q’emiln Park are opening to the public Thursday as well. 

Avista expects summer operation at the dam to continue through Labor Day, as long as weather conditions allow. River users should always be alert and aware that weather conditions and dam operations can cause rapid changes in water levels. Please exercise caution when using the waterways and always wear life jackets when on the water.

In an emergency, if spillway gates need to be opened, the boat launch and swim beach at Q’emiln Park may be temporarily closed, as well as the area of the river downstream of Spokane Street Bridge. If this occurs, boaters in the area will be notified, and temporary closure signs will be posted. This specific “ordinance area” is addressed in the Post Falls Boater/Swimmer Ordinances; City of Post Falls Ordinance 875 sec 8.44.010 and Section II-D of Kootenai County Resolution 2006-68. 

Customers can access waterflow information at myavista.com/waterflow or if you prefer the information is available on our 24-hour telephone information line. Where recorded information is provided to advise shoreline property owners, commercial and recreational users of changes in the lake elevations and river flows that may affect plans for water use on Lake Spokane, the Spokane River and Coeur d’Alene Lake. In Washington call (509) 495-8043 and in Idaho call (208) 769-1357. 
 

About Avista Utilities
Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 393,000 customers and natural gas to 361,000 customers in a service territory that covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.7 million. Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit www.myavista.com.

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Contact:                                                                     
Annie Gannon, communications manager, annie.gannon@avistacorp.com
Avista 24/7 Media Access 509-495-4174

 

 

 

Source: Avista Corporation