September 2014 Archive

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Last days of Summer, Avista Lake Drawdown, and Wrapping Up Water Toys

The first official day of autumn is September 23rd, which means it is time to stop procrastinating and get things prepped and ready for winter.


Additionally, the conclusion of summer brings with it a great opportunity to celebrate the changing of seasons and the long history of craft brewing at one of the local Oktoberfest events:

Upcoming local Oktoberfest Events:
September 26 & 27: Downtown Coeur d'Alene Oktoberfest (4-9pm Friday; 1-8pm Saturday)
October 4th: Harrison Oktoberfest  (Saturday 1-7pm)

Need help get your water toys and classic cars ready for winter?


Avista's annual Coeur d’Alene Lake drawdown
Full Avista Press Release: SPOKANE, Wash.  Sept. 2, 2014 
Avista is beginning its annual fall drawdown of Coeur d’Alene Lake Tuesday, Sept. 2. The lake will be gradually lowered approximately a foot from full pool by the end of September, and an additional 1½ feet per month thereafter until reaching its winter level. Property owners and boaters should take measures to secure docks and boats for the winter season during this period.

As part of Avista’s FERC license to operate its Spokane River Hydroelectric Project, which includes Post Falls Dam, Avista is required to maintain the level of Coeur d’Alene Lake at or near the summer full-pool elevation of 2,128 feet from as early as practical in the spring until the Tuesday after Labor Day.

The slow drawdown will increase flows in the Spokane River downstream of Post Falls, and will slightly decrease river levels between the lake and Post Falls’ Spokane Street Bridge. Spill gates at Post Falls Dam will not be opened for the drawdown, and the river should remain open for recreation until November; however, river users should be aware that water levels can fluctuate at any time depending upon weather and dam operations.

Customers can access waterflow information at avistautilities.com/waterflow or if you prefer the information is still available on our 24-hour telephone information line. You will find notification of anticipated elevation changes on Lake Spokane, the Spokane River and Coeur d’Alene Lake. In Washington call (509) 495-8043 and in Idaho call (208) 769-1357.

The recorded information is provided to advise shoreline property owners, commercial and recreational users of changes in the lake and river elevation levels that may affect plans for water use.

About Avista Utilities ?Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 365,000 customers and natural gas to 325,000 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 1.5 million.  Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit www.avistautilities.com.
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Contact:
Mary Tyrie, (509) 495-4470, mary.tyrie@avistacorp.com
Avista 24/7 Media Line 509-495-4174