COLUMBIA RIVER -- Miles of inviting sandy beaches are beckoning campers at Lake Roosevelt, but rapidly rising lake levels warrant caution when pitching tents.

Lake Roosevelt's level is at elevation 1,268 feet today, and it's expected to be up to about 1,280 feet on July 1, the Bureau of Reclamation says. 

Holiday campers note: The lake will continue to rise more than a foot a day through the 4th of July to around 1,285 on the 5th.

Shoreline campers should make camp away from the water’s edge.  Boats should be securely anchored or tied securely to the shoreline to avoid having them drift out into the lake.

The rising lake levels have opened boat launching at 15 of Roosevelt's 22 public boat launches.

See the Lake Roosevelt minimum levels for boat launching chart, and keep watching the current water elevation

For a daily forecast by phone, call (800) 824-4916. 

FISHING REPORT

• Anglers are catching mostly smaller walleyes, but sizes are getting bigger, said Ray Bailey of RC Guide Service.
• Spokane Arm water temp was 57 degrees on Thursday.
• Roosevelt's rising water levels are floating up debris from the shoreline. Beware.