BOATING --  Recent heavy rain in the region doubled the flows in the Spokane River within a 24 hour period and prompted Avista to open one of the spill gates at the Post Falls Dam.

The City of Post Falls boat launch and swim beach at Q’emiln Park was closed today. For public safety reasons, whenever any of the spill gates at the Post Falls Dam are open, river recreation is prohibited in the area between the Spokane Street Bridge and the Post Falls Dam.

With more rain in the forecast over the next several days, the boat launch is expected to be closed through the weekend. 

Just last week, the Post Falls Dam spill gates were all closed and the Q’emiln Park boat launch was opened on June 12. This typically occurs sometime between Memorial Day and the July 4 holiday, and on average about June 22. But this year’s below-normal spring precipitation and snow pack resulted in below normal river inflows into Coeur d’Alene Lake allowed Avista to close all the Post Falls Dam spill gates earlier than average. However, recent heavy rains have quickly changed the water levels.

For current information on anticipated elevation changes on Coeur d’ Alene Lake, Lake Spokane and the Spokane River, call Avista’s 24-hour telephone information line. In Idaho, call (208) 769-1357; in Washington, call (509) 495-8043 or check the Avista Utilities website.