State Wants To Alter Level Of Priest Lake

The state of Idaho is floating a proposal that would make small changes in the level of Priest Lake, in the interest of increasing the flow downstream in the Priest River.

The lake level, controlled by Outlet Dam, would go 2.4 inches above its current summer level, then be dropped in late summer to 1.2 inches below normal.

Those inches worry cabin owner J.L. Daniel. He’ll be among those at a hearing Thursday to voice concern that any change could limit access to his dock on the eastern shore.

“We have barely enough depth now to operate our 17-foot boat,” he said Tuesday.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources is proposing the change as it prepares to update its Priest River Basin water plan. Thursday’s hearing on the plan will begin at 7 p.m. at Grandview Lodge, located 3.5 miles from Nordman on Reeder Bay Road.

The lake-level change would guarantee that at least 200 cubic feet of water would always flow into Priest River below Outlet Dam, an area that contains few fish.

The water level often drops to half that level in late summer.

“It may get the water up to where a warm-water fishery could be developed,” said department planning chief Bill Graham. That means small-mouthed bass might survive, but not trout.

“It won’t benefit cold-water fish,” Graham said. “You’re still pulling warm water off the top of Priest Lake.”

The change would also put enough water in the river that canoeists could enjoy it all summer, he said.

The basin water plan would also limit development near Lion Creek, Two-Mouth Creek and Indian Creek, in order to preserve fish spawning habitat and recreational and scenic values.

Written comments can be sent until Oct. 2 to the Department of Water Resources, 1201 N. Orchard, Boise, ID 83706. Copies of the draft plan are available for public review at the department’s Coeur d’Alene office; the Idaho Department of Lands office in Coolin; Priest River City Hall; and Priest Lake Volunteer Library.

, DataTimes