Avista to draw down Lake Spokane

Avista Utilities will start to draw down the water level at Lake Spokane, also known as Long Lake Reservoir, next week. Avista said today it expects the reservoir will be lowered up to one foot a day for two to three weeks, dropping the level of the lake 13 to 14 feet below its maximum summer elevation of 1,536 feet. Under extremely cold weather conditions, the drawdown is expected to help control Eurasian milfoil, an invasive weed found in waterways. The drawdown also allows property owners along the shoreline to make repairs and do construction work. Property owners and lake users are advised to remove boats from the water and secure docks and boathouses for low-water conditions. Updated reservoir level information is available by calling Avista’s recorded Lake Information Line at (509) 495-8043.