New dam flow all about looks

Avista began releasing aesthetic flows at the Post Falls Dam Saturday, as required under the new Spokane River Hydroelectric Project license, the Spokane energy company said in a news release.

The flows will require ½-inch openings in two spill gates, which will release about 46 cubic feet of water per second, through the North Channel Dam, adjacent to Falls Park. The release will occur Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day between noon and 6 p.m., Avista said.

The aesthetic flows pose no safety hazards upstream of the dam and do not indicate a river closure, as a larger spill gate opening would, Avista said.