Meeting discusses work at Post Falls Dam

Avista Utilities will hold an informational meeting Tuesday about construction work at Post Falls Dam this summer and impacts on recreation. The meeting takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Post Falls Police Department, 1717 E. Polston Ave. The utility plans to replace lifting hoists and wooden intake gates at the dam with new hoists and steel gates. Parts of the dam’s construction date back to 1908. Post Falls Dam was the second generating facility for the Spokane-based utility, which was known as Washington Water Power at the time, said Avista spokeswoman Anna Scarlett. The work at the units is expected to begin in mid-July when flows in the Spokane River drop. During the work, at least two generator units will be taken out of service, which will reduce the amount of water passing through the dam’s power house. That means a later opening for the Q’emiln Park boat launch, since the dam’s spill gates will close later than usual. Some areas of Falls Park may be temporarily fenced off, with alternative viewpoints designated to see the river and the falls.