Outdoors blog

Wed., Sept. 7, 2016

Spokane River flows improve from rock bottom

Spokane River flows were reduced to a bare minimum 500 cfs in the last of August and early September 2016 as seen here at Barker Road "rapids." (Art Zack)

RIVERS -- If you're wondering why some people are concerned when the Spokane River sometimes is reduced to little more than a trickle in late August, these photos taken Saturday at Barker Road "rapids" offers a clue.

"You could easily rock hop across and never get your feet wet," said Art Zack.

Here's the explanation.

Click through the photos above to see the USGS Spokane River gage chart and the upswing in flows starting Tuesday when the annual gradual lowering of Lake Coeur d'Alene began.

Posted Sept. 7, 2016, 2:16 p.m.

By Rich Landers

richl@spokesman.com

(509) 459-5508

Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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