Kootenai River Level Going Up Below Libby Dam, Corps Says

Anglers and canoeists be warned: Kootenai River levels below Libby Dam will rise by about six feet beginning midnight Sunday, to help endangered white sturgeon move upriver to spawn.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to start increasing dam discharges from the current base level of 4,000 cubic feet per second to roughly 25,000 cfs. With tributaries adding flow, levels at Bonners Ferry could reach more than 40,000 cfs. Officials urge caution for any activities on or near the water during this time.

Flows are scheduled to drop after an initial three-day pulse, but will remain high for the next three weeks to protect sturgeon eggs, which will be incubating and easy pickings for predators at low water.

Fishing guide Jared Lampton warned river users to watch out for their vehicles.

“You’ve got to watch where you leave your truck and trailer,” said Lampton, a Libby, Mont., guide. “Make sure it’s out of the main channel anywhere.”