Avista Preps For Power Crunch Utility Will Draw Down Reservoirs At Long Lake And Noxon Rapids

Avista Utilities will start drawing down Long Lake Reservoir and the Noxon Rapids Reservoir on Monday to meet an increase in electricity demand expected with the onset of severely cold temperatures.

Normally, the company would not draft either reservoir until January.

Hydro operations engineer Steve Hemstrom said reservoirs are full. Levels at Long Lake on the Spokane River will drop as much as 1 foot per day for the next two or three weeks, he said.

Water behind the Noxon Rapids dam on the Clark Fork River will fall as much as 2 feet per day.

The drawdowns will add more than 100 megawatts to Avista’s power production from the dams at Long Lake, Noxon Rapids and Cabinet Gorge, which is downstream of Noxon Rapids.

Avista and other utilities in the Northwest are marshaling all available resources in expectation of temperatures that could tumble below zero by Monday.

Officials will hold a conference this morning to determine whether the looming cold snap will justify declaring a regionwide energy emergency.

To the south, in California, officials Thursday declared an emergency there for the third time this week.

Hemstrom said water used now may not be replaceable later, depending on how far the cold weather spreads, how long it persists, and its severity.

But, he said, “You have to keep the lights on now.”

Water from upstream reservoirs may enable Avista to refill its reservoirs, Hemstrom said.

“It’s a dynamic thing,” he said. “We’re using all available options.”

The company advised residents along both waterways to remove boats and secure docks and boathouses before the drawdowns begin.

This sidebar appeared with the story: FOR MORE INFORMATION Reservoir updates

Updated information on Long Lake reservoir levels will be available by calling 1-509-495-8043.

For Noxon Rapids, call Tim Swant, Clark Fork license manager, at 1-406-847-2729.