Avista today begins its annual fall drawdown of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The lake will be lowered about one foot from full pool by the end of the month, then an additional 1.5 feet per month until it reaches its winter level, the Spokane utility company said. Property owners and boaters should take measures to secure docks and boats for the winter season during this period, Avista said. As part of its federal license to operate the Spokane River Hydroelectric Project, including Post Falls Dam, Avista is required to maintain the level of the lake at a summer full-pool elevation of 2,128 feet from as early as practical in the spring until the day after Labor Day. The slow drawdown will increase flows of the Spokane River downstream of Post Falls, and will slightly decrease river levels between the lake and Post Falls bridge. The river should remain open for recreation until November, but river levels can fluctuate at any time depending upon weather and dam operations.