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Lake Coeur d’Alene annual drawdown starts today

The spillways at the Post Falls dam on the Spokane River produce a thunderous sound as water from a wet winter is spilled in this file photo. (File / The Spokesman-Review)
By Rich Landers richl@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508
The spillways at the Post Falls dam on the Spokane River produce a thunderous sound as water from a wet winter is spilled in this file photo. (File / The Spokesman-Review)
The spillways at the Post Falls dam on the Spokane River produce a thunderous sound as water from a wet winter is spilled in this file photo. (File / The Spokesman-Review)

WATERSPORTS — The annual fall drawdown of Lake Coeur d’Alene will begin today, Avista officials say.

The lake will be gradually lowered about a foot from full pool elevation of 2,128 feet by Sept. 30.

The drawdown will continue an additional 1.5 feet a month until reaching its winter level of of 2,122 feet.

The drawdown will increase flows in the Spokane River, giving anglers a boost by perking up the fishery, but dam operators do not plan to open the dam’s spill gates.

The river above Post Falls Dam should remain open to boating until November, Avista said.

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Outdoors Blog." Read all stories from this blog