March storms push precip above average

The Kootenai River flowed high for most of April because of March precipitation inundating the Kootenai Basin.

After below average inflow into Lake Koocanusa the beginning of the year, weather systems in March increased precipitation totals to 300 to 400 percent of average in the Kootenai Basin, according to Joel Fenolio with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Corps of Engineers responded to the increased precipitation by operating at full powerhouse capacity until the end of April or until the start of refill, projected to be the first or second week of May.

The flood risk this spring is elevated based on the current snowpack and predictions said Fenolio. The water supply forecast for April to August inflow is 117 percent of average with the May to July outlook forecasting average precipitation.

“There is a 40 percent chance of going over flood stage (1,764 feet),” said Fenolio at the April 21 Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative meeting. “June precipitation is the wild card.”

The Corps of Engineers will not be performing a spill for sturgeon this year but will be performing two peak releases for sturgeon like last year. The peak releases planned will last seven days each.

Last year, June precipitation caused the Kootenai River to flow high after the two peak releases mentioned Fenolio.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is holding their annual public information meeting for Libby Dam operations on Thursday, May 29 at 7 p.m. at the Kootenai River Inn in Bonners Ferry.

Short term forecasts for the Kootenai River in Bonners Ferry can be found at