Water still rising, lake predicted to crest next week

By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff

The Northwest River Forecast Center’s latest prediction has Lake Pend Oreille capping out at just over 2,065 feet at the Hope gauge next Thursday, May 31.

The Trestle Creek boat launch under an inch of water on Wednesday morning. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert.

The lake exceeded flood level (2,063.5 feet) early Saturday morning, and was sitting at 2,063.82 feet as of Wednesday evening.

Army Corps Water Management civil engineer Logan Osgood-Zimmerman said engineers have been comparing this year to 1997 (when the lake reached 2,065.74 feet), but are now nearly certain the lake will not reach that level this year.

However, the warm weather expected over this next week will push the lake just over another foot, according to predictions.

Waterfront properties and recreation areas will experience flooding. Bonner County’s no-wake zone law is currently extended to 500 feet (rather than the regular 200 feet) and officials advise boaters to watch for debris in local waterways.