Contact:
Avista
Kirstin O’Connor Giampietri, kirstin.giampietri@avistacorp.com
Avista 24/7 Media Access, (509) 495-4174
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Dan McCracken, (208) 769-1422, Dan.McCracken@deq.idaho.gov
Robert Steed, Robert.Steed@deq.idaho.gov
Washington Department of Ecology
Stephanie May, (509) 202-5674, stephanie.may@ecy.wa.gov
SPOKANE, WA –Avista will reduce water releases from Post Falls Dam to the minimum level required under Avista’s federal operating license beginning this week.
The region’s continued hot and dry weather is decreasing water levels in Coeur d’Alene Lake. As a result, Avista, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the Washington Department of Ecology will follow licensing requirements to reduce water releases from Post Falls Dam.
Avista expects to reduce flows from Post Falls Dam to the federally required minimum of 500 cubic feet per second. Under the federal license, these reduced releases typically occur in late summer, when Coeur d’Alene Lake reaches low-water levels specified in Avista’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license.
The goal of this long-established process is to help balance lake levels while maintaining as much water as possible in the river during continued dry conditions. It is outlined by the federal operating license, not by any individual customer, type of customer, or project.
Avista’s operations on the Spokane River are governed by a FERC license issued in 2009. The license establishes how lake levels and river flows are managed and includes requirements related to fisheries, water quality, public recreation and other environmental considerations.
The current operating framework was developed through collaboration among agencies, tribes, local governments, citizen groups and Avista to help balance the many uses of Coeur d’Alene Lake and the Spokane River.
Avista, DEQ, and the Washington Department of Ecology encourage residents to practice water conservation until the end of the summer. During periods of low river flow, some sections of the Spokane River, particularly upstream of Sullivan Road, can become more vulnerable to low-water or dry conditions.
Similar conditions occurred in 2025 and could occur again this year. “Every drop counts during dry summers. The river depends on the aquifer, and dry stretches like we’ve seen are likely to continue if we don’t commit to conservation at home,” said Jaime Short,Washington Department of Ecology Eastern Region Water Resources Program section manager. “Check for sprinkler leaks, avoid watering sidewalks, and water during cooler hours. Make conservation part of your summer routine and help keep our river flowing.”
For more information on the reduction of Post Falls Dam releases or water conservation during drought conditions, contact Avista, DEQ, or the Washington Department of Ecology. Visit www.myavista.com/waterflow to monitor the Spokane River’s waterflow.