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Spill through Chelan Gorge to begin April 16

Chelan County PUD
News Release
4/12/2007

Due to a lake level more than 9 feet above normal and early runoff from above-average snowpack, Chelan County PUD will begin spilling water through the Chelan River Gorge at 7:30 a.m. Monday, April 16. Residents are warned to stay clear of the gorge because high flows can be dangerous and river levels can fluctuate significantly without warning.

Spill is expected to continue nonstop for several weeks (and possibly longer), depending on weather. Warmer temperatures and faster snowmelt could necessitate  higher flows through the gorge in order to keep Lake Chelan at required levels. Cooler temperatures may mean smaller releases. Flows Monday morning will begin at 500 cubic feet per second (cfs). They could rise to 6,000 cfs in coming weeks, depending on conditions.

Chelan County PUD would like to keep flows at or below 6,000 cfs in order to minimize possible erosion damage to the river channel and to protect fish habitat in the lower section of the Chelan River.

The PUD is required under conditions of its federal operating license for the Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project to make every reasonable effort to keep the lake level below 1,100 feet at all times. Normally at this time of year, the lake would be at about 1,083 feet elevation, after being drawn down throughout the winter when inflows drop to a trickle. Due to November rains, high snowpack and early runoff, the lake level was 1,092.1 feet as of Thursday. The Stehekin River, the primary river feeding the 50-mile-long lake at its western end, was running at 240 percent of normal earlier this week.

Warning signs are posted along the river channel between Chelan and Chelan Falls. Steep cliffs make the lower gorge especially dangerous. Unexpected changes in river flows can be hazardous to anyone along the river’s edge.

The PUD urges everyone to stay away from the Chelan River Gorge when spill is occurring.

***

For further information, contact:

Steve Lachowicz

Chelan County PUD

661-4639