RIVERS -- The huge runoff from recent thaw has prompted Avista Utilities to open all of its spill gats at Post Falls Dam, the utility announced moments ago.

In response to rising Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe River flows and Coeur d’Alene Lake levels, the planned drawdown at Lake Spokane -- the reservoir created by Long Lake Dam -- has been cancelled.

Coeur d’Alene Lake was roughly two feet above its summer full-pool elevation of 2,128’ today and river flows in downtown Spokane reached 21,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).

Dam operators are working to keep Lake Spokane slightly below full pool to help prevent flood conditions near the confluence of Little Spokane River and Lake Spokane, Avista said in a news release. As flows decrease, Avista will probably bring the Lake Spokane elevations up near summer full-pool levels. 

Weather conditions will dictate whether Avista procedes later with the planned Lake Spokane drawdown.