BOATING -- Spring runoff has kicked into gear in the Columbia Basin, reversing the drawdown at Lake Roosevelt. The water level behind Grand Coulee Dam is going up.

"We are beginning refill of the lake," said Lynne Brougher of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The level had been drawn down to an elevation of 1231 feet to accommodate the runoff.

The level of Lake Roosevelt was 1237 feet above sea level today, having come up 4 feet since Friday. 

"It is anticipated the lake level will be in the 1240 -1245 range by the end of the week," she said this morning.

The rising levels will gradually allow more boat launches to be opened.

Get daily Lake Roosevelt level forecast by phone, updated daily at 3 p.m: (800) 824-4916.

Check out this post with a link to a NOAA site with Roosevelt levels and a list of boat launching elevations on the same page.