Pend Oreille PUD

Early in January, Pend Oreille PUD completed its annual winter survey of Bald Eagles on the Box Canyon Reservoir, in accordance with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license requirements.  At daylight, on a day free of snow and fog and with excellent visibility and mild temperatures, a crew from the PUD’s natural resources department departed from Albeni Dam and headed downstream toward Box Canyon Dam for an 8-hour survey.

An all-time high of 70 Bald Eagles and 1 Golden Eagle were documented.  Of the 70 birds counted, 54 were mature. These numbers coincide with the results of latest helicopter survey the PUD performs each spring. During the last year’s helicopter flight, 25 active nests were observed in the same area as this recent boat survey. In addition to the eagles, the survey team saw thousands of ducks (most of which were Goldeneye), as well as thousands of Canada Geese. Continue reading →

Northeast Washington is one step closer to gaining access to water from Sullivan Lake to support new domestic, municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses, and when fully allocated could add $1.4 billion to the tax base of northeastern communities and generate $4 million per year in economic activity. Continue reading →

The Board of Commissioners announced that April Owen will serve as the Interim General Manager, effective December 2, 2011. Bob Geddes, who has been the general manager since 2000, is leaving Pend Oreille PUD to take the helm at Lewis County PUD in Chehalis, Washington, beginning December 5, 2011. Ms. Owen has been with the District since 2005, as the auditor and manager of financial planning. Her knowledge of the entire District’s business through the budget process, as well as demonstrated leadership and management abilities make her an excellent choice for the interim manager. She will serve in this position until a new general manager is selected. The commissioners plan to begin recruitment efforts early in 2012, with a goal of having a new general manager in place by May or June.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently announced changes in its winter operations at Albeni Falls Dam, which is just upstream from Newport. The operational changes will allow the Corps to store water in Lake Pend Oreille in the winter and then release it when it is needed for its dams on the Columbia River during cold weather events or wintertime power emergencies. Previously, the annual minimum winter lake level for Lake Pend Oreille was either 2,051 feet or 2,055 feet above sea level. Under the new operation parameters, once kokanee spawning is completed (usually mid to late December), the Corps will be able to fluctuate the lake level up to 5 feet, at a rate of no more than 6 inches per day. Continue reading →