On June 18th the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a new 50 year license for several dams on the Spokane River, near Spokane Washington and Post Falls Idaho.  The license is based on several years of intense negotiations between the power company, tribes, agencies, and non-governmental organizations. Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club, Northwest Whitewater Association, and American Whitewater were involved on behalf of paddlers, with local paddlers playing the primary role.  The results of the new license are significant, and paddlers will certainly notice some positive changes in the not too distant future. 

Specific enhancements will include:

• Higher base flows below Post Falls Dam
• Water quality enhancements
• New aesthetic flows over the falls in Downtown Spokane, WA
• Enhancements to the fishery
• Improved or new recreational access areas, likely including one at Trailer Park Wave
• New recreation flows from Post Falls Dam.

We would like to thank and congratulate all the organizations and individuals that worked over the past few years to reach this major milestone in the management of the Spokane River.

The entire FERC License can be viewed here.  For those interested in the proposed access and flows below Post Falls Dam, please read the following license article (#417).

Trailer Park Wave Access Site Assessment

Within one year of license issuance, the licensee shall, after consultation with
Idaho DPR, Idaho Fish and Game, and Kootenai County Parks and Waterways, conduct
an assessment at the proposed Trailer Park Wave Access Site, located immediately
downstream from Post Falls dam, to determine the feasibility of developing the site for
public access; and, if the site is not feasible, identify an alternative boat access site.
Amenities at the site shall include parking, a carry-in-only boat launch, a toilet, and
signage.

Within 6 months after completion of the assessment, the licensee shall, after
consultation with the above entities, file a report for Commission approval that shall
include, but not be limited to, a discussion of the results of the assessment,
documentation of consultation, copies of recommendations on the completed report after it has been prepared and provided to the entities, and specific descriptions of how the
entities’ comments are accommodated by the report. If the assessment indicates that the
Trailer Park Wave Access Site shall be developed as a project facility, the report shall
include a discussion of proposed measures, estimated operation and maintenance costs,
and a provision to modify the Post Falls development boundary accordingly. The
licensee shall allow a minimum of 30 days for the entities to comment and to make
recommendations prior to filing the report with the Commission. If the licensee does not
adopt a recommendation, the filing shall include the licensee’s reasons based on projectspecific
information.

The report also shall contain a provision for scheduled flow releases to provide
whitewater boating at the Trailer Park Wave Access Site. To the extent that the flow
releases shall not cause the licensee to violate Condition No. I (Lake Levels and
Discharge Flows) of the Idaho water quality certification, the licensee shall release flows
for whitewater boating ranging from a minimum flow of 3,300 cubic feet per second (cfs)
to a maximum flow of 5,500 cfs from Post Falls dam into the Spokane River. The flow
releases and schedule (dates and times) of flow releases, once approved by the
Commission, shall be made available to the public via telephone or internet access.

The Commission reserves the right to require changes to the report. The report
shall not be implemented until the licensee is notified that the report is approved. Upon
Commission approval, the licensee shall implement the report, including any changes
required by the Commission.