Dam outflows approaching summer norm

Libby Dam flows will be adjusted this week to levels that will remain throughout the rest of the summer, U.S. Corps of Engineers officials announced.

Heading into this week, outflows from the dam were 9,000 cubic feet per second. Plans called for a ramp-down to 8,500 cfs on Tuesday evening and then 8,000 cfs on Wednesday evening. By July 12, outflows are expected to be 7,000 cfs with no plans for further reductions the rest of the summer.

The elevation for Lake Koocanusa was expected to be 2,433.5 feet as of July 6. McGillvray beach is accessible at 2,453 feet and the mooring dock at Souse Gulch will open at approximately 2,442 feet. Officials said current hydrologic modeling indicates a maximum pool elevation of 2,444 feet in mid-August.

As of Monday, temperature of the water released into the river from Libby Dam was 52 to 53 degrees with the surface water on Lake Koocanusa at 68 degrees.