(

CORPS OF ENGINEERS U.S. ARMY

THE MASTER PLAN

DEVELOPMENT a MANAGEMENT

ALBENI FALLS RESERVOIR PEND OREILLE RIVER, IDAHO

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

FEBRUARY, 1955

Paragraph

1 2 3

4 5 6 7

12 13 16 17 21

22 23 27 29 32 34 35 36 38

40 41

46 51

52 53 54 55 56 58

TABLE OF COl'JTENTS

Authority Purpose Scope

I - INTRODUCTIOn

II - DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

.Authorization Purpose Location and accessibility The natural lake and its shore-line Changes in the natural la~e The resertroir bet;ween the lake a."YJ.d the da.:n Extent of the reservoir Cliraate Otber pertinent data

III - RECREATIONAL RESOURCES OF THE NAT1JRAL LAKE

General and scenic values Fishing Boating Swimming Camping and picnicking Hunting Summer homes Resorts, cafes, and other vacation facilities Seaplane use

1 2 2

0 /

10 10

13 13 1.5 1.5 16 16 17 17 17

rv - ~'.J:I'ECT OF PROJECT OPERATION ON. RECREATIONJI..L RESOURCES

Sightseeing at the dam Resources of the reservoir between the dam and

?end Oreille Lru{e Effect on resources of the lake Effect of the reservoir upon fish and wildlife

resources Big ge.me Waterfowl Upland game Fur anill'.a.ls Fishery Further study of effects

v - EFFECT CF THE i'RGJEGT UPON OTHER RESOURCES

Forestr-.r Agriculture Cther ir1dustries

19

19 20

22 22 22 23 23 .-,~

'~-' r;-t, .(.,[.,~

~,-

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont•d) ,<

( Paragraph Page

VI - FACTORS INFLUENCING RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

66 Principal types of use 29 69 Region served 30 70 Papp.la.tion 30 72 Volume of past recreational use 31 73 Attendance forecast 33 80 Areas available for development 36

VII - IMPROVEMENTS DFSIRED AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIFS

88 Improvements desired by local people 40 95 Improvements desired b,y organized groups 41 96 Other agencies ~ cooperation and views 41

VIII ~ LAND USE POLICY

101 General 44 103 Use priorities 45 104 Area classification 45 105 General conditions applicable to all uses 47

lX - MASTER PLAN

106 General 49 107 Albeni Falls Dam area 51 108 Albeni Falls overlook 52 109 Albeni Cove 52 110 North shore strips 52 lll Strong's Island 52 ll2 Priest River Camp 53 ll3 Priest River Game Management Unit 53 114 Carey Creek Game Management Unit 54 ll5 Riley Creek Game Management Unit 54 116 Hoodoo Creek Game Management Unit 54 117 Marton Slough Game Management Unit 54 118 Mallard Bay Game Management Unit 55 ll9 Muskrat Lake 55 120 CaJ:Or Creek 55 121 Hornby Creek 55 122 Springy Point 55 123 Oden Bay Game Management Unit ~--,-0

124 Pack River Game 1lanagement Unit 56 125 Trestle Creek Beach 57 126 Clark Fork Game Management Unit $7 127 Clark Fot'k Landing 58

ii

Paragraph

128 129 130 131. 138 139 140

148 155'

156 160

TABLI:: OF' COllTENTS (Cont1 d)

Seaplane facilities Stockwatering access Boathouse, dock and boat moorage Remedial works Reservoir ~learing Drift control Fire control

X - JUSTIFICA 'IT ON FOR DEVELOPMEl\l'I'

Recreation benefits Indirect benefits

XI - GENERAL POLICIES AND A.DMTIUSTRA.TION

Policies Administration

XII - CONCLUSIONS AND RECOII1iv1ENDATIOHS

Conclusions Rec om1nenda tions

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58 58 58 59 60 60 61

63 63

65 67

68 69

1 2 3 4 5

6

7

l

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

TABLFS

Title

Pend Oreille Lake maximum stages 7 Pertinent data 11 Former use of inundated farm land 27 Population within zones of influence 32 Recreational visitors, Albeni Falls Reservoir -

1951 33 Distribution of distances travelled to Pend Oreille

by fishermen = 1951 34 Use adaptability, project lands 50

CF..ARTS

Wind velocity duration

PLATES

Related recreational facilities Existing recreational facilities Land use map Public use areas Game management units Game management units Facilities for public use not in master plan

APPE1'DICES

APPENDJX A, General Pla11.? Management of Wildlife Resources

APPENDIX B, Advice, Cooperation and Comments of Other Agencies Item #1~ U. S. Public. Health Service B-1 Item 1/2~ U. S. National Park Service B-5

ir

I ;

'IRE H!ST".t?;R PIAN FOR DEVELOPI>JENT AND YlANAGEVJSNT ALBENI FALlS "RESERVOIR

I - INTRODUCTION

1. Authority. -Development of reservoir areas under the control of

the Department of the Army for recreational and related purposes was author-

ized by Section 4 of the Flood Control Act approved 22 December 1944, as

amended by Section 4 of the Flood Control Act approved 24 Ju~ 1946, and

Section 209 of the Flood Control Act of 1954 which states as follows:

11fl'b.e Chief of Engineers, under the supervision of the Secretary of the Army, is authorized to construct, maintain, and operate public park and recreational facilities in reservoir areas under the control of the Department of the Army, and to permit the construction, maintenance, and operation of such facilities. The Secretary of the Army is also authorized to grant leases of lands, including structures of facilities thereon, in reservoir areas for such periods, and upon such terms and for such purposes as he may deem reasonable in the public interest: Pro­vided, That leases to nonprofit organizations for park or recreational purposes may be granted at reduced or nominal considerations in recogni­tion of the public service to be rendered in utilizing the leased premis­es& Provided further, That preference shall be given-to Federal, State, or local governmental agencies, and licenses, or leases where appropriate, may be granted without monetary considerations, to such agencies for the use of all or aqy portion of a reservoir area for any public purpose, when the Secretary of the .A:rrrry determines such action to be in the public interest~_ and for such periods of time and upon such conditions as he may find advisable: And provided further, That in any such lease or license to a Federal, State, or local governmental agency which involves lands to be utilized for the development and conservation of fish and wildlife, forests, or other netural resources, the licensee or lesseemay be author­ized to cut timber and harvest crops as may be necessary to further such beneficial uses and to collect and utilize the proceeds of any sales of timber and crops in the development, conservation, maintenance and utiliza­tion of such lams., Any balance of proceeds not so utilized shall be paid to the United States at such time or times as the Secretary of the Army may determine appropriate. The water areas of all such reservoirs shall be open to public use generally, without charge, for boating, swimming, bathing, fishing, and other recreational purposes, and ready access to and exit from such water areas along the shores of such reservoirs shall be maintained for general public use, when such use is determined by the Secretary of the Anny not to be contrary to the public interest, all under such rules and regula ti.ons as the Secretary of the Army may deem necessary. No use of any area to which this section applies shall be permitted which

is inconsistent vJith the laws for the protection of fish and game of the State in vJhich such area is situated. All moneys received by the United States for leases or privileges shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts."

Economic dependency of the area surrounding Pend Oreille Lake upon recrea-

tional activities was recognized early in the plarming for Albeni Falls

projectR Existing recreational attractions and possibilities for future

development were discussed in the survey report~ That document pointed

to the need for further detailed study and preparation of a master plan

of improvement and management of the reservoir~ Authority for preparation

of a master plan vTas contained in 2d Indorsement, Office, Chief of

Engineers, ENG\.iO, dated 28 August 1951, on letter of the District Engineer,

Seattle District, dated 13 April 1951, subject, 11Preliminary Report on

Recreational Plarming for Albeni Falls Reservoir. 11

2. Purpose,. - The purpose of the Master Plan is to provide a compre­

hensive guide for the development and management of all land and water

areas of the project~ It gives appropriate consideration to management

of project lands for primary project functions and also provides for

development and management of collateral resources. It recognizes the

public ·and p'i vate facilities already in existence in the reservoir area

and presents plans for such additional facilities as are essential for

maximum sustained benefit to the public,. The plan is flexible and subject

to revision as dictated by changing needs and conditions.

J,. Scope .• - Thorougb on-the-ground investigation was made of the

reservoir 1s existing recreational facilities and of its potentialities for

recreation and fish .and Hildlife administr~"'-t.icrn~ Suggestions and recom-

mendations of local groups and other gover~~ental agencies were invitede

2

A general plan for fish and ~dldlife administration was developed and agreed

to by The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the u. s. Fish and Wildlife Ser­

vice and the Corps of Engineers. Particular emphasis was made in the study

and development of the master plan, 1·Jhidlencompasses the general plan for

fish and wildlife administration, to the problems of public access to the

reservoir. The relationship of existing facilities in the region, the

distribution and characteristics of the surrounding popuJ.ation, and the

area 1s transportation system 1.-1ere studied.

3

II - DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

4. Authorization. - Albeni Falls Dam and Reservoir were authorized

by the Flood Control Act approved 17 May 1950.

5. Purpose. - Storage provided by Albeni Falls Dam will serve the

multiple purposes of po-..r·3r generation, navigation, flood control, recrea-

tion, and fish and wildlife conservation... 'lbe value of power benefits is

the predominant factor in:..,}he economics of the project. -· 6. Location and accessibility. - The dam is located on Pend Oreille

River in Bonner County, Idaho, 2.5 miles east of Newport, Washingt;n,~49

miles north of Spokane, Washington, and 25 miles west of Sandpoint, Idaho.

The reservoir, which includes all of Pend Oreille Lake, lies in Kootenai

and Bonner Counties. The area is strategical~ situated with respect to

east-west and north-south rail and highway routes linking other popular

tourist destinations. It lies a9proximately in the center of a 400-mile

circle that includes the Canadian National Parks, and Glacier, Yellowstone,

Crater Lake, and Rainier National Parks in this country; Seattle, Victoria,

Vancouver, the Olympic Peninsula, and the San Juan Islands of the Puget Sound

area; the high Rockias, the Cascades, and the primitive area oi' central

Idaho. East-west u. s. Highways 2 and 10-A, and north-south u. s. Highway

95 have their junction at Sandpoint on the shore of Pend Oreille Lake.

County and state roads connect the highways with the lake 1s developed use

areas. The Great Northern and Northern Pacific, both transcontinental

railroads, serve the reservoir area with connections at Newport, Washing­

ton, and at Priest River, Sandpoint, Hope and Clark Fork, Idaho. 'rhe

nearest air lines connection is at Spokane, 55 miles from the dam site.

7.. The natural lake and its shore-line. - The Pend Oreille lake

portion of the reservoir lies in a deep, glacial~-carved, U-shaped

valley separating 3 lofty mountain ranges, the Cabinets, Selkirks, and

Bi tterroots. Along approximately 65 miles of the lake 1 s llZ miles of

shore-line these mountains rise precipitous and rocky, fra.m the water's -

edge to elevations of 5,000 to 6,500 feet. Below the water surface,

the slopes extend dmm to depths of 1,100 feet. From the outlet of

the lake to the mouth of Pack River, a distance of about 13 miles, muCh

of the adjoining land, with the exception of the Kootenai Point and

Sunnyside Mountain areas, slopes gently toward the shore. In this area

and in the Pack River and Clark Fork Delta areas are the only sections

with any extensive flat lands. The lake has an extreme length of 43~2

miles, a maximum width of 6.25 miles and a surface area within meanders

of 88,307 acreso It is one of the Northwest's largest lakes.

8. Except for the low meadows and the cultivated lands, the adjacent

mountains and lakeshore slopes are forested with pine, fir, larch, and

a wide variety of shrubs. Four tinber-covered islands in the Hope area

add scenic attraction to the lake~

9o 'lhe greater part of the inflow to the lake comes fl"'lll the Clark

Fork but clear mountain streams of varying sizes enter at intervals around

its perimetero

10. 'lhe shore-line is indented by many bays and inlets. Idlewild,

Scenic, Garfield, Ellisport and Bottle Bays indent from 1 to 2 miles.

'I'he lake is occasionally- subject to seve:rewinds, a:r.rl breakwater struc­

tures have been necessary to protect boat moorage facilities even in

the deeper bays.. Maximum vJind velocities, direction and duration are

shmm on Chart 1.

11.. The nairrral lake is; ml1:~jcct to a fluctuation of water level

during th~ active recreation season ranging from a high of as much as

2071.82 feet in }fu.y to a low of about 2047 feet by late August·. During

the low period, extensive semi-marsh conditions prevail in some of the- ·

low-}Jiing areas between Pack River and Dover along the north shore.·

Elsewhere the result of fluctuation is chiefly to expose wid~ rocky

beaches.. Peak flood elevations for the 49 ;y-ears of record from 1903 to

19.51 are shown on table 1, indicating a maximum of 2071.82 feet in 1948

and a mi~mum of 20$2.49 feet in 1941. Highest known flood stage occurred

in 1894 and this has been estimated to have reached 2076.08 feet elevation.

12. Changes in the natural lake occasioned by construction of the dam. -

Regulation of Pend Oreille Lake will occur only within limits that have

been experiencee periodically under natural conditions. The project storage

level of 2062.5 feet above mean sea level has been reached or exceeded

in 23 of the 49 years of recordo The average annual peak elevation is

2062~0.3 feete (See table 1) The annual spring rise usually begins in

April and reaches its peak by early June. Regulation at Albeni Falls

6

Table 1 - Pend Oreille Lake ma:x::i.mum stages, u$s.c. and G.s. datUID.

Chronological order Order of magnitude Year Elev., Year ~· 1903 2067.5 1948 2071.82

04 62.1' 13 2069.1 o5 56.0 33 68.78 06 54.7 28 68.67 07 63.2 16 68.38 08 67.4 27 68.2 above 09 64.5 08 67.4 pool

1910 6o,.2 1950 67.2 23 times 11 6o.5 .... ..,

.L! 66.7L 12 ::_,..., ,..,_

'-;Co.!: 03 67"'5 13 69.1 25 65.37 14 59.88 21 65.28 15 54.43 22 64.67 16 68.38 09 64.5 17 66.74 47 64.2

51 64.08 18 63.58 49 63.66 19 &>.58 43 63.6

1920 6o.68 1918 63.58 21 65.28 07 63.2 22 64.67 32 62.89 23 62.52 38 62.7 24 w.67 23 62.52(2062.5 25 65.3'7 34 62.39 pool) 26 55.97 12 62.2 27 68.2 04 62.1 28 68.67 36 61.56 29 59.37 46 61.4

19.30 55.99 1935 61.2 31 56.01 20 &J.68 32 62.89 24 &>.67 33 68.78 45 w.:rt 34 62.39 19 6o.58 35 61.,2 ll 6o.5 36 61.56 10 6o.2 37 57.29 39 59.98 belot,r 38 62c7 1L 59.88 pool 39 59 .. 98 29 59.3? 26 t:imes

l940 56.?6 1942 58.93 l "l 4..<. 52.49 37 57.29 42 58o93 40 56.76 L ~, '_, 6:\.,6 Jl 56.07 44 53o66 05 56 .. 0 45 (:() 0 37 3D 55.99

... l

Table 1 - Pend Oreille Lake maximlim stages, U.S.C. and GoSo datum (Cont 1d)

Chronological order Year I91iO

47 48 49

1950 51 49 Yr Av

Elev. 2061.4

64.2 71 .. 82 63.66 67.2 64.08 62.03

Order of magnitude Year ·Elev., 1920 2055.97

06 54.7 15 54.43 44 53.66

1941 52.49

Dam will begin during the flood run-off, either to raise the lake to

the controlled pool elevation of 2062.5 feet, or to hold it there on

the receding stage, according to the volume of run.;..off. The present

plan for normal operation of the project FrOvides for draw-down as

rapidly as the water can be utilized3 starting a lout Sept ember and

ending on 20 November. The lake will ihen be held vd. thin narrow

limits to the 20 November level for about 30 days, and thereafter·

allowed to fluctuate only above the 20 November el-evation until the -

kokanee incubation IB riod is complete, usually in April or early May.

A normal w.i.nter OI:Brating level will be approx:imately elevation 2051

feet but may vary during years of unusual -water conditions. Stream

flow and system power requirements may necessitate a deviation f'rom

this plan in occasional years. The effect of the plan on fish propaga~

tion will be observed as a part of the joint fishery investigation

conducted by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Corps of

Engineers. At sane future time -vmen more information is obtained_a.pd

f'urther experience is gained in operation of the project, same modif.i-

cation in the plan of op:;ration may be found warrantedo The planned

regulation will result in a stabilized water li.ne during the bl.sy

8

( ) rem;-eation season, compared with the wide fluctuation that occurs under

natural conditions during the same period. Semi-marsh areas o;n the low-

lands will be inundated and the summer pool waters edge will rest on

steeper, more attractive slopes. In general, effect of project control

•Till be to enhance rather than detract from the lake's scenic attraction

and its utility for recreational activities.,

13. The reservoir between the lake and the dam. - The arm of the

reservoir between the lake and the dam will occupy the channel of Pend

Oreille River and will spread over some of the flatter portions of the

adjoining valley. It extends from the outlet of Pend Oreille Lake near

J)over downstream to the dam, a distance of 25 miles. The shore-line

offers a variety of topography - steep, forested mountains, flat bench-

lands,. and gently sloping bottomlands.. Benchlands have largely been

cleared and are under cultivation.. The lower~ gently sloping bottoms

are ~atural meadows., Marshes are found in a few places along the waters

edge.

14. F9llowing the annual flood recession, the river naturally falls

to a l<m" level with little to offer in the way of recreation attraction.

During the flood period m.a.ny lagoons and labyrinthian channels form

along the looer shores.

15. The Great Northern Railway parallels the north shore andre-"

stricts access from that side. Waters of the regulated pool will lap

the railroad righ't-.of~way for nearly half the length of the Pend Oreille

River arm of the reservoir.

16.. ~tent of the reservoiro - The stabilized reservoir occupies

a 25-mile section of the Pend Oreille River with a two-mile arm into

the Cocolalla Greek drainageJ and Pend Oreille Lake with projections into

the Clark Fork and Pa0k River deltas of 4o5 and 3e5 miles~ respectively.

9

It is 68 miles long and has a surface area of 94.ll 600 acres o Its ma.ximum

width is 7 miles ..

17 o Climateo - The region is subject to both oceanic and continental

influences. Oceanic influences are strongest during the wint,er and cause

snowfall as the relat.ively warm.9 moisture=laden air from the Pacific Ocean

is cooled in passing inland and over the mountain rangeso Continental

influences are strongest during the summer., This combination results in

a climate characterized bywarm9 dry summers and coolwinter·s with con-

siderable snowfall.,

l8o The arnual mean temperatlrr'e at N~rports Washington, is 44o6°.

. 0 0 Temperatures have ranged from 1.07 to minus 36 .,

19 o During the 30-year period 1910 tbl"ough 1919 and 1926 tbrough

1946, the extremes in annual precipitation were 32o31 inches in 1927 and·

ll .. 42 inches in 1929. The mean annual precipitation for the same period

was 23a27 inches.. On the average there are 121 days per year with 0.01

inch or more of precipitationo T"ne average annual snowfall is 59 inches.,

Snow genera.lly remains on the ground f:r·om early December through the

middle of March o

20.. Southwest winds prevaiL Su.rrounding mountains prevent veloci-

ties experienced in more open terrain.. However 9 winds frequently exceed

15 MPH.. With a lake fetch of 1.0 miles from Sandpoint to Hope and 20 miles

from Bayview to Hope, rough water hazardous for small boats is often ax:-

perienced on Pend Oreill.e Lakeo Winds fr'om the northeast have been known

t,o cau:se daw..age to boats moored at the Sa;J.dpoint rrru.nicipa,l marina. Chart

1 is a record of w:inds wit.h velociM .. es exeeed.ing 5 miles per hour and

their duration for· the per·iod 1 .July !.95:2 •·o ,10 June l95.3o

2lo ,Other' pertment da:t.ao =- Table 2 lS if>.. list o£ factual data

10

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Table 2 - Pertinent data

Drainage Clark Fork - Pend Oreille Basin, tributary to Columbia River

Stream mile (above mouth Pend Oreille River)

Drainage area above dam site

Regulated pool elevations: Pend Oreille Lake and River, Pend Oreille lake, nu.mmum

square miles

maximum feet mean sea level

Pend Oreille River at tJam minimum feet mean sea level feet mean sea level

Pool area acres

Length of shor~line miles

90

·2~,200

2,062.5 2,049.7 2,038

94,600

226

Usable storage, elev. 2062.5 to 2049.7 acre-feet 1,153,000

Dam, concrete gravity, submerged spillway type:

Spillway section:

Length, gated section gross

Net opening

Length, over:~~m

Crest elevation

Top of gates, elevation

Top of operating deck

feet

feet

feet

feet mean sea

feet mean sea

feet meari sea

Gates - caterpillar, 2-leaf, vertical lift, total 10. Dimensions feet

Intake and powerhouse:·

Length of structure feet

Clear width of generator floor feet

Ins ta 11a ti on

Turbines, movable four-blade, propeller t;y-pe units

11

level

level

level

472

400

779

2,03J

2, 06.5

2,097

40 X 32:

301

70

3

Ra. ted capacity at 22 -foot head h.p. ea.

Genera tors, vertical shaft, di1 ect drive, rated capacity each kilowatts

Generator spacing feet

Plant installed capacity kilowatts

12

19,600

14,200

78

42,600

III - RECR3ATIONAL RESOURCES OF THE liATURA.L LAKE

22. General and scenic values. -Pend Oreille Lake's clear water, its

variety of shore-line topography, and its environment of forest and moun­

tains, combine to make it one of the Northwest's scenic attractions. There

are long stretches of shore too rugged for access except by boat, and too

steep for construction of occupancy structures. This condition helps to

preserve the lake's natural beauty, and yet most of the usable shores a:t6.,. served by an adequate road system. A~wide variety of recreational oppor­

tunities is afforded by the lake and the surrounding territory. Fishing

is a year-round activity. Summer offers boating, hiking, camping, picnick­

ing, riding, mountain climbing, and swimming, although the latter is limited

by the scarcity of gently sloping sand beaches. Deer, bear, and migratory

birds are plentiful and hunting is a popular fall sport. Skiing is the

principal winter activity.

23. Fishing. - Fishing attracts more visitors to Pend Oreille Lake

than does any other activity. During the season 1 :t-1ay to JO November all

species are taken. They include cut-throat, Dolly Varden, rainbow, and

Kamloops trout, kokanee, whitefish, bass, crappie, bluegill, and perch.

Kokanee and whitefish provide winter fishing either through the ice or

from open water. Whitefish are taken on hand lines in commercial quantity.

13:

Kokanee, a fine pan fish averaging about ten inches in length, is so

abundant that sport fishermen are allowed to take 50 per day and limit

catches are cormnon. A survey by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and

the State of Idaho estimates a catch by sport fishermen of 724_,000 kokanee

during 19519 They are also caught for the commercial market during the

late winter and spring.

971 000 kokanee in 1951.

The commercial fishery accounted for a harvest of

Prior to 1941 fishing was confined largely to persons

coming from within a radius of 100 miles. In that year Kamloops rainbow

trout were introduced into the lake from British Columbia. By 1945

Kamloops weighing over 26 pounds were caught and in 1947 a record fish

of 37 pounds was taken. 'Ihese big fighting fish, and DolJ.y Va:i:-den trout

that often weigb· over 20 pounds, attract sport fishermen from ail over

the nation.

24. Bass fishing is enjoyed throughout the summer but attracts the

most interest during the spring high-water period lvhen :;he.,f:tsh mG'le into

over-flowed meadows and other shallovi water areas. Perch, crappies and

bluegills are also taken in these shallower areas,. AJmost any dock or

boat landing around the lake will produce perch and crappies for a

youngster equipped with a line, a hook, and some bait.

25. Cutthroats are the trout native to Pend Oreille lake and many

fishermen angle for them exclusively~

26. The 1951 survey tallied 33,200 resident and 27 .f>OD non-resident

sport fishermen who made the phenomenal catch of 732,000 kokanee and trouto

These fish were all caught by hook and line held in hand, as use of set

lines and nets is prohibited0

14

27. Boating. - Resorts own 297 outboard boats in the 12- to 16-foot

class that are available for rental. Boats in the same class owned qy

individuals are estimated to number 450. Inboard boats over 16 feet and

including up to 40 foot cruisers number 178 and represent an investment

of $672,000. A recent survey indicates that 90 percent of the use of

the latter group should be credited to fishing and 10 percent to pleasure

operationo The outboard units are used almost entirely in connection with

fishing.

28.. Sailing has never been popular on Pend Oreille lake. Winds are

too variable for great satisfaction with sail and there are on~ a few

craft. However, Coeur d 1.Alene lake in a similar environment on~ 20

miles away, is showing a growing interest in small sailing craft and the

sport may gain favor at Pend Oreille Lakeo

29. Swimming. - Pend Oreille Lake has only two sand beaches that are

developed and used extensively. They are the Sandpoint Municipal Beach

and the u. s. Forest Service Beach at Samowen Bay.

30. The Sandpoint Beach was developed as a combination city-Works

Progress Administration project at an estimated cost of $4o,ooo. It has

a bathhouse 1-Ji t]::l shov1ers 3 toilets 3 and locker -:~c commoda tions, and a

children's area with wading pool and play equipment. This beach is one

of the most heavily used recreation attractions on the lake. It serves

Sandpoint and the surrounding communities, but also attracts many visitors

from farther away.

31. Samowen Beach was developed by the u. s. Forest Service in 1942.

It is strictly a low-water sand beach~ The area has a substantial and

attractive bathhouse with flush toilets and dressing rooms and adequate

lS

parking space~ It serves the east portion of Bonner County including

the towns of Hope and Clark Fork. Because of the picnic and camping

accommodations provided on the area it also attracts visitors from else-

32.. Camping andpi_cnickinE;o - In comparison with its corrnnercial

development 3 Pend Oreille Lake is extremely deficient in the matter of

facilities for camping anr p,ic-nr'.eking available to the general public,. -"'.:. • ... ~"&

As has been the case on other lakes where usable lands are largely in

private ownership3 commercial ventures and summer homes have pushed the

public away from the more adaptable and sui table sites.

33. Samowen Recreation Area is the only lakeshore tract offering

accommodations for camping anC:: Pf©1if6king. The Idaho Fish ana Game

Department~s acquired a site on Idlewild Bay near the town of Bayview

and will begin its development in the near future9 Sandpoint has a: city

park that has been used by local organizations for group picnics but its

use has not been in connection with any lakeshore attractions.- (See plate -~}

34.. Hunting. = ~fullard~ pintail~ blue-winged teal and widgeon ducks

and coots nest along the shores of Pend Oreille Lake. Canadian geese in

limited numbers also rear their young there. Areas most thickly inhabited

by migratory birds are Oden Bay, Pack River flats$ Clark Fork delta and

Denton Slough., Shallow water and abundant feed make these areas inviting

to waterfowl as summer breeding grounds and as resting and feeding places

for thousands of ducks and geese during the annual migratory flightso

Fall and early winter migratory bird hunting is a popular sporto Shooting

is done from blinds located in shallNJ l"later feeding areas or on shore near

sloughs and streams. U~ S. Fish and WilgJjfe Service surveys indicate a

16

1951 hunter-day participation of 900~ Hunter use has been on the decline

for several years due to the lack of access across shorelands.

35o Summer hamese - There are 236 summer homes around Pend Oreille

Lake. They range from the rudimentary one~room cabin to modern homes in

the $20$000 classo The majority occupy accessible and attractive tracts

but many are on sites literally carved from steep~ rocky slopeso A few

are accessible on~ by boate There is ever,y indication that summer home

construction will continue steadily~

36~ Resorts, cafes$ and other vacation facilities,. ~A 1951 survey

of commercial recreation facilities is tabulated and locations are shown

on plate 2" The forty establishments are more than seventy-five percent

dependent upon vacation visitors for supporto ~ ~ .. ;_,. ....

Twenty-five reso~a .have

a total of 297 fishing boats for rent. TWenty-nine resorts and courta

offer 161 cabin or apartment units. Nine have stores with fishing equip=

ment and food supplies for saleo There are 16 cafes to serve recreational

visitorso Twenty=eight commercial boat docks and eight resorts offer space

for trailer housess Several of the resort docks have substantial boat-

houses for rental to owners of cruiserse

37 e In addition to the foregoing.9 the to•ms of Sandpoint, Hope and

Clark Fork have many stores8 garages, hotels, sporting goods vendors and

tourist courts that offer accommodations and service for recreational

visitors ..

38. Seaplane use .. - Use of the lake for seaplane landing has been

negligible. Howeve~~ seaplane travel to recreation areas is becoming

more popular and might increase if suitable facilities were availableo

17

39e Income from recreational activities is a vital factor in the

economy of Bonner County and that part of Kootenai County bordering the

lakeo Annual income chargeable to Pend Oreille Lake fishing alor~' is

estimated by the Fish and Wildlife Service to be $613~000e Income from

all recreational sources~ including those in the Priest Lake area9 is

l8

"---IV - EFFECT OF PROJECT OPERATION ON RECREATIONAL RESOURGJ!S

40o Sightseeing at the dam. - The north abutment of the powerhouse

section of Albeni Falls Dam is only 600 feet from u. s .. Highwa:y;s 2 and

195. The entire spillway section and part of the powerhouse are visible

from the highway. Design of the structure and its forest-mountain set-

ting make it one of the Northwestts scenic attr~ctions. Its convenient

access will make it a popular stopping point for tourists. As the Great

Northern Railway main line crosses th~ reservoir just upstream from the

damj large n~mbers of train travelers will also become acquainted with

the project apd its location.

41. Resources of the reservoir between the dam and Pend Oreille Lake. -

With the project in operation the former Pend Oreille River channel becomes

a part of the controlled reservoir pool3 and a lake in its own right. Its -

winding course through the mo.untains protects it from severe winds and safe

boat moorage is to be found in the many lagoons and stream mouths. Safe·

boat operating depths lie over the former low-water Channel. The U. s. Coast Guard is studying the possibilities of marking the channel with

navigation aidso

42. There is an abundance of sand deposits suitable for swimming

beach development. This will help to fulfill a need for such facilities

as Pend Oreille Lake is deficient in swimming opportunities"

43.. Several tracts along the river section of the reservoir are

adaptable for camping and picnicldng purposes., Some of them may be used

in conjunction with the potential bathLng beacheso

19

44e Opportunities for installation of commercial facilities such as

cabin camps, lodges, trailer courts, supply stores and boat liveries are

ampleo

4Se It is anticipated that a large percentage of private shore tracts

not suitable for agriculture will eventually be platted for summer home useo

Nearness to the city of Spokane (population 160,484, distance 49 miles),

convenient road access and protected boat moorage combine to make summer

home development attractiveo This use will be some1-J"hat restricted along

the north shore because of proximity of the Great Northern Railroad to the

shore=lineo

46e Effect on resources of the lakeo = Regulation of Pend Oreille

Lake at elevation 2062o5 during the summer months of active recreational

use will eliminate the unsightly rough beaches that occurred with the wide

fluctuation in lake levels experienced under natural condLtions.,

47 o Project regulation will add much to the lakei s boating activityo

New boating areas such as the Clark Fork Delta and lower Pack River will

come into use" Hany indentations and lagoons at mouths of streams will

provide added moorage opportunities and refuge from storms" Cruiser owners

vdll find satisfaction with the extended cruises made possible by extension

of boating water downriver to Albeni Falls Damo The Sandpoint Municipal

Marina and several other boat moorages are exposed to wind and waves.,

During the short high=1;-;ater season occurring under natural conditions the

piling windbreaks have been inadequate and boat and boathouse mmers have

suffered damage from waves caused by high windso Lake regulation at

elevation 2o62o5 feet will extend the annual season of increased hazard

20

from about one month to approximately six months. Under low=water condi=

tions damage was lessened because of the wave=tripping effect of shallows

in the vicinity of the docks D

48o In the past, many commercial recreational establishments have

had to move boat moorage and service facilities several times during the

busy season because of water level fluctuation. The stabilized summer

pool will make more convenient and permanent installations possibleo Some

resorts ~~11 have to install additional piling and make other changes to

fit the nm.J condi tion9 but once the adjustments are made, project regula~

tion will be beneficial" In several instances, municipal9 commercial and

summer home ovmers must relocate sm1age disposal installations.

49G Summer regulation of Pend Oreille Lake at elevation 2062o5

inundated the two existing bathing beacheso The larger of these beaches 9

owned by the city of Sandpoint, was developed at a cost of $409 000. The

smaller of the two is the Sai1lovren Beach.9 owned and operated by the U. s.

Forest Service. Both beaches and their facilities were raised in 1953

to conform to the regulated pool elevation of 2062.5. The rectified

facilities of the t-vw existing beaches are shown on plate 7 o

SOc The nev1 summer pool elevation will neither add to nor detract

from the physical conditions affecting camping and picnicking, Sarnowen

Bay is the only improved site on the lake and it is not disturbed by

the project except for the bathing beach difficulties, which have been

rectified. There are fe~• places Hhere campers and picnickers may occupy

shorelands because of the prevalence of rugged topography and private

mmershipsc HovJeVer.l' Jiancls acquired for project purposes ~rrill provide

new opportunities for carnping and picnicking on Pend Oreille Lake o

5L Effect of the project operation on fish and ·wildlife resources o

Under date of August 1947 the U. So Fish and Hildlife Service submitted

a report: 11 A Preliminary Evaluation Report on Fish and 1vildlife Resources

in Relation to the Water Development Plan for the Albeni Project, Idahoc 11

That report indicated that the project 1-1ould be beneficial to fish and

}Uldlifeo Howeverj studies conducted during 1951 and 1952 resulted in

more complete knowledge of the reservoir's effect upon fish and wildlife,

and it is now the judgment of the Fish and Hildlife Service that there

will be some adverse effects not anticipated when the 1947 report was

preparedc

52. Big game c = The Fish and Hildlife Service reports that a con=

siderable amount of white=tailed deer range and black bear habitat will

be inundated by the project3 but that State Sipervision of grazing and

application of other conservation measures on the game management--units

described in Chapter IX will offset the losseso

53. WaterfowL = The Fish and vJildlife Service expects a develop=

ment of plant growth that will provide abundant summer feed for waterfowl

and conditions generally favorable for nestingc The Service predictss­

hmfever9 that the fall reservoir draw=do-vm will drain the areas where

most of the duck food is produced, making it unavailable to the birds

i-Ihich prefer to feed in -vmterj) and that this may be expected to-lower

waterfowl use during late fall migration and winter periods~ Observa=

tion of 1-Iaterfo-vd population and habitat after the flora and fauna of the

area have become adjusted to the nev1 water regimen -vJill be necessary

before the full effect of reservoir regulation upon uaterfovrl can be

establishedo

54 o Upland game" = Limited numbers of ring=necked pheasants, ruffed

I

grouse and blue grouse formerly inhabited lands now inundated by the reser=

voir. The Fish and Hildlife Service believes that the project causes a

loss of the nominal monetary value attributed to upland game birdso

55o Fur an:iJnalso -The principal species of fur animals are muskrats,

beavers, skunks, weasels, minks, and otters o The Fish and lrlildlife Service

predicts that stabilization of Pend Oreille Lake and River water levels at

elevation 2062o5 feet during the summer season, followed by a winter draw=

dNm~ will destroy much fur,animal habitat., Reestablished homes of muskrat

&~d beaver >¥ill be left eA~osed at 10 to 13 feet above the water level

during the -v.rinter and early spring months of reservoir dral\f-downo The

Service anticipates a considerable loss of fur=bearer values"

56 a Fishery o = Kokanee spawn in tributary streams and also in gravel

beds along the lakeshoreo Reservoir regulation may have some effect upon

spawn deposited in shallow lakeshore areas" However, on the basis of data

collected in 1951 and 1952 by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Idaho

Department of Fish and Game and the Corps of Engineers, it is apparent

that much more investigation and research are necessary before any conclu=

sions can be reached regarqing the net effect of regulation upon the

kokanee fishery,

57 o The Fish and Wildlife Service anticipates tha't Albeni Falls

project ~nll materially benefit spiny-rayed fish, particularly perch and

large=mouthed black bass 0 Especially good perch and bass waters should

occur with project operation in the Clark Fork and Pack River delta areas

and particularly in the inundated portion of the Pend Oreille R.i. ver bet~Jeen

Sandpoint and Albeni Falls Damo Hater areas set aside for vrildlife deveJopment,

23

particularly the Morton Slough area, will undoubtedly be fished success=

fully by many sportsmen. Increased recreational facilities in the

project area should result in greater angling for spiny-rayed fish than

has occurred previously at Pend Oreille Lakeo

58. Further study of effects. = The foregoing predictions are

based upon the best information available at this t:i.meo However, the net

effect of the project upon fish and wildlife resources cannot be accurate­

ly established without further study extending over the first four to five

years of regulation. The Idaho Depar·tment uf Fish and Game and the Corps

of E..11gineers are engaged in a continu.ing cooperative study vdth special

emphasis upon the kokanee fishery.

V - 1EFFECT OF THE PROJECT UPON OTHER RESOURCES

S9o Forestry. - In general, the land surrounding Albeni Falls

Reservoir is forested with commercial t~~es of timber, Exceptions are

the low-lying shorelands in natural grass and brush, and benchland that

has been cleared for agricultural purposes. Most of the near slopes

facing toward the water on the south arm of Pend Oreille Lake are too

steep for logging and the forest is in its virgin state. Elsewhere,

mature trees have been harvested but a vigorous secon::l grov-1th has re­

placed them. It is to be expected that lands not suitable for agricul­

tural development uill continue to supply periodic crops of commercial

forest products. Bonner County has a thriving forest products industry

that cut 86,628,000 feet board measure with a Wholesale value of $7,258,412

in 19SO. Most of the ra~'material comes from areas some distance away

from the reservoir but the mills, pole-treating plants and other processing

units are located on or near it.

60. Operation of Albeni Falls Dam will not disturb the forest

products industries. Neither will it affect natural growth of any appreci­

able amount of commercially valuable timbero The stabilized pool will

improve and expand the water area usable for storage and towing of sawlogs.

Under natural conditions the Pend Oreille River channel was deep enough

for movement of tugs and log rafts only during the high-v-1ater season. The

stream 1-Iill nov; be navigable from April until mid-1;-Jinter and expansion of

water transportation of saulogs is anticipated. Largest user of sa>-Ilogs

is the Diamond Hatch Company:. -vJi th a mill located one mile belm·J the dam

and another at Cusick 3 -vJashington, 18 miles on down the Pend Oreille River.

25

Logs for both mills are released from rafts or rail cars above Albeni

Falls Dam and pass downstream by way of a tunnel and flume through the non­

overflow section of the damo Floating shear booms direct the logs away

from the powerhouse and spillway and into the tunnel opening.

6L The territory tributary to Albeni Falls Reservoir has a large

supply of timber sui table for production of paper pulp., Location of a

pulp mill at some point en or near the reservoir is a future possibility.,

In that event the stabilized pool would be advantageous to the industry

for water transportation of logs~

62c Agriculture. - In the general project area agriculture is second

to lumbering from the standpoint of dollar returns from products sold. The

1949 Federal census shows 1,185 farms with a total of 256,871 acres in

Bonner County, Idaho. Value of land and buildings was $11,603,520. Value

of farm products sold in 1949 was $1,850,976. Farms occupy the low-lying

shorelands around Albeni Falls Reservoir. Semi-flat areas subject to inter­

mittent flooding are used mostly for pasture and the cutting of wild hay.

Higher lands, formerly timbered, have been cleared and are utilized for

production of hay, small grain and other diversified crops. Both dairying

and beef production contribute to farm income. Regulation of the reservoir

at elevation 2062.5 feet will, by inundation and fee taking for project

purposes, remove from production 4,436 acres of farm land as shown in

table 3.

26

Table 3 - Fonner use of inundated fann land

Inundated . Above pool . Land use . acres acres .. . .

Wild hay 2,439 76

Tame hay 445 24 . . Grains 46 10 . . . . Potatoes 92 . . Other crops 2 :

:: Pasture 1,187 : 115

. . . . Totals 4,211 225

63 ~ Extensive sprinkler irrigation with lake and river water has

been impractical in the past because of excessive lift from the low

summer level which coincides with the crop gro1oring season. Regulation

of the pool at elevation 2o62o5 feet will place the reservoirss water

within easy pumping distance for the lowerbenchlands. The Soil Con-

servation Service estimates that within 10 years increased farm produc-

tion brought about by sprinkler irrigation of reservoir shorelands will

more than offset losses indicated by table 3.

64~ Other industries. - I1ines near Clark Fork produce about

$60~000 worth of metals per year. Other mining properties in the

vicinity of the reservoir are not yet in production and their future

is uncertain. Operation of Albeni Falls Darn -vri.ll have no adverse effect

upon the mining industry~

27

)

65. The Clark Fork Delta has been the scene of an oil leasir~

promotion in recent years. Development work consists of one CL~ well

to date. Oil prospects are extremely uncertaino A considerable area of

oil-lease land will be inundated by the reservoiro The regulated reser~

voir pool would not preclude drilling as the water over most of the area

will be less than 10 feet deep.

28

)

VI - F.A.CTOP..S INFLUENCING RECREATIONAL DEVELO?hENT

66. Principal types of use. - Day use. - This term describes

recreational visits of one day duration and not involving use of over­

night accommodations. Day visitors depend upon commercial establish­

ments for service and supply and make some use of picnic sites. Their

greatest single need is ready access to the reservoir. Day users will

be in the majority at Albeni Falls Reservoir. It lies within easy

C:.riving distance from Spokane, \:Jashington, and many other Inland Empire

tmms and rural communi ties • Surfaced highuays and modern cars make

a 1-day fishing trip practical for thousands of fishennen "'i'rl. thin a

radius of 75 miles. Picknicking has been light because of the extremely

liiT~ted facilities for that type of use. As new sites are developed on

the reservoir, picnic use will increase. Outdoor recreational agencies

indicate that day use sites nearer the region's population centers are

becoming overcrowded and any new developments within reasonable driving

range 1-vill become popular.

67. Vacation use. - Persons spending several days in an outdoor

area for recreation purposes are properly termed "vacationists •11

Vacation use involves overnight accommodations such as cabin camps,

organization camps, hotels, lodges and camping sites. On Pend Oreille

Lake commercial enterprise has kept pace with the demand for cabin and

apartment facilities. It is expected that existing establishments <·Jill

continue to expand and that there -.;..rill be ne"1 ventures catering to

vacationists, particularly on the Pend Oreille River section of the

reservoire ~vners of existing resorts state that demand has been

29

)

steadily increasing and that they are nmv operating at or near full

capacity. Camping sites are practically non-existent, there being only

seven units at the Forest Service-operated Samowen Recreation Area.

Replies to inquiries made at service stations, stores and other convenient

stopping places in the vicinity of Pend Oreille Lake indicate that vaca­

tionists are-constantly and in increasing numbers asking where they may

find camping sites. Development for camper use is one of the highest

uses to which available reservoir lands can be dedicated.

68. Tourist use. -Tourists are those persons who stop at the dam

site to see the .structure, pause at points along the shores of the reser­

voir to view ~nd enjoy the scenery, or make overnight stops, but who do

not participate in other recreational activities.

69. Region served. - Albeni Falls Reservoir has more than purely

l_ocal or regio_nal significance. It is estimated that 20 percent of its

fishermen and 30 percent of all its recreational visitors come from

beyond the 125-mile radius. The country to the north and east is moun­

tainous and sparsely populated. Canadian recreational visits are con­

fined almost entirely to the tourist type of use. To the south is the

great Coeur d'Alene mining district with its mines and smelter towns.

West·vrard lies the rich Palouse fanning district and the Big Be:rrl wheat

country. The ColVille, Spokane and Pend Oreille River valleys are

diversified farming areas.

70. Population. - Distribution of surrounding population has been

studied on the basis of two zones which cover the areas 75 and 125 miles

distance from the reservoiro Zone limits are shown on plate 1. Of the

30

)

60,200 fishermen who visited Pend Oreille Lake in 1951, 24,080 Here

visitors traveling over 25 miles and up to 75 miles. Such a uide day­

use zone is unusual. The 1950 census reports a population of 303,583

within a 75-mile radius. Of this numbe~ 198,572 are urban dwellers

living in 14 towns of 1,000 or more, and including the city of Spokane.

In the 75 to 125-mile zone the population is 105,269 with 40,792 living

in towns of 1,000 or more. Table 4 shows the towns within Hones of

influence and their road distances from the reservoir.

71. Zone lines stop at the Canadian border as day and vacation

use by citizens of Canada is negligible etnd most of the tourist visitors

come from beyond the outer zone.

72. Volume of past recreational use. - Prior to 1951 the only

record of use on Pend Oreille Lake was that kept by the Kaniksu National

Forest of camping and picnic visitors at the Samowen Recreation Area.

The 1951 fisherman census conducted by the Idaho Fish and Game Department

and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided much basic information

that was helpful in making the over~all estimate of past use. Summer hame

mmers Here contacted to determine the average number of guests accom­

modated by each home. Hotels, resorts, and many other establishments were

contacted to get ad"'ice and information that 1-1ould lead to a reasonably

accurate estimate of use. Table 5 is an over-all estimate of 1951 use.

31

)

Table 4. - Population >vithin zones of influence

Highrrmy distance Locality from lake (miles) Population

75-mile zone - Total population, 303;583. (Towns listed have population of 1,000 or more.)

Chmfelah, Washington --------------------------­Newport, Washington ---------------------------­Cheney, Washington ----------------------------­Deer Park, v-Iashington --------------------------Medical Lake, Washington ----------------------­Hillwood, viashington ---------------------------Spokane, Washington ---------------------------­Tek_oa, \-J'ashington ------------------------------Coeur d 1Alene, Idaho --------------------------­Post Falls, Idaho -----------------------------­Priest River, Idaho ---------------------------­Sandpoint, Idaho ------------------------------­Bonners Ferry, Idaho --------------------------­Ke~logg, Idaho ---------------------------------

75 2

67 35 64 55 49 70 26 32 00 00 33 66

1,691 1,363 2,685 1,163 3,015 1,232

160,484 1,179

12,189 1,062 1,587 4,262 l, 758 4,902

75-mile to 125-mile zone - Total population, 105,269 (Towns listed have population of 1,000 or more.)

Mo::;cow,_ Idaho ---------------------------------- 114 Davenport., Washington -------------------------- 86 Colfax, Washington ----------------------------- 110 Palouse, Washington ---------------------------- 103 Pullman, i"iashington ---------------------------- 127 Colville, Washington --------------------------- 95 Libby, Montana --------------------------------- 93 Sto Maries, Idaho ------------------------------ 79 Mullan, Idaho ---------------------------------- 84 Wallace, Idaho --------------------------------- 77

32

10,548 1,414 3,054 1,036

11,979 2,989 2,401 2,211 2,027 3,133

Attendance figures represent visitor days rather than s eparate individuals &

To avoid duplication.~> fishermen and swimmers who also participated in other

activities appear only in the fishing and swimming enurnera ti ons.

Table )., -Recreational visitors, Albeni Falls Reservoir - 1951

Number visitor days ~ Activity Percentage of Activity Public access:Private access . total : total use 0

~ : 4 # 0 .

Fishing-~~· -:; 6.9000 : 54,200 0 60,200 . 43 0 0

Camping ----------~ 5,200 5oo 5,700 . 4 . Ficr~cking -------~ 4,700 ~ 500 : 5,200 0 4 . Swimming ------ ~ 36,000 4,000 40,000 . 29 0

Summer home use --~ 200 . 2,600 2,800 :: 2 c

Resort guests ~-~ 0 4,5oo . 4,500 :: 3 "' 0

Migratory bird 0 . . . hunters --------: 200 700 900 1

Tourist, dam site-: 9,400 . 9,400 . 6 . . Tourist, other-: 5,500 . 5,500 lltOOO . 8 0 .

Totals --. 67,200 (48%): 72,500 (52%) :: 139,700 0 . . : . 0 0

73 .. Attendance forecasto - Studies made by the National Park Service

indicate that no consistent relationship exists between the size of the

surrounding population and the attenda.l'lce at recreation areas. A :forecast

of future attendance, therefore, must take into consideration several fac~

tors in addition to population.

74o Fishing. = The reservoir's high yield of trout and kokanee is the

greatest single factor contributing to its popularityo Fishermen are will-

ing to drive 75 miles and more for a day 7s fishing at a lake where a

good catch is reasonably certain. Table 6 shows that from a total of

60,200 fishermen in 1951, 25 percent or 16$850 came from within a 25-mile

driving radius o This figure reflects a relatively high percentage of

) 33

repeat visits~ Forty percent or 24!'080 drove more than 2.5 rrd.les but not

over 75 w~les. Eighty percent or 48,150 traveled less than 125 milese

Of this latter figure, the Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that not

more than 15 percent make trips of over 1-=day duration. Significant

evidence of the lakets popularity outside the immediate region is to be

found in the fact that 6o5 percent or 3,920 fishermen traveled more than

500 miles and, of that number, 2, 710 came more than 1,000 mileso In the

absence of knwledge of any deterrent influences, it may be assumed that

the steady increase of participation in the fishing activity will continue,.

Table 6o - Distribution of distances traveled to Pend Oreille Lake by fishermen - 1951

Distance traveled 0 Number of 0

one way (miles) Percent 0 fishermen 0 . . 0 .

0- 25 . 28 16,850 0

26 - 75 40 0 249080 . 76 ~ 125 :: l2 0 7,220 0

126- 225 10 0 6,020 . 226 - 500 3.5 . 2,ll0 0

501- 1,000 2 . 1,210 0

Over- 1,000 4.,5 29710 Total ~--~ 60,200

?5" Proxim.i ty of Spokane, Washington" The proYJUnity of Spokane 9

Washington, within 49 miles, has been and 1vill continue to be a vital at-

tendance factor.. A study of the status of existing summer homes indicates

that about 60 percent are ovmed by residents of Spokaneo Resort operators

report that from 50 percent to as "high as 70 percent of their lodging

patrons are Spokane peopleo Vacation and day~use of lakeshore areas for

picnics and can~ing have been low because of the scarcity of improved and

unimproved siteso Conversion of several project sites on the reservoir to )

picnicking and camping will open the way for a substantial increase in

34

these uses~ Heavy local day-use of convenient and attractive sites has

followed development on other reservoir projects and the same pattern of

participation may be expected here. Limited and crowded facilities nearer

Spokane and the Palouse cities will tend to popularize Albeni Falls Re­

servoir sites.

76., Albeni Falls Dam., - Albeni Falls Dam will attract a large rru.mber

of visitors, some of whom will become participants in activities other than

sightseeing. The Great Northern Railway traverses 25 miles of the reser=

voir's shore and passengers get both upstre~~ and downstream views of the

dam and powerhouse o

77., Migratory bird hunting. - Migratory bird hunting has fallen off

to a total of 900 hunters in 1951 from a former estimated annual use of

2,500o The decline is partially the result of landowners posting private

shore lands ., Agricultural development has proceeded steadily in recent

years and owners are closing former wild lands to public accesso Hunters

find it difficu.lt and in some locations impossible to reach former bird

hunting areas. Reservoir project lands acquired in fee in the key hunting

areas vall alleviate this problem and mig~ato~J bird hunter use •vill in­

crease when it becomes known that ready access is availableo

78. Pend Oreille River areao - Because of the great mileage of rugged~

inaccessible shores and the prior occupancy of usable shorelands by uses

that cannot be disturbed on Pend Oreille Lake, the river arm of the reser=

voir must bear the greater part of the trarden of public access. Here has

been found the major opportunity for utilization of project lands for pic=

nicking, bathing, camping 9 boat launchingy etco It will be responsible for

35

)

an immediate and continuing increase in the number of recreational visitors

to the reservoir area.

79. Although it is impossible to evaluate all of the factors that

will det~rmine the future recreational use of Albeni Falls Reser,oir, the

factors listed above indicate that an ultimate attendance of 200~000

visitordays per season is a conservative estimatee Of this number it is

estimated.:.that 6o percent or 120,000 will eventually utilize public access

sites and facilities as compared to 48 percent or 67,200, as shown for

195l in table 5" This increase will be the result of development and use

of project access sites ..

80.. Areas available for developmento = Project lands o - In order

tP~t disturbance of established facilities and o~nerships might be held ;

to a mini~um, the taking of flowage easements to inundated and freeboard

lands w~s the guiding principle for real estate acquisition on Albeni

Falls Reservoir.. However, in numerous cases where ownerships were re-

duced to uneconomic units or severance costs were excessive, taking in

fee was the logical solution. Tracts so acquired constitute the only

new areas available for general public access and recreational develop=

ment and are shmr.n on plate 3o

81.. In addition to the dam site overlook area there a.re four sites

on the reservoir possessing the physical qualities necessary for develop~

ment of picnic, camping, boating or organization camp facilities;, There

are six sites too limited in size for general development that will

provide ready parking and boat access at convenient locationso Several

minor areas "Will be perma."'lently accessible only by boat because of rugged

topography or impracticability of installing railroad crossingso These

36

)

latter areas will be valuable for emergency landings and will offer

opportunities for rough camping by boat travelers •. A considerable

acreage of project land will be inundated during recreation season

regulation at elevation 2062.5 feet. These were principally wild

meadow and brush areas that were the nat~al habitat of migratory

waterfowl. They constitute a part of the region's most popular duck

and goose hunting area. Reservoir draw-down will normally begin in

September and these shallow areas will be exposed to varying degrees

during the fall and early winter migratory bird hunting season. Ready

hunter access to and across them is adequately provided by project lands.

82. other Federal land. - The U. s. Forest Service, with 29 miles

of shore-line land, is the largest owner on the reservoir. Its land

occupies the steep, rocky shores typical of the lake t s south arm and

the recreational values are largely scenic. Exceptions are small tracts

suitable for public use improvement at Granite Creek, Maiden Rock and

Green Bay, and a few scattered promontory sU1liiller home sites. Granite

Creek is served by a forest road with termini at Clark Fork on U. S~

Highway 10-A and at Athol· on U~ So Highway 95. Maiden Rock and Green

Bay are accessible only by boat. The Forest Service also operates the

Samowen Recreation Area which lies outside the National Forest boundary.

All of the National Fer est land is open to the ,general public. Although

it lies along generally rugged shores 9 there are many spots where boat

travelers may go ashore for camping or for refuge during storms o A

small tract of National Forest land between Hope and Clark Fork will

provide hunter access to a portion of the Clark Fork delta.

37

' )

83. State or municipal lands. -The Idaho Fish and Game Department

has recently purchased the deactivated Farragut Naval Training Base site

at the south end of Pend Oreille Lake. Over four sections of the area

will become a game refuge. The remainder, containing about 800 acres

and lying on the peninsula between Scenic and Idlewild Bays, will be

developed into a public recreation area. Included will be a camping and

picnic site with boat docking and launching facilities. This development

will fill a pressing need for public access to the south end of the lake.

The State also operates a fish hatchery across the lake from Sandpointo

84. The city of Sandpoint holds an easement in perpetuity on the

site occupied by its municipal bathing beach so long as it is used for

public recreation purposeso

85_ .. , The village of Hope owns a small tract on the lakeshore which

it plans to develop as a public access site, including parking space,

dock and boat launching facilitieso

86o Private lands. ~Approximately 90 percent of Pend Oreille

Lake 1 s regulated pool shorelands having the physical qualities necessary

for recreational development are and will remain in private ownership.

Most of the desirable sites are already occupied and intensively developed

for corrrrnercial resort and summer home purposes or are in farm crops. Some

of the agricultural land along the north shore between Oden Bay and Dover

will undergo a gradual transition to summer home and commercial occupancy.

87. On the Pend Oreille River arm of the reservoir there will also

be a transition of some of the farm land to recreational use. Many un­

developed areas that eventually would have become farm land under natural

38

)

conditions will now be developed for recreational purposes. Several

ovmers whose crop acreages have been reduced by the reservoir pool are

expected to supplement their incomes by commercial enterprises such as

boat rentals~ vacation cabins, and supplies service. Establishment of

several summer home tracts is to be expected~

39

)

VII - IMPROVEMENTS DESIRED AND COOPERATION \11TH arHER AGENCIES

88~ Improvements desired by local people. - Recreational features

of the p~oject were discussed at the hearings in June 1943. Subsequent

~iscussio~ with chambers of commerce, municipalities, county commis­

sioners, sportsmen's organizations and public-minded citizens have

d~ve~oped a clear conception of the desires of local people.

89. The most active interest in new developments is to be found on

the Pend Oreille River ann of the reservoir in the communi ties of Priest

Rill:er, Idaho,_ and Newport, \..Jashington. Both have expressed a community

inte~est in assuming sponsorship for development of boat moorage, camping

and picnic facilities on project lando

90o Re~~ocation problems at Sandpoint are discussed under the

~e<?-al wor~ -Section of this plan. The municipal bathing beach, the

~rin~ipal concern of the community, was rectified in 1953.

91. The towns of Hope and Clark Fork are served by the picnic,

cmnping and bathing facilities provided by the U. S. Forest Service at

Sarnmven Bay so far as local use is concerned. Both are planning municipal

boat moorage accommodations on municipally owned land.

92. The desire most often expressed in the vicinity of the reservoir

is for general public access for parldng, boat landing, camping, picnick=

ing, and migratory bird hunting by both local and nonresident recreational

visitors.

93. Control of driftwood and debris on the reservoir is discussed

in paragraph 139.

40

94. The main concern of the Bonner County Board of County Com­

missioners is that adequate provision be made for ready general public

access to the reservoir o They have expressed a 1.rillingness to assj st,

within the legal limitations under vn1ich they function, in providing

road access to project lands designated for general public use.

95 o Improvements desired by organized groups o - At the present

time there is no demand for organization camp sites on Albeni Falls

Reservoir. Many caT!ps are already in operation on other lakes in the

region and the trend is toHard more isolation than is to be found here o

96. Other agencies = cooperation and views. - The advice and co­

operation of other governmental agencies have been solicited. The

National Park Service made a recreational reconnaissance of the Albeni

Falls Reservoir area in 1948. Its recommerdations were: 11L It is

recommended that an intensive recreational study of the area be made and

a detailed master plan be prepared upon authorization of the project by

the Congress, 11 and 112. In order to insure the proper recreational

development~ it is urged that laiDds be acquired for recreational purposes

along the lakeshore as indicated by future studyb It is important that

these lands. be secured if a lock=out of all the lakeshore to the general

public is to be prevented.tt Again in 1951 representatives of the

National Park Service participated in a study of the reservoir's pos=

sibilitieso They reiterated the importance of including in the fee

taking for project purposes a substantial amount of land suitable for

general public recreation use. As the proposed recreational areas are

comparatively small the National Park Service is not interested in taking

) over the responsibility of their developmento

41

)

97o The south arm of Pend Oreille Lake lies within the Kaniksu

National Forest. The Forest Service plans to confine its future

recreational development within the forest boundaries. No project

land was acquired for public access purposes within the Kaniksu

National Foresto The Forest Service will continue to provide ready

public access to the extent that such access is practicable along the

generally steep rugged shores that are typical of the south arm of

Pend Oreille Lake.

98o The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Idaho Fish and

Game Department began a cooperative study of the effect of Albeni Falls

_ Reservoir upon fish and wilflife in 1951. This study is being continued

by the Corps and the Idaho Game Department during the early years of im.­

.p~dlilent in order that conclusions as to damage or benefits may be based

upon.obs~ation of the effect of the new water regimen upon the quality

of fishing and upon the habitat of other wildlife.

- 99. A field survey was made in 1950 by personnel from the U. s.

Public Health Service and the Idaho Department of Public Health in con­

nection with mosquito control problems. Upon their advice the low

Third Avenue area within the city of Sandpoint has been filled to eleva­

tion 2065 feet to eliminate a mosquito breeding pond that otherwise would

be present during reservoir regulation at elevation 2062.5 feet. With

respect to other areas on the reservoir~ it is the judgment of the

health agencies that although the project would probably cause an in-

crease in vector mosquitoes~ the reduced flood stages should result

in a decrease in pest mosquitoeso Mosquito traps are maintained by

42

)

the Idaho Health Department to determine whether malarial or

encephalitis mosquitoes are present in problem n~~bers in the vicinity

of lagoons formed by backwater from the dam. Future consideration

of mosquito control measures ~rill be dependent upon the results of

such studieso

lOOo An archeological survey of the reservoir area was made by

the Smithsonian Institution in 1950~ The institution's report states

that the Pend Oreille valley stands as one of the areas of least

archeological activity in the Northwesto Thirteen sites known to be

permanent or semi-permanent Indian habitations were locatedo Of these,

five were recommended for excavation, the remaining sites being con­

sidered unworthy of any additional investigationo Site excavation was

accomplished by the Smithsonian Institution during the spring of 1952e

43

)

VIII. - LAND USE POLICY

lOlo General. - In order that disturbance of exisiting ownerships and

established uses might be held to a minimum, the taking of flowage easements

to r~~ervoir lands in lieu of fee title ovr.nership was the general rule. How­

ever, some lands ,,vere acquired in fee title for project purposes. The public

need for s~rvices and accommodations of a commercial nature, and for summer

homos, will be served by existing and future developments on private land, ex­

cept for minor concessions on public use sites licensed to other agencies.

The -public· interest can best be served on Albeni Falls Res<;;rvoir by dedication

of all project lands not essential for pri~ary purposes of the project to uses

that contribute the most to free ingress and egress and provide opportunities

for such acti~ties as picnicking, camping, bathing, boating, hunting and fish­

ing,with a mininmnr of expense to the recreational visi-tor. This plan does

not-contemplate iimrrSdiate deVBlopment of a large number of sites. Instead,

where a justifying vohune of use exists and a local agency or organization is

Willing to accept the responsibility of sponsorship and development, an appro­

priate license will be issuede It is recognized that small cormnunities like

Newport and Priest River may not be financially able to install all of the

facilities needed for accommodation of the public at the sites licensed to

them. In that event, when the public need shall have been demonstrated and

when the community shall have contributed its maximum effort, the Corps of

Engineers may be justified in installing such additional minimum facilities as

are determined to be essential.

102. In brief, the policyvdll be to encourage local and state govern­

mental agencies and service organizations to develop and administer project

44

access sites and to give them full opportunity to do so. If that program

fails to keep pace with the public need for facilities essential for the

enjoyment of ready public access to the reservoir, then the District Engi­

neer will consider recommending installation of additional facilities at

Department of the A:rrrry expenseo In the meantime all undeveloped tracts will

be made available for public use in their present state. In order that the

foregoing policy may retain its efficaey, the District Engineer will at ap­

propriate intervals restudy the volUllle of public use and review the adequacy

of recreation facilities. Any construction by the Corps of Engineers or

significant changes in use will be embodied in a revision of the Master Plan,.

103. Use priorities. - The Land Use Map, plate 3, shows the various

project land areas. In the classification of these areas preference was

given to possible uses in the following order:

a. Requirements for safe and efficient operation of the pro­

ject for its primar,r purposes.

b. Needs of adjacent farm land owners for access to the reser­

voir for such essential purposes as watering cattle. (See paragraph 129,

page 58) o

c.. Ready public aqcess to the reservoir at various points far

boating, fishing.9 hunting and general recreation use.

d. Public day=use, such as overlooks, access roads, parking

areas and picnic facilities.

e. Public boat launching and docking facilities.

f. Public campgrounds.

g. Areas for the preservation and benefit of wildlife habitat.

lOho Area classification, = Project lands have been classified as

) followsg

45

)

ao Publirc use restricted by the District Engineer. - These are

land and water areas in the immediate vicinity of the dam and pow·erhouse

that are ;;ital to the safe and efficient ope.ration of the project where

free public access is ina.dvisableo Closer inspection by educational or

other group-s may be arranged by special permission. Good views are pro-

vided from public overlooks both above and below the structure.

bo Concentrated public recreation use. = All areas having the ' '

physical and accessibility qualities for recreational development are

classified u:nder this category.. They range from small tracts where

improvements will be limited to auto parkir~ and boat launching facili-

ties to areas suitable for full=scale development.

c:.. Areas to be used in their natural state. - These are tracts

not accessible by road but which are important emergency boat landing

siteso They prO'Iride opportunities for foot, access to migratory bird

hunting areas and make a valuable contribution to preservation of a

natural environmento In this category are several small islands and

a nmnber of narrow strips of land lying betw-een ra.ilroad rights-of -way

and the watero If at some future time there is greater demand for

C8.!nping fEu:-;J.lities than can be accommoda.t.ed. at mor-e accessible sites

development of these inaccessible are~s will be considered.

do Project land below regulating elevation 2062o5 feet. -

'These are the shallow water areas found along gently sloping shores

that become 6"1'"".pOSed d1.:rring the early st,ages of reservoir draw-down,

and ar"e important wildlife ha.bita.tu They pr-ovide ready access for

migr'ator:r b-lrd hu ... "'lters and opportu,"lit.ies for wildlife managemento

e. Areas to be administered by wildlife agencies.~ Administra­

tion by the Idaho Fish and Game Department of project land and water

areas having particular value for preservation and management of wildlife

resources have been authori~ed by a general plan formulated and approved

by the Department of the Arnrfp the Department of the Interior and the

State of Idahop which is appended in Appendix A. Some of the concentrated

recreation use areas fall within these units. Their development will be

a State responsibilityG Tne timing and extent of installation of facili­

ties will be consistent with public need and the State~s financial re-

sourceso

f. Lands which may be soldo - Lands no longer necessary to

operation of the project such as aggregate borrows lying away from the

reservoir areao

go Lands taken under flowage easemento - The Department of the

Army has acquired only flowage easements on these lands and has no con­

'trol over other land use.

105o General conditions applicable to all uses. - No special regu­

latory measures are necessary to insure free passage of pedest.rian recrea­

tio~al visitors along the shoreso State of Idaho statutes provide:

ausection 36=90lo Public waters b,ighways for fishinge Navigable rivers,

sloughs or streams within the meander lines or not meandered between the

ordinary high water thereof 9 of the State of Idaho3 and all rivers,

sloughs and streams flOV'II-ing through any public lands of the state shall

~ereafter be public hig~rays for the purpose of angling or fishing thereon

and any right or title to such streams or lands between the high water

flow lines or within the meander lines of navigable streams shall be sub-

~ ject to the right of any person ~ning a fish license of this state who

47

desir'es to fish therein or along the banks to go upon the same for such

purposeso" Numerous court decisions have not differentiated between fish=

ing and other non=commercial recreation uses and have maintained that land­

owners may not prevent general public pedestrian passage along the shores

for legitimate recreation activitiese Entrance tc the shoreline strip must

be through publicly owned land as the law does not grant the right to cross

aver adjoining private propertyo

IXo - MASTER PLAN

106o General .. = The land use policy for Albeni Falls Reservoir con­

templates development and administration of project public access areas

by state~ county and municipal governmental agencies and local organizations

to the fullest extent possible. With that objective in mind, no estimates

are being included in this plan for improvements to be financed by the Corps

of Engineers except for the ov~rlook building and parking area for accommo­

dation of Yisitors at the dam. This policy requires continued liaison with

the reservoir colil.munities of Newport9 Priest River, Sandpoint, Hope and

Clark Fork9 commissioners of Bonner County and the Idaho Fish and Game

Departmento There is some indication that a State Parks and Recreation

Agency may be formed in Idaho.. If such an agency is created the J?istrict_ -

Engineer will establish liaison with it with a view to enlisting its

par•ticipation in the development and management of an expanded recreation

area on the shores of the project. It will be necessary to lend technical

assistance to some agencies in the form of detailed advice and plans for

development of sites. Project lands provide an adequate potential for

ready access to the reservoir and sufficient space for free general public

use. Some tract developments are known to be needed soon and others may

be deferred for many years. The program herein outlined will result in

an orderly development with community interest and demonstrated public

need providing the impetus for future improvements. The following para­

graphs descr"ibe the project. ar"eas and discuss their probable future ..

Plates 3'~ 4> :) &nti 6 show locations and topogra.phy and table 7 outlines

the use potential for each tractq

L9

, Table 7.- Use adaptability, project lands X"i H:i.ghest Use x SecondPry Use

: Boat .. . :launch-: :Hunting: :Boat :Game

Acres :Pic-:Camp-:ing and:Swim-:fishing:Tourist:access:manage-: Land : Water:nic :ing :moorage:ming : access: view :9nl~ :ment Name

Albeni Falls Dam Area Albeni Falls Overlook Albeni Cove Right bank strips Strong 1 s Island Priest River Camp Priest River Game

Mgt. Unit Carey Creek Game

Mgt. Unit Riley Creek G arne Mgt .U.: Hoodoo Creek 11 11 11

Morton Slough Game Mgt. Unit

Mallard Bay

.Y -:---p - : - : - :

10 : - : - : - : 27 : - : X : X

10 18 : - : X : X

20 : - : XX : X . . . . . . 30 : 85 : - : . . 15 : 46 : - : - : 39 : 157 : X : XX

30 : 52 : - : :

53 : 349 : - : - :

Mgt. Unit : 6 : 43 : -·: - : Muskrat Lake : 1 : - : - : - : Carr Creek : 4 : - : - : x Hornby Creek : 1 : - : - : x Springy Point : 8 : - : xx : xx Cden Bay Game Mgt. U. : 26 : 324 : - : - : Pack River " " " : 121 :1,253 : - : - :

XX

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Trestle Creek Beach : 2 : - : - : - : x Clark Fork Game Mgt. U.: 204 : 951 : - : - : x Clark Fork Landing : 7 : - : - : - : x

. .

X

X

X

X

XX

. .

:

Totals : 63~ :3.9 262 : : : g :

~ : - . . X : - . . - . . .

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

XX

X

.XX

.XX ~ . .

.XX

XX

XX

.XX

1/Land above regulated pool elevation 2,062.r; ----·-­~}Water area shown for game management units only.

50

XX

X

Remarks

:Scenic :attrac­:tion

Restricted by Tiistr1.ct Engineer : XX

Sponsor, Newport community

Sponsor, village of Priest River:

Idaho Fish and Game Department

It

II

It

" "

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II

II II

II II

II II

II II

" II

" " II II

II II

II

II

II

II

II

II

" II

_.,.

XX

XX

XX

107, .Ubeni Fall.s Dam Area., = The land in the immediate vicinity

of the dam will not be open to public use for reasons of safety and

administrative convenie:Qc::e.. The water areas upstream to the Great

Northern Railway bridge and downstream for about 600 feet are closed to

entry by boato Adequate warni.."'lg and restrictive signs are suspended from

the upst.ream side of the railway bridgeo Studies are being made to deter-

mi.."'le what measures are requit'ed and what type of gear may be practicable

to prevent; di:::abled b;)ats f:r-om floating into the spillway forebay area.

O'n the right bank of -the Pend Oreille belovi the dam a promontory area

provides an e:x.cel1ent view· of the dam a..11d powerhouse from the downstream

sideo Before project construction it was used by the local community as

a site from which to view Albeni Fallso There is local opposition to any

disposal plan that would result in cessation of the viewing privileges

enjoyed in the past& To ac~ommodate a public need for a secondary over-

look he1 .. e,9 and to prt:fvent construction and operation of undesirable

privat.e development in e;lose pro:x:Unity to the powerhouse.9 the site will

be retained in Government o~vnershipo Steep slopes above the view site

are cut by the highway and a railroad spur limiting the possibilities for

road a.Gc,e;ss and pa.rk-1ng facilities o Pl.anning for access and parking :im-

prove,ment wi..U be def'er'red 1mtil after relocation of the higl:Iway now

be<ing designed by t.he Id.aho Depart,ment of Highwaye o The only improvement

propo&~e:i for ":',he :185.1' fu~-ure is iL"1stal1at1or:. of a substantial fence along

t·he :op o: the p:·t;;:l:ir.i t~,oo.c:: sJ..opes above t-he power'house tailwater for

108., Albeni Falls Overlooko = The overlook development, plate 4, is

on the right bank upstream from the powerhouse.. It affords a full new of the spillway :section and of most of the powerhouse.. The building

~ouses a display J_obby.9 toilets and a drinking fountaino The paved

parking area will acconnn.odate about 90 cars with additional space avail-

able for overflow parking and expansion.,

109 o Albeni Coveo = This area on the left bank.ll one-fourth mile

above the dam., is a 27 acre tract suitable for public use development ..

Its principal attraction is the protected har~or with adequate space

for boat mooring and laun.ching facilitieso Opportunity for camping and

picnicldng is limited due to steep topography but there is room for about

eight overnight camp units and a group picnic siteo A fair bathing beach

may be developed by hauling in sando Pure spring water rises on the tract

and may be piped t.o the use areas., Two and one-ha.J..;f' miles of gravel road

connect t,he area with Newport and the jUr.'lction of U., S. Highway 2-19.5 and

State Highway 41., 'rhe Newport,9 Washington9 connn.unity through the American

Leg:l.on has been gr"a.nted a lease to develop this tract ..

110., A series of narrow shoreline strips lie between the railroad

right·=Of=way and the water along the north shore between Priest River and

the dam and are accessible only by boat., They vary in width from 2.5 to. . 200 feet and in a few spots offer oppo!'tunities for emergency boat land-

ir~s or r~agh oampingo Use will not be extensive enough to necessitate

a:ny imprmremem.t12 o

:ln orc:h~~d and hay me.a;iow o This portion will gradually revert to a

natural na.:::.1 ve tres growtha The balan:e supports a stand of second~growth

native timber·o S-i >"ong~s Island is attracti:ve -t;.o pleasure boat visitors

is not likely that t-here will be sufficient use to justify installation of

eamp:J.ng facilities within the next decade.

112~ P.c:iest. River Camp., ~ This 20 acre tract lies at the mouth of

Pr'iest River with direct access to U. S. Highvfay 2=195o Nearly one-half of

the area was former'ly an open pasture that will provide parking and space

for (eonun.un:i.ty recreational activities wit.hout clearingo A drilled well is

the most practical source of water supplyo Electric power is available for

pumping o In addition to the play area there is space for eight overnight

c::unpB 3 a group picnic spot and four family picnic units., A backwater in

the so11thvrest corner may be developed into a prot,ected childrens bathing

beach by opening its north end for free wg,ter circulation and by hauling

in sandu The west=side shore offers adequate opportunity for boat moorage

and launchingo A license authorizing use and development of this tract has

been issued to t.he City of Priest River .. · The timbered area is too dense

for use in its present statee The license provides that trees removed in

connection with thinning operations ~~ be utilized by the licensee in the

development of the tracto

11.3& Priest River Game Ma.llagement Unito - (To be administered by the

Idaho Fish and Game Departmente) Most of the 30=acre land area is less than

two fee~ above the regulated pool and is covered by a growth of marsh grasses

and deciduous trees., The 85-acre wat.er area is la"t"gely shallow and is ex=

pe~t,ed to produce aquat:ic and emergent aquatic plants o The unit is one of

the va.J..uab1e wat,erfcr.r.rl nesting &J.d feeding areas and is also of importance

f·o:::' it,s spiXIY·=r'=:..y fiBhel'Yo Hunting a'l.d fishing access is provided through

t,be Pd .. e;:;t; RiYer Cam.p 3.Tld by way of" a road ,;:;rossing o-.rer the railroad" A

~;wo~"ic:re ·t,ra.ct. ha\iing e::a.T access to Uo So Highway 2=195 is suitable for a

cultivated food crops for waterfowl ..

Til..t. Carey Creek Game Management Unit., .... (To be administered by the

; Idaho Fish and Game Department.) The unit contains IS-acres of low land

that will graduallY become semi-marshes. About two-thirds of the 46-acre

water coyered area is less than two feet deepo It is an :important water=

fowl and spiny-ray fish feeding and propagation unit.. A county road pro-

vi.des ready access for hunters and fishermen., A parking lot and boat

;launching facilities may be installed on a small tract adjacent to the road. -, 5.!

ll5~ Riley Creek Game Management Unit., - {To be administered by the

Idaho Fish and Game Department .. ) This tract has the physical qualities for

a full-scale recreation developmento It is anticipated that increased demand

will require beginning of installation of camping, bathing and boat moorage

and launching facilities in about five years. However, the whole uhit is of

such importance from a wildlife standpoint that its administration and de­

velopment by the fish and game agency is the logical solution.. The 157-acre

shallow water area and the shoreland fringes are the feeding and nesting

habitat for large numbers of migratory b:i,rqs. It is <:l popular bass, crappie .· .. - .. .

and perch fishing spot. In winters of deep snow, white-tailed deer congre-

gate during the mid-winter months. One mile of county road provides access

to U. S. Highway 2..;.19So

116. Hoodoo Creek Game Management Unit. - {To be administered by the

Idaho Fish and Game Department.) This is an excellent waterfowl feed pro­

ducing unit. Much of the 30=acre la:rid area is less than two-feet above the

regulated pool and will support a rank marsh plant grow-tho About five acres

of the higher ground is suited for cultivated production of cereal wildfowl

feed cropso The water area is very shallow and it is expected that emergent

aquatic plants will be abundant in a few years. The unit joins the county

road for a distance of one=fourth mileJ providing ready access for hunters.

117 o Morton Slough Game 1\fld.nagement Unito ~ (To be administered by the

54

Idaho Fish and Game Department.) This is the most popular spiny-ray fishing area

on the reservoir., The sub=impoundments east of the railroad at Morton Slough

are the main crappie and perch waters and bass fishing is excellent west of the

railroad. The entire unit is inhabited by waterfowl and receives extensive use

by duck and goose hunters., Project lands provide ready hunter access from the

county road to the use areas.. While the exact nature and volume of plant growth

that will develop in the shallow 349-acre water-covered area is uncertain9 it is

expected to produce significant quantities of -vmterfmvl feed ..

118. Mallard Bay Game Hanagement Unit., ~ (To be ad..ministered by the Idaho

Fish and Game Department&) This unit is the habitat of a variety of wildlife,

including waterfowl, white-tailed deer and native pheasant, and is an ideal

spiny-ray fish producing area.. Hunters use the area extensively. A county road

joins the unit~s shoreland for a distance of one-fourth mile and a small tract

is available for parking and boat launchingo

119. Muskrat Lake. - A one=acre tract lying below the Spokane International

Railway near Nuskrat Lake, is accessible only by watero It is valuable for boat

landings and waterfovrl hunter use.,

120. Carr Creek., - A small tract on the north bank below the Spokane Inter~

national Raihmy bridge contains four acres" Lying between the Great Northern

Railway and the reservoir it has boat access only but provides for emergency

boat landings and sites for rough camping.

l21. Hornby Creek. ~ The area consists of about one acre of shorelarrl

having boat access only and offering the same use possibilities as does; the Carr

Creek area.

122. Spring~ Pointo - The area of about eight acres above pool elevation

55

is three miles fram U .. S~ Highway lOA~95 and fi~ miles from the town of Sand­

pointe It is reasonably accessible for the people of Sandpoint and ~icinity and

is also convenienGly located for non-resident visitors., It sup1Jorts a mixed

grow-i;h of coniferous and broad-leafed trees and its gentle slopes make it adap~

table for camp-picnic use.. }~ old clearing adjacent to the co~~ty road provides

a ready-made parking lot.. Space available will accomodate about 12 camp and

picnic units.. The narrow sandspit is a good bathing site but has the disadvan­

tage of being isolated and having only foot access along the vm_ter 's edgeo Al~

though the harbor is too shallow for deep-draft cruisers 9 launching facilities

for small boats will eventually be desirable ..

123., Oden Bay Ggme Management Unito - (To be administered by the Idaho

Fish and Game Department .. ) The Oden Bay Unit contains 26 acres of above=pool

land and 324 acres of shallow water area extending westward from Fishermen's

Island a distance of o~er three miles. The west end takes in Oden Bay proper

which has nearly flat, grass.-.c-~ered shores~ It is uncertain to what degree

aquatic plants will become established under lake regulation but about four acres

of lowland may be planted to crops attractive to waterfowl., The easterly part

has steeper tree~co~ered shores., Two islands provide secluded waterfowl nesting

areas., The unit has direct access from the county road at -t'lm points which will

be beneficial to huntersg fishermen and otherso Visitors may park near the road

and launch boats without trespassing upon private land., It is expected that 9

as in the past, hunting from blinds for ducks and geese will be popular.,

124.. Pack River Game Management Unito = (To be administered byi:he Idaho

Fish and Gfu~e Department&) Bf a total of 1,374 acres only 121 acres lie above

regulated pool elevation 2062o5 feeto The islands and flat peninsulas are one

56

to two feet abOV"e pool and are covered vd th marsh-type grasses o Except

in the old river channel the water is less than three feet deep over most

of the area north of the Northern Pacific Railway fillo This shallow con­

dition should be favorable to emergent aquatic plant grcwrlh of value as

waterfowl feede Water depths become greater toward the south end of the

unit~ U. S. Highway lO~A on the east and a county road on the west prQ-o

vide ready and eonvenient access. ~~y people park ~~eir cars along U. S~

F.ighway 10-A and fish from the freeboard strip of land. It is probable

that ~'le shallow waters will become populated v.rith spiny=ray fish., Migra=

tory bird hunting is a popular activity on the unit.

125., Trestle Creek Beach. - This two-acre tract adjacent to the

Trestle Creek resort development has access to U. S. Highway lO=Ao A small

sandy bathing beach is developing that will accommodate local people and

resort patrons. Parking space for 15 cars is available and will be a fac­

tor limiting use of the beach. Slope and lake bottom conditions are such

that small boats may be launched without a rampo Resort mvners may be in­

duced to provide toilet facilities in recogr.ition of the advantages of hav­

ing a nearby batrdng beach available for use by their patronso

l26. Clark Fork Game I\1anagement Unit. ~ (To be administered by the

Idaho Fish and Game Department.,) This unit occupies the broad Clark F.ork

delta. Under r~tural conditions three deep river channels cut through the

area to Pend Oreille Lake., Impoundment at elevation 2062.,5 feet will ere=

a:t.e several islands which 9 vv:i tn mainland areas 9 "Will contain about 197

acres., Sixty percent of the l~~d is less than two feet above pool level.,

Eighty percent of the 945 acres of water is less than three feet in deptho

(River channels are cot included in

57

acreage•) This combination of shallow water and lowland should produce a plant

growth favorable for waterfowl. The higher land strips will continue to support

willows and cottonwood trees that will provide cover for nesting birds. Hunter

access is largely by boat and orginates along the south shore where project~iand

joins a county road. Hunter use is almost exlusively of the day-use variety and

requires onlyparking and boat facilities. White-tailed deer in large numbers

utilize the area for winter range and black bear are occasionally seen. It is

also the natural habitat of ruffed grouse.

127o ~lark Fork Landingo -A narrow strip of land betvveen the county road

and the left bank shore near the town of Clark Fork will provide future parking

and boat access for the Clark Fork Delta area.

128. Seaplane facilities. - Volume of seaplane use on the reservoir may

eventually justi~ special moorage facilities. The only opportunity for public

seaplane moorage at the south end of the lake is in Idlewilde Bay along shores

owned and managed by the Idaho Department of fish and Game. Adequate space is

a~ilable and seaplanes can be accomodated on the north side of the Sendpoint

:Muni.cipal Marina as an adjunct to the boating facilities operated by the ci tyo

A site used occasionally in the past for seaplane landings within the Priest

River Game Management Unit has been designated for future development as a sea­

plane base. The three areas are shown on plates 5 and 7.

129o Stock watering access. - In the Morton Slough Area where the fee

taking line is at elevation 2067.5 feet and adjoining farm owners are dependent

upqn the reservoir for watering livestock it will be necessary to grant access

permits. Tentative locations are shown on plate 3.

130. Boathouse, dock and boat moorage. -Owners o~ adjacent land may be

58

v

i

f,

lc

ga

Fa:

tic

/ ' 'e.,

gr~ted non-commercial boathouse, doCk and boat mooTage privileges in fringe

areas where such use will not interfere with gene al public use of project

lands, and vihere access may be had over established public roads, No specific

sftes have been de~ignated on the land use map as definite interest in such use

along project-ovmed shores has not been expressed, The merits of each applica-

tion will be considered and approval will be dependent upon non-interference with

general publi0 use and suitability of access,

13lo Remedial works, - The following paragraphs discuss remedial works

affecting recreation and health that are u..">J.der consideration or have been ap-

proved or completed~ As the cnsts of these r0media~ works are included as a cost

of obtaining flOlrmge rights they are not included in this plan as recrea_tional

development costso

132. Readjustment of the Sandpoint Municipal Beach to conform with the new

pool elevation was completed in 1953 as shown on plate 7, Re-established facil-

ities include a bathouse, children ~s wading pool, adequate parking areas and a.

gently sloping ss:nd beacho Formerly these accommodations were subject toilood

damage in about half the years of record.. The new elevation of 2067,.5 feet is

rarely reached by spring floodso

133& The bathing area a.t Samowen Bay was readjusted during the spring of

19~3. The new beach provides a. shallow bathjng area for children and a deeper

section for adults~ Appurtenant accommodations including a bathhouse9 eight

caffiping units, a large group picnic unit and parking areas managed by the Uo S

Forest Service were not disturbed by the project. (See plate 7)

134., ThG Third Avenue fill within the city of Sandpoint is di ;:;c:ussed in

Part ':Til o

59

( l35o Functioning of the Sandpoint sewer system treating plant and outfal:

line was hindered by reservoir regulationo A flowage easement settlement has

been negotiated with the city to provide for the required alterationso

136. Lakeview Cemetery. on the outskirts of Sandpoint, lies on a bench

above the lakee Trees planted to prevent sloughing of the steep lakeshore slo

will be killed by inundation under the new regula ted water levelo A remedial

rip-rap to prevent future damage to the cemetery was completed in 1953o

137o A relocation contract has been negoti~ted -with the City of Sandpoin·

to adjust minor effects of the project upon its water system.

138o Reservoir clearingo - Tree and shrub growth below the periphe~J of

reservoir vm.s largely of the deciduous broad-leafed type with cottonwood_. alde

and willow predominant. In the Pack River area there was a considerable amoun

of lodgepole pine and the Pend Oreille River section had some conifers mixed­

with the deciduous treese The best information available indicated that clear

ing to elevation 2063o5 feet~ one foot above the regulated pool, would remove

most of the trees subject to damage by flooding, reduce to a minimum the need

for future clearing and leave the maximum of cover for preservation of the re­

servoir's high scenic resourceo Accordingly, standing trees and windfalls wer

~emoved up to elevation 2093o5 feeto Abandoned piling and fences lying betwee

low water and elevation 2063o5 feet were eliminated in t~e interest of safe na

gationo

139o Drift controlo ~ Prior to regulation of Pend Oreille Lake by Albeni

Falls Dam eaCh annual flood carried drift into the lake causing a natural condi

tion hazardous to boat operationo Upon receding each f'lood deposited its drif

upon the beaches at approximately flood peak elevationo In years when the

60

maximum elevation of Pend Oreille Lake caused from flood flows is bel~v regulate

elevation 2062o5 feet there is an unnatural floating drift condition oh the lake

·which is hazardous to navagation, extending from about the date when floo·d re­

cession begins to approximately the date when withdrawal of storage is initiated

Extensive studies of cause. effect and possibilities for remedying the unsatis­

factory condition were conducted during 1953 and 1954. In 1955 a contract was

awarded for removal from the beaches of drift deposited as a result of reservoir

regulation. Another contractprovided debris diversion booms near the mouths of

the Clark Fork and Pack River to pass future incoming drift into shallow storag

areas for disposal during the ~dnter season of reservoir drawdown.

140.· Fire control. - During the period June through September forested lan

in the Albeni Falls reservoir area become highly inflammableo A positive fire

prevention and control program for project lands is essential. Except for the

dam site area ap~oximately 85 percent (524 acres) of the project acreage above

pool lies vnthin game management units licensed to the Idaho Department of Fish

and Game for administration.. Terms of the license require that adequate fire pr

tection shall be provided by the licensee. The Department of Fish and Game pro­

vides protection through an agreeement with the Idaho Department of Forestry, th

latter having fire control forces stationed at Sandpoint_, Idaho 0

14lo Forty-seven acres of the remaining 15 percent (98 acres) are covered

by leases and licenses to responsible agencies that require lessees and licensee

to pro~ne adequate fire protection. Fifty-one acres are in ten scattered tract

averaging '3lightly over five acres each. The:;;e latter areas are bounded by re~

·servoir shores and road and railroad clearings making the probabilities of occur

renee and spread of fires negligible.

142., Operating personnel at the dam will be trained~ equipped, and organ­

ized to take prompt and effective action on fires occurring on or endangering

61

. , .. ~.

project land. 1heywill be instructed to take prompt independent action and

also to cooperate fully with State fire control forces. All personnel will be

trained to recognize and remove fire hazards around bu"ldings and in the forested

areas at the dam site and elsewhere on the project.

143. Reservoir management personnel will check on crumpliance of licensees

and lessees with standard license and lease provisions requiring due diligence

in the protection against fire of all improvements, timber, or other property of

the United States which may be located upon the premises occupied. This involves

effective fire prevention practices as well aspr~sions for suppression of

fires.

62

. )

X. - JUSTIFICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

144. The only federal expenditure now pronosed is for the dam site over­

look development for which it is not feasible to derive a monetary justification ..

The need is apparent. During 1954 an estimated 19~000 tourists viewed the pro­

ject from the overlook site. Without adequate parking and comfort facilities

administration of the dam site area would become insurmountably difficult. The

benefits that will accrue to the public are considered to be gr'eater than the

annual cost including operation and maintenance.

145. Recreation benefits. Project lands proposed for eventual development

and management by local and State agencies will provide important public recrea~

tion benefits. It-is not practical to~xpress those benfits in monetary terms

and no attempt is made to estimate the economic value of new recreation oppor­

tunities afforded by the project. The major benefits from development and use

will be in the formuf pleasure experienced by recreational visitors to the

area.

146. Indirect benefits. -Most of the public benefits ;vill be in the form

of pleasure experienced by recreational visitors. rhere are many other indirect

benefits which will accrue to the region. The most readily apparent of these in­

clude the following:

ao Increase in value of farm lands near the reservair because of the

new opportunity for' sprinkler irrigation.

b. Increase in value of private and public recreation lands on Pend

Oreille Lake because of stabilization of the sWlli~erwater level.

do Revenue to the administering agency and concessionaires fees and

sale of goods and services •

63

a. Employment increase for development, maintenance and operation

of the area.,

e. Increased re-venue to governmental agencies from fishing licenses_,

gasoline taxes, and taxes due to increased valuation of property.

147. Comparing pre-project use with anticipated increased use, based upon

intBr~st shown by reservoir communities and observed new public utilization of

the area, it is concluded that there is sufficient justification for all facil­

ities proposed,.

64

XI - GE~~L POLICIES AND ADMINISTRATION

148. Policies. - T.he policies with respect tc administration of the pro­

ject lands are intended to make the lands available for general public use to

the fullest extent compatible with the project's primary purposes, power, flood

control, and ne vigation.

149. In setting forth tpe guiding policies for recreational management of

Albeni Falls project recognition has been gi-ven to the unique conditions exist­

ing on the reser-voiro Pend Oreille Lake is already an important recreational

center with numerous commercial and general public facilitieso The amount of

}lroject-controlled -shore-line is relatively mnall when compared with the total

perimeter of the reservoir. Under such circumstances it is not practicable to­

inject into the over-all established pattern of recreational use. control of

such general items as boat licensing and permits for houseboats, boathouses,_ and

floating docks~not used in connection with project land. The UoS• Coast Guard

exercises control over boat operations on the reservoir. The District Engineer

will continue as in the past to issue permits for structures within the naviga­

tional limits of the reservoir and for structures built on project lands. Ap­

propriate rules and regulations will be prescribed to protect the public interes­

on project landse

150. Pending development, all public use tracts vnll be available for rec­

reational use in their unimproved state. Appropriate signs will be posted on

accessible tracts apprising the public of their a-vailabilitys utilization of

sites will be obser-ved to determine use patterns as a guide to future de-velop­

ment ..

65

151. Leases, permits or licenses ~11 be granted Federal, State or local

governmental agencies >rithout monetary consideration, preference bein~ given in

the order named. Leases, permits or licenses to non-profit organizations may be

granted without adTertising for bids at reduced or nominal rentals in recognition

of the public service to be rendered in utiUzing the premises.

152. To encourage local participation in development of project recreation­

al tracts pernits may authorize sponsoring agencies to operate concessions of­

fering boat rental and supply services in order to lighten the financial load of

improvement, maintenance, and administration. However, such operation will be

incidental to the major objective of providing free public access to the reser­

voir and free occupancy of project land for public recreational purposes.

153. In viffiv of the availability of large amounts of private land for com­

merical and exclusive types of development and the present and future need of all

project lands for general public use, applications for private ventures on pro­

ject land will not be approved except in rare cases. Applications for· commercial

use of public lands such as log landings on sites where there is no interference

vdth general public use, may be considered,provided the tenure of use is tem­

porary. Sites not needed for general public use now may be very mu~h in demand

later on due to increased use occasioned by regional population growth and un­

foreseeable factors.-

154. Improve.ments when provided by the Government vnll be li~ited to such

minimum facilities as access roads and trails, ~arking areas~ picnic and camping

areas, tables, benches, fireplaces and shelters, and water supply and sanitary

facilities. Standards of construction will be kept unifornly high both in regan'

to facilities constructed by the Government and those built under permits or

leaseso

66

155. Administration. - The administration of the Corps of Engineers reeD

reational progr~ for Albeni Falls Reservoir will be carried out in accordance

with existing legislative authority and departmental policies and regulations.

The District Engineer's functions will include but not be limited to the follow­

ing:

a. Preparation of all planning reports~ cost estimates and designs,

and construction of improvements undertaken by the Corps of Engineers.

bo Pro~sion of technical assistance and guidance to sponsoring agen­

cies and organizations not having t~chryical personnel.

c. Coordination of all phases of the program 1rith State and local

go-vermnental agencies and local interests and with the interested Federal

agencies.

do Determination of when areas should be made available for leas~~g,

and the conditions which should be incorporated in 1 eases or permits • _.

e-o Supervision of the use of lands for whjch leases and permits are

executed. including approval of all construction on subject lands and inspec­

tion of the premises as frequently as deemed advisable.

67

thE

or

fu.t

sen

of

ati

XII = CONCilJSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

156o Conclusions, = The plan as presented herein has been fo'rmu-

lated with the advice of interested Federal, State and local governmental

agencies and quasi~public organizations. Expressions from Federal agen-

cies indicate ~~at they do not desire to exercise the preferential rights

for the use of areas suitable for recreational purposes accorded them in

Sec,tion ~ of the F:l:::od Control Actj) approved 24 July 1946.. Public Law 732 s

approved 14 August 1.946 9 provides that when any body of water is to be im=

pounded or controlled by an agency of the United States, such agency shall I

consult with tl1e Fish and Wildlife Service and the agency administering

'Wildlife resources of the state concerned with a view to preventing loss

to 1J!I'ildlife resources. Section 3 of the law provides that a general plan

be deve'J .. oped by the three agencies for the use of project lands and waters

for -~"~:ildlife purposes. The general plan is presented in Appendix Ao It

provides . for the granting of authority to the Idaho Fish and Game Depart=

ment to use certain project lands of value for wildlife managemento

257o' The plan of development as presented herein complies with the

requirBments of Section 4 of the Flood Control Act, approved 24 JulY 1946f

witn respect to freedom of access to and use of the waters of the reser~

;;·oi:r: area by the public for recreational purposes"

lS'Bc Recognition has been accorded to the prior existence of re~

.::rsat.ional de-vel•:YfYments o.nd activ-ities on tl:e reservoir, and to the pre=

E-:•;erl·,"·;) ::f t<i'i'Tn.B upG!J its immediate shores whos~'· governments and quasi=public

·:.. ga•:d.za:::.i on2 sho:n.d nave full opportunity to cisvelop and utilize public

68

MAPS

Plate 1

Plate 2

Plat;~ 3

Plate 4

Plate 5

Plate 6

Plate 7

CHARrS

Chart 1

Related Recreational Facilities

E~i~tihg Recreational Facilities

Land Use: Map

Public Use Areas

Game Management, Units

Game Management- Units

Facilities £or Public Use Not the Master Plan

Wind Velocity Duration at Sandpoint~ Idaho

in

. :I:

0:

u 0 _j

UJ > 0 z 3:

DURATION IN HOURS

NOTE: Data recorded from July I, 1952 to June 30, 1953.

ALBENI FALLS RESERVOIR

WIND VELOCITY DURATION AT SANDPOINT IDAHO

Seattle District Seattle Wash. July 1953

CHART I

(

FOREST

LEGEND

* STATE PARKS

A ORGANIZED GROUP CAMPS

t RESORTS AND LODGES

CAMPtNG AND PICNIC I'·REAS IDAHO

YJ. WINTER SPORTS

c::::::::l NATIO~AL PARK BOUNDARY

---®>-- FEDERAL HIGHWAYS

--®- STATE HIGHWAYS

sco•• ir~hlllln

CORPS OF ENGINEERS

LEGEND

PUBLIC RECREATION FACILITIES

6) COMMERCIAL RECREATION FACILITIES

~ SUMMER HOMES

SURFACED HIGHWAYS

SECONDARY ROADS

Q MUNICIPAL /'1.\RPORTS

RESERVOIR BOUNDARY

c:J NATIONAL FOREST BOUNDARY

KE'NMORE LAKESHORE TOUR I sr- PARK fAV WILLIFORD UMM 1 S RESORT K/11-\LOOPS RESORT PENO ORE Ill[ RESORT UR(ISBACH'S TRESTLE CREEK INN GASMAN' S LAKE LURE BUTLER'S CABINS RAINBOW RESORT HJJRSCHELL' S L I GHTHOUSf COOOINGS SMYTHE'S LANO I NG CARLSON'S CABINS RED fiR LODGE EO HALL CUNN ltiGHAM' S WHISKEY ROCK LODGE LAKEVIEW RESORT BQILEAU'S JESS PUCKET BAYVIEW YACH·T INN fORO'S CArE

I~;~~~:~ ~;~~~ 1 1'-SHLEV;S CAr£ i t>IB60NS CABINS ~lf.I'H10N CABINS

~~ j ~~~O:O~~y R~~~RT )} ~ T J\Lt.C.I( LOOG[

! lAT<JN'S )4 I.:1AP.~LOOPS ANCHOfMG£

-35 iMIOAS HEIGHTS RfSORl

)6 i ~:,~f~~~~ ~:~O=~SORT ~ :~~,N~,!~~~R fiAY

: PfND OR[ It L ( lODGE

Ell/SPORT BAY KILROY 6AV EAST SHORE

WHI SK[Y ROCK LAKEVIEW

tBA'!'I[W

CAP( HORN TAlf•CH( lfltWI GARFIELD flAY

! Gl(NGARR\ RAY ' COt.l£ST POINT

14 I -S I X

12

l2 2

14

•

i -!

: X X I 2S

10 1

- I 'i

------- -- ------tell '·-'"----'2'0

9 6 6

6 3

13 10

101

-:x

'" I

-

2e

KANIKSU

I

zl

~~o z1::r: XI,~ <f)-

~

3:,

I :

~ i:J ~ ~

NATIONAL

F 0 R E S T

I FALLS DAM . I

I I I

r . . • __ P~~~~~~~.!..!_ _ __J

SPOKANE COUNTY \

20

21

I I

I l k--- BONNER COUN1 Y r KOOTENAICOUNTv ___ _

NO. j NAME

i.T rSANDPO tNT BEACH

42 SANOJ'OINl MhiHNf•

4 3 SANOPO INT P,\RY.

44 SA!I()WEN RECREATION AREA

4S IOlEWILfl BAV

46 !lOP( OOCKS

c; ESTfd.HISH~I.l t-'.(JIIf IHIIN /'-}l. Of.f'fNOf.NT UPON RECREATIONAl VISilORS

j -- u)CAl icN -fQN mtvt.Tf Lfl><()~, ON SIAl[ L\tl[l:,

joN NIITilJNI\.l fO'lr.:,T 1/1 :.1:,;_;)_

j ror:.L ~-~-- -----

) y'

·-<::

Scale in Mites

L

FOREST

-'I /'.-/ .

\.\ ) _.r· ·-.

(

I I I

~~ ~ 0'

~I

'-

I

VICINITY MAP Scale in Milea

Q 50 tgo 200

I

i I~

~,·~ <l .... oz - 0

l \

::::;:

I

THIS DRAWING HAS BEEN REDUCED

' ' I '

IJ o,

~ ~ ::~· .. z,_ oZ u"'

~ o.• ~i

~ ~ Restricted by the Distract Engineer

~ Concentrated public recreation use [[[I]]] Inaccessible areas to be used in nalurol state

~ Game management units

~ Public use areas administered by other ooencies

§.3 Livestock watering access

~ National forest bo~ndary

Surfaced highways

Secondary roods

§ U S. Highway N9.

@ Stole Highway N~ Railroad

I'~

I I

I _____ L

z <[

"'

/

/

I i

'l

t \ ~-{: .

i: \

SCALE IN MILES

'"'"""" -· 0 - ;...__•

CORPS OF ENGINEER

pEND OREILLE

)

PRIEST RIVER CAMP PROPOSED EARLY DEVELOPMENT

Scale in feet 100 100 zoo 300 400 500

I

~-~--., Log pqssing

chut'

' Public use

RIVER ~-\ ""'\ \ '

OVERLOOK HOUSE FLOOR PLAN ( ~?mpl~d 195;J

PEND OREILLE

LAKE

SPRINGY POINT

100 0 Scale in feet

'92-- 1000

ALBENI FALLS DAM AREA Scale in feet

100 100 200 300 400 500

{Sof~ly pil~s

ALBENI COVE PROPOSED EARLY DEVELOPMENT

Scale in feet 100 0 100 200 300 400 500 ·~~~

LEGEND Project boundary

..------- Regulated pool- El 2062 5 M S L Rood

r-t---+--+--> R a i I w o y ~ Trees --2060_/ Contour ( el in feet above Mean Sea Level )

Railway right of way line

·i

i 1

U S ARMY

TRESTLE CREEK BEACH Scale in feet

100 100 zoo 300 400 500

THIS DRAWING HAS BEEN REDUCED

CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U S ARMY OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

""'w"'" W W C CLARK FORK- PEND OREILLE RIVERS~l-DAHO -----... coo••· A EM£ ALBEN! FAL,LS RESERVOIR

CHICiti.U • .,., W. W C THE MASTER PLAN

1.3?~ .. ,... PUBLIC USE AREAS

PLATE 4

( l.~-water

-~hallow

' """ -------~ FUTURE SEAPLANE MOORAGE

FUTURE HUNTING CAMP

N0./95

PRIEST RIVER GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT

SCALE IN FEET 400 0 400 L~==:l

. HOODOO CREEK GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT

SCALE IN FEET 4poH .J "\"'

R I LJ::'V' ~J=t!;_~ IS_

<i.t\_~1;_ MANAGEMENT UNIT SCA I E IN FEET

'i00 0 500 H ~ __ _}d_-=-:_-:_~ -· J

CAREY CREEK GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT

SCALE IN FEET

~

,---( \ '"' ~'

__;) r ~

"'-, . )

I

/ !'

~ .!' FUTURE PARKING AND J

BOAT MOORAGE ,

~

'*

< • '

AND MQORAGE

I ... "' <> .. ~ ;;j

~

~ ~ ::.

~MORTON SLOUGH GAME M~NAGEMENT UNIT

SCALE IN FEET 400 0 400 qa==

i I i i

1

- . ----

-- -- I .,.,,_j om f

LEGEND Project boundary Regulated pool- El 2062.5 M S L Road Railway Trees Contour (el in feet above Mecin Sea Level) Railway rioht of way line

PLATE 5

CORPS OF ENGINEERS

L_1 ---===:-:__ -cc:-=-::-_:-:__-::--::--:=-cc:-=-:_- -~'-'-'"---A

CLARK FORK GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT

SCALE IN FEET 1000 0 1000

IF sheA I

~---

ROAD

MALLARQ_ BAY GAME MANAGEMEI'(( UNIT

SCALE IN FEET

4~J--~

Q_QEN_ BAY ~AM f. M ~NAGJ:MEJIII JJN!I

SCALE IN FEET 1000 0 1000

l....!::LHJ:U::ui:..::_~ __ ,

2' to 9' water depth.

ofl£/LLE

LAK£

U. S ARMY

PACK RIVER GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT

SCALE IN FEET '10~~

-~065--

LEGEND Project boundary Regula led pool- El 20625 M S L Rood Railway Trees Contour { el in feet above Mean Sea \,.eve!) Railway right of way line

i .I -------------- - -- ----

1-:.~.~- :;. -j =- ~- _:_ ~ ~_:_:. ---~;;;,_:--=-

PLATE (o

CORPS OF ENGINEERS

\

SAMOWEN RECREATION AREA ( U S FOREST SERVICE)

Scale in feet 400 0 400

I E3 Fd :=J

/

FUTURE SEAPLANE BASE

IDAtiQ_i>f:f_ARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME _R_E_CREATION AREA

Scale in feet \000 0 1.000

t.H..lii:J3.a::::z:t=::=:=:

SANDPOINT MUNICIPAL BEACH AND MARINA Scale in feet

200 0 200 I ed E3 I

THIS DRAWING HAS BEEN REDUCED

LEGEND Project boundary

...----- Regulated pool- El 2062 5 M S L Rood

+--+--+-+-1 Roi I way ~Trees

- -Ro&s-~ Contour ( el in feet obove Mean Sea Level )

US ARMY

PLATE 7

J

APPENDIX A

General Plan, Management of Wildlife Resources

.. ·;.,

GENERAL PLAI'J, MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES ( To be inserted here when completed)

- -------~--___.:._~____:___- ·--, .. ·:

APPENDIX B

Advice, Cooperation and Comments o£ Other Agencies

)

Item #1 Item 112

APPENDIX B

TABLE OF CONTENTS

U. So Public Health Service U. S. National Park Service

Page

B-1 B-5

)

District Engineer Seattle District Corps of Engineers Uo S., Army 4735 East W..arginal Way Seattle 4. Washington

Your File NPSVG 721-(Albeni Falls )9

Through: Environmental Health Center Cincinnati , Ohio

Sir:

ITEH #1

February 6g 1951

Receipt is a ckriowledged of your letters of Sept-ember 29, October 20~ and

December 13, 1950, furnishing pertinent data relative to proposed improvements

in the vicinity of Sandpoint, Idaho, in connection with the construction of

Albeni Falls Dam on the Pend Oreille RiYero It is noted that your specific re-

quest is for (1) an appraisal of the mosquito breeding hazard that will be ere-

ated within the ci~ of Sandpoint, and (2) an evaluation of benefits expected

from permanent control (filling) of the problem area.,

Data submitted by your office relating to the mosquito control problam may

be --su:mmarai zed as follows g

1~ Sandpoint~ Idaho, with a popluation of 4,262, is situated near the

outlet of Pend Oreille Lake& Under natural conditions, high water in the lake

at the time of the spring freshets creates a series of slow;hs in a low a rea

within the city (shown in yellow on your map No .. CF-l-2.,5~4~ sheet 2, entitled

Lake Pend Oreille Topography)., The sloughs last for only a few weeks and dis~

appear when the natural lake falls to about elevation 2048 in July or Augusto

2., With uonstruction of the Albeni Falls Dam, the surface elevation

of the lake will be maintained at about elevation 2062.,5 through the summer months.,

Thus the low area (referred to in paragraph 1) in the city would be a ponded

area (about 3.,5 acres in extent) throughout the mosquito breeding season.,

B-1

3 .. Under no..tursl conditions_. Pend Oreille Lake has e:;:ceeded eleva;:-ion

2065 o1~l~r 6 ti1n.es in 35 :resrso It is estimated that 2ftPr the proposed inrprove-

nent is :nade, the elevation of the lake would exceed 2065 only 3 times in 35 yearsi'

and theD only for short ;--,p,rio•Js of orobably less than ?, ·,'reeks., The project :i_s

ezpected to reduce extreme flood s cages in the lake by as much as 1..5 feet.. Ee-

ginning in 1953, further reduction of flood stages vnll be effected by completion

of the Hungry Horse Dam, a Bureau of Reclamation project ..

4o The Corps of Engineers has proposed to fill these sloughs within

the city of S?ndpoint (shown in yellow on your map) to elevation 2065, in order

to eliminate mosquito production during average years.. The fill material would

be obtained from a borrow pit located on u. S. Highway 1Jo,. 2 about 2 miles west-

erly from the fill area ..

Field inspection of the problem area was made on November 1* 1950 by per-

sonnel from the FSA Regional Office IX* Denver, Colorado; the Seattle District 5

' Corps of Engineers; the Idaho Department of Public Health; the Kootenai County

Health Department; and the city of Sandpoint ..

A report from the FSA Rec::ional Office IX shows tha-t; i" ~che low a rea is not

filled~ concli tions would be created favoring production of Culex tarsa_lis-~the

corm:ocn encephalitis mosquito o Human and equine encephalitis :has occured in

Idaho in recent yeBrs, and it is pvssible that an outbreak of this disease

among humans and horses might result if conditions were created causing large

numbers of encephalitis mos~uitoes&

Anopheles- freebornil> the -vrestern malaria mosquito, v;-oulc' probably be pro-

duced in the low area unless the water were too highly polluted.

The report also points out that there are other areas adjacent to the lake

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vf..11ich may produce vector mosquitoes in the pre- and postproject periods.. These

include: (1) an area along Chuck Slough$ east of Sandpoint; (2) an area extend­

ing from the point where Federal Highway Alternate 10 crosses Pack River to the

lake; and (3) an area along the lake between the towns of Ecpe and Clark Fork,

Idahoo

Although the projectwould probably cause an increase in vector mosquitoes,

in Yiew of the reduced flood stages there should be an attendant decrease in

pest mosquitoes, particularlyAedes dorsalis-- a common floodwater species .. Under

preproject conditions this species becames so.abundant in early summer that an

almost intolerable mosquito problem is createdo Reduction of pestiferous mos­

quitoes would be of considerable b3nefit to the city of Sandpoint, and other

communities, but such benefits are largely intangible and difficult to evaluate

from a monetary standpointo

If the low areas in Sandpoint were not permanently eliminated, temporary

control measures would be required to alleviate any moEquLto nuisance. The cost

of larviciding the series of sloughs would be relatively high because the bodies

of water would be scattered and satisfactory supervision of the control opera­

tions would be high for the small amount of work performede It is estimated that

by hand larvicidal methods, the cost would be approxmately $250 per year to con~

trol satisfactorily mosquito breeding in the sloughso

In view of the preceding information, in order to reduce the mosquito po­

tential in the territory in and adjacent to Sandpoint, and to obtain baseline

entomologjcal data in Sandpoint and other sections of Pend Oreille Lake, it is

recommended~

1., 1hat the low areas in Sandpoint (shown in yellow on your :rnap) be

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)

filled to elevation 2065 to eliminate mosquito production.

2., T'.o.at borrov.r pits created in connection with this fill be drained,

if possible. (Borrow pits frequently provide favorable habitats for mosquitoes .. )

If complete drainage is impractical, then all borrow pits should be constructed

with straight sides and steep and uniform side slopes.

3o In order to obtain base-line data with which to evaluate pre and

postimpoundment mosquito breeding conditions mosquito light traps could be used

advantageously around Sandpoint~ Hope, and Clark Fork~ Idaho. This means of

measuring-mosquito populations is recommended as comparative data are considered

desirable •. The Public Health Service Regional office at Denver, Colorado,

-should be contacted for any assistance which might be needed in locating traps

and de~sing procedures for their operation. Some traps may also be made avail-

able by agencies concernedwith this problem.

Official,ef the Idaho Department of Public Health and the Federal Security

Agen~ ~egion lX h~ve renmved this letter and concur-with the conclusions reached

and the recommendations made.

It is hoped that this letter ~~ll give you the data which you desire at

this time.

Sincerely yours 9

/s/ R .. A .. Vonderlehr

E .. Ao Vonderlehr Medical Director in Charge

cc:: Idah-o Department of Public Health cc: FSA Regional Office IX cc: Environmental Health Ser\'ice Center

Attachment

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COMMENTS OF NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (To be furnished at a later date)

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