Final Environmental Assessment

BPA has proposed the Corps operate Albeni Falls Dam (AFD) during the winter months to utilize a larger portion of the authorized operating range from what has occurred in recent years. The objective is to increase Federal Columbia River Power System operational flexibility for power production utilizing available storage at AFD. The action would allow BPA to more effectively meet winter power demands in the northwestern United States. The proposal includes storing and discharging water behind AFD for power purposes during the winter months. This would result in fluctuating the surface elevation of Lake Pend Oreille between the annual minimum control elevation (MCE) (usually between 2051 and 2055 feet) and 2056 feet from about mid-December until March 31 every year. The proposal is a change to the way AFD has been operated in the winter time in recent years, in which the surface elevation of Lake Pend Oreille has generally been targeted at 2051 or 2055 feet with a one foot operating range. In years where the annual MCE is set at 2055 feet, this proposal will not be different than current operations. This Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates effects of the proposal and will help BPA and the Corps determine whether or not a supplement to Columbia River Power System Operation Revie