A large habitat restoration effort is set to begin this fall on northern Idaho’s Pack River delta, continuing work to improve fish and wildlife habitat in Lake Pend Oreille. Construction on the third phase of the project will begin late this month or early next month, just east of the area locals refer to as Mud Lake.
This new phase builds on past restoration work completed at both the Pack River and Clark Fork deltas. Crews will construct three new islands above the summer lake level, creating important new habitat for fish and wildlife. The project will also open new opportunities for anglers, trappers, hunters and anyone who enjoys exploring North Idaho’s outdoors.
To complete the work, contractors will haul gravel south along Sunnyside Road from Highway 200 and build a temporary staging area on the delta floor to store materials and equipment. Drivers can expect to see signage marking the haul route, but no road closures are planned on Sunnyside Road.
Much of the natural habitat once found on the Pack River delta was lost after Albeni Falls Dam was built in the 1950s. Raising and holding the lake’s summer water level above its historic mark flooded the delta and killed much of the native plant life that supported fish and wildlife.
The dam is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and power produced there is marketed by the Bonneville Power Administration. As part of its legal obligation, Bonneville funds projects like this one to help restore and replace habitat that was lost.