Press Release
An Economic Impact Study on Lake Pend Oreille Lake Levels Reveals Significant Revenue Loss for Local Community
Monday, February 16, 2026 — A newly released Economic Impact Study by the University of Idaho, focusing on Lake Pend Oreille, indicates significant economic losses in the range of $40 million annually, due to the lack of a full recreational season on Lake Pend Oreille. In 2025, the State of Idaho, led by Idaho Senator Jim Woodward and Representative Mark Sauter, and the Lake Pend Oreille, Pend Oreille, Priest Lake, Priest River Commission (Lakes Commission) sought support from the University of Idaho Business School to conduct an economic impact study on how the short recreation season might be impacting the local economy in Bonner County, ID. The study was funded with support from the University of Idaho President’s Office and the Lakes Commission.
While the Governor of Idaho holds a 1927 water right to Lake Pend Oreille, the lake and river system are controlled by Albeni Falls Dam (AFD) and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, as part of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS). Albeni Falls Dam was built for multiple equal purposes: power generation, flood control, recreation, navigation, and fish and wildlife conservation. The long-standing operations at Albeni Falls Dam limit recreational access due to a deep winter drawdown and a late summer pool.
The Chairman of the Lakes Commission, Ford Elsaesser, will be presenting a summary of the results to the Idaho Senate Resource and Environment Committee, Room WW55 in the State Capital Bldg on Weds, February 18th, 2026, at 1:30 MST. The Lakes Commission is an advisory board to the State of Idaho per statute and are charged with studying, investigating, and selecting ways and means of controlling the water quality and water quantity as they relate to waters of Lake Pend Oreille, Pend Oreille River, Priest Lake and Priest River for the community’s interests and the interests of the State of Idaho.
Ford Elsaesser will be available for questions from media outside the meeting room or if you would like to arrange an interview please contact Molly McCahon with the Lakes Commission by calling (208) 255-8825 or email lakescommission@gmail.com. A copy of the study will be posted to the website lakescommission.org on Wednesday February 18th.
Members of the public unable to attend in person can observe the Senate Resource and Environment Committee meeting by using this streaming link https://www.idahoptv.org/shows/idahoinsession/ww55/
LAKES COMMISSION 