OVERVIEW
The Pend Oreille River between the Albeni Falls and Box Canyon dams has been impounded for hydroelectric purposes. While great for producing electricity, one unintended consequence is slower and warmer water in the river. In the summer, these higher temperatures can be harmful or even fatal to the native trout that rely on the river to migrate between their spawning areas and the streams where they grow. To help protect these fish, special structures were built at Indian Creek and Duncan Springs, which collect and hold cold water from nearby sources. This helps create a cooler environment, giving trout and other native fish a much-needed break from the warm water as they travel through the river during the hot summer months.