PacifiCorp to host Lewis River open house; staff explains spill alerts and relicensing outreach

A city staff member said PacifiCorp (utility) will hold a Lewis River community open house next month as part of the utility's dam relicensing outreach and invited residents to learn about resources and the company's notification system. The presenter described PacifiCorp's public notices and a subscriber network that sends email or mobile alerts when reservoir releases are planned. "They... let you know when they're spilling water over the dam because it could cause, you know, anywhere from a foot to 11 feet to potentially more, rise in the river left," the presenter said. The presenter encouraged residents to attend the open house to ask questions, find resources on PacifiCorp's website and sign up for notifications; the presenter referenced a postcard with event hours of 6–7:30 p.m. but did not provide a precise calendar date during the meeting. The presenter also noted PacifiCorp's tabletop coordination with jurisdictions and said the company has improved predictive modeling since the 1996 flood. Residents were directed to the utility's notice system for advance warning of reservoir operations; staff said they would confirm event details with the neighborhood organizer for distribution.