Chelan PUD’s new Current app keeps river conditions and lake level at your fingertips

Information released by Chelan County PUD

Get up-to-date lake and river information before you hit the water this season by downloading Chelan PUD’s brand new Current app for your mobile device. The PUD wants to ensure boaters and park users have safe and enjoyable visits to the Columbia River and Lake Chelan.

Find more information about the new app at www.chelanpud.org/app. Additional river and lake information, including updates about water levels, boat launches and safety tips can be found on the PUD’s website under the Parks & Recreation tab.  The new app is part of the PUD’s commitment in its latest strategic plan to embrace technology development that can benefit its customer-owners.

“Rivers are dynamic and our local conditions can change rapidly based on a number of factors, including the amount of water coming from upstream dams, power demand and weather conditions,” said PUD Parks Manager Ryan Baker.

Chelan PUD encourages river users to always check river levels before and during spending time on the river. Just like checking the mountain passes before driving, it’s a safe practice to plan ahead. The PUD’s hydropower projects encompass an area on the Columbia River from below Wells Dam south to Rock Island Dam.

River operations change regularly as hydropower output fluctuates to meet demands of the market. Roughly 80 percent of the PUD’s revenues come from sales into the wholesale market providing revenue that provides the low rates enjoyed by local customer-owners.

Chelan PUD is continually learning and refining how it manages its hydro plants under new operating scenarios including large amounts of wind and solar resources operating in the western United States. Currently, the PUD is moving toward more independent hydropower operations since a coordination agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration and Grant and Douglas County PUDs expired in 2019. The utility remains interested in developing new agreements with the other hydro system operators in this region to manage hydro projects and river operations.

The PUD is investigating and developing other apps that will be able to provide customers information about their energy use. These should be available in future years.

Lake & River Safety Reminders

  • Keep an eye out when you’re on the water! Boaters pulling up on a shore or sandbar should regularly monitor conditions as river levels can change. Check boating conditions every 20-30 minutes. The PUD has multiple tools that are useful to help plan your boating trips.
  • When boating look out for logs and other debris. Remember to stay at least 400 feet away from dams on the river.
  • The PUD will not modify river levels to re-float a stranded boat, unless there’s an immediate threat to human life.
  • For emergencies on the river or Lake Chelan, call 911.