See Also :

Links:

Tri-State Water Council

Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality

Idaho Department of
Fish and Game, Panhandle
Fishing Report

Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 10

Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club

Rock Creek Alliance

Idaho Legislature

Idaho State Governor
Dirk Kempthorne

Albeni Falls Dam

Sandpoint, city of

Priest River, city of

Priest Lake

The Priest Lake breakwater, a wooden wall structure, was designed to channel the thorofare water into Priest Lake, and is in constant need of repairs. The breakwater, built in 1917, is located at the beginning of the thorofare, a narrow waterway. The thorofare is a 2-1/2 mile channel that meanders through some of the beautiful forests that the area is known for. The entire length is protected from human development as it lies within the boundaries of the Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area.

The US Forest Service manages the thorofare on the west side, Idaho Dept. of Lands manages it on the east side, and the actual waterway is managed by Bonner County.

All watercraft traversing the Thorofare are restricted to "no wake" speed. This speed restriction makes the Thorofare an ideal waterway for canoeists and kayakers. The shallow, crystal clear water affords an unrestricted view of the channel bottom. The large trees that have fallen into the Thorofare over the years seem to come alive and create a a surreal effect as you pass over them. Be on the lookout for bald eagles, ospreys, numerous duck species and even the occasional moose.

There is a committee convened in the Priest Lake area to keep an eye on the breakwater; they repaired it last spring. This group was formed in June of 2005 to study the needed repairs to the current structure, as wel as a feasibility study for a permanent structure. Currently, the breakwater is in stable condition, though it will undoubtedly need more work in the future.

Emergency is declared over troubled breakwater
By Keith Kinnaird
01/25/06
Bonner County Daily Bee

Priest Lake breakwater repairs are considered
By Keith Kinnaird
02/23/06
Bonner County Daily Bee