Updated 2:30 p.m.: Power goes out in Coulee Dam

The power outage in Coulee Dam will likely last until 5 or 6 p.m. tonight, one source told The Star.

Lynne Brougher, with the Bureau of Reclamation, said USBR personnel are helping Coulee Dam crew and their contractor restore the service after a Coulee Dam's contractor, Christiansen Electric, cut a main power line during excavation.

It's not clear whether the relatively new, buried line had been properly marked.

Businesses in Coulee Dam remain closed, although service to Coulee Dam Credit Union's branches and ATMs and to their internet provider service was restored with a backup generator, according Pres. Colleen Manley.

Harvest Foods remains closed and has stored its frozen goods in a refrigerated semi van. They hope to be able to open this evening.

Electric service went down in the town of Coulee Dam just after 7 a.m. this morning and will likely not be restored until late afternoon.

Lake Roosevelt High School is out for the day, and some businesses in town are closed.

A sign on the door at town hall predicted an “estimated recovery late afternoon.”

We have one unconfirmed report that a contractor dug through an unmarked powerline, causing the outage.

If you know more, feel free to leave a comment below or at The Star’s Facebook page or email star@grandcoulee.com.

We’ll update as we get new information.