Cascade Water Alliance has awarded a contract for milfoil treatment in Lake Tapps to Aquatechnex, who will provide aquatic management and milfoil eradication and control services. Treatment will begin on identified areas the week of August 30.

Eurasian Water milfoil is a non-native, invasive aquatic plant that spreads rapidly, crowds out native plants and forms dense surface mats in Lake Tapps, noted Jon Shimada, Cascade’s Capital Projects Director.

“If the milfoil is not contained or controlled, it will pose a serious threat to this lake. Lake Tapps is approximately 2,500 acres and the maximum treatment area at this time is approximately 400 acres,” Shimada said.

He added that this is an initial treatment effort. Although results will not be seen for about two months, it will be effective adds Terry McNabb, project manager at Aquatechnex.

“Residents may not see a difference right away. But this first treatment will make a difference as the warm weather begins next year. The infestation will be greatly reduced.”

The State Department of Ecology requires a 10-day notice period per treatment application. McNabb said that notice period will begin this week. In addition, homeowners in affected areas will be notified at their property that treatment will be done.

For specific information about treatment activities, visit www.tappsmilfoil.wordpress.com

Download a PDF of the Fluridone (Sonar^®) Fact Sheet >
Download a PDF of the Lake Tapps Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan >
Download a PDF of the Management Plan Response to Ecology Comments >
Download a PDF of the Business & Residential Notice >
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Lake Tapps WA - Cascade Water Alliance is continuing to assess the condition of the White River Project in its first full year of operating Lake Tapps. To do that, Cascade will be dewatering (clearing all the water out of) the entire flow line from the headworks to the twin pipe inlet structure east of Printz Basin late this summer and into the early fall. Cascade purchased Lake Tapps in December 2009 and dewatering will allow staff to examine the structures and facilities and determine what must be fixed. In addition, Cascade will be modifying its fish screen facility to comply with regulatory criteria while operating lower flows than previously done. This has not been done in about seven years.

To accomplish the outage and still assure the lake will be at full pool throughout the summer, Cascade will, at the same time, be filling the lake to the upper range of the full pool as outlined in the agreement with the Lake Tapps homeowners. The lake will be filled to about 543 feet in early August, ensuring a full lake all summer. This means adding approximately another four inches of water to the lake. The lake level will then slowly lower over the following 10 weeks, staying within the agreed upon full recreational pool level, (i.e. above 541.5 feet).

The project will last for about eight to 10 weeks, beginning August 23 and running into October so Cascade can address issues it finds in its assessment of the flow line.

Cascade Water Alliance is a non-profit corporation, comprised of the cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Tukwila, the Covington Water District and the Sammamish Plateau and Skyway Water and Sewer Districts to provide safe, clean and reliable water to its 370,000 residents and 22,000 businesses.

If you have questions regarding this contact Joe Mickelson at 1.877.299.0930 or write contact@cascadewater.org.

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On May 11, Cascade came back to the community with two eradication scenarios and the early results of the infestation mapping survey. The third public milfoil meeting is set for June 10. On June 10, Tetra Tech will present the final plan and discuss the timeline for implementation. Community members are encouraged to attend and ask questions. “We can’t do this without the partnership of the community,” says Joe Mickelson, Lake Tapps Manager.

In May Cascade was awarded a $30,000 grant from the State Department of Ecology (DOE) to develop a plan for the eradication of milfoil. The grant was one of 12 awarded for projects that control invasive, non-native plants in Washington lakes. Work could begin on initial steps as early as this summer.

Milfoil poses environmental and maintenance challenges for a healthy lake. According to the DOE, milfoil starts its spring growth earlier than native aquatic plants and can shade out these beneficial plants. Because it is widely distributed and difficult to control, DOE says milfoil is considered the most problematic plant in Washington State.

“Our board is committed to making sure Lake Tapps is as healthy as it is beautiful. That is why we approved funding to address this issue and will adopt the best, most promising treatment – which will begin this summer,” adds Chuck Clarke, CEO.

3rd Public Milfoil Meeting
Thursday, June 10
6 to 8 pm
North Tapps Middle School

Questions and comments about milfoil in Lake Tapps can be sent to Jon Shimada, Capital Projects Director, at contact@cascadewater.org, or call Cascade’s toll free number 1.877.299.0930.

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Spring is literally blooming with exciting things for Cascade.

Cascade is beginning its first year of operating Lake Tapps, and it is an honor, a privilege — and often a challenge. You will see throughout this newsletter the important work we are doing with Lake Tapps and the community.

Lake Levels
Lake Tapps today is full, beautiful and waiting for recreation enthusiasts to enjoy! After some initial concerns that Mother Nature was not very plentiful with moisture as we set out to refill the lake, She came through – with some help from our scientists and technicians – to get lake levels up to full recreational levels before the beginning of May. While the lake was drawn down in the winter to allow for dike repair, dock maintenance and milfoil control, the refill was more difficult than in the past.

Cascade’s 2009 agreement with the Lake Tapps Community Council (LTCC) states that Cascade will begin filling the lake in February, which it did, aiming for a full lake by April 15. The refill began in coordination with the LTCC, and following agreements with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and Puyallup Tribe of Indians (to ensure in stream flows for fish) but it stalled due to the lack of rain. Once precipitation began again at the end of March, lake levels rose quickly to the current levels.

Thanks to the community for working with us as we experienced our first spring as the new lake owners. Cascade will keep lake levels between 542 and 543 feet throughout the summer months.

Milfoil Eradication
We are striving to eradicate milfoil, an invasive plant, and at the same time, work with homeowners on best practices for yard care – all to keep this lake beautiful and healthy. We’ve hired an environmental consulting firm, Tetra Tech, to develop a plan for milfoil eradication and held two public meetings to listen to and give the community a look at what we have in mind. What we’ve learned from the consultants is that milfoil eradication on the scale we see in Lake Tapps will take at least five years with on-going monitoring after that. At a third public meeting on June 10th we’ll present the completed plan. Watch for more information to come.

Long Term Planning
Our 2010 Transmission and Supply Plan planning process continues to progress. We have established the amount, or demand, of water Cascade members and others may eventually need, and now we are examining options for supplying that need. This includes working with Seattle and Tacoma Public Utilities for additional future water supplies. If that is achieved, it could in effect put off using Lake Tapps as a municipal water supply source for decades. Cascade board members are reviewing a series of proposed portfolios (combinations of supply sources) and over the next few months will be determining what works best for Cascade and its members. Board members will take into account financial, environmental, risk, supply reliability, operational, and implementation factors when making their decision.

On a parallel track, as you know, we have submitted our environmental work to the State Department of Ecology (DOE) for water rights for Lake Tapps. This effort was out for public comment. In addition, the State DOE has issued its draft Report of Examination (ROE) and is seeking comments.

Cascade Leadership
Cascade Water Alliance held its annual meeting in March and elected new officers. I agreed to serve another term as chair. Redmond Mayor John Marchione will assume the duties of vice chair, and Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton will continue to serve as secretary-treasurer. Other board members include Bellevue Councilmember Grant Degginger, Kirkland Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet, Issaquah Council President John Traeger, Covington Water District Commissioner David Knight, and Skyway Water and Sewer District President Jon Ault. Alternate Board Members include Bellevue Mayor Don Davidson, Kirkland City Councilmember Doreen Marchione, Issaquah City Councilmember Mark Mullett, Redmond City Councilmember Hank Margeson, Tukwila City Councilmember Verna Seal, Joyce Clark from Skyway Water and Sewer District, and Robert Brady from the Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District.

We all look forward to continue serving our almost 400,000 residents, more than 22,000 businesses and working with our new neighbors in and around Lake Tapps, and to a beautiful and safe summer on our new lake!

Lloyd Warren, Chair of the Board

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Bellevue, WA – Cascade Water Alliance was recognized today by the Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC) as a 2010 Cascade Agenda Leadership Award winner, along with the City of Redmond, King County, the Port of Seattle, Puget Sound Energy, and Sound Transit, for purchasing and keeping in public use the former BNSF Rail Corridor.

The award celebrates the role of community leaders in linking great communities, a healthy environment and a strong economy. The CLC recognized the recipients for their effort to secure the BNSF corridor for future public use at its annual breakfast today.

The Port of Seattle announced its acquisition of the BNSF corridor from BNSF Railroad in December. Cascade Water Alliance invested in the project to secure easements for possible future facilities and water infrastructure.

land conservation and stewardship organization in the state. CLC partners with communities to protect and restore parks and trails and help cities make smart choices about growth. Over 1900 guests attended the organization’s 2010 annual awards breakfast.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the CLC. The Cascade Land Conservancy proves over and over that partnerships work. Our partnership with the other organizations to secure the BNSF corridor is a win/win for all of us,” adds Lloyd Warren, Chair of the Cascade Water Alliance Board of Directors and Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District Commissioner.

Cascade Water Alliance is a non‐profit corporation, comprised of the cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Tukwila, the Covington Water District and the Sammamish Plateau and Skyway Water and Sewer Districts to provide safe, clean and reliable water to its 370,000 residents and 22,000 businesses.

Download the Cascade Land Conservancy’s press release announcing awards >
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Cascade Water Alliance Board members and alternates accept CLC award. L-R: Hank Margeson, Redmond City Councilmember; John Treager, Issaquah City Councilmember; John Marchione, Mayor, City of Redmond; Lloyd Warren, Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District Commissioner; Penny Sweet, Deputy Mayor, City of Kirkland; Doreen Marchione, Kirkland City Councilmember. (Photo by Mike Brent)