The south end of the lake is experience some weed growth. To keep it under control, the south basin will be treated on Monday, 8/15. Those using the lake for irrigation should refrain from using lake water for 2 days. We will be applying Diaquat to address the weeds. There is no manufactures restriction on swimming, however swimming in the water immediately following the application is not advisable.

Our lake consultant has been observing the lake and the algae conditions. The lake clarity has diminished by 6 feet in about 1.5 weeks and the algae counts are growing. The lake will be treated on Wednesday the 8/3 and/or Thursday 8/4. The water is safe for recreational use, however, landscape irrigation should be suspended for 2 days following treatment. You may notice a slight color change in the water as the algae dies off, followed by clear water within a few days.

Enjoy the great summer weather as we should have great water to go with the weather very soon.

Its that time again for the annual 4th of July parade of decorated boats. Every year the parade has grown, so lets make this the biggest yet! If you want to participate, decorate your boats and putt over to the southwest side of the bridge and gather at 10:AM on the 4th. We will parade from there, in the traditional counterclockwise rotation. If you don’t plan on being in the parade, make sure to watch from your homes and docks. It will take an hour or so to make the rotation so you can plan accordingly to watch for the boats with your family. Have a happy and safe Independence Day!!!

 

Our lake consultant, Doug Dorling has been working with the Department of Ecology as well as the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife to try to get an earlier treatment date for the lake. Currently our permit does not allow us to treat earlier than June 16th. Given the unusually high temperatures we have been experiencing this spring, the algae and weed counts are considerably above normal. Doug was successful in securing permission to treat earlier and the treatment will take place on Friday and Saturday, June 10th & 11th. They will be applying Hydorthol 191 for the algae, then following up after June 16th with the Diaquat treatment of the weeds. We would appreciate it if you would refrain from boat traffic on those days. While it does not affect the distribution of the chemicals, it makes it very difficult for the applicators to work if their boat is rocking too much. Please help us get a successful application by withholding boat usage so that we can all enjoy great lake water through the summer.

A small test area with a product called Green Clean Pro was conducted a few weeks ago at the southerly end of the lake, to treat for filamentous algae. While the immediate result looked a bit messy, within a few days, the algae was gone and the area was clean and clear.

This Sunday, the 15th of May, we will be expanding the testing to the Evergreen Lagoon, which is experiencing the same filamentous algae growth. This area should be clear by the following Tuesday or Wednesday. This treatment is not for weeds, as per our DOE treatment permits, we cannot treat for weeds prior to June 15th. Please do not expect this treatment to remove the weeds, only the algae.

The Lake Steilacoom Improvement Club will be held on October 27th, 2015 at the Council Chambers on the first floor at:

Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street, Lakewood WA 98499

It will start promptly at 6:00 PM. All lakefront homeowners paying the club assessment which is included in their property taxes are invited. Topics of discussion will be:

• Lake condition report for 2015
• Future treatment outlook
• 2015 financial report
• 2016 self assessment
• Board Elections
• Other topics of interest

We look forward to seeing you there.

Every year around this time, we lower the lake levels to allow for maintenance of bulkheads and docks, etc. Additionally, it keeps the water flow to Chambers Creek at the levels needed by the Fisheries hatchery. The lake is now 10″ below the normal “summer” height with all the dam stop-log boards installed. The drought has affected our levels of operation all summer as the lack of rainfall and snow pack, had reduce the inflow of water beyond what normally flows out to Chambers Creek. The boards will start being pulled on October 20th to bring the lake level to our winter level. This is one week later than normal due to the already reduced lake levels. The public launch area will become very shallow and may damage props or trailers entering those areas. Please use caution when removing your water vehicles.

Lake treatment for algae control will be done on Monday, August 3rd, 2015. The lake will be treated as customarily performed in the past using Hydrothol 191. Once the application is completed the lake MAY take on a whitish blue hue. What you would be observing are the dead algae cells sans color. This usually dissipates within a few days and the lake will should then be clear to a depth of 15’+.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS – the Northcutt’s 9th Annual Big Band Open Rehearsal on Lake Steilacooom!!!

Monday night, AUGUST 10th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM

 

Some folks have expressed concern about the low lake levels. Due to the lack of snowfall, rain and unusually hot weather, we ARE experiencing lower than normal summer lake levels. At last check we are 5½” below normal for this time of year. The creeks that feed the lake are not running at normal capacity and the heat has increased the evaporation rates. All of the stop logs at the dam have been installed and the only outfall at this point and time is leakage between the boards which is needed to keep the creek running. The lake levels will not rise until rains increase the volumes from the three primary feed sources. Caution should be used around stump areas as well as launching your boat whether at the public launch or off of your lifts.