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Lake Washington to be gradually raised to spring level
Lake Washington to be gradually raised to spring level
Contact: Patricia Graesser, Army Corps of Engineers, (206) 764-3760
Feb. 1, 2001
SEATTLE-- Lake Washington will begin slowly rising to its spring level of 21.85 feet above sea level beginning Feb. 5, according to the Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Due to the low precipitation and snow pack this year the Corps of Engineers is starting to refill Lake Washington 10 days earlier then normal. The Corps’ staff is concerned that if the snow pack and precipitation remains below normal, flow available to pass juvenile salmon at the Locks could be reduced. Early refill will maximize the water available for fish passage in the spring and early summer when the greatest number of juvenile salmon are leaving Lake Washington for the Sound.
The Corps regulates the level of Lakes Washington and Union through its operation of spillway gates at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard. The Corps holds the lakes at a winter elevation of 20 feet to reduce potential shoreline damage from winter storms. The Corps begins raising the level each spring to benefit fish and for summer recreation.
The lake usually reaches 21.85 feet in early May and remains there until weather permits the lake to be raised to the early summer elevation of 22 feet.
This site is 508 Compliant
Lake Washington to be gradually raised to spring level
Contact: Patricia Graesser, Army Corps of Engineers, (206) 764-3760
Feb. 1, 2001
SEATTLE-- Lake Washington will begin slowly rising to its spring level of 21.85 feet above sea level beginning Feb. 5, according to the Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Due to the low precipitation and snow pack this year the Corps of Engineers is starting to refill Lake Washington 10 days earlier then normal. The Corps’ staff is concerned that if the snow pack and precipitation remains below normal, flow available to pass juvenile salmon at the Locks could be reduced. Early refill will maximize the water available for fish passage in the spring and early summer when the greatest number of juvenile salmon are leaving Lake Washington for the Sound.
The Corps regulates the level of Lakes Washington and Union through its operation of spillway gates at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard. The Corps holds the lakes at a winter elevation of 20 feet to reduce potential shoreline damage from winter storms. The Corps begins raising the level each spring to benefit fish and for summer recreation.
The lake usually reaches 21.85 feet in early May and remains there until weather permits the lake to be raised to the early summer elevation of 22 feet.