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Department of Ecology News Release - June 11, 2008
08-166
OLYMPIA – The Washington departments of Ecology and Fish & Wildlife are working together to determine what repairs are needed to stop a water seep that has formed on the face of the Conners Lake dam south of Loomis in Okanogan County.
The earthen dam is presently not in danger of collapse, but as a precaution the water level of the reservoir is being lowered about three feet to reduce water pressure on the seep. This will allow inspectors to determine how much erosion has occurred in the dam. The seep was discovered in an inspection of the dam by Ecology’s Dam Safety Office.
Conners Lake is one of three reservoirs in the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area owned and operated by Fish & Wildlife for fishing opportunity and wildlife habitat. Okanogan County Emergency Management has been notified of the seep. The dam holds 300 to 400 acre-feet of water and is upstream of six houses and four cabins occupied by seasonal farm workers. Emergency Management in turn has notified residents downstream of the dam.
During the lake draw-down over the next week to 10 days, a public boat launch won’t be useable due to the lower water level. Fish & Wildlife will inform anglers and other members of the public of the anticipated length of the closure, once the extent of the needed dam repairs is known.
“We realize lowering the level of the reservoir is inconvenient for those who use the lake for recreation but it’s important that we put public safety first,” said Dennis Beich, north-central Washington regional director for Fish & Wildlife.
As the water level is lowered, residents downstream of the dam will notice a moderate increase in the stream flow of Sinlahekin Creek. After the water level of the lake is reduced, Fish & Wildlife will determine what repairs are needed in the dam and spillway.
A Fish & Wildlife property manager will monitor the dam closely while the water level is reduced and will notify Okanogan Emergency Management of any increase in the volume or intensity of the seep.
###Media Contacts:
Dennis Beich, Fish & Wildlife regional director, 509-754-6069
Margaret Ainscough, Fish & Wildlife communications director, 360-902-2408: e-mail:
ainscmea@dfw.wa.gov
Dan Partridge, Department of Ecology, 360-407-7139; e-mail:
dpar461@ecy.wa.gov
Fish and Wildlife’s Web site: http://wdfw.wa.gov/
Ecology’s Dam Safety Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/dams/dss.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
