Several weeks ago a family on the North Shore of Lake Wenatchee contacted me and described some alarming changes to the lake bottom at their home. I visited their property and saw algae plumes and ugly bulbous tubular type growths 6 to 8 inches high growing on the rocks covering the lake bottom. When this family purchased their property, the lake bottom was pristine- they could see a beautiful array of multi-colored rocks. No more can they see any of that- the bottom is completely covered with a beard of algae growth an inch or two long in addition to the other growths described. What is particularly alarming about this is that this has happened in only in 4 years. Other residents of the North and South shore have provided numerous and consistent reports of similar deterioration of the lake bottom at their homes.
For a couple of years we have been talking with several agencies about the apparent deterioration of Lake Wenatchee. There is currently some movement to get the Dept of Ecology, the County Department of Natural Resources and the Chelan County PUD all working together to determine what is happening here. With many lake residents drawing their drinking water from the lake we are also trying to get the Chelan-Douglas Health District involved in this effort. We have recruited about 40 lake resident volunteers to participate in a water quality sampling program under the guidance of the Department of Ecology. The deterioration of the lake is generally believed attributable to one of or a combination of several factors; higher water temperatures, the PUD fish pens at the West end of the lake or older leaching septic/drainfield systems. About one-half of the homes on the lake are connected to the PUD wastewater treatment system. The remainder are on drainfield/septic systems.
To attempt to determine if there is any pattern or correlation between areas of higher algae growth and water current patterns, the location of the fish pens or location of drain fields, we are attempting to create a visible image of any such possible correlation. After several visits to the office of the Chelan County Assessor and several hours working their on-line data base, we have nearly completed a roster of waterfront property owners along the North and South shores. To help us in this effort- we are asking owners of property on the LAKE side only of North Shore Drive and Cedar Brae Road to PLEASE respond to this request for information by replying to me at gwwilson@nwi.net and providing the following information:
1. Name
2. Address on North Shore Drive or Cedar Brae Road
3. Are you connected to the Chelan County PUD wastewater system?
4. If so, are you connected to the same tank as one of your neighbors? If so please provide their name.
5. Because both the North and South shore roads have areas where street addresses are out of sequence, please tell us who your neighbors are to the East and West. If there is a vacant lot next to you please provide the name of it’s owner if you know it. This is to help us create an accurate picture of the lake parcels.
We need your assistance in this effort and ask that you will take just a minute or two to respond to this request. We are trying to find what has to be done to preserve the quality and health of this lake but we need your help to do it.
If you have any thoughts or additional information on this problem we solicit them.
Thank you for your assistance…….
George Wilson
15440 Cedar Brae Road
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