The difference of a foot
Low lake level causes concern when anglers launch boats
Moses Lake is part of the Columbia Basin Project, meaning it is a part of the irrigation system that supplies water to farmlands throughout the Basin. As a result, when the lands no longer need water for the growing season, the water is shut off, the canals are drained and the lake level drops.
The procedure is reversed in the spring when the water is turned on. A gate is closed and the canals are filled. The water is then allowed to flow through the gate, down Crab Creek and into Moses Lake, until the lake is full.
The last couple of years, the water level in Moses Lake was reduced to a level a bit lower than usual for several reasons. A study was conducted on the amount of silt accumulated between the Alder Street Fill, upstream to the railroad bridge.
The Grant County PUD performed maintenance on lines under the lake and the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District tested the theory that exposing more of the bottom of the lake to a hard freeze would help inhibit the weed growth in the shallow areas of the lake.
In 2004, Moses Lake was at its lowest level in March with an elevation of 1042.2 and on April 1 last year, it was at 1042.9. Last December the level was 1042.4.
Compare it to years past, such as a low level of 1043.3 in 1998 and 1043.2 in 2002.
Another way to look at the lake level is to compare the same date over a variety of years, such as 1043.6 on April 1 of 2000, 1046 on the same date in 2001 and 1045.1 in 2003. Ground water levels and spring runoff contributed to a higher lake level during those years.
The lake is on the rise again with an elevation of 1043.6 last Thursday, March 31. It is expected to reach the full stage of 1046.75 on April 15, which is right on schedule with the start up, according to a Bureau of Reclamation spokesman.
Filling the large irrigation canals takes about a week, but the water is allowed to run for one day, which is a flow through of the system, before the gate is shut.
According to the Bureau spokesman, it takes a week to fill the canals, then they begin to feed Potholes Reservoir, but they need to fill Moses Lake first. Potholes is expected to be full by the first part of June.
When the lake is low, anglers are faced with minimal boat launching facilities, depending upon the size of the boat.
Cascade Marina personnel reported being able to launch boats up to 18 feet long at the Moses Lake Community Park, formerly the Moses Lake State Park. However, they didn't take the boats all over the lake, due to the low water level.
During the past couple of weeks, anglers have been launching at Cascade Park, but again, caution is essential when navigating the waters of Moses Lake when the water is low. At either launch, smaller boats, such as a 12-foot car topper, or 14-foot aluminum on a trailer shouldn't be a problem.
The MLIRD takes hits from both sides when the water level is either lower than normal or rises faster than expected. When ground water flows and runoff cause an early rise, lakeside homeowners complain because they haven't been able to complete scheduled bulkhead and dock maintenance.
Anglers grumble when boat launches aren't usable for the larger size boats. Getting anglers to their fishing spots is not just a matter of having fun on the water, but an economic impact to the local community as well.
Although Moses Lake can vary by a level of two feet or more from year to year during early spring, the variation is quite normal, according to the Bureau and the MLIRD.
Homeowners wanting to perform maintenance on docks need to be aware the water may rise earlier than expected due to runoff, which is an act of Mother Nature, not the MLIRD. Anglers wanting to fish their favorite March and April spots should plan accordingly with smaller boats or by fishing from shore.