Residents learn about lake at MLIRD forum

Kids put on ear protection and life jackets before an airboat ride at Connelly Park Tuesday.

by Herald Staff Writer & Lynne Lynch
| July 21, 2011 6:00 AM

MOSES LAKE - With educational booths, a free barbecue donated by businesses and airboat rides, the Moses Lake Irrigation & Rehabilitation District's community forum offered activities for everyone.

Tuesday's forum attracted about 140 people to Connelly Park for the evening event, said Rich Archer, a district board member.

District staff is busy this summer with the first dredging of sediment from Moses Lake and weed killing efforts.

Archer said the dredging is a quiet process, as it is done underwater. He recently watched the process for four hours.

Residents asked him how long the dredging will take. The project is permitted to end in November. Later the district obtains permits to dredge the west side of the lake crossing, possibly next year.

Jeff Powell, of Moses Lake, said he and his wife, Jennifer, live on the lake and are interested in what is going on.

When they moved to Moses Lake in 1994, the lake was "very sticky." It has improved since the district's manager, Curt Carpenter, was hired, Jeff Powell said.

"We love it here," Powell said. "The lake is getting cleaner everyday. The lake is getting better, better and better."

Jim Tabor, of Moses Lake, said he attended the event because he was interested in the lake and the district's aquatic weed control and dredging.

He is retired from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and has a special interest in the district's activities.

He had a lot of dealings with the lake before he retired three years ago.

Cindy Preston, of the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said she was pleased with the turnout and the cleaner appearance of the lake.

The lake has improved since her visit to Grant County last year, she said.

DNR's noxious weed employee has been working on obtaining grants individually and with the irrigation district to fund more weed killing.

Grant County's Noxious Weed Board and other community groups have also been working on the effort, she explained.

Another DNR project is weed removal from the Winchester Wasteway, Blue Lake, Lake Lenore, Park Lake, Alkali Lake and Soap Lake.

DNR has $14,000 in land funds and about $75,000 in grant funds for weed killing.

"We're definitely trying to get a healthier lake for everyone," she commented.

At a nearby display, Dan Couture, of the Grant County Mosquito Control District, said some residents asked him if the district would continue spraying for mosquitoes, which it will.

Residents also wanted more details about the district's new twin engine aircraft.