Banks Lake drawdown topic of meeting

EPHRATA - The public gets a chance to have their questions answered about Banks Lake's drawdown on June 16.

The meeting is from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Ephrata Field Office, at 32 C St. NW, Ephrata. 

The 30 foot drawdown  starts Aug. 1 to complete maintenance  work at Dry Falls Dam and the feeder canal at the North Dam on Banks Lake.

The bureau wants to reach a target elevation of 1,540 feet by the end of October. 

"We've coordinated with several of the businesses and government agencies in the area," stated Stephanie Utter, Ephrata Field Office manager. "But we want to make sure the general public understands the full scope of the work ahead."

Tourists and community members use the lake for boating, fishing and swimming.

Even with the drawdown, the lake can be used for recreation, Utter said.

Vehicle access is limited at Barker Canyon from Aug. 17 to March 1, which offers a boat launch and camping 10 miles north of Grand Coulee. 

People can still walk into the canyon and ride their horses, she said.

"With the shorelines exposed, the ability to safely enjoy this recreation area (by boat) will decrease," Utter commented.

The boat launches at Coulee Playland Resort and possibly area state parks are available instead, she explained.

With some state park boat launches, it is difficult to know how they are affected by sediment until the drawdown is underway, she explained.

Signs are posted at the lake to inform the public about the changes. 

The work is expected to be done in early 2012, which is also when Banks Lake is refilled to its normal depth.

The communities along and near Banks Lake were told about the work in 2008.

Metal detecting is not allowed on federal land under the bureau's jurisdiction. The regulation is enforced.

During the drawdown, Utter asked for the public's cooperation in safeguarding visitors and protecting fragile resources.

For more information, contact Jonathon Brooks, at 509-754-0208, or via email, at jwbrooks@usbr.gov.