Tag: lake

Lake Chelan has the highest concentration of DDT in the Nation

Apple growers in the Lake Chelan Valley applied 80,000 kilograms of DDT to their orchards from the 40s to 70s. It is now leaching into the lake from drains, groundwater and streams.

by Richard Uhlhorn

DDT LOADING STUDY:
Clay Patmont, Anchor QEA, LLC, told the Watershed Planning Committee that Lake Chelan still has the highest concentration of DDT in the nation.

DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), developed as the first of the modern synthetic insecticides in the 1940s, was used extensively in Lake Chelan Valley orchards from the 1940s to 70s. An estimated 80,000 kilograms (140,800 ibs.) of DDT was applied to some 12,000 acres over the years. “There was a lot of DDT applied,” said Patmont.

The Toxics Control Demonstration study in 2010 and 2021 found no DDT levels declining. The study sampled lake trout for DDT levels which was used to determine the level of DDT in the lake.

Sources of this contamination comes from ongoing leaching of the material in orchard soils to the lake from orchard drains, groundwater and creek drainages.

Patmont stated that natural recovery would not achieve risk reduction goals for at least 100 years, but directing drainages through wetlands (Dry Lake) could substantially reduce DDT loading by 70 to 95 percent.

With a $1.3 million dollar grant from the Department of Ecology, the plan is to 1. – characterize current DDT loading into the lake in 2025; construct a one to two acre prototype wetland in 2026; monitor the wetland’s effectiveness in 2027 and 2028; and if successful; expand wetland treatments in the entire basin where it was applied.

Quagga/Zebra Mussel concerns:
“It has never been more important for people to stay alert,” said Stephen Lesky. This comment came during a report on Quagga mussels being detected in the Columbia River Basin and the potential of this invasive species being introduced in Lake Chelan.

Multiple occurrences have been noted in the Twin Falls, Idaho area where 375 miles of river dumps into the Columbia River.

Quagga and Zebra mussels are species that can cause millions of dollar’s worth of damage if allowed to attach and grow in water passage ways, irrigation canals, dams and fish hatcheries. The economic impact is estimated at $100 million per year.

The Washington State Fish and Wildlife Service has five primary boat inspection stations for vessels crossing into the state. “We are trying to protect Washington waters,” said Bush.

Currently the state is free of quagga mussels. “When we find an occurrence there will be a rapid response.”

Stephen Lesky, manager of Lake Chelan’s boat inspection program, said, “We are seeing an increase on boats on Lake Chelan.” The Lake Chelan Boat Inspection Program is in its second year on a grant from the National Park Service. “People appreciate what we are doing with the program.”

The economic risk of quagga or zebra mussels entering Washington waters is huge.

“We are excited about what you are doing,” said Bush.

Bush described another major concern with zebra mussels that are showing up in moss balls being sold to pet stores. “There are 22 wholesalers that have received contaminated products in Washington. Ultimately, we know it is an ongoing problem.”

Fish and Wildlife has received $1.8 million in State funding and another $1.83 million in Federal funding to combat the potential influx of invasive species to Washington waterways. The WDFW Response Team has met with 27 retailers and are taking significant steps to stop the importation of zebra mussels in moss balls to pet stores. “We are planning for the worst case scenario.”

Water Quality – Phil Long

Phil Long – Lake Chelan Research Institute

“We had a busy summer,” said Long. “Things look fairly normal.” However there is ongoing concern with the algae growth on rocks and docks in the near shore areas of the Wapato Basin. The Lake Chelan Research Institute is hoping to identify the different species that are present.

Phil Long captured this photo of periphyton growing in the Wapato Basin.

Long stated that the Institute is in the second year of a three year study funded by the PUD. “This is not what you want growing on our shores and docks,” said Long.

Water rights:
Ecology continues to work with RH2 Engineers on water right applications and reported that seven more property owners have received their certificates. “We are moving forward.”

Round Table:

Mike Kaputa – Chelan County Resources Department director.

Fishery Forum… PUD will give an update in December

NPS is conducting temperature monitoring and creel surveys.

Mike Kaputa reported that the committee should have a report on the reintroduction of bull trout December. A draft manuscript has been circulated for peer review amongst the committee members.

The next meeting will be in December.

Fire agencies worried about fire spread towards Manson

by Richard Uhlhorn

At the last update on July 7, the Pioneer Fire has grown to almost 10,000 acres and Level 3 evacuations have been extended to Safety Harbor. UPDATE: 4 p.m., 7.8.24 – The Incident Command Team is taking over Manson’s Singleton Park as its next fire encampment.

Chelan Fire and Rescue Commissioner Russ Jones has been driving the Fire & Rescue boat in support of personnel working the fire. In a telephone conversation, Jones stated that a back burn operation went well until the down lake wind came up at 7 p.m. on Saturday evening. “It was one hell of a night,” stated Jones who was evacuating fire fighters from the Prince Creek and Canoe Creek locations. “You can’t really see the shoreline at night and then there is all the wood,” he added.

The Pioneer Fire downsloped to the lake at Prince Creek. Photo by Stephanie Prehim – Chelan Fire and Rescue.

Jones said he was really happy when the rescue evacuation operation was over at 1 a.m. “I’m really impressed with the firefighters,” Jones said. “They are dealing with heat, dust and smoke, but are really courteous and nice.”

Firefighters watch the Pioneer Fire burn along the shores of Lake Chelan after being evacuated by Chelan Fire & Rescue personnel. Photo by Stephanie Prehim

The lower valley should prepare itself for the next week of extreme heat. Jones said that this coming Wednesday afternoon there will be another down lake wind coming out of the west reaching up to 20 mph gusts.

The high temperatures and relatively low humidity will continue to be a contributing factor to increased fire behavior. Fire fighting crews continue to work on protecting structures, both private and public.

Crews continue to bolster the old 2001 Deer Pt. fire breaks all the way to the lake.

Manson Fire Chief Arnold Baker said the down lake wind the other night really screwed things up and he’s not optimistic about the next week. “As I said at the Manson Community meeting, my job is to plan for the worstcase scenario. I still think that’s where we are headed.”

“If the fire jumps the Coyote Ridge breaks it will jump all the others,” stated Baker. He went on to say the Incident Team is really supporting the efforts to protect Manson. “The are doing real legitimate work. We are integrated into the team efforts,” added Baker. “We are preparing to protect Manson.”

District 5 and District 7 are working together. “Brandon and I just finished a meeting with the team here at District 7.”

Smoke has become a regular occurrence in the Lake Chelan Valley, which could help keep daily temperatures a little lower, but not by much.

It is predicted that excessive temperatures will drive fire behavior and continue to grow the Pioneer Fire until the snow falls in November. The fire is currently burning in the old Rex Creek Fire boundary which has a lot of old deadfall, grasses, bushes and other flammable material. The Rex Creek Fire burned over 60,000 acres back in 2001.

Further south of the Rex Creek Fire boundary there is the remains of the Deer Point Fire which took place in 2002 and actually threatened the northern reaches of Manson.

Work is being undertaken to strengthen and open up the old fire breaks on the Grade Creek Road north and along Coyote Ridge to the lake.

Currently, there are 604 personnel on this fire with only 14% containment. Aerial water drops are also continuing non-stop during the daylight hours.

All Things Lake Chelan will continue to stay on top of this emerging story and keep its followers updated as more information comes in.