Greater Bonney Lake Historical Society, Cascade to dedicate White River/Lake Tapps Project Historic Marker on Saturday, May 19, 11 am at the Powerhouse

“In response to the ever increasing demand for electrical power in the Seattle-Tacoma region during the early 20th century, a plan was proposed by Pacific Coast Power Company to utilize the natural terrain of the plateau to generate hydroelectric power. In 1910 the "White River Power Project" was launched.  It created a large reservoir by flooding four of the existing lakes, Kirtley, Crawford, Church, and Tapps, to create a much larger Lake Tapps. This flooding was accomplished by building approximately 2.5 miles of earthen dikes which raised the water level by 35 feet, thereby joining the lakes together….”

From the plaque on White River/Lake Tapps Historic Marker

Bonney Lake WA (May 16, 2012)-  Last October over 500 local residents turned out for a community celebration of Centennial of the White River Project, including Lake Tapps and the Powerhouse. This Saturday, May 19th, at 11 am, a new historic marker will be unveiled marking this significant community resource.  Everyone is invited to attend the dedication.

This newest marker is the 11th historic marker for the Greater Bonney Lake Historical Society (GBLHS).  The first 10 markers were created in 2009 in collaboration with the City of Bonney Lake.  Funding for this marker was provided by Cascade Water Alliance.

"The goal of the Greater Bonney Lake Historical Society is to promote and preserve the history of the Bonney Lake area. This wouldn't be possible without willing partners like the Cascade Water Alliance, the City of Bonney Lake and Pierce County,"  according to Dennis Dhaese, president.

“What we do here today is for our children’s and our community’s tomorrow,” says Lloyd Warren, past chair Cascade Water Alliance.   He adds that the words on the plaque say it all: ‘What was begun over a century ago at Lake Tapps has a new beginning….Cascade’s ownership means a future with sustainable water for people, for fish, for recreation and for generations to come.’

Community member Robyn Sullivan will also be recognized for her rescue of one of the original Lake Tapps Development Company signs, now on the Powerhouse property.

For more information about the Greater Bonney Lake Historical Society and the Historic Marker project visit the City of Bonney Lake’s website: http://www.ci.bonney-lake.wa.us/section_community/community_resources/historical_society.shtml

For more information about Cascade Water Alliance visit www.cascadewater.org

Lake Tapps Refill is Complete for 2012 Recreation Season

Cascade Water Alliance announced today that the Lake Tapps refill is complete and the lake has reached an approximate elevation of 542.5 to 542.7 feet.  It is expected to remain there for the rest of the recreation season. 

The 2009 agreement between Cascade and the Lake Tapps Community commits Cascade to maintain the lake at a year-round elevation between 541.5 and 543.0 feet, referred to as the Normal Full Pool.  During the summer recreation season from April 15 through Sept. 30 (or through Oct. 31 when possible) Cascade manages Lake Tapps to an elevation of approximately 542.50 to 542.70 feet.

Cascade ownership of Lake Tapps is marked at elevation 543.0 feet. Cascade raises the lake level for a short time each year to that approximate elevation; this year it was at that level on May 4. Filling it to this allowable level gives homeowners an idea of that boundary. 

For up to date information on lake levels visithttp://www.cascadewater.org/lake_tapps_recreational_lake_levels.php

For more information regarding the agreements visithttp://www.cascadewater.org/pdf/community/LkTappsAgreement-2009.pdf

Cascade, Water Providers: 
Water available for next 50 years

Bellevue, WA (May 9, 2010) - Imagine it’s the year 2060.  Growth has exploded.  Industry is thriving.  The region is booming and development is everywhere.  But will there be water to sustain this growth?  What will happen when you turn on the tap in your home?

As a result of wise planning and infrastructure investments by the major water suppliers in the central Puget Sound region, the answer, based on what is known today, is yes.

Cascade Water Alliance and members of the Water Supply Forum, comprised of water suppliers in King and Pierce and Snohomish counties, announced this week that the central Puget Sound region is expected to have sufficient quantities of high quality, great tasting water for the next 50 years.  The region will have plenty of water to protect the environment and fish habitat, and to provide an economic advantage over other areas in the country as growth resumes.

Water suppliers Seattle Public Utilities, Tacoma Water, the City of Everett and Cascade Water Alliance, and other smaller providers, all members of the regional Forum, came together to present the 2012 Regional Water Supply Update during National Drinking Water Week, May 7 - 11. 

The member suppliers analyze potential future needs and supplies, and plan accordingly. A key part of their mandate to manage existing water systems includes making wise infrastructure investments for the future. Together, Forum members reviewed demand, used new ways of looking at supply, and as a result, produced a coordinated outlook for the future. 

“Our demand has changed in this region and our supply is plentiful.  This is a result of several things:  system efficiency, smart infrastructure investments and stewardship of water by utilities, as well as regional collaboration,” said Chuck Clarke, Cascade Water Alliance CEO and chair of the Forum. “And our residents throughout the region have made a difference by using water wisely.”

“We will be able to provide high quality drinking water for at least the next 50 years,” added Ray Hoffman, director of Seattle Public Utilities.

“Providing sufficient water in an environmentally sensitive manner enhances the quality of life and livability across jurisdictional lines and provides economic advantage for future growth and development,” said Linda McCrea, Tacoma Water Superintendent.

Since the mid-1990s, dramatic changes in water use have resulted in decreased average water use per household.  This is the result of increased water use efficiency, savings from conservation, changes in landscaping, more efficient household appliances, enhanced building and plumbing codes and improved irrigation.

“Our update also reflects the significant improvements and enhancements providers are making to their long established water systems to ensure service reliability,” added Jim Miller, Engineering Superintendent of the City of Everett’s water supply system.

Cascade Water Alliance purchased Lake Tapps in Pierce County for long term water and was granted one of the most significant new municipal water rights issued by the state in a decade.  Seattle is able to refill Chester Morse Lake to higher levels providing more water for later in the year.  Tacoma is breaking ground next week on the Green River Filtration Facility, which will enhance the area’s water supply reliability. And, Everett has been replacing its oldest major pipeline segments to increase the reliability of its regional water supply system, and has recently worked with the Snohomish PUD to relicense the Jackson Hydroelectric Project, which includes its water supply reservoir.

“The Forum continues to be a venue for regional discussion about municipal water supply, and it gives water suppliers a way of identifying, analyzing and discussing regional and national trends as well as external threats,” said Clark.

For more information about  Cascade Water Alliance and the complete report visit: www.cascadewater.org

For more information on the Forum visit www.watersupplyforum.org.