
Water conservation is designed to protect fall salmon spawning
ARIEL — Dry conditions across the Pacific Northwest are impacting PacifiCorp’s reservoirs on the Lewis River. Currently, water inflow to Swift, Yale and Merwin reservoirs is approximately half of normal levels for this time of year.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licenses for PacifiCorp’s reservoirs require the company to maintain minimum flows downstream of Merwin Dam to protect and support federally listed fish species such as Chinook, Coho and Chum salmon, and Steelhead trout. With these requirements and dry conditions, PacifiCorp will distribute available water between the three reservoirs and lower Yale Reservoir the week of July 27.
These conservation efforts will require PacifiCorp to close the Saddle Dam boat ramp located on Yale Reservoir for the remainder of the season, beginning July 27.
The Yale Reservoir Dispersed Shoreline Camping program will be closed for the season beginning July 26 to allow boaters to return to the Saddle Dam boat ramp before it closes. Yale Park will remain open and operational for day use.
We understand the inconvenience that the Yale Reservoir drawdown may cause. Due to the dry conditions the region is currently experiencing, PacifiCorp anticipates additional recreational impacts prior to Labor Day and will notify the public of any other changes to the recreation facilities.
Check the website to know more about notifications regarding boat launch closures and other low water impacts.
Information provided by Pacific Power.
Also read:
- Clark County Council discusses statement regarding ICEClark County Council members debated whether issuing a statement on ICE would ease community concerns or further complicate law enforcement operations in the county.
- Beaver Bay Campground reservations open this week before grand re-opening Memorial Day weekendBeaver Bay Campground on the Lewis River will reopen May 22 following major renovations, with campsite reservations opening Jan. 30 through PacifiCorp.
- Grand Finale of Brush Strokes in Motion this Fri. & Sat. at RedDoor features Mathieson & ClarksonRedDoor Gallery will wrap up its Brush Strokes in Motion series with live art demonstrations by Cheryl Mathieson and Matthew Clarkson during two afternoon events in Camas.
- County manager seeks volunteer for open seat on Arts CommissionClark County is seeking applications from residents of unincorporated areas to fill a two-year, at-large position on the Clark County Arts Commission.
- Leslie Lewallen stays and fights for Washington as director of Future 42 Clark CountyFormer Camas City Councilor Leslie Lewallen is leading the Clark County chapter of Future 42, a new organization focused on policy advocacy, accountability, and engaging persuadable voters at the local and state level.
- Opinion: ‘Seeking might over right destroys representative government’Retired judge Dave Larson argues that prioritizing political power over constitutional principles has undermined representative government and calls for renewed civic responsibility.
- Letter: ‘Immigration’ resolution scheduled for this Wednesday at Clark County Council MeetingRob Anderson urges residents to closely watch an upcoming Clark County Council meeting where an immigration-related resolution and proposed rule changes are expected to be discussed.








