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:
- Judge rejects lawsuit against rewrite of WA parental rights law
Thurston County Superior Court Judge John Skinder upheld House Bill 1296, a contested 2025 parental rights law expected to face appeal. - Future 42 releases 2026 Clark County Legislative Scorecard
Future 42’s 2026 scorecard grades Clark County’s 17th, 18th, 20th, and 49th District legislators on 12–15 key votes. - Letter: Climate Commitment Act critique rests on fossil-funded denial
Anthony Teso argues CCA repeal would transfer savings to Chevron and BP, not working families. - Letter: Why Petition IP26-645 is a stand for the people, not a political party
IP26-645 needs 400,000 signatures by July 2 to repeal Washington’s new income-based tax. - Opinion: An important reason to keep the I-5 freeway system toll-free
Sharon Nasset argues fuel tax sends 100% to transportation, while tolling sends only 60% of net funds. - Letter: Camas Voters – Keep your strong mayor
Gary Perman argues Camas insiders behind the government shift review helped craft a bond voters rejected by nearly 90%. - Mount St. Helens 46 Years Later: Scenic Stops, History and Recovery Across the Blast Zone
Coldwater Lake didn’t exist before 1980 — the eruption’s mudflows created it, and it’s now open for swimming and boating.
