The White River Lake Tapps improvement projects are underway and, to do all the necessary work, Cascade will drop lake levels up to one foot a day beginning Monday, Sept. 15.

Some communities around the lake are already noticing lower lake levels due to the fact that Cascade has added no new water to the lake since July. Over the next few days homeowners will notice more changes and should take note of their local conditions in determining what actions they need to take related to their homes, docks and water craft. All boats and other water craft should be out of the water before Sept. 15.

In July, Cascade filled the lake to its highest allowable level (elevation 543 feet) and closed the project headgates. No water has been added to the lake since then (other than rainfall) and Cascade has minimized water released through the tailrace to keep the lake as full as possible throughout the summer. Recreational lake levels (approximately elevation 541.5 feet) were maintained through Labor Day weekend.

This week, residents should note their own unique conditions in their locations and make the determination when to remove their boats from the lake. While the major drawdown will not begin until Monday, Sept. 15, some areas may become too shallow for some uses more quickly than others and homeowners should gauge accordingly.

Lake levels and drawdowns depend on which projects Cascade is working on at a respective time, and will be determined on what each project requires.

Cascade is repairing Dike 3, replacing a section of the timber flume, refurbishing the headgates and assessing facilities that drain water from the lake back to the White River. Cascade has already removed more than 100,000 cubic yards of sediment from the flow line and completed work on the twin pipeline and cleaned the fish screens. For a current look at the projects that are underway and/or have been completed, as well as the latest information and current lake levels, visit www.cascadewater.org.