UPDATE: July 2 3:30
The City of Bonney Lake has chosen not to open the boat launch at Allan York Park. The city will continue to re-evaluate the boat launch and open it once there is an acceptable level of water. Until that announcement, no vessels will be permitted to launch from Allan Yorke Park. As soon as the water level reaches 541 feet (deemed safe for recreational boating), then the City will open the Allan Yorke Park boat launch, but no sooner than July 9th.
Additionally, because the lake is not completely full, stumps and debris that would normally be under water are exposed and are an immediate threat to boats and personal watercraft. Please, if you plan to be on the water in a motorized vessel, take every precaution possible to avoid objects that are not fully submerged. This includes lowering speeds, staying further away from shore than normal, giving other vessels extra room to maneuver and asking passengers riding in your boat to keep a sharp eye out for debris and obstacles.
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Original story
Cascade announced today that as a result of additional water going into the Lake Tapps Reservoir, Lake Tapps is now fully open for all recreation, including motor craft, effective immediately. The bottom of the reservoir not covered by water (the lake bed) remains permanently closed to motorized vehicles.
Those intending to use Lake Tapps should check with the City of Bonney Lake, Pierce County Parks, private parks and homeowner associations about access and what activities are allowed based on water levels in each area of the reservoir. For fishing updates, contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Recreational enthusiasts should be aware that they may encounter stumps, floating debris and submerged hazards in the reservoir. Everyone is urged to be extremely careful. In addition, the water filling the reservoir comes directly from glacial mountain areas and is extremely cold and swimmers should be aware of the threat of hypothermia.
This expanded opening follows the earlier opening of the reservoir waters to non-motorized recreation. Both events were possible because of the release of water held behind Mud Mountain Dam for a critical repair project done by Cascade on behalf of the US Army Corps of Engineers and increased runoff caused by temperatures much higher than normal. Each time the water has been released from behind the dam, water has been diverted into the Lake Tapps Reservoir, and this will continue for at least a week.
“We have been able to capture water we likely would not have been able to put into the reservoir,” said Chuck Clarke, CEO of Cascade. “There is a severe drought with stream flows as low as 50 percent of the lowest historic flows. Diverting this extra water was a one-time opportunity that Cascade was able to take full advantage of to fill the reservoir.”
With the fill, there have been logs and floating debris in the reservoir. Residents should take them to Tapps Island boat launch, Pierce County North Lake Tapps Park and Allan Yorke Park where containers are available for woody debris disposal only.
Those enjoying the warm weather should continue to be aware of the extremely dry conditions on dikes, throughout the reservoir system and around the area. Everyone is urged to use caution.
Law enforcement and marine patrols from Pierce County and the City of Bonney Lake will be on duty this weekend. If any emergencies arise, contact 911 immediately.
