On Sept. 6, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department lifted the toxic algae caution advisory for Lake Tapps.  Advisory signs will come down at Allan Yorke Park and Lake Tapps North Park.

Health Department staff checked 16 locations around Lake Tapps Sept. 6 and for the second consecutive week did not find any visible algae. In addition, there have been no new reports of illness associated with swimming at Lake Tapps.

Lake drawdown

Cascade Water Alliance and the Lake Tapps Community Council announced this week the drawdown schedule for the Lake Tapps Reservoir for this fall and the plan for fill in spring 2017.

Beginning Sept. 6, no additional water will be added to the Lake Tapps Reservoir and it will be allowed to float down throughout the fall. It is anticipated that lake levels will drop by approximately one foot by Thanksgiving. Homeowners should watch lake levels to determine when to take their boats out of the lake.

Cascade is finalizing work on the energy dissipating valve at the powerhouse and anticipates completing that work in December. In January, when Cascade tests the new valve, it will draw down the reservoir approximately six to eight feet. This would be the time for residents to consider any improvements to their property or new projects. Residents must obtain all appropriate permits as well as a Cascade license prior to beginning any construction.

Active fill will begin about mid-February to early March with full recreational Lake Levels of elevation 541.5 to 542.5 feet being reached in early/mid-April. Cascade will bring the Lake Level up to elevation 543 feet, which is the maximum permissible level for Lake Tapps, for a short time during the spring.

For more information about Cascade and Lake Tapps visit www.cascadewater.org and for information regarding licenses for project work visit http://cascadewater.org/lake_tapps_licenses_and_permits.php