SEATTLE -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announce Lake Washington elevation reductions in preparation for the Suquamish Tribal fishing season beginning Sept. 15. The drawdown has begun, and the projected lake level should reach 20.22 feet by Sept. 15.
The Suquamish Tribe commercial net fishers will exercise their reserved Treaty right to fish in and around the waters of Shilshole Bay and Lake Washington Ship Canal. Treaty commercial fishing could begin as early as Sept. 15, and continue through October, with the most active period occurring during the month of September. Fishing nets can be deployed during night-time hours, but most are deployed during day-time hours. Boaters should be alert for nets strung along the surface of the water with small white corks and flanked by larger, often orange to red-colored floating buoys. Boaters are asked to use caution and patience when navigating the area during this time.
The Corps plans to maintain a spill buffer until late October, as to not interrupt Tribal fishing.
Lake residents and users will notice a faster drawdown than typical years to prepare for the repair project, which will occur near the Locks’ spill gates. Corps officials advise floating homeowners, others with floating structures and vessels moored on Lakes Washington and Union and along the Ship Canal, to prepare for a faster rate of lowering water levels.
In recent years, lake levels have fallen during summer through the normal Locks' operation and have even required using water conservation measures to limit the possibility of dropping below 20.00 feet. However, cooler and wetter weather this August reversed the usual trend, and water levels are higher than normal for this time of year.
The goal in drawing down the lake levels is to create a buffer for when the rain returns to our region and allow the district’s Water Management section enough lead time to coordinate with the Tribes to remove their fishing nets before a spill occurs.
Individuals who wish to monitor Lake Washington lake levels can visit the Corps’ Reservoir Control Center website.
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Release no. 24-027