LAKE TAPPS, Wash. — Lake Tapps is known for its fluctuating water levels but it hasn't been as low as it is now in years.
Juan Salido has lived here since 1985.
"The last time that we had this happen, it lasted until like June. It sure didn’t make a lot of people happy,” said Salido.
The man-made lake fills with a combination of water from the White River and rain runoff coming out of the Cascades. But this year’s extreme low level isn't the result of this year's low snowfall.
The lake was deliberately drained while the 100-year-old water diversion system underwent a massive repair project.
“We’ve repaired a bunch of leaks, we’ve repaired dikes,” said Joe Mickelson, operations manager for Cascade Water Alliance, the company that owns the lake.
Mickelson said with the work complete, water will begin flowing into the lake once again around March 20.
Mickelson said the lake should be full by Memorial Day, provided spring rain levels are normal.
“We usually get rain in April, then in May. We’re hopeful that the rain patterns stay the same,” said Mickelson.