Controversy
Controversy surrounds Capitol Lake because it replaced an estuary. Because of a high rate of siltation, the lake was dredged periodically in the past to keep it from filling in, a classic case of eutrophication. Additionally, there is a milfoil infestation and poor water quality (it is closed to swimmers due to unsafe levels of E. coli). Since 2009 There has been evidence of New Zealand mudsnail infestation. There has been no adequate control and consequently the lake is rimmed with fencing and signage to keep the public away. However, it is known that the mudsnail (size of a grain of rice when mature) can "hitchhike" on water birds and thus can spread without human intervention.
The Department of General Administration, other state and local agencies, and the Squaxin Island Tribe participated in a study entitled "The Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan" or "CLAMP" to determine the future of the lake. For 10 Years the CLAMP met, discussing alternative solutions to the issues of the lake. The CLAMP was dissolved due to budget issues, but not before recommending that the best solution to the lake problems is to remove the dam and restore the estuary.
There are two groups in Olympia that are actively involved in public education on the lake. One group is known as CLIPA, "Capital Lake Improvement and Protection Association," while the other group, known as DERT, or "Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team," supports dam removal and restoration of the free flowing waters of the Deschutes.
Read more about this topic: Capitol Lake
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