Natural Resources

Water Quality

Water Quality

Chelan County Natural Resources Department works with the State Department of Ecology on water quality issues throughout the county.  Chapter 7 of the Wenatchee Watershed Management Plan outlines water quality issues and recommendations for the Wenatchee Basin. The State Department of Ecology manages Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) and water quality in the Wenatchee River.

 

Lake Wenatchee Water Quality Monitoring

Lake Wenatchee residents have been concerned about water quality conditions in the lake.  The Department of Ecology provided funding to develop a water quality monitoring strategy for the lake in 2009.  Residents have been volunteering time and boats to assist Chelan County NRD with water quality sampling.  The sampling protocol includes: the identification of submerged aquatic plants and algae, temperature, dissolved oxygen, water chemistry, and stormwater monitoring.  Water sampling is conducted July through September and stormwater monitoring from February through May. See our project fact sheet.

 

Lake Wenatchee Food Web Monitoring

Lake Wenatchee Monitoring

For several years, Chelan County Natural Resources Department has worked with the community and fisheries management agencies to develop a plan to evaluate the food web dynamics in Lake Wenatchee.  Partial funding has been secured to start this monitoring effort.  Last summer, fisheries biologists began data collection in Lake Wenatchee, the Little Wenatchee, and the White River to monitor juvenile spring Chinook salmon.  The results will help scientists understand the distribution, feeding behavior, growth, and risk of predation as these fish migrate through the Lake.  This research also estimates which fish eat juvenile spring Chinook salmon.  The data will provide an initial estimate for predation losses imposed on juvenile salmon by different predators.  Future studies, if funded, will calculate the survival rate of spring Chinook as they migrate through the lake.  Data is being collected by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Geological Survey, and US Forest Service Research Station.  Starting Monday March 19th, scientists will be collecting fish samples from boats starting at dusk and work may continue until dawn depending on catch rates.  Lakeside residents might see buoys on the water which are often blinking at night.  Residents might also hear the generator on the boat that runs the electrofishing equipment and boat lights will be shining into the water to facilitate sampling efforts. There will be a community meeting to discuss the preliminary results of the 2017-2018 data collection once preliminary results are available.   For more information, see the project fact sheet. If you have questions, contact Jennifer Hadersberger at jennifer.hadersberger@co.chelan.wa.us or (509) 667-6682.

Posted: 02/19/2015 10:47 AM
Last Updated: 04/19/2019 01:41 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 26
    Apr 2024
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
  • 24
    Apr 2024
    06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

    Planning Commission - April 24th, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 24
    Apr 2024
    07:00 PM - 08:00 PM

    Assessor's Office Community Meeting: Entiat and North Wenatchee

    Posted by: Chelan County Assessor

    Chelan County Assessor Wes Cornelius invites property owners and all interested parties to attend one of four community meetings scheduled this spring throughout the county.

    Wenatchee Valley Fire Station No. 11
  • 23
    Apr 2024
    09:00 AM - 08:00 PM

    Special Election Day - Manson Parks & Recreation District voters only

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    Election Day

  • 15
    Apr 2024
    08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

    Registration in person at our office

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    Registration Deadline in person at our office.