DID YOU KNOW? LAKE FACTS #1
The History and Importance of Lacamas Lake's Biofilter
Preservation of our environment is not a liberal or conservative challenge—it's common sense.
Ronald Reagan
Like many of you, I left last week’s open house on Lacamas Lake feeling disappointed. Many felt it was strange for the city and its consultants to completely overlook the 800-lb gorilla in the room–the failed biofilter over at Lacamas Shores.
Some of you might not know that their HOA is a defendant in several lawsuits regarding the decades-long negligence of their stormwater facility and potential violations of the Clean Water Act. This is extremely serious stuff, and relevant to everyone in the community who cares about the health of our lakes, but the study presented conveniently sidestepped these issues entirely, omitting tests of the water in and around the problematic biofilter.
So, feeling the need to fill this information gap, I decided to start my own little investigation, digging through public records, scouring websites, reading legal documents, and engaging in conversations with direct stakeholders. Now I’m sharing my findings with you in this two-part series, starting with the history and importance of the Lacamas Lake biofilter.
1. The Jewel of Camas - Lacamas Lake
Envision a serene, expansive lake in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, nestled within our beautiful community of Camas, Washington. Lacamas has long been a natural treasure for locals, a tranquil oasis providing countless recreational opportunities and a haven for wildlife. From quiet morning kayaking sessions to scenic hikes along the waterfront, the lake represents a vital heartbeat of our community, serving as both a scenic backdrop and a source of pride.
2. Our Lake's Silent Guardian - The Biofilter
Now picture something like an environmental superhero. It doesn't wear a cape or leap tall buildings, but it’s a hard-working, ecological filtration system aptly named the Biofilter. This unsung hero's mission? To keep Lacamas Lake clean and healthy by removing harmful contaminants and sediment from water runoff before it reaches the lake. And when functioning properly, it acts like the lake's kidney, filtering out harmful pollutants from surrounding developments and ensuring the water remains safe for wildlife and people of the community.
3. Inception of the Problem - The Failing Biofilter
But our hero has been in distress. Despite clear signs of the Biofilter's decline, the Lacamas Shores HOA and the City of Camas turned a blind eye. And over time, neglect and poor maintenance have led to a failed and broken Biofilter, which is unable to effectively remove all the harmful pollutants from the water. Like a dam with a growing leak, the problem began small, but the downstream consequences have been anything but minor.
4. Wrath of Neglect - Toxic Algae Blooms
With the Biofilter on the fritz, the lake's waters began to change. First sign? An onslaught of toxic algae blooms. Far from ordinary algae, these cyanobacteria invaders produce toxins harmful to both humans and animals. As the Biofilter failed, algal blooms grew increasingly severe. The worst came in 2020, a year when we saw blue-green blooms in the dead of winter. A silent catastrophe beneath the surface, these blooms symbolize a lake crying out for help.
5. Missed Chances - Ignored Opportunities to Act
Despite the Biofilter's decline and the lake's escalating distress, the HOA and the city missed multiple opportunities to step in and stem the tide of decline. As with many stories of environmental negligence, the warning signs were there. But they were ignored, dismissed, or swept under the rug (like we witnessed last week). And the resulting impacts - a suffering lake, a community deprived of its crown jewel, and ongoing legal battles–are now its sad legacy.
To be continued…
In part 2 of this series, I’ll delve into the present situation, the ramifications of the ongoing legal battles, and most importantly, what we all can do to be a part of the solution.
But for now, Lacamas Lake and the Lacamas Shores failed biofilter are more than just cautionary tales–they are a call to action.
Let's be the community that rises to answer that call. Stay tuned for more Lake Facts, lemme know what you think, and remember, together can we be the change we seek.