The Devils Lake Water Improvement District has been developing a watershed based restoration plan for Devils Lake. Although the Devils Lake Plan is still in the draft phase, it is the guiding document for the projects to come. Prospective projects include Whole Lake Circulation, Native Revegetation, Lake Modeling, and Septic Tank Revitalization Program. In developing the plan, the District spent 2006 and much of 2007 assessing Vegetation Management Strategies and Cyanobacteria Control Strategies. Click on the links to view comparison charts used in the prioritization leading to the Devils Lake Plan.
Septic Tank Revitalization Program (Initiated Fall 2009)
The Devils Lake watershed has been densely developed in the last 100 years. There are currently over 400 homes within 250 feet of the shoreline. Due to the nature of the development and the landscape the vast majority of these homes utilize onsite waste management systems or septic systems. While under working order, septic tanks are a reasonable tool for treating domestic wastewater that is not however true with failed systems, with systems that are placed in places lacking the right soil conditions, or that are set below the water table. In addition, aging and poorly maintained septic tanks and drain fields can be a major contributor of nutrients in the watershed. While other sources of nutrients exist, this is one item humans (lake residents, property owners and District residents) can have a direct impact on. Identification and revitalization of septic systems thus was established as the number one priority in the Devils Lake Plan in August of 2008.
Key to identifying failing septic systems is conducting inspections. While certain properties going through real estate transactions maybe required to ensure that an adequate septic system exists, many septic tanks have for decades gone without inspection. Voluntary inspections while potentially a preferred method of identify and restoring systems often fails to identify the worst of the failed systems. Being that, a mandatory septic tank inspection requirement is being proposed for properties receiving municipal water.
A Native Planting Guide has just been released which was developed specifically for Devils Lake. The guide is available for free download through this website. Materials are free to use for everyone, including landscapers, nurseries, homeowners, and watershed councils. We do have a few printed copies for limited distribution as well.
The guide is a great resource for projects large and small and includes plants for planting from the hills to the lake bottom as well as guidance on how to plant them. However, please note that if you are thinking of doing work along the shoreline below the Ordinary High Water Mark (10.4' above Mean Sea Level), you will need the following:
Please also plan on consulting with the Devils Lake Water Improvement District as well. Plenty of details are inside the guide under the heading Environemtnal Concerns and Requirements.
Considering a shoreline project? There is anorther resaon to contact the District as we may be able to help financially and/or provide some labor as part of the Save our Shorelines Program (SOS).
Save our Shorelines (Initiated January 2010, view staff update here).
A project to assist landowners in increasing the native vegetation on their shoreline as well as other Best Management Practices for living on the water. Seth has been developing the first of what is hope to be a number of Shoreline Restoration Days:
The goal of this project is to encourage homeowners to plant native vegetation in place of having turf grass and rock walls on their shoreline. Native shoreline vegetation offers homeowners many benefits, including low maintenance, reduced shoreline erosion, a beautiful natural landscape, and you will save money since native vegetation does not require fertilizer or additional watering. Restoration projects also benefit the lake by decreasing sediments and other pollutants that enter the lake, including nutrients that promote cyanobacteria. However, please note that if you are thinking of doing work along the shoreline below the Ordinary High Water Mark (10.4' above Mean Sea Level), you will the following from Oregon Department of State Lands:
DLWID is continually looking for homeowners who are interested in doing native shoreline plantings. Ideally we are looking for properties who meet the following criteria:
Own shoreline property on Devils Lake and have at least 300 square feet available for restoration (e.g. 10x30 feet).
Sign an agreement to maintain the newly landscaped area.
Provide some financial assistance, approximately 25% of the total project, not to exceed $200.
Be available Saturday April 2nd to take part in the restoration project.
Don't meet the suggested requirements? Contact us to discuss other possible planting ideas. Below are some examples of shoreline restorations.
To learn more about shoreline restoration or to volunteer for future events, contact Seth Lenaerts at: Seth@DLWID.org or by phone, 541-994-5330.
Water Quality Monitoring
The Devils Lake Water Improvement District conducts routine water quality monitoring during the peak recreational use period on the lake (May- September). Included are Physical and Chemical water quality indicators of Dissolved Oxygen, pH, Electroconductiviity, Turbidity, Secchi Depth. The District also monitors bacteria (E. coli) and cyanobacteria (aka blue-green algae). Result are posted on the Water Quality Page and interested parties can sign up for updates through the District's email service.
The Devils Lake Water Improvement District holds a Recreational Water Use Right on Devils Lake. The water impoundment right implemented in in 1997 allows the District to store additional water in the lake year-round, but the water certificate is actually only exercised in the spring to fall months (Generally April 15- October 15). In 2009 it was deemed by the Oregon Department of Water Resources (WRD), that the District had been exceeding its storage right, and subsequent changes were made in the operation of the small dam at the D River (See WRD Letters below, noting correction in follow up letter). For background on this issue view the April 1, 2009 Staff Presentation and a recent Director's Presentation from April1, 2010.
Consideration of the lake level would be conducted at the June 3rd, 2010 meeting.
Links to additional materials are also posted below:
The Devils Lake Water Improvement District was awarded a Non-point Source 319 Grant from DEQ for data management. The grant has four major tasks outline below:
Develop Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) and associated Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAPs)
Draft Due and was submitted March 1, 2010
DEQ Review Completed
Final QAPP & SAP completed
Assess existing data by comparing to the QAPP to determine data quality
Status reports due by April 30, 2010
Create a database and populate with existing data
Database to be completed by September 30, 2010
Database to be populated fully by December 31, 2010
Submit data to DEQ for entry into online database (LASAR)
The Devils Lake Water Improvement District is now hosting a low powered radio station courtesy Oregon Sea Grant and OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center. This radio station transmitting on 1610 AM from Regatta Grounds Park in Lincoln City can be heard throughout the park and across the lake to East Devils Lake State Park. Tune in to hear a recorded message about Invasive Species by some of our own Lincoln County School District students. Also be sure to tune in regularly for additional broadcasts. This project was facilitated by the WISE teachers (Watershed and Invasive Species Education) campaign. Special thanks also go to the City of Lincoln City as well for installation and the housing of the station.
The Devils Lake Water Improvement District is seeking an erosion study to determine if and how the lake level impacts erosion on properties surrounding Devils Lake. Impacts to shoreline may include the loss of shoreline to inundation, loss or change in plant community along the shore which may lead to erosion or shoreline loss, impacts to wetlands and wetland hydrology, impacts to structures, direct erosion of the shoreline, plus others. Considerations should include how wave energy, both natural and anthropogenic, impact the shoreline as a result of having the lake held at 9.53’ (full exercise of water right), at 9.0’ (partial exercise of water right), and if the lake was to be allowed a natural hydrology without impoundment. Considerations of potential changes in plant communities should bear in mind the presence of herbivorous Chinese Grass Carp in the lake, and the potential impact of the tendency of plant distributions to migrate as a result of inundated shorelines in a reservoir hydrology. Additional consideration should include real and/or likely impacts to the varying soil types that make up the shoreline. These considerations shall include both impacts recorded or expected during summer and wintertime as a result of the summertime impoundment.
Resources available on DVD upon Request:
Parcel map
Recent aerial photographs of Devils Lake
Digitized bathymetric map of Devils Lake
Digitized Wetland, Significant Wetland, and Significant Riparian Maps
