Lake Cascade
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lake Cascade | |
 Cascade Dam on the Payette River |
|
| Impounds | Payette River |
|---|---|
| Creates | Lake Cascade |
| Locale | Valley County in the state of Idaho |
| Maintained by | United States Bureau of Reclamation |
| Length | 785 ft. (240 m.) |
| Height | 107 ft. (32.6 m.) |
| Width (at base) | 45 ft. |
| Construction began | 1946 |
| Opening date | 1948 |
| Reservoir information | |
| Capacity | 693,100 acre feet (868 m³) |
| Catchment area | 620 sq mi (1,610 km²). |
| Surface area | 30,000 acres (120 km²) |
| Geographical Data | |
| Coordinates | [1] |
Lake Cascade or Cascade Reservoir is located on the North Fork Payette River in Valley County, Idaho in the Boise National Forest. It is the fourth largest lake in the state. The closest town is Donnelly. The earthen dam was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation between 1946 and 1948.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Recreation
The lake contains perch, trout, Smallmouth bass, Kokanee, and Coho salmon for anglers and there is a winter ice fishing beautiful season.
[edit] Sport fish restoration
In 2003 the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) proposed draining Lake Cascade to facilitate the removal of pikeminnow and the addition of sport fish, such as perch. Pikeminnows are a problem in Lake Cascade because they are predators that live up to 15 years and compete for food stocks.[3] Issues involved in mitigating damage during the lowering of the lake level include maintaining an adequate supply for irrigation, providing a steady stream for power, maintaining salmon flow augmentation, and other water rights. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation manages the reservoir and estimated the draining could take place over the course of a year at a cost of $100,000 to $300,000.[4] The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation withdrew its application for an Environmental Impact Statement studying the drawdown citing "that the draining of Lake Cascade is not a viable option for sport fish restoration."[5]
[edit] Water quality
The lake experienced a bloom of blue-green algae in 1993 caused by low water, high phosphorus content, and hot weather. Studies of water quality found phosphorus to be present in high levels which contributed to the algal bloom. Beginning in 1995, the water quality was monitored and an improvement plan was implemented to lower the phosphorus by 37 percent. By 2003 the lake had 57 percent less phosphorus than the initial monitoring in 1995 due to the best management practices adopted in the drainage basin of the lake.[6]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ USGS GNIS: Lake Cascade
- ^ Cascade Dam, United States Bureau of Reclamation, 2007, <http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/id00283.htm>. Retrieved on 7 July 2007
- ^ "Lake Cascade: Q & A." Idaho Statesman 13 April 2003: A4.
- ^ Phillips, Roger (April 13, 2003), “Lake Cascade: Will draining work? Plan may revive one of state's favorite fishing spots”, Idaho Statesman: A1+, <http://www.fwee.org/news/getStory?story=1130>. Retrieved on 8 July 2007
- ^ "Operational Changes in Support of Lake Cascade Fishery Restoration, Boise Project, Payette Division, ID" (April 16, 2004). Federal Register: (Volume 69, Number 74)] 69 (74): p.20639. fr16ap04-77.
- ^ "Forestry, Agricultural, and Stormwater Best Management Practices Improve Quality of Reservoir", Section 319 Nonpoint source program success story: Idaho, EPA Office of Water, 2005. EPA 841-F-05-004C. Retrieved on 2007-07-08.
