Crescent Lake water level, at its lowest in decades because of drought, raises concern among residents

By DIANE KAHLER/Correspondent/The Herald — Those of us who live here and the tourists who visit are all concerned about what is happening with Crescent Lake water.

The lake has not been this low since 1994. Many factors contribute to the water level: drought, rainfall, snowpack, water storage rights and temperature.  The water level will affect all of our enjoyment and use of Crescent Lake.

On March 31, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown declared a drought emergency for Klamath County, which is home to the Crescent Lake community. As of March 8 the snow-water equivalent in Klamath County was 77 percent of a normal water year.  The snowfall measurement at Crescent Lake was 50 percent of normal (our measure is different from that of the Willamette Pass), and the Crescent Lake rainfall measure was again 50 percent of normal.

Residents can’t help but wonder: If this is the lake level in April, what will happen by July or August?

Near Crescent Lake Lodge is a dam constructed across Crescent Creek, which flows from Crescent Lake about 17 miles and merges into the Little Deschutes River.  The first dam was constructed here in 1923 by the Tumalo Water District.

Tumalo purchased water storage rights to Crescent Lake from Walker Basin Irrigation Company.  The dam was a log crib structure filled with rock and plank.  This dam was replaced with a cement dam in 1955-1956. The dam extends 450 feet across the outlet of Crescent Lake and is a structural height of 40 feet. The spillway is 45 feet wide.

The outflow of water is controlled by Tumalo Irrigation District, Bend, Oregon. Tumalo has water storage rights to 23 feet of lake water elevation.

Concern for the spotted toad – yes, the toad — is affecting the water level of Crescent Lake.  Tumalo Irrigation District was sued over protection rights of the endangered spotted toad in Crescent Creek.

In the past the district could limit the amount of water it released from Crescent Lake into Crescent Creek.  Under the terms of the settlement of the lawsuit, the Tumalo Irrigation District was required to release more water into the creek on a year-round basis.

If this drought continues into the summer, which appears likely, our water situation will get worse, and the Tumalo District will be unable to release any water into Crescent Creek.  Others in our community at Crescent Lake are in difficult situations because their wells are going dry.

At present, the boat launch operated by the U.S. Forest Service at the campground near Crescent Lake Lodge is not usable.  Nor is the boat launch at Spring Creek.  As of April 24, the launch at Crescent Lake Lodge remained usable.

Further information is available from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region.

Diane Fleming Kahler of Crescent Lake is The Herald’s correspondent for the southeastern stretch of Highway 58, beginning at Willamette Pass and extending 24 miles to Highway 97.