Editor,
For the second time in two months, Lake Lawrence has been closed to all water-related recreational activities as lake water samples taken Nov. 19 showed microcystin levels at 1,431 micrograms per liter (ug/L). Thurston County staff originally issued a warning on Oct. 18, which was revised to a notice of danger on Oct. 24, downgraded to a warning on Oct. 31 and then elevated back to a notice of danger on Nov. 19. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife public boat launch is closed, and everyone is to remain off the lake. All HOA community park access areas have likewise been posted.
The lake will remain closed until test results show toxicity levels below state guidelines.
The Lake Lawrence Lake Management District (LMD) has existed for 38 years. It expires Dec. 31, 2026, and must be renewed by a majority vote of its members. The stated mission was to control noxious, invasive and recreationally limiting nuisance aquatic vegetation, which it has done. Toxic algae mitigation is a completely different and expensive lake management mission that the LMD is considering adding as the LMD prepares to renew.
Numerous studies have been conducted to identify the problems with the lake. Lake Lawrence is a eutrophic lake with extremely high phosphorus content. This was caused in large part by the diversion of the Deschutes River into Lake Lawrence by the state of Washington for 20 years in the early 1900s. They did this to create a reservoir that provided water to the Olympia Power & Light Company at the Deschutes Falls Power Plant to ensure the cities of Olympia and Tumwater had sufficient power to grow their economies.
The sediment that flowed into the lake from the river, just like what happened to Capitol Lake, filled the lake with over 20+ feet of highly nutritious, phosphorus laden sediment. You can get a complete history of the lake by going to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwEmEK-xzIQ and watching a 15-minute YouTube video appropriately titled, “Death of a Lake.”
Barry Halverson
Unincorporated Thurston County taxpayer
