Water Quality

"The Lake Book" is a homeowners guide for lake preservation.
To view or download the book in Adobe PDF format, click here 
or click on the Lake Book image.

Newman Lake Watershed Studies

Newman Lake Watershed Plan  

Implementation Plan Outline  

Newman Lake Comprehensive Plan for Stormwater Control

Full version (105 pages)  

Introduction  

Results  

Discussion  

Conclusions/Bibliography  

Appendix/Data  

Thompson Creek Inventory Assessment

Thompson Creek Inventory Assessment and Geometric Stream Classification (Nov 2000)  

Thompson Creek Watershed Analysis

Full Version (501 pages)  

Introduction  

Summary  

Prescriptions  

Appendix A - Mass Wasting  

Appendix B - Surface Erosion  

Appendix C - Hydrologic Change  

Appendix D - Riparian Function  

Appendix E - Stream Channel  

Appendix F - Fish Habitats  

Appendix G - Water Quality  

Appendix H - Water Supply Public Works  

Watershed Analysis - Comments  

Newman Lake Restoration Phase II

Full Version (209 pages)

Part 1 - Executive Summary/Introduction  

Part 2 - Study Area/Information Dessemination  

Part 3 - Biological Analyses/Results and Discussion  

Part 4 - Appendix A Tables A-1 through A-6  

Part 5 - Appendix A Tables B-1  

Part 6 - Phase II Amended, 1992-1995  

Survey of Newman Lake Property Owners
About Lake Water Quality Issues

The following link provides an electronic copy of a data report titled, "A Survey of Newman Lake Property Owners About Lake Water Quality Issues". The data report was collected and compilied by the Washington State University, Social & Economic Sciences Research Center. To access the report in Adobe Acrobat PDF format click here:

2003 Survey of Newman Lake Property Owners  

2007 Survey of Newman Lake Property Owners  

Newman Lake

Toxic Algae Bloom Lifted

Update: Samples from 10/7/2008 and 10/14/2008 did not detect any level of the Microcystin toxin. All warnings have been lifted. If you spot a detectable surface scum or suspect another bloom may be occurring in your areas, please contact 509/477-3600 or send an email to:  Contact Us

On Sept. 22, 2008, based on a resident’s concern we sampled a potential blue green bloom at the Newman Lake Resort (south end of the lake near the outlet). The results came back on Sept. 29th showing relatively high levels of the toxin microcystin produced by anabaena cyanobacteria (blue green algae). The measured level was 191 micrograms/ liter and the recommended level for recreational use is below 6 micrograms/liter.

Testing results from 9/29/2008 show microcystin levels of 11.6 micrograms per liter, still above the 6 microgram per liter recreation threshold. All warnings will remain in effect until the toxin levels are below the threshold for a week. Keep checking back for updates.

Based on Ecology and State DOH guidance we have posted warning signs at public access points around the lake and emailed updates to our email lists. Ecology issued a press release on September 30, 2008 to inform the public of this warning. This warning was extended to the entire lake on Wednesday due to reports of a sick dog with symptoms of microcystin exposure in the McFadden beach area on the west side of the lake. The bloom seems to have dissipated now and the lake is quite clear. However, until follow up sample test results (expected by Monday, Oct. 6th) show the levels have dropped below 6 micrograms /liter, the warnings will remain in effect. We will email and post results when we receive them.

Some things to remember:

• Some types of filters may be effective in removing the toxin from drinking water but are not foolproof; purchasing drinking water for the next week or so is cheap insurance to prevent serious illness and is strongly recommended.



• Although the water now seems clear, the toxin can remain in the water for a week or more after the bloom has disappeared, hence the continuance of the warning.



• Please keep a watch on your beach for signs of any returning blooms. Please call 509/477-3600 or email jmccann@spokanecounty.org or mbarrentine@spokanecounty.org so we can document and sample as needed.
  

Correspondence regarding Newman Lake blue-greens from Dr. Barry Moore (WSU”)