In this courtesy photo provided by Tacoma Power, Mossyrock Dam is seen in August 2013.
More than two years since last hosting a forum in Mossyrock, representatives from Tacoma Power held court in front of a standing-room only crowd to address the long-term future of the Mossyrock Dam and Riffe Lake. Chris Mattson, Generation Manager for Tacoma Power, also addressed a significant drawdown of the water level that began in February, one that has left much of the water amenities inaccessible two months later.
Tacoma Power dropped the maximum water level of Riffe Lake about 30 feet in 2017 due to concerns the spillway piers would not survive a significant seismic event, forcing catastrophic flooding down the Cowlitz River from Toledo to Longview. Mattson walked the crowd through the drawn-out process Tacoma Power must go through in order to update the structural integrity of those piers, one that will stretch well into the next decade due to the need for multiple rounds of federal approval and a price tag that could eclipse $100 million.
Audience members scoffed and laughed derisively as Mattson gave his presentation, while others were left dumbfounded as to how the agency could get away with having such an impact on their community for the better part of a decade. Many citizens who attended the forum are dependent on boat access to the lake as well as other facets of the tourism industry for their incomes and claim to have not been able to launch their boats all winter, when experienced anglers come to the region to fish.
“I wanted to be here to listen to the the pinch points that are causing people problems so that I can look for solutions,” Mattson said after the meeting. “I wanted to communicate our plan and listen to their concerns, so I can do as much within what I can do to respond.”
Tacoma Power recently completed $850,000 of work at Mossyrock Park in response to the lower water levels. Riffe Lake now maxes out at 749 feet above sea level, down from a maximum of 778.5 feet, though it hasn’t reached the new mark often in recent years due to low water flows and dry weather conditions.
The Mossyrock Park boat launch has been extended and can be used when the water level drops below 708 feet. It is now open, though the Taidnapam North boat launch and Mossyrock Park swim area are still closed. Riffe Lake measured 713 feet above sea level on Friday, though it has risen quickly in recent weeks. Tacoma Power hopes to have the second boat launch and swim area open by Memorial Day.
Boaters were not able to use the renovated boat ramp at Mossyrock Park during the first four months of the year, as a combination of an energy shortage and historically poor water conditions forced Tacoma Power to draw the lake down below 680 feet. February snowstorms not only forced the utility to pull from the reservoir but to buy power from California to meet electricity demand.
The month-long cold snap that extended well into March also kept snow from melting at higher elevations, forcing the release of more water through the dam to keep the flow rate on the Cowlitz River above minimum standards required by regulators. With a below-average water year forecast by the state Department of Ecology, it’s possible Riffe Lake may top out at its lowest high-water mark in recent history.
“If we can’t maintain a good level, then we need to do what we can do to enhance the overall lake experience,” said Mossyrock Mayor Randall Sasser. “I think there’s a lot we can do to with boat launches and access points to make a transition a lot less painful.”
Among the audience requests Tacoma Power employees plan to research further are for more detailed datasets to show how the lower water level is impacting boat and fishing use of Riffe Lake compared to just overall use of a day pass. Residents also expressed a desire for improvements to an access point off an old highway that could result in boat access below 708 feet.
That boat launch was made available for emergency responders last month following the rescue of a stranded hanglider that required a helicopter. His location would have been accessible by boat if responders could have gotten one down to the water.
There are plans for Tacoma Power to host future meetings in Mossyrock regarding fisheries on the Cowlitz River as well as more frequent updates on the dam. Those have yet to be scheduled.
“It won’t be another two years from now,” Mattson said. “That’s for sure.”
