Newman Lake access closed June 21-22 for aquatic weed control

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) public water access site at Newman Lake in eastern Spokane County will be closed June 21-22 for treatment of the lake with herbicide to control Eurasian milfoil. 

The Newman Lake Flood Control Zone District, under permit from the Washington Department of Ecology, has hired Aquatic Weed Solutions to treat milfoil infestations on about 24 acres along the southernmost shoreline with 2-4-D (dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, dimethylamine salt). 

Aquatic herbicide application permits authorized by Ecology include requirements and restrictions to protect both public safety and fish and wildlife.

Signs about the following restricted uses will be posted on the shoreline:

• No swimming during treatment and for 24 hours after treatment. 
• No drinking water and irrigation withdrawals for up to 10 days for anyone within one quarter mile of the treatment area.
• No boating or swimming the day of treatment and for two days after. The boating restriction is needed because wave action reduces the herbicide's effectiveness.

Karen Kruger, Spokane County Water Resources coordinator, said the past five summers of aquatic weed treatments at Newman Lake have reduced the original milfoil infestation tremendously, thanks in part to volunteer efforts to help keep boaters out of the herbicide application areas.

Daniel Dziekan, WDFW access manager, said the gates to the area will be closed early on Thursday, June 21, and will re-open early on Saturday, June 23.

Newman Lake is located about 20 miles northeast of Spokane, about two miles west of the Idaho border, and is open year-round for fishing.