Newman Lake water access site to closeJune 28-29 for aquatic weed control

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) public water access site at Newman Lake in eastern Spokane County will be closed June 28-29 for treatment of the lake with herbicide to control Eurasian milfoil and other aquatic invasive weeds.

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 30 acres throughout the 1,200-acre lake with 2-4-D (dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, dimethylamine salt).

A swimming restriction will be in force during treatment, and for 24 hours after treatment. Boating and swimming will be discouraged the day of treatment and for two days after. Signs with that information will be posted. The boating restriction is needed because wave action reduces the herbicide's effectiveness.

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

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

Daniel Dziekan, WDFW access manager, said the gates to the area will be closed early on Wednesday, June 28, and re-opened early on Friday, June 30.

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