Cascade Water Alliance, in coordination with the Lake Tapps Community Council will began dropping the water level of Lake Tapps Monday as part of the reservoir’s annual wintertime drawdown.

Under the collaborative drawdown plan, Cascade intends to lower the reservoir’s water level by about five feet, and then consult with the community council on whether to reduce the lake level even further. A key goal of the drawdown is to assess the lake and dike condition and remove debris. The annual drawdown is also designed to ensure that water from drainage inflows or waves from severe winter storms do not overtop the reservoir’s dikes.

Refilling of the reservoir is scheduled to begin in February with the goal of returning the lake to its full, summer recreational level by mid-April. This schedule may be affected by severe winter weather and flood damage to the White River diversion dam near Buckley.