Connie writes:

>Hey tweets, I got a call from the Ballard lockmaster's office today
>about the letter I sent on Saturday, asking the lockmaster to consider
>lowering the lake level to create more mud for spring migration. The
>lady who responded to my letter said it had been a first for the
>office. No one has ever brought up this issue before. I warned her
>that more letters might be coming!

I think the operations are based on seasonal runoff patterns. I used to work
in the salmon management biz, the the problem is that water that goes out
the Locks is gone - and each time they cycle, more freshwater is lost.

Runoff, and direct precipitation, are highest in Spring and Winter,
respectively, but once the dry season rolls in during July, it's several
months before there's any recharge in the lake water table. The idea has,
therefore, been to hold up water in the Spring so it'll still be available
during the Summer, and will last until Fall rains start to recharge the
lake.

Higher lake levels probably also encourage higher salmon escapement as well,
though that's not clear.

Anyway, I just wanted to point out that they're not doing this on a purely
arbitrary basis! The COE really does think before they act!

Cheers,

Josh in North Seattle
Josh at blarg dot net