Investment approved for Blue Lake quality

Clearer water, less algae attributed to SolarBees

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Apr 1, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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The water quality of Blue Lake may not always live up to its name, but a public-private partnership deal may lock in a level of clarity most residents haven’t seen in decades.

Metro regional government agreed to split the total $150,000 cost of three solar-powered water circulators with a Blue Lake neighborhood group. Metro reached its decision on Thursday, March 6.

Metro officials and residents agreed that the floating “SolarBees,” installed on a trial basis two years ago by their South Dakota-based manufacturer, were effective in enhancing water quality and reducing algae blooms. The Metro Council approved an ordinance to pay $75,000 for its share of the solar-powered apparatuses, which cost $50,000 each.

A 45-year Blue Lake resident, Curtis Knight, testified that the impoundment – which has suffered for decades with algae, excess plant growth and flow-related bacteria problems – looks better now than he’s ever seen it.

“We’ve never had a year as good as last year,” he said. “The SolarBees have really been able to do their thing, and it’s worked out to be very successful. I don’t know anyone out here who wouldn’t agree with me.”

Metro Councilor Rod Park admits his early skepticism of the SolarBees concept gave way to support after what he saw and heard through the past year or so.

“They appear to be working and helping the clarity of the water,” he said, noting that an unintended consequence of that is an increase in weed growth. “We still have high hopes, particularly as we move along with (developing) a nature and golf learning center, with creating a natural (filtration) system.”

Metro is planning an extensive overhaul of Blue Lake Regional Park, including a new event facility to replace the Lake House and a learning-based golf course. Park envisions a system where the course is watered from Blue Lake to create a natural circulation. The lake has an overflow outlet to the Columbia River, but no direct “live” stream flowing into it.

Park said he was pleased by the partnership between Metro and lake residents, which formed a nonprofit entity to collect approximately $1,200 from each homeowner to raise the needed $75,000. Residents’ frustration with Metro regarding the lake’s uses and overall health led to a sometimes-contentious relationship.

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