We Need Your Help
Whether you’re a visitor or long-time local, you can support efforts to protect and preserve Lake Chelan now and for future generations.
Prevent
Aquatic
Invasive
Species
Aquatic invasive species are organisms that have been spread to locations where they do not naturally occur, and cause economic, environmental and/or human harm. In addition, they negatively impact the quality of outdoor recreation experiences.
A primary focus of the Keep It Blue campaign is to educate boat owners (motorized and non-motorized) to protect Lake Chelan by ALWAYS cleaning, draining, and drying before launching and before leaving.
Clean >
CLEAN
Remove all aquatic plants, animals, and mud from your boat/ vehicle and thoroughly wash everything upon entering or exiting the lake.
Drain >
DRAIN
Drain all water from your boat, trailer, tackle and gear before leaving the area, including wells, bilge, and engine cooling water.
Dry >
DRY
Dry everything for at least five days OR wipe with a towel before reuse. Many organisms can survive in small amounts of standing water so drying ensures removal.
Stop
Aquatic
Hitch-
Hikers!
If your boat has been in infested waters for an extended period of time, or if you cannot perform the required steps above, you should have your boat professionally cleaned with high-pressure hot water (>140 °F) before transporting to any other body of water.
There is a decontamination unit at the WDFW in Ephrata.
Call 1-888-933-9247 to schedule an appointment. Get more info here.
Best Practices & Recommendations
It is important that we all are informed about how our actions affect our local environment.
For example, the entire City of Chelan relies on the lake for its drinking water, making it extra important that we keep our lake clean and clear.
Here are some other areas how you personally can further protect the lake:
Urban Stormwater >
STORMWATER
When it rains or snow melts, water picks up dirt, fine particles and oil, all of which flow directly into storm drains that lead to the lake. Never pour anything down a storm drain. Ask yourself, would you want to swim in that?
Animals & Pets >
PETS
NEVER release pets, aquatic plants, or aquarium water/moss into the wild.
Go here to learn about the actions you can take if you decide to part with your unwanted pet.
Lawn & Garden >
LAWN AND GARDEN
Cover and store manure, yard waste, fertilizers, and other chemicals away from the water. Minimize use of fertilizers and chemicals on your lawn. Rain may carry these nutrients into the lake. Learn more here.
Farming >
FARMING
If you have large animals, keep them away from the lake. Otherwise they will trample shorelines, destroy the vegetation, and directly add nutrients to the stream. Learn if you're eligible for the VSP program and get up to $5000.
Fishing >
FISHING
Know the rules.
Do not keep fish that do not meet the minimum and maximum size limits, weight limits, or sex restrictions, or that are in excess of the daily or possession limit. Go here for more guidelines.
Riparian Vegetation >
RIPARIAN VEGETATION
Maintain or enhance vegetation alongside water bodies, to filter pollutants from the run-off. Never remove the natural riparian (stream or lake side) vegetation. Learn how to enhance the lakeside here and earn incentives here.
Homeowners >
HOMEOWNERS
If you use a septic system, inspect it regularly to make sure it’s functioning properly. Use only phosphate-free soaps, detergents and cleaners. See this pdf for a whole list of helpful tools and tips.
Vehicles >
VEHICLES
Monitor and repair any leaks. Always take used oil, batteries and other fluids to a repair shop for proper disposal.
Never allow oil or other toxins to runoff into the ground, street gutters or storm drains.
Aquatic Weeds >
AQUATIC WEEDS
Weeds and non-native clams are changing the lake’s ecosystem, concentrating nutrients, causing algae blooms and creating habitat for more invasive species. In Washington, it is unlawful to transport aquatic weeds, zebra mussels, or other aquatic nuisance species.
If you’re interested in getting involved, please send us a message
As a non-profit, the Keep it Blue campaign is always looking for willing volunteers. We can always use support in the realms of education, administration, water quality testing, environmental rehabilitation and clean-up, and event organization. Please let us know if you’d like to join in helping keep Lake Chelan pristine and clear.