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Spanaway Lake Management District No. 1
About the District
Spanaway Lake Management District No.1 (District) was created by the Pierce County Council in 2021 as a pilot program in response to concerns raised by lakefront property owners. Property owners whose land abuts Spanaway Lake, or who have rights to use the lake, approved formation of the district via a simple majority vote.The Surface Water Management (SWM) Division of Pierce County Planning and Public Works manage the district. The goal is to work with lake users to improve water quality, manage nuisance and invasive species, restore habitat, educate the public about lake water quality and management activities, and monitor the 250-acre lake.
Annual Progress Update
A summary of District accomplishments, income and expenses is now available. View the 2022-2023 Annual Progress Update here.
Cyanobacteria Management Plan
A second public meeting will be held Wednesday, September 20 at Sprinker Recreation Center to present the final draft of the Cyanobacteria Management Plan for Spanaway Lake. The draft is available for public review and comment now through September 25:
Comments can be submitted using the online form, or may be emailed directly to [email protected]
Past Meetings
A public meeting was also held June 22, 2023 to discuss the upcoming Cyanobacteria Management Plan for Spanaway Lake. The presentation materials and meeting notes are now available to view.
Preliminary Cyanobacteria Management Plan findings were presented to the Spanaway Lake Management District's Citizen Advisory Board on August 8, and are now available to view.
On Feb. 8, 2022, the Pierce County Council passed Resolution No. 2021-131 creating the Spanaway Lake Management District Citizen Advisory Board (Board). The purpose of the board is to represent the interests and concerns of lake residents and users as they relate to operations and management of the district. The board works with Pierce County SWM to make recommendations to the Pierce County Council regarding lake improvement and maintenance activities. Board members are appointed by the Pierce County Executive and confirmed by the Pierce County Council.
The seven-person board meets at least four times a year, provides an annual written report that identifies and proposes solutions to lake improvement and maintenance issues, and identifies the concerns of the public and district landowners. The board also reviews and comments on the annual lake management work plan drafted by Pierce County SWM for the Pierce County Council, and may assist with identifying funding sources for proposed activities and communicating with the public about planned activities or other concerns. Members generally serve four-year terms.
The Advisory Board has completed their recommendation report for 2023. The report has been submitted to Pierce County Council and the Planning and Public Works Department, and will be used to inform the Lake Management District Workplan for 2024.
The Board shall consist of seven members who have demonstrated interest in Spanaway Lake in the areas of monitoring lake conditions, enhancing fish and wildlife habitats, improving water conditions for public use, supporting recreational and economic interests of lake users, and attaining the healthy and natural conditions of the lake. At least five of the members shall be lakefront property owners. In making appointments to the Board, the Executive is encouraged to consider applicants whose interests in Spanaway Lake are demonstrated by active participation in a nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is to promote improved lake conditions.
View Current Vacancies
Board Resources
August 8, 2023
April 11, 2023
March 28, 2023
February 22, 2023
January 10, 2023
September 27, 2022
Lake Management District Overview
District Funding
Funding comes primarily from an annual charge assessed on all properties located within the district boundaries. The charge will raise between $50,000 and $100,000 annually during the pilot period (2021-26). The total charge per parcel is capped at $1,500 for private landowners. Pierce County Parks will pay a maximum of $19,160 annually for the Spanaway Park frontage.
Funds raised through the Lake Management District assessment charges will not be used to cover overhead costs associated with administration of the district by Pierce County staff. Staffing and administrative support will be funded through Surface Water Management Fees.
The district is also eligible to pursue grants and other alternative funding sources, as well as partnerships with additional government or private entities to help achieve management goals.
2022-2023 Finances
Lake Management Activities
The Lake Management District was created to undertake lake improvement and maintenance activities. These include water quality and habitat improvement, invasive aquatic species and waterfowl management, other maintenance activities, monitoring and educational efforts. This is the first district of its kind in unincorporated Pierce County. Pierce County SWM is required to submit an annual plan to the Pierce County Council in August. The plan must identify proposed lake improvement and maintenance activities and charges to be assessed for the following calendar year. Activities included in the annual plan will be based on the best available data and recommendations from the Citizen Advisory Board, as well as input from partner agencies and lake users who reside outside of the district. The final annual plan will be available on this website following approval by Pierce County Council.
Pierce County Council Legislation
- Resolution R2021-57 – Notice of Council Intent to Form the District
- Resolution R2021-94s – Submitting the Question of Creating the Spanaway Lake Management District to Affected Property Owners
- Ordinance 2021-84 – Ordinance Forming the Spanaway Lake Management District No. 1, and Establishing a Hearing Process
- Ordinance 2021-116 – Approving Rates and Charges Roll for Spanaway Lake Management District No. 1.
- Ordinance 2021-131 – Creating the Spanaway LMD Citizen Advisory Board and Adopting a New Chapter (2.41) of the Pierce County Code.
- Pierce County Code Chapter 2.41 - Spanaway lake Management District Advisory Board
- Resolution R2022-169 - Council Approval of the Lake Management District 2023 Workplan
Lake Studies and Planning
- Spanaway Lake Management Plan, 2016. Prepared for Pierce County Public Works and Utilities by Brown and Caldwell. Due to document sizes, Appendix C and D are posted separately from the plan:
- Appendix C – Nutrient Budget Memorandum
- Appendix D – Water Budget Memorandum
- Water Quality Assessment of Select Lakes in Washington State, 1998. Prepared by the WA State Department of Ecology.
- Spanaway Lake Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan, 2020. Prepared for Pierce County and the Friends of Spanaway Lake by AquaTechnex
- Spanaway Lake Phosphorus Management Program, 2020. Prepared for Friends of Spanaway Lake by AquaTechnex.
- Video: Spanaway Lake 2021 Phosphorus Monitoring Project. Presented to Friends of Spanaway Lake by Herrera Environmental Consultants
- Historical Prevalence of Cyanobacteria in Spanaway Lake, 2022. Prepared by WA State Department of Ecology's Environmental Assessment Program.
- Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms using Fluorometric Sensors, 2022. Prepared by WA State Department of Ecology's Environmental Assessment Program.
- Investigation of Phosphorus in Spanaway Lake, 2019. Conference poster prepared for the Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed Issues Forum by Dr. Shuhui Dun (and others) from Pierce County SWM.
- Abstract - Summary of poster findings.
Other Resources
- Lake Resources – Pierce County Surface Water Management
- Spanaway Park – Pierce County Parks
- Current Lake Water Quality Advisories – Tacoma Pierce County Health Department
- Current Project Page - Spanaway Watershed Stormwater Management Action Plan
- 2023 Lake Cyanobacteria Management Plan Meetings
- June 22: Agenda | Presentation | Notes
- Aug 8 (Advisory Board): Agenda | Presentation