CLIPA White Paper

In the early 1900’s, the State of Washington chose an inspired vision developed by Wilder and White for the Capitol Campus. As part of this vision, Capitol Lake was created on the basis of its aesthetic value and ability to transform the downtown into a more vibrant capital city.² 

 

In 1951, the State of Washington created Capitol Lake by constructing the current 5th Avenue dam. The lake consists of the three basins (South, Middle or “Mid,” and North – we capitalize to draw attention to each individual basin). As part of this broader vision, the dam reduced the need for major dredging of lower Budd Inlet to maintain water depths needed for navigation, and as a result the city waterfront began evolving into its present form. Our State Capitol Campus quickly became a national and state-wide iconic treasure.

 

Nautical charts from the mid-19th century show that all of lower Budd Inlet was an extensive mud flat at low tide, requiring a mile-long pier to gain access to water depths suitable for navigation. The Deschutes River system produces and delivers approximately 35,000 cubic yards of sediment per year (more or less – for example, significantly more in 2008 and 2009). During the early 20th century, the first of several major dredge operations occurred. The dredging spoils were used to enlarge and further develop downtown Olympia and the Port of Olympia. Dredging also ensured adequate water depth for navigation purposes.

 

The sediment from the Deschutes River flowed into lower Budd Inlet prior to the construction of the dam, creating the extensive and growing mud flats. Now, much of that sediment settles into Capitol Lake, with most of the siltation settling into the North basin. The most recent Capitol Lake dredging occurred in 1986, almost 25 years ago. Dredging in the marina waterfront occurred in the early 1980s and at the Port of Olympia Turning Basin in 2009. The pre-1986 Capitol Lake North basin water depth was about 15 feet, but is currently at about 8 feet. Water depths in the Middle and South basins have declined by 3.6 feet between 1949 (immediately pre-dam) and 2004 due to siltation.

 

The Department of General Administration (GA), which has been directed by the State Legislature to manage Capitol Lake “as a lake” as part of the State Capitol Campus has completed multiple studies and analyses since the 1970s. There has been no report that has been accepted by the State or any recommendation proposing a change in the status of Capitol Lake as a lake that appears to have gained widespread acceptance by the public. The “no action alternative” taking place by default since the mid-1980s due to the lack of active management by the State is not and never has been acknowledged by anyone to be an acceptable management practice. The failure to act by the State is creating an increased liability in terms of overall water quality and sediment management, navigation in lower Budd Inlet, maintenance and preservation of Capitol Lake as part of the Capitol Campus, and use and enjoyment of this asset by citizens.