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 The rising waters of Lake Sacajawea had already inundated Martin Dock by midday Wednesday. Greg Ebersole / The Daily News
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Lake Sacajawea trails under water in several spots
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:14 PM PST
By Barbara LaBoe
Printable version
E-mail this articleLake Sacajawea swelled to levels never seen in recent memory Wednesday as water from Longview diking district ditches was allowed to flow into it to reduce flooding.
“It’s full. It’s the worse I’ve seen it in 22 years,” said Al George, Longview’s parks superintendent. “I’ve never heard of it getting that bad.”
Several fishing docks — including Martin Dock — are submerged, and water was over the trails in areas where the footpath loops under roadways. Water also was close to flowing over the Lion’s Island bridge, George said.
The lake is part of the city’s overflow drainage system and is allowed to fill with extra water during intense storms, George said. Water flows from the Cutoff Slough at the north edge of the city’s lowlands and enters the lake by pipe under Ocean Beach Highway. From there it flows southward.
At this point, there’s nothing to do but post warning signs around some of flooded trails, George said. Most of the docks are concrete, though, so it’s doubtful there will be any major damage from the high water.
And while the lake is swamped, it isn’t stopping residents from enjoying the park.
“I’ve seen people out there today running, with their dogs splashing along ahead of them,” George said.
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lilsue62 wrote on Jan 7, 2009 8:30 PM:
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