SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) public water access site at Newman Lake in eastern Spokane County will close May 19 through 21 to allow Spokane County Public Works to treat the lake with a one-time application of alum (aluminum sulfate). Access to the site is required as a staging and loading area for a large tanker truck to transfer the alum to a barge that will then distribute it throughout the lake.

Alum is a nontoxic liquid commonly used to clear the water and improve water quality. It reduces phosphorus and algal blooms. A one-time, high dose, partial-lake alum treatment in the springtime is expected to benefit water quality throughout the summer.

A company contracted by Spokane County will treat 120 to 140 acres of the lake over three days. There are no recreation or lake water use restrictions during the treatment or after, but people using the lake are asked to give the application barge safe space to work. Signs regarding the application and closure of the public access area will be posted on-site 48 hours prior to work starting.

Newman Lake is located about 20 miles northeast of Spokane, about five miles west of the Idaho border, and is open year-round for fishing.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.