LIVE FROM LAKE TYEE OFFICE
From the Lake:
June 2026
How time flies, hard to believe it's already June.
The start of summer is such a beautiful time at the lake, it's so green!
From the office
August 2026
15 August
In today's (15 Aug 2026) Board meeting, the Lake Tyee Board of Directors authorized formation of a new committee to review suggestions and make recommendations to the Board, regarding the health and management of the Lake. Terry Walton (Board Treasurer) will be the Board of Directors' representative for the committee.
The Board is looking for volunteers to join the committee with the desire to improve/protect the lake and help determine the best options and practices for maintaining the health of the lake.
If interested in volunteering for this committee, please contact the office either in person or via email at frontdesk@laketyee.org.
We recently experienced an algae bloom and the lake was closed for several days while tests were conducted on the samples. This is the third time we have sampled an algae bloom and sent the results to the state lab. You can view the results of the testing on the Washington State Toxic Algae website https://www.nwtoxicalgae.org/Data.aspx
We tested the lake in 2023, 2025 and now in 2026. Results have consistently returned showing negligible amounts of toxins and well below the State requirements for safe recreation. With the recent results being negligible again, we were able to re-open the lake for use.
We have reviewed these results and current state of the lake with our Environmental consultants, and they have advised us on a number of options available that may be of varying degrees of help. These suggestions should be reviewed by the proposed committee to evaluate the most beneficial, practical options within our cost constraints.
For now, it's a very good sign that the test results have continuously shown no toxic hazard to recreation. Our consultant has advised educating people to avoid the water if they spot an algae bloom or scum on the surface but have informed us there isn't a need to close the lake unless we get a sample result back indicating levels above State guidelines.
13 August
The Social Committee is hosting their Labor Day events on Saturday, September 5th 2026. See attached flyer for details!
Lake Tyee is re-opened for recreational use.
Thank you for your patience while we tested the algae bloom the lake experienced on 04 Aug 2026. The bloom visibly disappeared on 07 Aug 2026.
As a precaution the lake was closed to recreation and samples were taken. The samples were sent to the lab in King County per the Department of Ecology.
Results returned showed negligible amounts of microcystin and anatoxin-a, significantly below what the State determines to be safe levels for recreation.
We have reviewed the results with our environmental consultants and determined that there is not a need to restrict recreation on the lake.
We will continue to monitor the lake for signs of additional blooms and if found, will sample again at that time.
The Social Committee is hosting their Labor Day event on Saturday, September 5th 2026 and are looking for silent auction items! If you have items that you would like to donate, please drop them off at the office.
12 August
The pools and spas are now open for use.
A reminder that the boil water notice for Sections 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2E, 2F, Clubhouse, Pools / Hot Tubs and Comfort Stations 1-8 is still in place. We will notify everyone when the boil water notice has been lifted.
Our monthly Lot Owner's Meeting and Board Meeting are set for this Saturday, August 15th, 2026, starting with the Lot Owner's meeting at 9:00am and the Board Meeting to start at 10:00am or immediately upon conclusion of the Lot Owner's meeting. You can attend in person in the office conference room or via zoom.
11 August
There will be an emergency water shut down tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12th 2026 for the entire lower park, including the clubhouse and pools/spas. All lots and divisions effected are Sections 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2E, 2F, Clubhouse, Pools / Hot Tubs and Comfort Stations 1-8.
07 August
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a full burn ban for Skagit County.
Per the DNR website,
"Effective 08/06/2026: Burning within DNR jurisdiction is prohibited. This includes all campfires, "Rule Burns" and permit burns. Check with your local fire district and county as additional restrictions may be in place. Fireworks, and incendiary devices, such as exploding targets, sky lanterns or tracer ammunition are illegal on all DNR protected lands. Contact Department of Ecology or local Clean Air Authority to check if an air-quality ban is in place for your area."
NO OUTDOOR BURNING
NO CAMPFIRES
NO CHARCOAL BRIQUETTES
NO PELLET STOVES
NO TIKI TORCHES
NO SMOKING IN LAKE TYEE COMMON AREAS
Propane BBQs & Propane Firepits are allowed. Propane appliances that have an on-off control are allowed.
NOTICE
Lake Tyee Water
After system repairs were made to
(Division 1A and 1B),
our water treatment company
sampled the water and results have
come back satisfactory.
WATER BOIL NOTICE HAS BEEN
LIFTED!
Thank you for your patience and understanding in
this matter.
06 August
Lake Tyee is a 55-acre man-made lake. The primary source of water supplying the lake is rain and runoff. In addition to these sources, we possess water rights allowing us to divert water from Grandy Creek, provided the flow in Grandy Creek is above 3 cubic feet per second after the diversion. Other sources of water come from lost lake overflow and multiple springs that ultimately flow into Tyee.
During the rainy season it’s common for the lake to reach its overflow height. On the gauge by the putt-putt the full level is 5.3 feet. This is the top of the weir (dam under the bridge by putt-putt). This height ensures septic systems around the lake don’t flood. Severe rainstorms as we experienced in Dec 2025 and Jan 2026 may cause the lake to rise several inches above dam height due to constraints in the outflow.
Unfortunately, during the summer the rain typically tapers off, Lost Lake dries up, the springs dry up and Grandy Creek drops below the flow required for us to divert water. At this point there are no sources adding water to the lake until the rain begins again in late Fall. Evaporation and natural seepage of the lake into the ground begins to drop the level of the lake quickly. As the lake levels drop, large areas of the lake get very shallow, and the water temperature heats up.
Algae blooms happen when conditions are favorable, warm water, abundant sunlight and nutrients for the algae to consume. When conditions are ripe, such as long summer days with high temperatures and plenty of sunshine, the algae can experience explosive growth creating what we commonly view as algae bloom.
Many types of algae are helpful and important for producing oxygen and food. However, some types of algae produce toxins that can harm humans and animals. Not all blooms are harmful. Some algae don’t produce toxins, but others do. There is no visual way to determine if a bloom is toxic without laboratory analysis.
When we notice an algae bloom at Lake Tyee, we report it to the WA state department, take samples and send them to the lab to be tested for toxins. Per recommended safety steps, we will close the lake access areas until the bloom has cleared and the recommended wait period has passed.
When there is an algae bloom,
- Avoid swimming, wading, paddleboarding, etc. Avoid the water.
- Dogs are susceptible to cyanotoxins and should be kept from drinking the water or getting in the water. Licking their fur after being wet can make them sick.
- Do not eat fish caught during algae bloom.
- If someone or a pet is accidentally exposed to water affected by an algae bloom, rinse the affected area with clean water immediately. Never drink lake water.
- Do not swim or let your dog swim if you notice floating mats, thick surface scums, or water that looks like spilled paint and report potential blooms to the office.
Algae blooms can present hazards even if they do not test positive for toxins. Testing is only sampling one specific area of the lake, toxins can be present at other portions of the lake. A bloom that does not test positive for toxins may still cause rashes, hives, allergic reactions and eye irritations in humans and pets. Non-toxic blooms may also turn toxic at any time.
The recommendations for re-opening the lake after an algae bloom is,
As a private lake community, the safest standard to follow is the visual clearance method used by public health agencies:
1. Wait for complete dissipation: Do not allow swimming or pet access until the bloom has physically died off, cleared up, and completely disappeared from all areas of the lake.
- Post-bloom wait period: Once the water looks completely clear, wait an additional one to two weeks before letting pets or people back in. Toxins can sometimes persist in clear water for several days after the algae cells die off and rupture.
- Optional re-testing: If you want absolute peace of mind, pull another round of lab tests a few days after the bloom appears to have completely vanished to ensure no residual toxins remain in the clear water.
Algae blooms often disappear on their own as weather patterns change, but they can last for several weeks or even months depending on the environment. A bloom naturally dies off when the water cools down, sunlight is reduced, or the excess nutrients that are feeding the algae run out.
Algae blooms are fueled by excess nutrients in the water. Recommendations to reduce future blooms include,
- Maintain septic systems to prevent leaks.
- Reduce or eliminate the use of lawn and garden fertilizers.
- Clean up pet waste and ensure it does not run off into the water.
- Refrain from feeding waterfowl like ducks and geese.
- Manage waterfowl.
- Wash vehicles away from the lake.
Balancing the lake is complicated, everything done to our lake will have other consequences. Because there are so many variables that affect the lake, we rely on the experts to advise us when issues such as algae blooms occur. During incidents we involve the Department of Ecology and Herrera Environmental Consultants to help determine the appropriate response.
Lake Tyee is currently closed due to an active algae bloom. The bloom has been sampled, reported to the Department of Ecology and we’re waiting for the test results from the lab. Once we have the results we will be in contact with Herrera regarding appropriate steps and future recommendations to help prevent additional blooms.
We will send out announcements regarding the status of the lake as changes occur or new information is available.
Sierra Pacific has listened to the concerns expressed by the Lake Tyee Community and has decided to cancel their planned helicopter spraying of the clearcut area behind the tennis courts that was scheduled for next week.
Instead, they will conduct hand spraying of the entire area in early September. They are also inviting representatives from the Department of Agriculture to watch the operation as an added level of assurance that the spraying is done properly and meets all the guidelines.
04 August
We have noticed an algae bloom in the Lake that is significant. We are in the process of having the Lake tested and in an abundance of caution, effective immediately the Lake is closed to any activities in or around the water.
Thank you for your patience while we determine the extent of this problem.
The boil water notice that was set for Monday, August 3rd will be moved to Wednesday, August 5th 2026.
See attached boil water notice.