The Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project is owned and operated by
Chelan County Public Utility District and regulated by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC Project No. 637)
under a 50-year license issued November 6, 2006. The Chelan
County PUD is responsible to operate and manage lake levels
under the terms of its license, which include lake level
management practices stipulated in the Lake Level Plan and
Operations Compliance Monitoring Plan (FERC License Article
405). Natural fluctuations in lake elevation occur as a result
of runoff in the tributaries.
In the spring and summer of 2011, Chelan property owners began
talking with Chelan PUD regarding how late the lake was filled
after a larger than average snowpack and a runoff that was
later than normal. Chelan PUD began meeting with community
leaders and a rigorous public process to evaluate and respond
to these concerns ensued.
The lake level frequently asked questions in the right hand
column offer details of the lake level management plan and the
history of the plan’s development. Information from each
of the meetings can be viewed in the right hand column as well.
More detailed information on the continuing efforts by Chelan
County PUD to evaluate lake levels with the communities can be
viewed on the Parks and Recreation Lake Chelan Lake Levels webpage.