Camas Lux Nest & Beyond

Residents and visitors to Camas should mark their calendars for a significant ecological event this fall. The annual Lacamas Lake and Round Lake drawdown is scheduled for September 2025, a process that temporarily transforms the landscape and ecosystem of one of our community’s most valuable natural resources. This carefully managed water level reduction serves multiple purposes while providing a unique opportunity to observe aspects of the lake system normally hidden beneath the water’s surface.

Drawdown Details and Timeline:

The City of Camas Public Works department has announced that the annual drawdown process will commence at 8 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025. During this carefully organized environmental operation, officials will gradually reduce the water levels of both Lacamas and Round Lakes by approximately six feet. This significant reduction doesn’t happen overnight—the process will unfold over approximately eleven days, with the lakes expected to reach their minimum target level around Friday, September 26, 2025.

The six-foot reduction represents a substantial change to the lakes’ appearance and accessibility. Regular visitors will notice exposed shorelines, and some boat ramps may become unusable during this period. City officials have coordinated the timing to minimize disruption to summer recreational activities while still completing necessary work before the fall rainy season. Residents and visitors are encouraged to observe the changing landscape but should exercise caution around newly exposed shorelines, which may be unstable or slippery.

Purpose and Impact:

This annual drawdown serves a critical infrastructure purpose: facilitating thorough inspections and necessary repairs to the dam systems that maintain these lakes. The significant water level reduction provides access to structures normally submerged, allowing engineers to identify and address potential issues before they become serious problems. This preventative maintenance is essential for maintaining the long-term safety and integrity of the dam system that has helped shape Camas’s identity and recreation opportunities for generations.

The lakes will remain at their reduced levels for approximately one month, creating a temporary but noticeable change to the ecosystem and recreational opportunities. According to city officials, the refilling process is tentatively scheduled to begin on October 28, 2025, though this timeline depends heavily on natural factors—primarily rainfall volumes in the watershed. During particularly dry autumn periods, complete refilling may extend into winter. The city coordinates this schedule carefully to balance maintenance needs with environmental considerations, including the impact on fish, wildlife, and native plants that depend on these connected bodies of water.