Living here in Lincoln City, one quickly comes to appreciate the beauty of Oregon's scenic coastline. It's a rugged, dramatic landscape of towering cliffs and pristine beaches, brimming with natural wonders. Right here, nestled near the charming coastal city, lies Devils Lake. Its evocative name immediately sparks curiosity. Unlike many geographical features named after explorers or descriptive characteristics, the origin of "Devils Lake" is profoundly rooted in the rich oral traditions and spiritual beliefs of the Native American tribes who were the land's first custodians.

The most widely accepted explanation for the lake's unsettling moniker stems from a compelling Native American legend, particularly prevalent among the Nechesne people, a Salish-speaking tribe closely related to the Tillamook and Siletz. This ancient tale speaks of a formidable and often malevolent creature said to reside within the mysterious depths of the lake. Accounts vary in their specific descriptions of this entity: some portray it as a gigantic, predatory fish, others as a colossal marine monster akin to a plesiosaur, and still others as a serpentine being with menacing tentacles or a powerful tail.

What remains consistent across these narratives is the creature's formidable nature and its capacity to inspire fear. This powerful being was believed to occasionally surface, its appearance striking terror into the hearts of anyone venturing onto or near the lake. Legends recount instances where it would pull canoes beneath the water, capsize fishing vessels, or even snatch unwary individuals from the shore. The very act of fishing or traversing the lake was undertaken with a deep sense of caution and respect for this unseen, yet potent, presence.

For the indigenous peoples, the lake was not merely a body of water but a living entity, imbued with a powerful spirit. Their relationship with the lake was one of reverence, understanding its unpredictable and potentially dangerous nature. To appease this powerful spirit and ensure safe passage or successful harvests of fish and game from the surrounding land, some traditions suggest that offerings were made on the lake's shores, or specific rituals were observed before embarking on any water-based activities. These practices underscored the belief that the lake's "bad spirit" or "devil" needed to be acknowledged and appeased.

As European settlers began to arrive in the region during the 19th century, they encountered these potent Native American stories. The concept of a powerful, malevolent entity or "bad spirit" inhabiting the lake was directly translated into the English term "Devil's Lake." While modern usage often omits the apostrophe, leading to the more common "Devils Lake," historical documents, maps, and land deeds from the period frequently included it, explicitly attributing the name to a singular, powerful, and often feared force.

Today, Devils Lake is a popular recreational destination, drawing visitors for fishing, boating, and enjoying its serene beauty. Yet, beneath the surface of its tranquil waters, the echoes of its intriguing past persist. The cautionary tales of the formidable creature that inspired its name continue to add a profound layer of mystique, reminding us of the rich cultural tapestry woven into the very fabric of Oregon's landscapes.

You are cordially invited to a Memorial Day Weekend party hosted by Monica and Josh Spady. The event will take place at 3450 NE 26th St and promises to be a day to remember!

Join us as Pelican Brewery pours some of their finest beer, while Bauman's Cider tantalize your taste buds with their delicious cider. Hot Dogs, Chips and Dip will be offered while you visit with your neighbors.  The party will be held on the DLNA fireworks barge, so you can come by land or by sea!

Neighborhood Get Together and Fundraiser
Sunday May 25, 2025
12:00pm to 4:00pm

In addition to enjoying the festivities, we will also be seeking donations through DLNA to support the annual fireworks display.

Fireworks this year will be on Saturday, July 5th with our annual boat parade on July 4th.  Stay tuned for more details!

So come on down and help us raise the funds required for this year’s show. Remember you can still stop by even if you don’t have a boat in the water. Monica and Josh’s address is 3450 NE 26th St, Lincoln City OR 97367.  Can't make it at all?  Just want to beat the rush?  You can donate today online by following this link.

Don't miss out on this fantastic Memorial Day Weekend celebration! Join us for a day of great company, delicious drinks, and a beautiful lakeside view.

With a new year, comes hope, change and opportunity...and the Devils Lake Neighborhood Association will be looking toward all three in 2025.  I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday, and perhaps enjoyed some time here at the lake.  It has been seasonally stormy; however, as I write this, it is sunny and beautiful out.  I am very much looking forward to spending more time in this magical place and meeting getting to know more of the neighborhood and residents.

As many of you know, Mitch Moore is stepping out of his role and I am slowly trying to assimilate all of his knowledge!  I would gladly accept some help and we will be looking to refill our Board ranks asap now that I have a little more time to devote myself.  For any interested, look for a meeting announcement in the coming weeks--likely we will aim for an early February date.  Officially, elections / appointments are to occur via a membership vote in May, but we'll get things going and some solid plans in place in the coming months.  I am hopeful we will have a continued abundance of interest with those looking for this opportunity.

Concurrently, we will be gearing up for Fireworks Fundraising and getting plans in place for the July 5th celebration!  If you have been involved in the past, I would appreciate your continued support as I take over this endeavor.

If anyone has any questions, comments, or concerns in the meantime, please do reach out to me:  [email protected]

The Devils Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID) has taken another significant step to keep our community informed and engaged with the health of Devils Lake. We’re excited to announce the installation of a state-of-the-art water monitoring station at Blue Heron Landing!

This new system comes at the perfect time, as lake levels are particularly interesting to track during this season. The monitoring station offers real-time updates on several key environmental factors, including:

• Lake Water Level: Stay updated on the ever-important lake height.
• Water Temperature: A vital metric for understanding the lake.
• Rain Totals: See how recent rainfall is affecting the area.
• Barometric Pressure: Useful for weather enthusiasts and anglers alike.

But the features don’t stop there! The station's website provides the collected data in easy-to-read graphs, which can display trends for the past day, week, or month. For those who enjoy diving into the details, there’s even an option to download a CSV file containing seven days of data points recorded at five-minute intervals.

This system is an incredible resource for residents, researchers, and anyone who loves Devils Lake. Understanding the lake’s conditions in real-time helps us all connect more deeply to its natural rhythms and make informed decisions about activities on and around the water.

You can obtain this information anytime you wish by visiting the water quality page at dlwid.org or by selecting the "Level" tab at our website dlakeoregon.com. Another new addition to our website allows you to check out the most recent image from the Blue Heron Webcam, recently installed by DLWID, by selecting the "Webcam" tab.

We encourage you to check out this fascinating new tool and see the data for yourself. Give it a try now by following the link below:

View the Devils Lake Monitoring Station Data

View the Devils Lake Blue Heron Landing Webcam

Let’s continue to care for and enjoy the beauty of Devils Lake!

Inboard and Outboard Hydroplane Boats will return to Devils Lake in Lincoln City, Oregon, with hopes of setting new World Straightaway speed records. The record runs will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at sunset on Saturday, October 12th and Sunday October 13th, 2024. East Devils Lake State Park boat ramp will be used as the staging area for set up and launch and will be closed for public use as well as the Regatta Grounds Boat Ramp.

The annual Devil’s Lake Kilo is sanctioned and insured by the American Power Boat Association, and is officiated and conducted by the Columbia Outboard Racing Association based in the Portland, Oregon area. The Oregon State Marine Board and local and county authorities for the safety of the racers and other boat users have issued a permit for a partial lake closure. Devils Lake will be closed from Sand Point to south of the East Devils Lake State Park launch ramp.

This event is a true test of entrants driving skill plus the integrity of the combined set-up of the boat, motor and propeller. Calm water conditions are a necessity, as each driver will be running quality equipment with sensitive set-ups to maximize optimum speed.

Time Trial rules call for a driver, competing against a time clock, to pilot his boat through a 5/8th of a mile surveyed straightaway course. Each entry will receive six runs, three in each direction. The test shall consist of two consecutive runs, one of which shall be made in one direction and one in the opposite direction. The overall speed is calculated by averaging the best two consecutive runs out of the six runs that each entrant is entitled to run. The driver may take all his runs at one time or may after taking one run decide to wait for better conditions for his or her remaining runs.

The annual Speed Boat Time Trials were renamed the “Rockey Stone Memorial Kilo’s in 1995 in honor of the person instrumental in setting up and organizing the event for many years and the ¼ Mile in honor of Buzz Thorsen who took leadership after Rockey retired. The event has been held since its inception in the mid 1950’s, minus a few years during which Devils Lake underwent a massive weed cleanup. The event has placed Devils Lake and Lincoln City, Oregon in the American Powerboat Associations record book many times and has historically held the esteemed respect of having the “Worlds Fastest Water.”

As we mentioned last month, this year has seen significant improvements in the water quality at Devil's Lake. Notably, the Water Improvement District didn’t run the harvester this season—it never even made it to the lake. Another month has passed, and it’s still hard to find any traces of elodea. A few small patches of milfoil have appeared near the river end, but in place of elodea, we’ve mostly seen the propagation of Vallisneria and a couple of algae blooms this summer. Thankfully, none of these resulted in toxic water conditions.

Vallisneria (also known as eelgrass) has become the dominant plant this year, replacing elodea. Vallisneria grows relatively low and, for the most part, doesn't interfere with navigation or recreational activities. It typically thrives in water between 2 and 18 inches deep. Right now, it’s shedding, and if you live on the windward side of the lake, you might notice debris piling up along your shoreline. However, compared to the previous two years, the amount vegetative matter is much more manageable.

The Devil's Lake Water Improvement District’s goal is to maintain 20% of the lake with healthy vegetation, and Vallisneria might be a good candidate for that balance. Since it’s the dominant plant this year, we are including a more detailed article entitled "Understanding Vallesneria for your review. Overall, this is great news, and we hope to see similar results next year.

Vallisneria, commonly known as eelgrass, is an important aquatic plant found in many freshwater lakes across North America. This submerged plant plays a vital role in lake ecosystems, providing numerous benefits to water quality, wildlife, and even recreational activities.

Characteristics of Vallisneria

Vallisneria is a perennial, submerged plant that typically grows in shallow waters ranging from 2 to 18 inches deep. It has long, ribbon-like leaves that can reach lengths of several feet, though in most lakes, it tends to grow much lower. These leaves are flexible and move gracefully with the water currents, allowing Vallisneria to avoid becoming a navigational obstacle in most areas of the lake.

Unlike more invasive species such as milfoil or elodea, Vallisneria doesn't form dense, surface-reaching mats. Instead, it grows in low clusters, which makes it an excellent plant for maintaining water quality and promoting healthy ecosystems without interfering with recreational uses like boating, fishing, or swimming.

Ecological Benefits

1. Improving Water Quality: Vallisneria helps stabilize the lakebed, preventing erosion and reducing the amount of suspended sediment in the water. Its roots anchor the soil, while its leaves absorb nutrients that would otherwise contribute to algae blooms. By competing for nutrients, Vallisneria plays a role in controlling excessive algae growth, which can lead to clearer, healthier water.
2. Habitat for Wildlife: The plant provides essential habitat for fish, invertebrates, and other aquatic life. Small fish use the dense vegetation as shelter from predators, while the plant’s leaves offer surfaces for beneficial microorganisms to thrive. Vallisneria also serves as a food source for waterfowl and some fish species.
3. Supporting Biodiversity: As a native species in many North American lakes, Vallisneria helps support a balanced ecosystem. Its presence encourages biodiversity, as it supports various species of fish, amphibians, and other wildlife that rely on submerged vegetation.

Vallisneria vs. Invasive Species

One of the standout benefits of Vallisneria is its ability to occupy space in a way that reduces the potential for invasive species to establish themselves. Unlike milfoil or hydrilla, which can spread rapidly and form dense mats, Vallisneria grows at a slower rate and maintains a more contained presence in the lake. Its moderate growth helps preserve open water areas for recreation while still providing ecological benefits.

Managing Vallisneria in Lakes

In most cases, Vallisneria is considered a beneficial plant that requires little to no management. However, in lakes where it becomes overabundant, mechanical harvesting or selective removal may be necessary to maintain a balance between vegetation and open water. Since Vallisneria primarily grows in shallow areas, it’s essential to monitor its spread to ensure it doesn’t hinder access to docks, boat ramps, or other high-use recreational spots.

Conclusion

Overall, Vallisneria is a key player in maintaining the health of North American lakes. Its ability to improve water quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and support biodiversity makes it a highly valuable plant in lake ecosystems. As the dominant aquatic weed in many lakes, including those where invasive species pose a threat, Vallisneria is a natural ally in promoting a balanced, healthy aquatic environment.

For lake residents and recreational users, this low-growing plant is often a welcome presence, as it supports the lake’s health without causing the issues associated with more aggressive aquatic weeds.

We had an amazing 4th of July celebration on Devil's Lake, Oregon! The boat parade on July 4th was a fantastic start to the festivities, with 52 participants showing off their uniquely decorated boats. It was wonderful to see the community come together, with everyone cheering and enjoying the creative displays.

The fireworks display on the 5th was truly spectacular, lighting up the sky with a brilliant show of colors and dazzling patterns. We had the perfect view from the shore, and it felt like the whole lake was aglow.

However, we are still $3,400 short of our fundraising goal for next year's fireworks. We need your help to keep this tradition alive! Please consider donating at dlakeoregon.com/donate_fireworks_2024 to ensure another amazing celebration in 2024.

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s festivities unforgettable. We couldn't have asked for a better celebration and are already looking forward to next year!

This year has brought some significant changes to the water quality at Devil's Lake, and the news is mostly positive! One of the most noticeable differences has been the absence of elodea, the invasive aquatic plant that has plagued our waters in the past. Most reports from around the lake have indicated no visible signs of elodea. This is a remarkable improvement from previous years.

In fact, there has been only one report of elodea so far. A diver at the west end of the lake found approximately one foot of elodea growing at the bottom. However, they did not observe any elodea growing around their docks. Instead, there have been observations of Vallisneria, commonly known as eelgrass, in shallow water areas. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, it seems that the growth of elodea has been delayed rather than eliminated entirely.

There is speculation about what might have contributed to this change. A combination of factors, such as the unusually cold winter with a week of freezing weather on the coast earlier this year and the introduction of 5,000 grass carp into the lake, may have had a positive impact. This theory is supported by the fact that the Devil's Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID) has not launched the weed harvester this year because there simply aren't any weeds for it to harvest.

Will this trend continue? It's hard to say, but there haven't been any complaints about elodea from around the lake. The DLWID plans to conduct another survey of the weeds towards the end of the summer, which should provide more concrete data on the progress we've made.

In terms of other water quality issues, we have more good news to share. There have been no E. coli warnings posted this season, and we have not had any cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) warnings since the aeration system was installed several years ago. This is a very positive development for everyone who enjoys the lake.

For those interested in more detailed water quality information, including rainfall, lake level, and temperature readings, you can visit dlwid.org/water-sampling/.

We're excited, it's a double whammy week that kick's off the month of July.  We begin with our boat parade in the afternoon on July 4th, then continue with our annual fireworks extravaganza on July 5th.  Two for the price of one so don't miss out.  And yes we are still collecting money for the 2024 fireworks, we haven't quite made it half way this year with $10,000 still to raise.  Thanks to all who have offered up their support.  If you haven't donated follow this link to join in and ensure we can continue this great tradition.  

Boat Parade: Thursday, July 4th, 2024 at 04:00 PM

Fireworks Show : Friday, July 5th, 2024 beginning at 9:30pm (or Dusk)