Sunset for Devils Lake Neighborhood Association

It is with mixed emotions that I write this post, as it marks the final chapter of the Devil's Lake Neighborhood Association. Since 2014, we have proudly served our community as a charitable non-profit 501c3 organization. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, we must now bring our operations to a close.

Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to fill our vacant board seats. It seems that there is currently a lack of volunteers willing to step into these roles, which has made it impossible for us to continue as a registered non-profit. Operating in this manner not only presents significant challenges but could also potentially lead to legal issues.

While our official operations will cease, the Devil's Lake Neighborhood Association entity will remain through the end of the year. During this time, should someone in the community wish to take on the responsibility and revive the association, they are welcome to do so. Our website will also remain active for reference purposes.

Our contracted fireworks display scheduled for July 5th will proceed as planned. We also invite anyone interested to gather on the lake for the boat parade on July 4th, as it will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our community.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Devil's Lake community for the past 10 years. Although this marks the end of our formal association, the spirit of community and camaraderie that defines Devil's Lake will continue to thrive. Thank you for your support and camaraderie over the years.

Warm regards,

Mitchell Moore 

Devils Lake Neighborhood Association


2023 Year in Review

In 2023, Devils Lake saw exciting progress on multiple fronts, thanks to dedicated work from the Devils Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID) and the Devils Lake Neighborhood Association (DLNA). Here's a glimpse into the year's highlights:

Aquatic Vegetation Control:

  • Grass Carp Arrival: 5,000 sterile grass carp were introduced to combat invasive plants, with community donations covering 263 fish and 70 named carp!
  • Weed Harvester in Action: The district leased a harvester to tackle aquatic weeds like elodea and vallisneria, ensuring a healthy lake ecosystem.

Community Engagement:

  • Lake Neighbors Get Together: Festive events like the Memorial Day BBQ, fireworks and the boat parade brought the community together for fun and fundraising.
  • Outpouring of Support: Residents generously donated over $17,000 to support the harvester and grass carp initiatives, showcasing their commitment to the lake.

Collaborative Efforts:

  • DLWID-DLNA Partnership: The two organizations joined forces to revitalize the Blue Heron Landing, launching a dedicated website and planning for inclusive community development.
  • Urgent Call to Action: Heavy rains raised concerns about rising lake levels, prompting a community photo-sharing campaign to urge action on dredging the D River.

Other Milestones:

  • ODFW Commission Approval: Key legal changes paved the way for grass carp placement.
  • New District Manager: Boone Marker brought fresh perspectives and experience to the DLWID.
  • DLNA Reference Library: Educational articles on invasive species and environmental stewardship empowered residents.

Overall, 2023 marked a year of significant progress for Devils Lake. Community collaboration, innovative solutions, and unwavering dedication laid the groundwork for a brighter future for this beloved body of water.


Make Plans For July 4th and 5th

The Devils Lake Neighborhood Association (DLNA) is announcing the tenth Annual Devils Lake Neighborhood Association Fireworks display. The Association is once again working with Western Fireworks who will come to Devils Lake and put on a spectacular show. 

Our show will be held on Friday, July 5th beginning at 9:30pm. 

With this date change everyone will be able to enjoy this extra long weekend with several lake activities. Our spectacular show will be launched off a barge centrally located on the lake. Please note that the display will not be visible from Regatta Park, but Brown Bear State Park and Sandpoint Park should prove to be good locations to enjoy the show.   This show provides the unique opportunity to be viewed while boating on Devils Lake.  To maximize safety, a boat restriction zone will be established around the fireworks barge. No open flame candles, sparklers, or any other kind of fireworks should be used while operating a motorboat. Pets should never be brought to any fireworks display.

To make the weekend complete the DLNA will also be leading a Boat parade on Thursday, July 4th beginning in front of Regatta Park at 4:00pm.  We ask residents to deck their boats with patriotic fare and gather at Regatta Park and take a lap around the lake to celebrate this great country.


Urgent Call To Action

As you may know, we have received a tremendous amount of rain in the past week, resulting in the lake level rising to worrisome heights. The Devil’s Lake Water Improvement District has been working hard for the past three years to get approval from various state agencies in Oregon to dredge the D River on the east side of Highway 101. The requested permit is meant to address the accumulation of sand and logs in the river due to various King tides over the years that have created a barrier for the outflow of water from our lake.

Unfortunately, these efforts have been stymied by one individual in a State agency who fails to see the urgency of the situation. This one person has stopped our request dead in its tracks.

Today, I am writing to request your help. If you are currently in Lincoln City, I urge you to go out in your yard and take pictures of the current situation. Please email these photos to [email protected]. If possible, please also take pictures of other properties in your neighborhood. If you have any pictures of the normal water level, please send them to us as well. We will use them as a comparison to today’s crisis.

We will make these images available to the District for future use in advocacy for a dredging permit. Watch this space, and save your images, as we may request a grassroots letter writing campaign in the near future.

Thank you for your cooperation. We hope that together we can make a difference.

 


New Hub For Progress

We're thrilled to bring you some exciting news today – the launch of our brand-new website dedicated exclusively to the Blue Heron Landing Project! This website, located at www.blueheronlandingproject.com, is your go-to source for staying in the loop on all the latest developments and progress made by the Devils Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID) on this remarkable parcel.

The Blue Heron Landing Project represents a significant step forward in our mission to enhance and revitalize this cherished piece of our community. It's not just about rejuvenating a location; it's about creating a space that will benefit all of us, today and for generations to come.

So, what can you expect from our new website?

Stay Informed: The website will serve as a central hub for all project-related updates and news. Whether it's the latest construction milestones, environmental assessments, or community engagement opportunities, you'll find it all right here.

Visual Progress: We'll be sharing captivating images and videos that showcase the transformation of Blue Heron Landing. Witness the project come to life through visuals that tell the story of our progress.

Community Engagement: Your voice matters! We want you to be part of this exciting journey. The website will provide information on how you can get involved, join discussions, and contribute to the shaping of our project.

Project Timeline: Curious about what's coming up next? Our project timeline will give you insights into the stages of development, so you can anticipate what's on the horizon.

Contact Us: Have questions, ideas, or suggestions? Reach out to us through the website. We value your input and are eager to hear from you.

This website is more than just a virtual space; it's a reflection of our commitment to transparency, community involvement, and progress. We want you to be a part of the Blue Heron Landing Project every step of the way, and this website is designed to make that possible.

We invite you to visit www.blueheronlandingproject.com today and explore all it has to offer. Bookmark the page, sign up for updates, and join us on this exciting journey to transform Blue Heron Landing into a vibrant and thriving asset for our beloved Devils Lake community.

Together, we're making a brighter, more vibrant future for Devils Lake, and we can't wait to share the progress with you.

Stay tuned for more updates and news!


Fall Harvesting on Devils Lake (Video)


New Partnership Announced

Exciting news is on the horizon as we proudly announce a significant development that's set to shape the future of our beloved Devils Lake. The Devils Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID) and the Devils Lake Neighborhood Association (DLNA) are joining forces to bring about positive changes and enhancements to the Blue Heron Landing facility, right here on our pristine lake.

Now officially labeled as the "Blue Heron Landing Project," the DLWID and DLNA share a vision of revitalizing this cherished spot for the benefit of our entire community. This partnership signifies a collaborative effort to ensure that the redevelopment process is inclusive, community-driven, and aligned with our shared goals.

One of the key elements of this partnership is the creation of a Citizens Advisory Committee. This committee will play a vital role in guiding the DLWID through the various stages of this exciting project. It will be composed of dedicated community members who are passionate about Devils Lake and want to contribute their skills and insights to the redevelopment efforts.

This is an open invitation to anyone in our community who believes they have valuable skills, experiences, or perspectives to offer. Whether you're an avid environmentalist, a design enthusiast, a local business owner, or simply a passionate resident who wants to help shape the future of Devils Lake, we want to hear from you!

To express your interest in joining the Citizens Advisory Committee, please contact Boone Marker at [email protected]. Your involvement can make a meaningful difference in this collaborative endeavor.

As we embark on this journey together, we're excited about the potential for positive change and growth that lies ahead. With the DLWID and DLNA partnership, we're not just redeveloping a facility; we're nurturing our community's connection to Devils Lake, ensuring that it remains a vibrant and thriving part of our lives for generations to come.

Stay tuned for updates on this exciting collaboration and the progress of the redevelopment efforts. Together, we can make Devils Lake an even more exceptional place to live, work, and play.


Outpouring of Community Support

The Devil's Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID) is a vital part of the Lincoln City community, working tirelessly to preserve the natural beauty and water quality of Devil's Lake. This year, DLWID has received an outpouring of support from local residents and the neighborhood association, demonstrating the community's commitment to protecting this shared resource.

One of the key ways that the community has supported DLWID is through financial contributions. The neighborhood association initiated a donation campaign to support the operation of the harvester, which plays a vital role in removing invasive aquatic vegetation from the lake. Over the summer, members of the community generously donated a total of $9,000 to the harvester fund.

In addition to financial contributions, residents have also supported DLWID by purchasing grass carp for the lake. These carp help to control the growth of aquatic vegetation, and they were made available for purchase for $30 each. The community responded enthusiastically, raising an additional $8,000 to support the lake's conservation efforts.

The community's support for DLWID goes beyond financial contributions. Donors were given the opportunity to name the grass carp that they purchased, and they responded by naming 124 carp with a variety of creative and heartwarming names. The most popular name was simply "fish," as in “one-fish, two-fish” but other popular names included "Bob," "Mary," and "Fred." This personalization of the grass carp reflects the strong bond that the community feels with Devil's Lake.

DLNA also presented to the District a framed image that contained the names of all 124 grass carp, symbolizing the strong connection between the community and the lake. This heartwarming gesture is a testament to the community's dedication to preserving Devil's Lake for generations to come.

The Devil's Lake Water Improvement District is grateful for the outpouring of support from the Lincoln City community. This support is essential to DLWID's mission of protecting and enhancing the natural beauty of Devil's Lake


Aquatic Weed Battle Continues

The Devils Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID) is continuing its relentless efforts to maintain the pristine beauty of Devils Lake. The district's harvester has been working tirelessly throughout the season, albeit with a brief hiatus in August for repairs.

As we approach the next phase of the elodea life cycle, it's important to understand the natural behavior of the plant. During this phase, large chunks of elodea plants will detach from the lake's bottom and begin to float around the water. This is entirely normal for these weeds and represents their primary method of reproduction. These floating patches contain specialized cells that will eventually sink in new locations and provide the seed crop for next year's growth.

The DLWID is well aware of the importance of managing this phase of the elodea plant life cycle. Their harvester will attempt to remove as much of this floating vegetation as possible to set the stage for a smoother operation in the next season, ensuring the lake continues to be open to navigation and remains a place for everyone to enjoy.

Residents on the windward side of the lake may find this time of year frustrating as the floating weeds are pushed along to their shoreline. It's essential to note that this increase in vegetation is not a result of harvesting but a natural part of the plant cycle.

Another factor to consider is the impending rainy season. As the lake starts to fill, the aquatic plants will begin to sink. Once the plants go below the six-foot mark, the operational range of the harvester, the harvesting operation will conclude for the season.

The Devils Lake Water Improvement District anticipates sharing final statistics on their harvesting operation in the October board meeting.

Let's take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication of the harvester team. They're working tirelessly to keep Devils Lake beautiful for all to enjoy. If you see them on the lake, don't forget to wave and give them a big smile!


Holiday Weekend Reminder 2023

We're excited, it's a double whammy weekend that kick's off the month of July.  We begin with our eighth annual fireworks extravaganza on July 3rd,  before the show is our boat parade in the afternoon. Two for the price of one so don't miss out.  And yes we are still collecting money for the 2023 fireworks, we have made it half way.  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: Monday July 03, 2023 at 04:00 PM

Fireworks Show : Monday July 03, 2023 at 09:30 PM (or Dusk)

 

 



connect

get updates