One of the things that I always explain to anyone buying a home in Lake Oswego, and particularly a lakefront home, is that the lake has a history of routine maintenance that occasionally requires a draw down of the water level.
For years this was done every other winter. Remember that while there is a natural lake area that is fed by the Tualatin River, much of the lake was enlarged by man and the water level is controlled via the in-take gate at the Tualatin River and the dam along McVey Avenue.
In the past the reason for the draw down was to allow homeowners to repair seawalls and do maintenance on their boat houses. It was also used as a way to flush the lake of water that had grown stagnant and re-fill it with new water to help control the build up of algea.
Then a few years ago the Lake Corporatation installed aerators that added oxygen to the water and lessened the need for such frequent draw downs as a means of keeping the lake clean. So it has been awhile since there has been a draw down of the lake water.
That will be changing in the fall of 2010.
Beginning this fall, the City of Lake Oswego is in the preliminary stages of what is known as the Lake Oswego Interceptor Sewer Project. Basically, the sewer that now serves 2/3 of the city is submerged 14 to 21 feet under the lake. It was built in the 1960’s and is vulnerable to earthquake damage as well as being too small to accommodate the needs of the community. So a new interceptor will be constructed and that is going to have an impact on how the lake looks and how we are able to use it.
There will be 3 phases to the construction. Phase one is beginning now. It involves obtaining permits, securing funding, and obtaining bids. This is all the paper shuffling stuff, and while citizen input is encouraged, unless you make an effort to get involved, you won’t see anything different happening.
Phase two is in-lake construction that can be done from barges without drawing down the water. This phase is expected to begin in early 2009 and last about a year. During this phase you will see numerous barges on the lake and you will also see construction access points and large quantities of materials being stored at various locations. Access points are expected to be at the Alder Point and the Maple Circle easements.
The last phase is when the water draw down is to occur. This phase is expected to begin in September of 2010 and be completed by Spring of 2011. The idea is to have it completed by summer to allow the normal summer use of the lake. As with all construction projects, I’d advise being a bit flexible on that one. Construction access points will expand to also include the Lake Corporation Marina on McVey Avenue, the Allen Road Easement, and the Northshore Bridge Easement.
For full details on the Sewer Interceptor Project click here.
So don’t be surprised when there is an occasional draw down of the lake level. It has happened many times over the years, and it will certainly be happening in the near future.
I was pleasantly surprised yesterday morning to find an article on the front page of the Clackamas County edition of the Oregonian featuring a story about the new electric-car, plug-in charging station that is now in Lake Oswego.
Back in March I wrote a post about affordable homes in Lake Oswego. My definition of affordable were homes priced under $350,000. At the time, March 28, 2008, there were 20 houses for sale in Lake Oswego priced at $350,000 or less. I compared that number to houses in Sellwood, a close-in neighborhood in Southeast Portlnad, where at the same time there were 18 houses priced $350,000 or less. What is going on today? How has the changing market affected the availability of affordable houses?
Absolutely one of the best features of living in Lake Oswego is the ability to enjoy the lake. And one of my favorite ways to enjoy it is by riding a bike, or taking a walk or a jog around it. The first time I ran the lake was in 1980. I have done it many, many times since then. Although I have to admit that these days instead of running it, I bike or walk it. It’s just about 8 miles all the way around. Biking it, the challenge is to do it in one hour’s time. I know that does not seem very fast, but there are two substantial hills in the ride and if you can do it in an hour, you are kicking some serious #*%*. Walking it takes about 2.5 hours, and running it, back in my hey day, took just over an hour.
Start at the Lake Grove Swim Park, which is just North of the intersection of Southshore Blvd and Lakeview Blvd, along Lakeview Blvd. Proceed North on Lakeview. I suppose it is actually slightly Northeast, but for the sake of keeping it simple, head North along the shoulder of the road. There is a nice wide bike path and you’ll be enjoying the view of the lake and the stately mansions. You will go about half a mile before you come to the first right hand turn. 
cross the bridge with the view to the left of Lakewood Bay you will come to a 3-way stop, turn left. Go about a block and take the first right. This is is Fairmont. You are only going to go about 100 feet before you turn left onto Middlecrest. Middlecrest is not a through street. It has a barrier erected to keep out auto traffic, but there is a pass through for bikes and pedestrians. Stay on Middlecrest a couple of blocks to the traffic light at State Street. 
Please forgive me for using this forum to promote a cause that is very near and dear to my heart. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think it was extremely important. And I want to give my thanks to Ron and Linda for allowing me to do this in this forum.
It’s summer time and one of the great joys of the season is all of the fresh produce and bright assortment of flowers that are available at this time of year. In Lake Oswego these can be found in abundance at the local Farmer’s Market. Located in Millenium Plaza Park on Lake Oswego’s East side, the market is open on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm, mid May to the end of October. There is free parking and even doggie daycare (dogs are not allowed in the market).
Numerous farms bring their crops to the market. You’ll find all sorts of fruit and produce. Especially abundant are the berries: strawberries, blue berries, and black berries. There are vendors who sell just organic lettuce, and vendors who sell not only tomatoes, but tomato plants too. There are booths run by local nurseries so that you can purchase plants for your own garden. I have also seen a table set up by local master gardeners where you can ask experts your gardening questions.
The City of Lake Oswego has developed quite a reputation for its amazing displays of flowers. Flowers are everywhere: hanging in baskets, in the meridians of roads, in the round abouts, and along pathways and around intersections. Everywhere you turn in the summer months is an absolute feast of color.
I have to give credit for a large part of the City’s strong interest in flowers to one of the City’s former mayors, Bill Gerber. Bill loved this City. He owned a nursery in Lake Grove called Gerber Gardens. He toured the world looking at gorgeous gardens and brought his love of gardens home to Lake Oswego. It was through Bill’s efforts that Lake Oswego entered into, and won, the America in Bloom competition.