Crater Lake National Park may
not be ready to accept water from Chiloquin until early next
week as they prepare their treatment plant to receive the
shipments.
Despite dwindling reserves
after the park stopped drawing from Annie Creek May 3,
efforts to equip holding tanks to the treatment plant have
delayed shipments.
Marsha McCabe, chief of
interpretation and cultural resources, said Wednesday the
park is working to connect four tanks to the system. The
process includes chlorine sterilization, which will add
least 24 hours to the wait.
“The plan is to start hauling
water on a daily basis beginning early next week,” said
McCabe.
Crater Lake’s need for an
alternative water source became apparent May 3 when they
were informed Annie Creek was included in a call on water by
the Klamath Tribes. Plans are in place to build a
groundwater well as a permanent alternative and, in the
meantime, the city of Chiloquin has agreed to sell the park
water for drinking and fire protection during May and June.
The cost of water from
Chiloquin could total more than $37,000 while the park
expects to pay Action Sanitary, of Lower Lake, Calif.,
approximately $400,000 to haul the water. McCabe said the
installation of tanks at the plant is expected to add
$10,000 to the tab between parts and labor.
Though working with a limited
supply of water, McCabe said reserves are expected to last
until next week with the help of “extreme water conservation
measures.” Guests and residents are encouraged to bring
drinking water from outside the park, to use garbage
receptacles instead of flushing trash down toilets, to take
shorter showers and avoid baths, and to alert staff to
leaking faucets and water lines at the park.
McCabe also said they will
delay bringing the water system in Mazama Village online
until after they are able to truck in water, noting the
facility does not open until May 26. She also said park
attendance is lower during the first half of May and, based
on expected consumption, they believe reserves will last
until water is shipped in.
“We are closely monitoring
our water reserves, and feel we have enough to make it
through early next week,” said McCabe.
Despite the water needs,
Crater Lake remains open to the public. The road to Rim
Village remains open unless closed due to weather, while Rim
Drive may not open until mid-June due to higher-than-average
snow levels.
