On July 20, 2006, contract netters removed thousands of illegally introduced tui chub from Diamond Lake.
Photo credits: Dan Saddler, ODOT Photo Services |
 |
Diamond Lake's tui chub population was an estimated 90 million juveniles and 8 million adults. The chub were illegally reintroduced in the 1990s and upset the lake's ecosystem by out-competing rainbow trout for food such as zooplankton. Depletion of zooplankton caused harmful algae to flourish and during portions of the summers 2001, 2002, and 2003, toxic algae blooms closed Diamond Lake to water contact activities. The lake also failed to meet state water quality standards.
Photo credits: Dan Saddler, ODOT Photo Services |
 |
| Diamond Lake's surface area of 2,941 acres was drawn down 8 feet, decreasing by one third the volume to be treated. At the Thielsen View Campground, pictured here, the water's edge was more than 250 feet from the recreation area's boat launch.
Photo credits: Dan Saddler, ODOT Photo Services |
 |
ODFW developed a bald eagle feeding program in preparation for the time when there would be no fish in Diamond Lake. In mid-August 2006, the lake's eagles were trained to feed from two floating platforms, one placed at the north end of the lake and one at the south end. The platforms were regularly stocked with fish, some of which were tui chub caught during the netting operation and frozen for later use.
Photo credits: Dan Saddler, ODOT Photo Services |
|
Thousands of tui chub were loaded into containers that were donated by ODFW to wildlife rehabilitation organizations, a wildlife park and for use as compost. ODFW will restock Diamond Lake in spring 2007 with 50,000-100,000 fingerling trout and 10,000-25,000 catchable-size trout.
Photo credits: Dan Saddler, ODOT Photo Services |
|
| In May 2000, ODFW stocked Diamond Lake with 24,000 legal-sized hatchery spring chinook. These fish were part of an experimental stocking program designed to provide a fishery for the lake. |
 |
| An ODFW employee removed fish from a trap at Lake Creek, the outlet for Diamond Lake. ODFW installed the trap in summer 2003 to estimate the numbers and types of fish leaving Diamond Lake to evaluate the effectiveness of the stocking program. The trap operated in 2004 as well. |
 |
| Hatchery spring chinook that were found in the trap were marked with a small tail fin clip and returned to the lake. |
 |
| ODFW biologist Dave Loomis discusses Diamond Lake fisheries with a group attending the Diamond Lake Technical Forum, including Representative Susan Morgan. The Technical Forum was held in May 2002 and marked the beginning of the Diamond Lake Restoration Project. |
 |
