White River – Lake Tapps Reservoir Property Management Policy
The White River – Lake Tapps Reservoir Property Management Policy addresses management and use of property owned by Cascade. The policy aims to keep Cascade’s property free of obstructions and unauthorized use, activities and/or improvements to maintain dike integrity, water quality, environmental health and safety, and public enjoyment. The policy ensures that any modifications or new improvements are granted permission by Cascade and permitted by other agencies and are consistent with Cascade’s operations.
Cascade owns facilities that convey water from the White River in Buckley, through the Reservoir, and back to the White River in Sumner. At this time, only the Reservoir is open to recreational use. Cascade owns the Reservoir lake bed and shoreline up to the 545’ elevation line and the dikes surrounding the Reservoir. The typical summer recreation level of the Reservoir is 541.5’ to 543’ elevation. Cascade allows certain recreational uses on its Reservoir property as well as allowing property owners adjacent to some dikes to cross over the dikes to access the Reservoir for recreation.
Lake Tapps Licenses
All modified or new improvements on the Lake Tapps Reservoir require Licenses.
Cascade Water Alliance owns the reservoir lake bed and shoreline up to the 545’ elevation line (as a reference, note that the typical summer recreation level of the reservoir is 541.5 to 543′). A license is required from Cascade to modify an existing improvement or establish a new improvement on this property, including bulkheads, docks, boat lifts, boat ramps, and boat houses. See Table 1 in the Lake Tapps Reservoir Property Management Policy for the complete list of improvements requiring a license. Please submit your application and any questions to panderson@cascadewater.org.
Prior to any construction on Lake Tapps, residents must:
- Obtain a license from Cascade
- Obtain all necessary state and local permits
- Meet insurance requirements
Other Permits and Approvals
Modified or new improvements on the Lake Tapps Reservoir also require approvals and permits (e.g. building, zoning, shoreline, and/or environmental protection) from other jurisdictions (e.g., Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, United States Army Corps of Engineers, City of Bonney Lake, and/or Pierce County). Click here for a Homeowner’s Guide to Licensing Improvements on Lake Tapps.
Lake Tapps Dike Usage
Cascade’s dikes are closed to the general public. Trespassing on these dikes will be subject to enforcement by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.
It is illegal to draw water from the reservoir
It is illegal to draw water from the Lake Tapps Reservoir to irrigate your landscape or for any other purpose. Residential irrigation systems that draw reservoir water pose a risk for the residence and other users of the water system due to potential cross-connection and back-flow contamination and are not allowed. Illegal water withdrawals will be reported to the Department of Ecology and the City of Bonney Lake Cross Connection Control for enforcement action.