New water-quality monitoring gives Moses Lake hard numbers showing real improvement for the first time in years. Phosphorus levels, the nutrient that feeds the blue-green algae blooms that have plagued the lake for decades, dropped an average of 57% across 2024 and 2025, according to the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District. At Rocky Ford Creek, one of the lake's main phosphorus sources, reductions reached as high as 63%.

The turnaround comes from a $3.1 million federal restoration project, secured by Rep. Dan Newhouse and routed through the Columbia Basin Conservation District. Crews applied EutroSORB G, a lanthanum-based treatment that binds phosphorus already stored in lake-bottom sediment so it can't keep feeding algae, across roughly half of the lake's routinely monitored area, targeting more than 15,900 pounds of phosphorus for inactivation.

"Community members have reported clearer water, improved recreational conditions and fewer concerns during some of the busiest months of the year," MLIRD Executive General Manager Sam Castro wrote in a recent guest commentary.

The lake's water-quality problems aren't solved. MLIRD's own monitoring notes 2024's numbers were complicated by an unrelated East Low Canal breach, and officials say the gains depend on the restoration work continuing. But for a lake most of the county swims, boats, and fishes in every summer, the trend line is finally pointing the right direction.

Read MLIRD's Sam Castro on the turnaround →

Quincy's brand-new aquatic center pulled in more than 3,100 visits in its first 12 days, and the city's already sold roughly 750 season passes. Recreation Director Russ Harrington told the city council the facility has hit capacity multiple times. Certified lifeguards, not pool size, are the bottleneck. The city's recruiting more to keep up with demand during peak hours.

Read up on Quincy's good problem to have →

The old I-90 Hansen Road overpass, closed since January after inspectors found it too deteriorated to repair, is now fully demolished. Through the rest of construction, expect 24/7 single-lane closures on I-90 near Moses Lake, with crews working an accelerated schedule. WSDOT says the new overpass could open to traffic as early as late December, months ahead of the original 2027 target.

Check WSDOT's latest on the detour situation →

Columbia Basin Hospital Family Medicine's discounted sports-physical clinic wraps up today, Aug. 18, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at its Ephrata clinic. $50 cash, no insurance billed, quick turnaround for student-athletes gearing up for fall season. Call 509-754-3330, option 0, to grab a spot before the day's out.

Book a slot before it's gone →