Chelan secures $3 million for East Chelan Water Reservoir project

CHELAN — The City of Chelan has received a $3 million state appropriation to launch the East Chelan Water Reservoir Project, funding secured through the efforts of Rep. Mike Steele, R-Chelan.

The project aims to address vulnerabilities in the city’s hillside water system, first exposed during the 2015 Chelan Complex Fire. Nearly 41% of the community’s north shore relies on a single booster pump station at Darnell’s Resort — a single point of failure that could hinder firefighting efforts and water service during emergencies.

Fire Chief Brandon Asher said the current limited reservoir capacity leaves the community at risk.
“Even under ideal conditions, with a limited amount of reservoir capacity, we've been operating on borrowed time,” Asher said. “Wildfires strain everything—our people, equipment, and water systems. This new infrastructure provides the crucial support we need to protect lives and property.”

The planned upgrades include a 1-million-gallon water reservoir, a new booster pump, pressure-reducing valve stations and new transmission lines to connect and stabilize the system. These improvements will replace aging infrastructure built piecemeal over decades under a “development pays for development” approach.

Mayor Erin McCardle said the funding is a step toward long-term safety.
“Our current system leaves hundreds of residents exposed,” McCardle said. “Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Steele, we now have the opportunity to move from reactive to resilient. This funding sets the foundation for safer neighborhoods and a stronger future.”

Currently, three small reservoirs in North Chelan provide only 11 hours of water during a small fire emergency, with supply dropping sharply when multiple hydrants are used. Beyond firefighting, the reservoirs supply clean drinking water for more than 40% of residents.

“This isn’t just a fire issue—it’s a public health and reliability issue,” Public Works Director Jake Youngren said. “People rely on this system for safe, clean drinking water every single day. A fire shouldn’t jeopardize both emergency response and household access to safe drinking water.”

The $3 million will cover the planning and design phase in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is expected to take 12 to 18 months. City officials will continue pursuing full project funding, including potential federal appropriations and a $9 million Water Resources Development Act opportunity.

McCardle expressed gratitude to the city’s legislative supporters.
“We’re beyond thankful to Rep. Mike Steele for taking this project personally and delivering real results,” McCardle said. “And to Senator Goehner and Rep. Burnett—thank you for backing this effort every step of the way. District 12 shows up for Chelan.”