Reflection Lake—one of the Columbia Wetlands’ most accessible and biologically rich sites—is facing progressive ecological decline. The lake is becoming shallower, cattails are rapidly expanding, and organic sediment is accumulating. Without intervention, these changes increase the risk of eutrophication and could eventually cause the wetland to dry out, threatening both local biodiversity and community values.
Thanks to funding from the Columbia Basin Trust (via the Town of Golden’s ReDi grant), Wildsight Golden, together with local partners, is launching Phase 1 of a multi-phase restoration initiative. This initial phase focuses on a comprehensive feasibility assessment to evaluate the root causes of the lake’s degradation, analyze water availability, and identify the most effective, efficient, and durable options to restore appropriate water levels.
Community engagement is at the heart of this project. Local residents and organizations are highly encouraged to attend the upcoming on-site event to learn about the project and contribute their feedback.
The Community Open House & BioBlitz will take place on August 4th at 5 PM at the Reflection Lake Wildlife Viewing Gazebo. Please bring a smartphone with the free iNaturalist app pre-downloaded and an account created. If you do not have a smartphone, bring a friend who does!
What to expect:
• 5:00 PM – Welcome & Project Presentation: An introduction to the lake’s current biological trajectory and the goals of the Phase 1 feasibility study.
• 5:30 PM – BioBlitz: Attendees will become citizen scientists, exploring the shoreline to document the plants, birds, and insects currently inhabiting the area using their smartphones.
• 6:00 PM – Q&A and Community Feedback: Participants will be provided with maps to directly draw and write their suggestions onto.
The data and feedback collected during this event will directly guide the final restoration design. Whether residents are concerned about local habitat loss or simply want to see this cherished wetland thrive, your input matters. Together, the community can ensure Reflection Lake remains a healthy, biodiverse, and valued ecosystem for generations to come.
