MOSES LAKE -  The newly built Parker Horn pump station is helping keep Moses Lake clean and reducing possible odor.

The station was rebuilt by Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District staff earlier this year after a flood, according to Curt Carpenter, the district's manager, on Monday.

The flood was caused by cold weather and a resulting power outage in November. The station vault filled with 17,000 gallons of water when the cooling water inlet froze and broke.

Carpenter commented it is fortunate the flood happened in the winter when they could use district employees to complete repairs.

"The pump station was already budgeted for upgrade work anyway, so staff also completed a batch of long overdue maintenance projects previously approved by the board of directors in our facility upgrade plan," he stated.

The district spent $180,000 on the project so far, he said.

Some of the work was planned in upgrades, while some was not planned because of the damage, Carpenter explained. 

The amount the insurance company covers isn't yet available.

The original pump station was built in 1980 with the help of federal Clean Lakes project funds.

With the new station, 22,000 gallons of water per minute travel through the Parker Horn pump station to Pelican Horn, he commented.

Advantages of the new facility are the elimination of stagnant water, improved water quality and better fish habitat.

Stagnant water creates an unhealthy habitat and an environment for disease, promotes unwanted infestations, is smelly, attracts mosquitoes,  promotes algae growth and a lack of oxygen resulting in dead fish, according to Julie Smith, the district's administrative assistant.

One of the healthiest areas of the lake is around the fountain near the Alder Street fill, she commented.

"The circulation of the water there increases oxygen in the water and we have test results that show very healthy water around the fountain," she stated.