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Friends of Vancouver LakeFriends of Vancouver Lake
  • Home
  • News
    • Blog
    • News Archive
    • Videos
  • About
    • About Us
    • Lake Conditions
      • Algae Levels
      • Clark County Test Results
      • WA Dept. of Ecology Interactive Map
      • Tides & Currents
      • Weather
      • Lake Advisory Newsletter
    • Explore Vancouver Lake
    • Vancouver Lake History
    • Photo Gallery
    • Economic Impact
  • Document Library
  • Donate
  • Contact

Economic Impact of Vancouver Lake

Since the 1970s, Vancouver Lake and surrounding lowlands have been identified as a region important to the economic well-being of Clark County. At that time, the area was designated for recreational opportunities and development.

In 2020, Friends of Vancouver Lake commissioned Part 1 of an economic impact study detailing the current economic impact of activities at the lake and comparing uses of other lakes in the U.S. for sailing, rowing, paddling events. We hope to soon commission Part 2 to detail potential new revenues to city and county coffers based on expanded but balanced development at the lake, increased tourism and recreation.

View Full Economic Impact Report
Economic Opportunity Overview
Economic Impact Executive Summary

“A broader vision for Vancouver Lake area development could involve not only enhancement of existing and new public recreation/sport opportunities, but also address the potential for other complementary private development – as with marina, dining, lodging, high wage tech-campus, service-retail, residential and mixed use development. Also addressed should be potential for area-wide conservation and ecosystem enhancement – possibly creating additional wetland and other habitat including improved linkage to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.” ~E. D. Hovee & Company, LLC

To summarize, a successful strategy for Vancouver Lake recreation should serve to:

Balance conservation and economic development values

Incentivize area-wide economic development

Lead with on-lake and shoreside recreation opportunities

Leverage sustainable public and private investment

“As a place of on-going interaction between the natural environment and human gathering dating back thousands of years, Vancouver Lake represents perhaps this region’s signature asset, unduplicated but with its full potential yet unfulfilled. Re-establishing the lake’s ecological functioning within the Columbia River system can serve to draw new and expanded recreation opportunities. The lake’s recreational and aesthetic significance may then leverage private investment essential for multi-generational economic and ecosystem sustainability.” ~E. D. Hovee & Company, LLC

In Our View: Coordination crucial for Vancouver Lake’s future

The Columbian newspaper published a story about Vancouver lake –…

07/25/2024Read More

Columbian story – Clark County takes proactive approach to Vancouver Lake’s algae blooms

The Columbian newspaper published a story about Vancouver lake –…

07/25/2024Read More

Local View: Cooperative alliance for lake

The Columbian newspaper published a story about Vancouver lake –…

06/29/2024Read More
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Contact Us:

  • Friends of Vancouver Lake
  • 800 NE Tenney Rd. Suite 110-531 Vancouver 98685
  • info@vancouverlake.org
  • VancouverLake.org

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