Changing Reservoir Name To Lake Cascade Suggested

It’s still in the preliminary stages, but officials are pondering a request to change Cascade Reservoir’s name to Lake Cascade.

After hearing a presentation from a chamber of commerce representative, the City Council this week unanimously endorsed the idea. But the County Commission had some doubts, and members deferred action until they hear from the public.

County Commissioner Tom Kerr said it is a shallow reservoir no matter what you call it. Changing the name to “lake” might unrealistically raise the expectations of potential visitors, he said.

Phil Davis, another county commissioner, said Cascade Dam was built to create an irrigation impoundment, and recreation wasn’t part of the equation.

Commission Chairman Terry Gestrin jokingly suggested that perhaps it should be called Lake Donnelly after the nearby town.

Cascade hotel owner Fred O’Brien, representing the chamber of commerce, addressed both panels and asked support for the change.

He said Cascade’s economic health is tied to the body of water, and the reservoir is the source of community pride. But he said the connotation of “reservoir” is negative and “lake” is positive.

O’Brien said the change would help tourism promotion.

With approval from city and county leaders and approval through a state historical review, the change could be sent to the U.S. Geological Survey to be included in future maps.

O’Brien said it’s been done in the past, pointing to what now are Lake Mead and Lake Powell.