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Annual Conference

WALPA’s 38th Annual Conference in Moses Lake, WA

October 8-10, 2025

“Scabland Lakes of Eastern Washington”

Best Western Plus Lake Front Hotel

Moses Lake, WA

The Washington State Lake Protection Association (WALPA) is planning for our next conference at the Best Western Plus Lake Front Hotel in Moses Lake, Washington on Wednesday through Friday October 8-10, 2025. This year’s theme is “Scabland Lakes of Eastern Washington” but presentations from a variety of other topics are also welcome. Come learn about the geologic history of the area and many interesting lakes formed by or associated with the Missoula Floods (e.g., Soap, Moses, and Coeur d’Alene Lakes). 

View the conference program here!
Conference Program

Conference Overview

Wednesday (half day) and Thursday (full day) will be full of learning sessions, starting each day with exciting keynote speakers. Wednesday evening will include a social event with poster presentations on research by students and others, and live and silent auctions to raise funds for student scholarships. Thursday afternoon will feature a workshop on water quality monitoring instruments followed by an evening social at Moore Brewing Co. Lastly, Friday morning will be dedicated to a local field trip to see Channeled Scabland lakes!

Potential learning sessions include, but are not limited to:

  • Scabland lake research on Moses Lake, Soap Lake, and other lakes
  • Exciting new lake management technologies
  • Student research
  • Climate change and adaptive management
  • Nutrient pollution 
  • Harmful algal bloom (HAB) research
  • Aquatic invasive species
  • Algae and aquatic plant management
  • Fish ecology
  • Urban lakes
  • Volunteer monitoring and citizen science
  • Conservation of lake ecosystems

Deadline Extended – SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT BY AUGUST 22, 2025

Share your latest project or research by submitting an abstract for the conference. Although the oral presentation slots have been filled, there is plenty of room for posters to be displayed throughout the conference and attended during the Wednesday night poster session. Submit your abstract to WALPA HERE. You will be asked for a title, author(s) and a brief description (250-word limit) of your poster.

Early Bird Registration – Now Open!

BECOME A WALPA MEMBER AND SAVE

Save money on your registration and become part of Washington’s lake science community!

  • Members receive a discounted registration fee
  • Student membership is FREE and required for student registration
  • Membership connects you with lake science professionals, researchers, and resources all year long
Category Early Bird

(before Aug 31)

 Late Registration
Member $250 $325
Non-Member $325 $400
Individual

(One-Day, with Lunch)

 $150 $200
Student $100 $100

Register Now

Workshop

Thursday afternoon will feature 2-hour workshops on water quality monitoring instruments. After the last technical session ends at 3:30 pm, YSI and In Situ will hold separate free workshops for participants to learn about the latest models and features of water quality multimeters and other lake monitoring instruments. They will run through meter calibration and routine maintenance procedures and troubleshoot any issues you have with your own meter, so be sure to bring it with you to the conference!

Field Trip

Friday morning will be dedicated to a local field trip to see Channeled Scabland lakes!  Drive on your own or carpool with others to explore the region and learn about local lakes.

Abbreviated Itinerary:

  • Meet in Best Western parking lot
  • Drive to Soap Lake (30 minutes), meet at Smokiam Park
    • Talk with Soap Lake Conservancy
  • Drive to Dry Falls Visitor Center (20 minutes)
    • Talk with park staff

Online Auction

This year WALPA will be starting an online auction before the conference to raise money for student scholarships. Starting in early September you’ll have the chance to bid on some state-of-art water quality equipment from In Situ, which you can get trained on at the conference! We will send out a separate announcement for the chance to bid on an Aqua TROLL 500 Multiparameter Sonde with probes!!

Hotel Details

Use this link to reserve a room within our room block by September 23rd: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.48045.html?groupId=N36QJ2E6

Or call the hotel directly and mention the WALPA room block.

Best Western Plus Lake Front Hotel, October 8-10, 2025

3000 W Marina Dr.

Moses Lake, WA 98837

509-765-9211

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