Lake County News | California

I read in the Record Bee that on Aug. 15 Scott De Leon, director of Lake County Water Resources,  requested diversion of funds from algae harvesting to weed abatement.  

I am appalled at the request and particularly appalled that it was approved by the Board of Supervisors unanimously.  

This while triple-digit heat yet no one in the water at the public beach because it is overwhelmed with algae and health warning signs posted.     

Businesses like Main Street Café and Cactus Grill have outside eating areas that can’t be used because of the foul stench.

How many lakeside resorts in Clearlake have had reservations canceled because the water looks and smells like a sewer?

How can you in good conscience, representing this area, vote for funds to be diverted away from algae harvesting? Instead, shouldn't you be demanding an accounting of where they are harvesting and to what effect? In the waters around Clear Lake it would appear they are not being effective.

I read the studies found on the Lake County Water Resources Web site done by UC Davis.

In addition to recommendations to control nutrients coming into the lake, there also was the recommendation to use aluminum sulfate across the lake to remove phosphorus from the water to reduce the growth of algae. This has been used on many lakes including in California and when applied correctly is safe for fish.  

According to these authors, such an application would improve the water quality in 2013 and be continued for several years.

Please ask that this vote moving funds from algae harvesting be restored. Also please ask why we haven't considered using aluminum sulfate to control the growth of algae.

Mark Burkdoll lives in Clearlake, Calif.

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BOS
written by Just Sayin, August 22, 2012

They are busy diverting funds so marijuanna can be grown- maybe if they's put all that energy into something else, something else would actually ghet done??

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ALGAE
written by TUMARK, August 22, 2012

the reports on Lake County website suggests that if you can control phosphorus in the water you can control the growth of algae. These same reports talk about a major source of nutrients and phosphorus is released out of the lake bed. In a lake this large one study estimated there is 500 metric tons of phosphorus available to go back into the water and promote the growth of more algae.
aluminum sulfate is not a fungicide in fact it is used already by many water districts as a pretreatment for drinking water. It would bind with the phosphorus on the lakebed making it unavailable as a key ingredient in algae grwoth. If Measure E passes in November we need to lobby our BOS to ensure this program is funded.

here is a report from Seattle Washington that used Alum for their blue green algae issues in 2003

http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/parkspaces/GreenLakePark/GreenLakeAlumStudy.pdf

If measure E passes, I hope this is given serious consideration

Mark

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Algae
written by monitor, August 22, 2012

Go Mark! I agree wholeheartedly w/ removing the "blight" of this current bloom. I've read that it is a natural occurrence and also agree w/ the above comment from "a guest" as to a natural microbe (if one really exists and it is "natural") solution. Something has to be done. All you have to see is the limited activity on the lake at this prime time for recreation- not much! It does no good to improve our cities (incorporated or un) if the stench drives off locals as well as visitors. We live approx 500 ft. above the lake off Monitor point and we can see the stuff and smell the results. We all have to find a way to wake up the powers that be to concentrate on this issue or loose whatever recreation and income that the lake should bring in July- September. How about inviting the supervisors to eat tacos at the Friday Farmers market in Clear lake- don't barf on the produce, please.

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Algae ebatement
written by a guest, August 22, 2012

Aluminum Sulfate? Alan Buckman a 30+ year DFG Biologist has come up with a solution Microbe Tech! A non chemical alternative to the algae problem Already being used by the Pomo Indians and now by Businesses around the lake A natural microbe that eats all the Algae! Yes! Wake up! No more chemicals in the lake PLEASE! We need to address this situation NOW!

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