CLEARLAKE — Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro met with area representatives and community members Monday at Austin Park in Clearlake to get a look at the algae problem stinking up the lake. Clearlake Mayor Judy Thein called the session productive and educational.
“This is very sad,” Chesbro said. “We need to look at the short-term solution and we need to figure out how to get it out of the lake.”
Several areas of concern were discussed including the nutrient load entering the lake, lake clarity, wind patterns and the need to take proactive action in order to better control the lyngbya situation before the cyanobacteria begins to decay above the surface and on the shorelines.
“We put out a lot of ideas,” Thein said. “I felt it was productive talking with (Chesbro) and sharing ideas around the table. The idea of floating islands came up and we talked about Klamath Lake where they have the same problem with the lyngbya.”
Proactive action was emphasized. The problem with the lyngbya begins as it moves toward the surface of the lake. Prior to it forming into a matted clump of waste, which then decays and becomes odiferous, it is crucial that infected areas be aerated. District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith has been spotted several times throughout the past month, applying the aeration techniques to areas along the south shore. However, despite his efforts much of the shoreline in the City of Clearlake is being plagued by the decaying debris.
According to Water Resources Scott De Leon, constant monitoring is occurring on a daily basis with various volunteers, community groups and government agencies and representatives contributing to the effort. He said that the lyngbya is being seen in areas where algae are normally seen in the lower arm of the lake.
Wind patterns, as discussed Monday, are contributing to the massive build-ups of lyngbya being seen in the south county. As the wind pushes the debris south it accumulates in the many coves along the shoreline of Clearlake. One area businessman suggested a community-wide contest in which all citizens would be enticed to pull the mats from the lake, take them to the landfill and have them weighed and disposed of.
The business owner said he was willing to put up the prize awarded for the most lyngbya removed from the lake. Mayor Thein was receptive to the idea and said she would research the possibility.
According to the Bioremediation Services Web site, lyngbya is particularly difficult to control using traditional copper sulphate and chelates. The algae grow in colonies forming small spongy masses of mucilage. These blue-green, black or gray clumps will lie on the bottom or float to the surface. Because of its protective mucilage, chemical control is difficult.
Lyngbya is one of the cyanobacteria that is known to release toxins into the water. These three toxins, debromaoplysiatoxin, aplysiatoxin and lyngbyatoxin have been found to be major causes of dermatitis. Lake County Environmental Health has issued advisory against swimming in, ingesting or cooking with water found in affected areas.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
