LAKE COUNTY — To ensure residents and visitors enjoy a great summer on Clear Lake, the Lake County Board of Supervisors recently allocated substantial resources to reduce the summertime growth of aquatic weeds.
Scott De Leon, newly-appointed Director of the Lake County Department of Public Works, also oversees the County Water Resources Division and along with a new director came an aggressive new weed abatement plan for Clear Lake. “This summer we are taking a much more proactive approach to control aquatic weed growth on Clear Lake,” De Leon said. “We are targeting treatment in specific areas such as around public boat launches, resorts and higher-density residential areas.”
De Leon said the treatment areas will create a network of weed-free recreational areas that include shoreline lanes, boating lanes and water-ski lanes. The shoreline lanes are 50-feet-wide and will run parallel to the shoreline. The boating lanes will be 50-feet-wide and from 1,000 to 2,000 feet in length so that boaters may easily access the deeper waters of Clear Lake. The water-ski lanes will be 300 feet from shore and run parallel with the shoreline. The creation of these lanes aims to make Clear Lake more enjoyable for all lake users.
When the water is particularly clear during the summer growing season, sunlight easily reaches the shallow lake bottom, resulting in the growth of aquatic weeds, which can make it challenging for boat propellers, sailboat keels and intake systems on personal watercraft.
The county”s more proactive approach to controlling aquatic weeds is meant to create specific recreational areas on the lake while maintaining weeds in other areas to preserve the habitat that makes the Clear Lake ecosystem a haven for fish, birds and other wildlife.
“The Board of Supervisors truly understands the importance of Clear Lake to the county”s economy,” said County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox. “The Board has made Clear Lake a top priority by unanimously committing the resources necessary to address the aquatic weed issues to help make the lake enjoyable for everyone.”
By making the financial commitment necessary for a more proactive aquatic weed abatement program, county officials anticipate this will encourage visitors to come, stay, and experience Clear Lake, and return for another visit.
