NICE — The County Administrative Office announced Friday a new subsurface aeration system was installed at Holiday Harbor Marina in Nice to improve the aeration and circulation of the water within the harbor as a possible way to minimize build-up of seasonal algae blooms.
After investigating several possible options, county staff identified a system from EP Aeration as having the most potential to minimize nuisance algae mats within the harbor during seasonal blooms.
Designed as a pilot project to test the effectiveness of circulation and aeration in protected water bodies, the system will circulate the water within the harbor more than seven times per day.
This subsurface aeration system comprises eight different diffusers driven by six 1/3-horsepower air compressors – all of which work to aerate and improve water circulation within the harbor – and do so in an energy-efficient manner. The energy efficiency of the new system qualifies for an energy incentive from PG&E. The bottom-mounted system will have no impact on boat traffic in the harbor.
“We are anxious to determine if the results of this system will be successful,” county administrative analyst Alan Flora said. “Not only will the results of this pilot project provide us with additional information and insight about how to effectively minimize nuisance algae blooms in specific impacted areas of the lake, but the improved water quality will help maximize the development potential of the marina site.”
Until now, this specific aeration technology has not been utilized on Clear Lake. Flora said a transitional period is anticipated as the system breaks down organic buildup and oxygenates the water.
During the past few summer seasons, parts of Clear Lake have experienced seasonal algae blooms, particularly in sheltered areas such as channels, bays and other inlets. In an effort to protect Clear Lake”s ecosystem and enable residents and visitors to enjoy the lake to the fullest extent possible, county officials developed a multi-pronged approach designed to minimize the impact of the algae through the use of several different treatments, including pump-based aeration and circulation, chemical treatments and mechanical harvesting.
With approval by the Lake County Board of Supervisors in April, the Department of Water Resources has contracts in place now with service providers that are ready to respond and move into action at the early signs of seasonal algae blooms on Clear Lake, should the need arise.
Resort owners and residents with private docks are encouraged to install pumps to spray water onto the surface of algae mats, which helps to knock down the algae and also provides aeration and improves circulation. For more information about installing simple pumps for aeration, contact the Department of Water Resources at 263-2344.
For more information about EP Aeration, visit www.epaeration.com.
To view a short video of a part of the installation at Holiday Harbor, visit the county website at www.co.lake.ca.us.
For more information about the aeration system installation at Holiday Harbor Marina, contact Flora in the County Administrative Office at 263-2580.
Holiday Harbor is owned and operated by the County of Lake and offers boat slip rentals year-round. Slips are available at $60 per month, $20 per week or $8 per day. For more information about boat slip rentals, contact Lore Schneider in the County Administrative Office at 263-2580.
