Without thousands of years of algae blocking the sun from Clear Lake”s shallow fertile lake bottom, Clear Lake would be a marsh by now.
From 1970 to 1979 Lake County had a resident algae research laboratory headed by Dr. Alex Horne, U.C. Davis. After that, an algae consultant committee met monthly at the court house. We accepted, reviewed and experimented with any and all suggestions submitted to reduce nuisance algae events. Each finding was documented and should be on file with the county water resources department.
In short, the most effective method of controlling blue green algae from being trapped at the surface, dying, absorbing oxygen and emitting odors is to sink it back into its natural daily cycle. In landlocked channels or marinas this can be accomplished by a sprinkler system using submersible pumps, and in large mats in the open by boat mounted pressure hoses. The oxygen starved fish, rim landers and tourists will appreciate the results. I doubt any outside consultant can contribute to 22 years of local analysis.
Our lake only needs to be saved from the quagga mussel. To date, I don”t believe we have reached any conclusions on how to solve this great potential problem, or whether any kind of consultant would be of any use.
Hank Porter, Lake County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
