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Return of blue-green algae nothing new at Clear Lake

Posted by: Maven on June 25, 2009 at 8:06 am

From the Ukiah Daily Journal:

The recent public health warnings on the blue-green algae blooms in the south end of the lake could impact tourism and even the fishing on Clear Lake. In fact, the county has posted health warnings at several locations in areas where the algae blooms are the worst.

The reason the algae is so thick in the south end and mostly absent in the north end is because the prevailing westerly winds are pushing the algae south. However, algae is now starting to form in some areas north of Lakeport.

Algae are tiny water plants that cycle normally between the bottom and the surface, floating up and sinking down. During the day, algae produces oxygen within the lake, but at night algae consumes oxygen. Algae is nothing new to longtime Lake County residents, 20 years ago the algae was so thick at times that you could hardly run a boat through it. The Clearlake Oaks Keys Homeowners Association even rigged pontoon boats with water pumps and to break up the algae mats.

Clear Lake has more than 130 species of algae. Some types actually provide food for the aquatic creatures in the lake, while others can be toxic and do more harm than good. Normally algae won’t present a problem, however, when it dies and starts to decay it can become a nuisance. The decaying algae bonds together in mats and creates a terrible odor. That’s also the time when it can become toxic.

Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal by clicking here.

June 25, 2009 · Filed Under Northern California

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