Officials in Lake County, California have gotten aggressive in combating the summertime growth of nuisance aquatic weeds on Clear Lake with a bold new program designed to make boating and other lake activities more enjoyable. These weeds are being cleared to create distinct recreational areas on the lake while preserving fish habitat. The program combines eco-friendly herbicides with mechanical harvesting by an Aquamog, shown here, operated by Martinez-based Aquatic Environments. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Boating, sailing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, jet skiing, wakeboarding, waterskiing – the list of fun activities on Clear Lake goes on and on.

To make sure residents and visitors enjoy a great summer on Clear Lake, Lake County’s Board of Supervisors recently took a bold step by allocating 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 comes 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 explained 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 will make Clear Lake more enjoyable for all lake users.

With more than 68 square miles of surface area and 100 miles of shoreline, Clear Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake within the boundaries of California, and at an estimated two million years old, it also is one of the oldest lakes in North America.

With its vast expanse of relatively shallow, warm water and numerous channels and natural bays, Clear Lake is a haven for visitors who enjoy all sorts of recreational activities.

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 (PWCs).

The county’s more proactive approach to controlling aquatic weeds will 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.

Owning a boat isn’t necessary to enjoy Clear Lake. Several local businesses offer all types of boats for rent – from ski boats and PWCs to pontoon boats and kayaks.

For more information, call 707-263-2580 or visit www.lakecounty.com.

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