Message from Waterworks Inc. - Re: Lake

Thank you for sharing the pictures and comments from concerned homeowners regarding the recent algae growth in Lake California. We appreciate the community’s active eye on the water and want to provide clarity on the lake’s current biological conditions. 

Our last service visit was at the end of July. After a survey, We focused primarily on treating the nuisance weed and plant growths in the main bay and finger bay, and the algae we observed. It is important to note that each monthly treatment we perform is heavily regulated by strict product labels, government agencies,  permits, and real-time water quality conditions. Due to these regulatory constraints, and to ensure we maintain a healthy, balanced lake environment. We are frequently unable to treat the entire lake during a single once per month visit. 

The current secondary outbreak of algae blooms in certain locations on the water’s surface is an expected biological reaction to the July weed treatment. As the targeted aquatic weeds die off and biologically decompose, the dead plant matter releases a massive surge of trapped nutrients, specifically phosphorus and nitrogen, straight into the water. This nutrient spike, combined with increased sunlight reaching the shallow (clear water) Lake California bottom, acts as a natural fertilizer that triggers rapid algae growth. Nutrients also get introduced from runoff from surrounding watershed areas such as fertilizers, manure, fecal, etc. 

Additionally, total eradication is not the goal; we must intentionally preserve a minimal baseline of these native aquatic plants and algae, as they provide critical habitat, food, and cover for local fish, waterfowl, and other aquatic life. If we were to totally treat and eliminate all weeds and algae in your pond at once, the sudden loss of habitat and severe oxygen depletion from plant decay could collapse the aquatic ecosystem. Furthermore, Lake California does lose a lot of water due to evaporation and potential seepage. This requires constant filling from the nutrient rich Sacramento River which also carries several invasive plant species, and algae that replant in Lake California. 

Prevailing wind patterns and boat propellers also cause some of these floating filamentous algae mats to be naturally carried and concentrated into other areas of the lake, that could make the bloom appear more widespread or larger in certain coves and fingers. 

We will address this secondary bloom during our next scheduled monthly visit if algae is present.  Just please remember lakes naturally change each year and react differently each season. This year Statewide we have seen excessive algae and plant growths in all waterbodies. 

Sincerely, 

Arie Bornstein