With summer in Lake County, California comes an increase in lake weeds and algae, and since 2011 the county government has allocated more money to the work of keeping weeds out of popular swimming and boating areas.
Scott De Leon, the county’s Water Resources and Public Works director, said the Board of Supervisors set aside $350,000 for weed abatement this year. About 220 acres of the lake will be targeted for special treatment this summer.
Five weed harvesters were assigned about 135 acres of area to treat. The harvested vegetation was taken to Lake County Waste Solutions and put into the greenwaste. The harvesters worked at creating boat lanes leading to boat ramps, commercial areas and high density residential areas along the lakeshore. There also is a shoreline lane about 50 feet wide just on the outside edges of piers and docks. Also harvested was a recreation area is popular for water skiing.
The state does not allow mechanical harvesting within a quarter mile of a hydrilla location. 2012 hydrilla report said plant numbers remained low last year, at 26 plants in five locations, but that was an increase over the six plants found in 2011. These areas were sprayed with chemicals to kill the hydrilla and other nuisance vegetation in the area.