LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The state has awarded a major grant to Lake County Parks and Recreation for improvements at Nice’s Hammond County Park.
The county will receive approximately $2,326,963.
Proposition 68, the $4 billion dollar “Parks, Environment & Water Bond Act of 2018,” funds the Statewide Park Development & Community Revitalization Program to assist in new park development, existing park revitalization and new recreation opportunities in underserved communities across California.
The Lake County Public Services Department, which includes the Parks and Recreation division, solicited public input for the grant application through several community meetings and surveys which provided the department with input about the communities’ desires for the park.
Improvements will consist of an upgraded main playground and areas for specific age groups.
Two new picnic shelters will be added to the center of the park that will include four picnic tables each, waste receptacles and grills.
There will also be a multi-sports court to include at a minimum basketball, pickleball and futsal.
A fitness court will also be constructed to provide an opportunity for outdoor fitness and wellness.
Hammond Park is adjacent to a wetland area which includes local wildlife such as birds and otters. An overlook will be built at the perimeter of the wetland and will include interpretive signs about wetlands and wildlife.
Two local Native American Tribes are partners on this project and will provide key input on the use of native plants and the importance of wetlands and the local land to their heritage for the interpretive signs, as well as contributions for the content of a land acknowledgment sign.
The unimproved open field area will be renovated to create a grass field for sports and play, the existing baseball/softball field will be improved with shade structures over the existing bleachers, and the existing parking lot will be improved.
Additionally, the dog park will be renovated to include two separate spaces for large and small dogs.
There also will be new shaded seating added to extend use during hot and sunny days. Lighting, drought-tolerant landscaping, and other minor amenities will also be added throughout the park.
Design of the project will begin this year, with construction estimated to be complete in 2026.
The grant award is one of several park improvement grants recently received by the county of Lake.
In August 2022 the county was successful in a $1,358,545 grant application to the state’s Clean California Local Grant Program for improvements to a number of county parks that were eligible for that program.
Those parks include Alpine Park, Clearlake Oaks Boat Launch, Davis Beach, Hammond Park, Hinman Park, Keeling Park, Kelseyville Community Park, Lakeside Park, Russell Rustici Park, Lucerne Harbor Park,Middletown Square Park, Nylander Park, Pioneer/Saderlund Park and Rodman Slough Park.
Improvements at these parks include new restrooms at two specific parks (Hinman Park and Middletown Square Park), and at all parks a variety of improvements such as shade structures, benches, drinking fountains, waste and recycle receptacles, trees, security systems, art and educational signage regarding waste, recycling and litter prevention.
All improvements under the Clean California grant will be completed by June 2024.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A COVID-19 outbreak at another Lake County shelter has been resolved, according to the facility’s managers.
Sunrise Special Services Foundation confirmed to Lake County News that an outbreak began earlier this month at the warming shelter, located at the former juvenile hall on Whalen Way in Lakeport.
Over the weekend, Adventist Health also confirmed an outbreak at the Hope Center transitional housing facility in Clearlake that has been resolved, as Lake County News has reported.
Dr. Rayan Aava, Sunrise Special Services Foundation’s chief executive officer, said 31 individuals at the warming shelter were tested on July 6, with 18 confirmed positives.
Two days later, they tested 18 individuals and 13 were confirmed positive, with continued testing of those 18 people showing reduced numbers of positives until Monday, when there were no further positive tests reported, Aava said.
Aava said the shelter implemented stringent safety protocols, monitored the situation, diligently followed guidelines provided by health authorities, implemented comprehensive safety measures and continuously adapted its protocols based on the evolving situation.
“By prioritizing the well-being of everyone involved, SSSF has successfully mitigated the risk of COVID-19 transmission within its facilities,” Aava said.
Aava said the foundation “will continue to monitor the situation closely, adapt protocols as necessary, and work diligently to protect the health and well-being of its clients and staff.”
In other news about the shelter, last week its new director of operations, Chris Bloodworth, was arrested and booked on domestic violence charges.
Aava released a separate statement that said the incident happened outside of the workplace “and does not reflect the values and principles we uphold as an organization.”
The parties involved have voluntarily sought counseling and Aava said the charges against Bloodworth have been dropped.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Two mosquito samples collected in Lake County have tested positive for West Nile virus.
The mosquitoes were trapped on July 11 near Lakeport and Kelseyville, according to the Lake County Vector Control District.
“West Nile virus shows up each year in Lake County, usually in July,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District. “A positive mosquito sample means that West Nile virus could be transmitted by mosquitoes now, and is a reminder to use mosquito repellent outside during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are biting.”
No other West Nile virus has been detected in Lake County in 2023.
Statewide, 21 California counties have detected WNV this year, mainly in mosquitoes and dead birds.
No human cases have been reported in California this year, but one human case of another mosquito virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, was reported in a Kern County resident.
Residents are urged to help reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases by following these guidelines:
• Dump or drain standing water. Mosquitoes grow in standing water. • Defend yourself with mosquito repellents containing Picaridin, DEET, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or PMD. • Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are biting, typically dawn and dusk. • Maintain neglected swimming pools. Just one can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away. • Report dead birds to the toll-free state hotline, 1-877-968-2473, or online.
The mosquitoes that transmit WNV develop in out-of-service swimming pools and spas, animal watering troughs, ornamental ponds, and other sources of standing water.
The Vector Control District offers free mosquito-eating fish to control mosquitoes in these sources.
Residents are encouraged to contact the district to report neglected pools, request service for mosquito problems, or to get mosquito fish at 707-263-4770 or to fill out a service request online at www.lcvcd.org.
The Lake County Vector Control District traps and tests mosquitoes throughout the county to identify the areas that have the highest risk, and targets those areas for source reduction and treatment using an integrated vector management program.
Residents with questions, or who would like help with a mosquito problem should contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or visit their website.
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office reported that there will be an election this fall for two seats on the Scotts Valley Water Conservation District Board.
The general election, scheduled to be held on Nov. 7, will be for two four-year terms that become vacant on the first Friday in December 2023 or until a successor is elected and qualifies for office.
The two seats up for election are for the board’s Division 1 and Division III seats.
Official declaration of candidacy forms for eligible candidates desiring to file for any of the offices enumerated above may be obtained from the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, located at 325 N Forbes St. in Lakeport during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The filing period began on Monday, July 17, and ends on Friday, Aug. 11, at 5 p.m.
For more information, call the elections office at 707-263-2372 or 888-235-6730.
Mary Benson, a Crescent Bay Improvement Co. customer, and Keith Ahart, operations superintendent for Golden State Water Co.’s Clearlake system. Courtesy photo. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The California Public Utilities Commission has approved Golden State Water Co. request to acquire Crescent Bay Improvement Co.
The aging water system will be consolidated into the company’s Clearlake Customer Service Area.
“Golden State Water is committed to using its resources and technical experience to rebuild Crescent Bay’s failed water system,” said Paul Schubert, general manager of Golden State Water Co.’s Northern District. “By investing in the treatment and delivery of water, there will come the day when our new customers will no longer have to think twice about their water quality.”
The Crescent Bay Improvement Company was formed in the 1930s and serves approximately 24 residential service connections. The current source of water is surface water from Clear Lake.
The water system has been unable to meet federal and state water quality standards due to the inability to finance infrastructure improvements critical to the treatment and delivery of water.
“Our water system is simply broken, and the state says our tap water is unsafe to drink,” said Mary Benson, a resident of Crescent Bay. “Our community is thrilled that Golden State Water is committed to replacing an aging water system that cannot provide safe drinking water or fire hydrants critical to protecting our homes.”
As part of the acquisition, Golden State Water will replace the water system’s infrastructure, tanks and treatment plant and install fire hydrants that currently do not exist.
The acquisition helps the State Water Resources Control Board and the CPUC achieve their policy goals of upgrading small water systems throughout the state so that all Californians have access to reliable, quality water regardless of their ZIP code.
Golden State Water is seeking grant funding from the State Water Resources Control Board to pay for the rehabilitation of the water system.
Crescent Bay customers will receive free bottled water from the company until the water system meets federal and state water standards.
All Clearlake customer service area customers have access to the company’s customer assistance program that provides monthly credit for low-income customers.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors will discuss economic development and workforce matters and a military equipment report by the sheriff’s office when it meets this week.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting ID is 972 4989 6742, pass code 286213. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,97249896742#,,,,*286213#.
All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and pass code information above.
At 9:15 a.m., the board will hear a report from Bruce Wilson, executive director of the Workforce Alliance of the Northbay.
That will be followed at 9:45 a.m. by the Lake County Sheriff’s annual “military equipment” report, required under AB 481.
At 10 a.m., there will be a presentation and consideration of the economic development work plan.
In an untimed item, the board will consider establishing just compensation for several properties to be purchased for the Hill Road Slide Repair and Restoration Project in Lakeport.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve agreement between county of Lake and California Psychiatric Transitions for acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services, inpatient competency restoration services, and professional services associated with acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalization in the amount of $100,000 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.2: Approve agreement between county of Lake and Redwood Community Services Inc. for the MHSA Lake County Family Stabilization Program for Fiscal Years 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 in the amount of $796,116 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.3: Approve Board of Supervisors minutes for Jan. 24, 2023 and June 14 and 15, 2023.
5.4: Approve amendments to the county of Lake COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Worksite Protocol and amendments to Chapter 14 of the county of Lake Policies and Procedures.
5.5: Approve contract renewal between the county of Lake Health Services and Sheila McCarthy for occupational therapy services in support of the California Children’s Services Program and the Medical Therapy Program for a term starting July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, and a maximum amount of $49,948.80; and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.6: Adopt proclamation designating the week of July 16-22, 2023, as Probation Services Week.
5.7: Approve agreement between county of Lake and State of California for the housing and training of incarcerated individuals for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026, for an amount not to exceed $28,714; and authorize the chair to sign.
5.8: a) Waive the formal bidding process pursuant to county Ordinance 3109 Section 28.2 due to 38.2(3), not in the public interest as competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the county; and, b) approve contract between county of Lake and Five Pasco Brothers Inc. c/o Omarshall, Inc. for lease agreement, in the amount of $49,440.00 per fiscal year from Nov. 1, 2023, to June 30, 2028, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.9: Approve contract between county of Lake and People Services Inc. for yard maintenance, in the amount of $9,656.87 per fiscal year from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.10: Sitting as the Board of Directors, Lake County Watershed Protection District, adopt resolution authorizing the county of Lake Water Resources Director to (a) accept and execute 2023 Nonpoint Source Grant Program - Clean Water Act section 319(h) Planning Grant and Agreement Award for $145,098 (b) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of the goods and services, (c) approve and authorize the Water Resources director to sign the service agreement with California Rural Water Agency and MC Engineering to fulfill the 319(h) Grant deliverables, and (d) Approve and authorize the Water Resources director to sign the attached reimbursement agreements between the district and the cities of (i) Lakeport and (ii) Clearlake to complete the project and authorize the Water Resources director to sign.
5.11: Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District, authorize the county of Lake Water Resources director to accept and execute a California Department of Pesticide Regulation Alliance Grant, not to exceed $346,038 for the grant project titled “Using Integrated Pest Management Methods to Create Strong and Sustainable Shorelines on Clear Lake, CA.”
5.12: Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District, approve the agreement between the Lake County Watershed Protection District and Bullfrog Underwater Services and authorize the Water Resources director to sign and execute the agreement.
5.13: Sitting as the Board of Directors, Lake County Watershed Protection District, (a) waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.2 (2) & (3); (b) approve the agreement between the Lake County Watershed Protection District and Dr. Jeanine Pfeiffer to conduct specialized services to meet grant deliverables, and authorize the Water Resources director to sign and execute the agreement.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:07 a.m.: Pet of the Week.
6.3, 9:08 a.m.: New and noteworthy at the Library.
6.4, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the week of July 16 to 22, 2023 as Probation Services Week.
6.5, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of Report from Bruce Wilson, executive director of the Workforce Alliance of the Northbay, or WANB.
6.6, 9:45 a.m.: AB481 / Lake County Sheriff’s Annual “Military Equipment” report.
6.7, 10 a.m.: Presentation and consideration of the economic development work plan.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of resolution authorizing cancellation of reserve accounts in the amount of $3,167,543 to provide sufficient cash flow.
7.3: Consideration of the following Advisory Board appointment: Mental Health Board.
7.4: Consideration and establishment of just compensation for properties to be purchased for the Hill Road Slide Repair and Restoration Project.
7.5: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, consideration of resolution revising the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Adopted Budget of the county of Lake by canceling reserves in Fund 255 NW Regional Sewer System O&M Reserve Designation, in the amount of $150,000 to make appropriations in the Budget Unit 8355, Object Code 785.30-00 Utilities to pay for sewer utility costs.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Conference with legal counsel: initiation of litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(4) – One potential case.
8.2: Public Employee Appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b) (1): Interviews for Public Health officer; appointment of Public Health officer.
8.3: Addendum, conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9 (d)(1) – FERC Project No. 77, Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project.
8.4: Addendum, public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b) (1): Interviews for chief public defender, appointment of chief public defender.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The council chambers will be open to the public for the meeting. Masks are highly encouraged where 6-foot distancing cannot be maintained.
If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.
The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.
Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the city clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18.
On the agenda is a public hearing for adoption of a resolution to confirm and approve the utility billing delinquency list and the associated resolution and direct staff to submit the list to the Lake County Auditor-Controller for inclusion on the property tax roll.
Under council business, Assistant City Manager Nick Walker will ask the council to adopt a resolution changing the capacity charges collected for the water and sewer expansion fee program.
In other news, City Manager Kevin Ingram will ask the council to nominate voting delegates for the League of California Cities Annual Conference, to be held Sept. 20 to 22.
On the consent agenda — items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are warrants; ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on June 20; approval of application 2023-021, with staff recommendations, for the Recovery Happens event; receipt and filing of the third quarter financial update; approval and authorization for the city manager to execute the proposed professional services agreement with Paul Curren dba Curren Consulting; adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 2.48, Personnel System, of the Lakeport Municipal Code; and approval of a resolution rescinding Resolution 2900 (2023) and revising the Master Pay Schedule in conformance with California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
NORTH COAST, Calif. — Lightning may have sparked a fire that began on Sunday night in Colusa County.
The Lodoga fire was first reported at around 9:45 p.m. Sunday south of East Park Reservoir in Colusa County, off Leesville Lodoga Road and Cook Springs Road.
The fire was reported on a ridge in an area where lightning strikes had occurred shortly beforehand as the result of a brief lightning storm that had passed through the region.
Initial estimates of the fire’s size put it at about three acres.
Cal Fire reported overnight that the fire is in a remote area and burning in grass and oak woodland. Firefighters were challenged in their attempts to find better access to it.
Copter 102 flew the incident after midnight and estimated the fire was between 20 and 25 acres. Radio reports said they hoped to hold it at that size.
At that point the fire resources at the scene were making their way to the fire’s perimeter, Cal Fire said, with more engines requested to respond.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Figure 1. Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) encrusted on a boat prop, causing significant drag, damage, and expense to remove. Photo: Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers free domain image library. Dear Lady of The Lake,
I am an avid fisherman and moved to Lake County to enjoy my retirement fishing on Clear Lake. I recently purchased a bass boat and had to purchase a Lake County quagga mussel sticker. I don’t know much about these mussels or what would happen if they got into our lake. Can you provide some information so I can make sure we are doing all we can to protect Clear Lake?
Thanks,
Frank the fisherman
Dear Fisherman Frank,
Thanks for this very important and timely question. This is a question I get asked about quite frequently, and I am glad to be able to “dive” into this topic in breadth. Since this topic is so important, I will be writing about it in two columns.
In part 1, we will discuss the origins of invasive mussels, how they came to the United States and what it would mean for Clear Lake should an invasive mussels become introduced or established in the Lake, or any Lake County water bodies.
In my next column, part 2, I will describe our prevention program and how it works and how we can all help keep invasive mussels out of Clear Lake. Lastly, we will talk about what would happen if we got an introduction into Clear Lake, and the County of Lake’s current plans for a rapid response, control, eradication and containment plan. There is even a way for the public — you! — to be involved in the planning process.
Before we go further, let’s be clear about what defines an invasive species. According to the US EPA Watershed Academy, an invasive species is defined as “ A species that is not native in origin, whose presence in the environment causes economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.”
A non-native species that becomes introduced, or brought into a new environment, but does not successfully reproduce and become prolific is not considered an invasive species.
A non-native species that is introduced into a new environment, and successfully reproduces, and those offspring reproduce, is also not considered an invasive species. For this last one think about the Florida Black Bass in Clear Lake, who are successfully established and whose presence is a benefit to the local economy.
For a species to be really considered invasive, they must be introduced into a new environment, successfully reproduce, thrive, and cause some damage to native species, the environment in general, cause economic negative impacts, or cause human or public health impacts.
We will discuss how invasive mussels will impact the environment, or ecology, of Clear Lake, and the local economy. Invasive mussels can indirectly impact human health.
As an example, an invasive species that facilitates public health or human harm can include the invasive creeping water primrose that stagnates channels and coves and creates habitat havens for West Nile mosquitoes. Invasive species that directly cause human harm are perfectly exemplified in the several invasive mosquitos that carry and transmit diseases such as the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) that can transmit West Nile and Dengue fever.
In this case, invasive mussels as demonstrated in other aquatic systems, where they have been introduced and established, have caused impacts on all three facets of the US EPA definition.
Figure 2: Dead dreissenid mussel shells can litter beaches, making safe water access for peoples, pets, and wildlife hazardous. Photo credit: North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA). Where invasive mussels are native
Invasive mussels, or specifically Quagga (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) and Zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) mussels, are freshwater mussels in the Dreissenidae family. I will refer to these mussels as invasive dreissenid mussels. They are relatively small mussels and at a maximum cna grow up to 2 inches. They are shaped like a “D”, with a straight edge and striped shells, with black, gray, brown and white patterns — hence the reference to zebra common name.
Dreissenid mussels are native to lakes and tributaries in the region around southern Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Romania, and Uzbekistan in water bodies such as the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, Caspian Sea, and Aral Sea. While there are fish and diving ducks native to the eastern european region where Dreissenid mussels are from, there are not the same predators in North American waters where these mussels have been introduced. Some natural predators of dreissenid mussels have also been introduced to North America, but they don’t prey upon the mussels like they do in their native habitat.
The round goby fish is an example, as it’s a species native to the eastern european waters alongside dreissenid mussels, where they are a main food source. Round gobies have been introduced into the Great Lakes, yet they are a food source for many native and invasive species, which keeps their abundance regulated. Round gobies have also been shown to prefer to forage on native north american mussels compared to their homeland’s Dreissenids.
How invasive mussels got to the United States
Invasive dreissenid mussels were introduced into North America through transatlantic freighter ships that started their voyage in the Black Sea and traveled across the Atlantic and through the St. Lawrence Seaway channel and lock system between US and Canada and into the Great Lakes.
From the Black Sea, freighter ships would drop off and pick up goods while also picking up water in their ballast tanks. Large ships use ballast tanks, which are large holding tanks with pumps, to balance loads and distribute weight evenly across the vessel, to ensure stability and safety when the ship is traveling and when they are loading or unloading cargo.
Ships leaving the Black Sea would travel through the Turkish Straits, a system of international water passages that connects the Black Sea ultimately to the Mediterranean Sea and then the Atlantic.
Once the ships had crossed the Atlantic, to gain access to large, safe ports of Canada such as Quebec City, Toronto, Hamilton, and Thunder Bay and US ports such as Toledo, Chicago, Duluth-Superior, Thunder Bay, they would have to enter the St. Lawrence River and into the man-made channel and lock system of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway.
The system of Canadian and US locks, canals, and channels has several locations where ships have to raise and lower to be level with the seaway, and at each of these junctions, they can release and take on water in their ballasts, to balance their load and adjust the weight of their ship. Likewise, any stops at ports along the Seaway, or within any of the Great Lakes, would require a release and intake of ballast water, to adjust as loads are changed.
During all this movement of water coming and going from a ship’s ballast tanks, there is ample opportunity for aquatic invasive species, that have been picked up in the ballast water from the ships point of origin — or anywhere else along their route — to be released into the “new environment” during a ballast adjustment.
Normally, and obviously, freshwater species and saltwater species don’t occur in the same habitat, so one way for freighter ships to prevent the spread of invasives along transatlantic routes is to implement ballast water management. The requirements are designed by the International Maritime Organization or IMO. The US governmental arm that participates in the IMO is the Shipping Coordinating Committee which is part of the Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs within the State Department.
Besides invasive dreissenid mussels, proper ballast water management programs have been successful in preventing the spread of other threatening and dangerous invasive species such as Asian Kelp, cholera, European green crab, and North Pacific seastar. Each of these species, in areas where they have been introduced and established, have caused significant economic and ecological harm, and in the case of cholera, significant human harm.
Invasive dreissenid mussels, once introduced into the Great Lakes, found suitable habitat in the freshwaters that were similar in latitude and habitat to their native waters. Once established in an area, they proliferated throughout the entire watershed, downstream throughout the Mississippi Basin, the Ohio River, and throughout the midwest, eastern seaboard, and into the Southern United States.
While it’s unknown when the first introductions took place, the first detections of mussels occurred in New York in the 1980s. By the 1990s mussels had been found west of the Rockies and the first detection in California occurred in 2007 in several border counties in southern California.
Invasive dreissenid mussels spread throughout non-connected water bodies on trailered boats overland. While adult mussels are sessile and attach to substrates and structures in water bodies, the juveniles, called veligers, are free floating in the water column and can survive in very small amounts of water that doesn’t get above 120 degrees F. Any boat or watercraft that has a compartment or space that holds water, could potentially be moving veliger - mussel - infested water over land.
Once a veliger, or adult mussel is introduced to a new water body, and the local water conditions are suitable, they can easily reproduce and a population is therefore established.
A single mussel can produce a million gametes sometimes up to six times a year. When fertilization occurs in the water column, the fertilized zygote turns into the larvae stage of a juvenile mussel, called a veliger. While the individual number of veligers that survive is low, the abundance of gamete production ensures high reproductive rates and lakes that were previously uninfested, quickly transform once the mussels spread.
Figure 3. Infographic demonstrating the impacts of an invasive dreissenid mussel invasion on Clear Lake. Source: Draft Lake County Watershed Protection District Invasive Mussel Rapid Response and Transition to Containment Plan available at https://www.clearlakemusselprevention.org/qz-containment-transition-plan. Impacts of invasive mussels
Invasive Quagga and Zebra mussels, if introduced into Clear Lake, would cause significant negative impacts. These impacts can be divided into ecological, economical, and public health. And some impacts overlap more than one category.
For example, invasive dreissenid mussels are filter feeders, removing green algae from the water column, sometimes up to 3 liters a day. Green algae is the base of the food web in fish-dominated lakes like Clear Lake. Drastic changes to the food web will impact the current lake ecology and the local economy that depends on current lake ecology - like the presence of large and abundant game fish like catfish, black bass, and crappie.
Green algae are consumed by zooplankton (small aquatic insects or copepods) which is the main food source for small bait fish, like minnows, shad and sunfish. Larger game fish can consume both bait fish and zooplankton. Almost all small, juvenile fish feed off both green algae and zooplankton. If Invasive dreissenid mussels were introduced into Clear Lake, they would significantly disrupt the base of the food web, with high probability of causing a fishery decline or crash.
This effect has been identified in other aquatic ecosystems with most impacts occurring to recreationally and commercially important species. For example, in Lake Ontario, following Zebra mussel introduction, Lake Whitefish and Walleye populations declined and recruitment reduced as the mussels compete directly with preferred fish food.
Some local myths exist that suggest that mussels would “clear up the water” and “take care of our harmful algae problem” in Clear Lake. Unfortunately, lab and field studies have demonstrated that this would not be true. Laboratory studies have shown that dreissenid mussels selectively eat green algae (phytoplankton) as opposed to cyanobacteria (which is the category of organism responsible for creating harmful algal blooms in Clear Lake).
Specifically, the dreissenid mussels will spit out the cyanobacteria, and only metabolize the green algae. And since cyanobacteria are not fish food, we will see declines in food available for fisheries, and more space and resources available for cyanobacteria as the valuable green algae declines.
One just has to look to Toledo, Ohio, located on Lake Erie, which has an abundance of invasive dreissenid mussel populations and worsening annual cyanobacteria blooms, to understand that the presence of invasive dreissenid mussels does not benefit water quality.
Invasive dreissenid mussels can have direct impacts to the economy through their disruption to drinking water systems. Clear Lake provides drinking water to about 60% of the Lake County population via 17 private and public drinking water purveyor systems. Intakes located within the lake could suck in juvenile mussels, or veligers.
Once inside the drinking water intake infrastructure, the dreissenid mussels could settle and attach and eventually accumulate within the pipes reducing the available space for water volume. Additionally, the dreissenid mussels produce waste and as they die, the bacteria can contaminate the water headed to treatment, creating complications for treatment systems. This is where invasive dreissenid mussels could heavily harm human health and could cause public health concerns.
As dreissenid mussels in drinking water pipes die, they decompose and the bacteria, smells, and particulates within the systems would lead to cost increases to produce safe drinking water. And if the water couldn’t be treated adequately, the system would have to be purged, wasting millions of gallons of Clear Lake water. The time, staff, tools, and effort needed to remove the mussels from the infrastructure within the lake would also be expensive.
All these costs would be passed down to the consumers, or residents of Lake County. I would further suggest that the costs associated with mitigating invasive dreissenid mussels in drinking water would bankrupt some of the smaller water treatment systems, as water rates from Clear Lake are already the 3rd highest rate in the state.
Additionally, invasive dreissenid mussels can cause economic impacts by their contribution to the decrease in recreational value in freshwater lakes. Dreissenid mussels grow exponentially and when they die, their sharp shells can accumulate on beaches and shorelines causing difficulty for people and animals to safely access the water.
Some beaches in Michigan, and other states, that have miles of dunes composed of sharp, dead mussel shells, are basically abandoned, and can’t serve any recreational purpose. Businesses that rely on that water access struggle to survive and stay afloat.
Adult mussels can also settle and attach to any structure in the water, including ramps, docks, anchor lines, and boat hulls and propellers. Imagine having to laboriously scrape your boat hull of mussels twice a year, or not being able to launch your kayak on your ramp because it’s covered in sharp mussels.
This is the reality of people with lakeside properties that live on mussel-infested lakes and could be the fate of Clear Lake shoreline residents should mussels become established in our lake.
To be continued…
I hope you learned a little bit about invasive dreissenid mussels, Fisherman Frank. I hope you read my next column, where I will focus on our Invasive Mussel Prevention Plan and Program, including how the stickers work to prevent mussels in our lake and how the ramp monitors are key in the prevention program.
Also in my next column, I will discuss what is being planned at the County of Lake Water Resources Department, should an invasive mussel make it to Clear Lake and a population establish. The goal is to maintain Clear Lake ecology so that we can maintain our way of life, and prevent the spread to other northern California lakes.
If you wanted to learn more about the current prevention program, you can visit the County of Lake Invasive Mussel webpage at www.nomussels.com.
To learn more about Invasive Dreissenid mussels in general, you can visit very user-friendly and interactive Invasive Mussel Collaborative website here: https://invasivemusselcollaborative.net/.
Sincerely,
Lady of the Lake
Angela De Palma-Dow is a limnologist (limnology = study of fresh inland waters) who lives and works in Lake County. Born in Northern California, she has a Master of Science from Michigan State University. She is a Certified Lake Manager from the North American Lake Management Society, or NALMS, and she is the current president/chair of the California chapter of the Society for Freshwater Science. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The County of Lake Water Resources Department wants to know what you know about invasive mussels! Take this 2-minute survey and get entered to win a FREE 2024 resident or visitor sticker for your boat (a $20 value!). You can access the survey from a computer, tablet, or smartphone at this link: https://forms.gle/5YRq5hPcAdR8NBm56
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — A COVID-19 outbreak at Hope Center led to a temporary hold on admissions earlier this month.
Hope Center is a 20-bed transitional housing facility owned and housing navigation hub located at 3400 Emerson St. in Clearlake.
It’s operated by Adventist Health Clear Lake and staffed by Adventist Health associates around the clock, seven days a week.
On Wednesday, July 5, six participants and one associate at Hope Center tested positive for COVID-19, said Luke McMurray, director of marketing and communications for Adventist Health.
“Each experienced mild flu-like symptoms. An RN [registered nurse] on staff assessed everyone. No one required further treatment,” McMurray said.
“To ensure safety, protocols developed by the Lake County Department of Health and Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital Infection Control were strictly followed. Hope Center remained open, and new participants were not admitted,” he said.
As of Saturday, July 15, there were no new cases, all participants and associates are testing negative and Hope Center is accepting new participants, McMurray said.
McMurray said Adventist Health Clear Lake and Hope Center continue to keep safety their top priority.
A national healthadvisory issued by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on May 3, 2023, sheds light on the urgent public health issues of loneliness and isolation.
The report reflects Dr. Murthy’s personal and professional experience with the damaging health impacts of loneliness. As surprising as it sounds, social isolation and loneliness have the same effect on human health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, which is to say, it can shorten life span by up to 15 years.
In the same survey, young adults were nearly twice as likely as those over age 65 to report feeling lonely or isolated. In addition, 75% of Hispanics and 68% of Black or African American people reported these conditions, as did a majority of lower-income respondents and single parents.
While there are no definitive explanations for these high numbers, experts have suggested several possible determinants: the mobility of the population, the shift from in-person to remote work and learning since the beginning of the pandemic, and the deep divides in society caused by social media and irresponsible news sites. To grab the attention of viewers, some advertisers and media leaders understand that human beings are biased toward messages that activate fear and loss. In fact, the scientific term “aversion bias” demonstrates people are twice as fearful of loss as happy for gain.
When we feel socially isolated and lonely, our vigilance for threat activates our core survival instincts, which are rooted in evolutionary times. For early humans, being accepted and belonging to a group or community were key factors in survival. Being separated or ousted from one’s tribe meant almost certain death.
Thriving relationships became critical to human feelings of safety and well-being. In fact, longevity studies consistently find that the strength of one’s lifelong relationships is the most important driver of a long and healthy life.
Stress and loneliness are connected
The human nervous system is balanced into two modes: the “fight or flight” of the sympathetic system and the “rest and digest” of the parasympathetic system.
Loneliness and isolation drive unbalanced activation of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to hypervigilance, or scanning the environment for threats. Once this threat response is activated, people see their environment as unsafe, leading to release of hormones that interfere with our trust and pleasure responses. As this stress-response heightens, people experience surges in hormones that elevate their heart rate and blood pressure.
Over time, release of these hormones damages our blood vessels, heart, brain, blood and liver and our metabolic and musculoskeletal systems. Much like a car engine that is continually over-revved, our body’s systems begin to break down and our perceived experience of pain is heightened.
Feelings of worthlessness and fear increase the risk of substance use, mental health challenges, a variety of chronic diseases and obesity – all of which can contribute to a reduced life span.
In other words, loneliness and isolation drive disease and shorten life spans through unbalanced activation of the sympathetic nervous system induced by the perception of threat and chronic stress.
Princeton University economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton hypothesize that the reduction of social capital and hope stemming from the loss of jobs in Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley from 1999 to 2013 was a key driver of deaths from overdose, suicide and liver disease in these areas.
Among the signs of loneliness: feeling exhausted and being unable to control your emotions.
So what can be done to address the loneliness epidemic?
In his Framework for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection, Murthy provides a practical call for action to address the public health problem of social disconnection and to strengthen social connection and community. These strategies include being open to new relationships, reconnecting with friends and distant family members and serving others by volunteering. The framework includes shareable tools and resources for individuals and organizations to invest in community-based social relationships and improve their community’s mental health.
One reason I am answering this call is that my home state of West Virginia is the only one located entirely in Appalachia.
Appalachia is the central location of “deaths of despair,” meaning people living here are disproportionately affected by the loss of jobs, social capital, purpose and relationships that result in the experience of loneliness and social isolation.
But I would argue West Virginia also has resilient people who care about one another. There is a real goodness and kindness in our people. To serve our state better, the staff at the flagship university academic medical center is building more sophisticated and better health care access. My colleagues in business and government are focusing on reversing loneliness and social isolation through jobs that provide income, social capital and caring relationships.
Like the COVID-19 pandemic, the isolation and loneliness pandemic requires us to work together in community to make a positive difference.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Animal Care and Control has many dogs available to new homes this week.
Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of Anatolian shepherd, Belgian malinois, Catahoula leopard dog, Chihuahua, German shepherd, hound, mastiff, pit bull, plott hound and terrier.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.
Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online for information on visiting or adopting.
This 2-year-old female shepherd mix is in kennel No. 33, ID No. LCAC-A-5277. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female shepherd mix
This 2-year-old female shepherd mix has a short yellow coat.
She is in kennel No. 33, ID No. LCAC-A-5277.
This 5-year-old male Chihuahua is in kennel No. 6, ID No. LCAC-A-5500. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male Chihuahua
This 5-year-old male Chihuahua has a short tricolor coat.
He is in kennel No. 6, ID No. LCAC-A-5500.
This 1 and a half year old male Great Pyrenees is in kennel No. 3, ID No. LCAC-A-5469. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male Great Pyrenees
This 1 and a half year old male Great Pyrenees has a white coat.
He is in kennel No. 3, ID No. LCAC-A-5469.
“Trixie” is a 3-year-old female hound in kennel No. 9, ID No. LCAC-A-5433. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Trixie’
“Trixie” is a 3-year-old female hound with a short brown coat.
She is in kennel No. 9, ID No. LCAC-A-5433.
This 2 and a half year old male shepherd is in kennel No. 14, ID No. LCAC-A-5479. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male shepherd
This 2 and a half year old male shepherd has a short black and tan coat.
He is in kennel No. 14, ID No. LCAC-A-5479.
This 4-year-old male pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 25, ID No. LCAC-A-5446. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male pit bull terrier
This 4-year-old male pit bull terrier has a short gray coat with white markings.
He is in kennel No. 25, ID No. LCAC-A-5446.
This 6-month-old male German shepherd puppy is in kennel No. 2, ID No. LCAC-A-5315. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male German shepherd puppy
This 6-month-old male German shepherd puppy has a black and tan coat.
He is in kennel No. 2, ID No. LCAC-A-5315.
This 3-year-old female German shepherd is in kennel No. 4, ID No. LCAC-A-5396. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female German shepherd
This 3-year-old female German shepherd has a black and tan coat.
She is in kennel No. 4, ID No. LCAC-A-5396.
This 3-year-old male Anatolian shepherd-mastiff mix is in kennel No. 5, ID No. LCAC-A-5276. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Anatolian shepherd-mastiff mix
This 3-year-old male Anatolian shepherd-mastiff mix has a short fawn coat.
He is in kennel No. 5, ID No. LCAC-A-5276.
“Roasie” is a 2-year-old female pit bull terrier in kennel No. 7, ID No. LCAC-A-5434. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Roasie’
“Roasie”is a 2-year-old female pit bull terrier with a short black and white coat.
She is in kennel No. 7, ID No. LCAC-A-5434.
This 3-year-old female pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 10, ID No. LCAC-A-5400. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female pit bull terrier
This 3-year-old female pit bull terrier has a brown and white coat.
She is in kennel No. 10, ID No. LCAC-A-5400.
This 3-month-old female hound-shepherd mix puppy is in kennel No. 11, ID No. LCAC-A-5370. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female hound-shepherd mix puppy
This 3-month-old female hound-shepherd mix puppy has a black and tan coat.
She is in kennel No. 11, ID No. LCAC-A-5370.
This 3-month-old male Catahoula leopard dog puppy is in kennel No. 13, ID No. LCAC-A-5354. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male Catahoula leopard dog puppy
This 3-month-old male Catahoula leopard dog puppy has a short tan and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 13, ID No. LCAC-A-5354.
“Zeta” is a 1-year-old female pit bull terrier in kennel No. 16, ID No. LCAC-A-5427. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Zeta’
“Zeta” is a 1-year-old female pit bull terrier with a black and tan coat.
She is in kennel No. 16, ID No. LCAC-A-5427.
This 2-year-old male plott hound is in kennel No. 18, ID No. LCAC-A-5143. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male plott hound
This 2-year-old male plott hound has a short brown coat.
He is in kennel No. 18, ID No. LCAC-A-5143.
This 2-year-old male Chihuahua-terrier mix is in kennel No. 20, ID No. LCAC-A-5381. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male Chihuahua-terrier mix
This 2-year-old male Chihuahua-terrier mix has a short white coat.
She is in kennel No. 20, ID No. LCAC-A-5381.
This 2-year-old female Chihuahua is in kennel No. 21, ID No. LCAC-A-5379. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female Chihuahua
This 2-year-old female Chihuahua has a short brown and white coat.
She is in kennel No. 21, ID No. LCAC-A-5379.
This 2-year-old male shepherd is in kennel No. 22, ID No. LCAC-A-5423. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male shepherd
This 2-year-old male shepherd has a black and tan coat.
He is in kennel No. 22, ID No. LCAC-A-5423.
This 5-year-old male pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 23, ID No. LCAC-A-5322. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male pit bull terrier
This 5-year-old male pit bull terrier has a short white coat with red markings.
He is in kennel No. 23, ID No. LCAC-A-5322.
This 6-year-old female pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 24, ID No. LCAC-A-5410. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female pit bull terrier
This 6-year-old female pit bull terrier has a short tan coat.
She is in kennel No. 24, ID No. LCAC-A-5410.
This 1 and a half year old male shepherd is in kennel No. 26, ID No. LCAC-A-5424. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male shepherd
This 1 and a half year old male shepherd has a short tricolor coat.
He is in kennel No. 26, ID No. LCAC-A-5424.
This 2-year-old female shepherd is in kennel No. 27, ID No. LCAC-A-5369. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female shepherd
This 2-year-old female shepherd has a short yellow and white coat.
She is in kennel No. 27, ID No. LCAC-A-5369.
This 5-month-old male pit bull puppy is in kennel No. 29, ID No. LCAC-A-5325. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male pit bull puppy
This 5-month-old male pit bull puppy has a white coat.
He is in kennel No. 29, ID No. LCAC-A-5325.
This 1 and a half year old male Belgian malinois is in kennel No. 30, ID No. LCAC-A-5409. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male Belgian malinois
This 1 and a half year old male Belgian malinois has a tan and black coat.
He is in kennel No. 30, ID No. LCAC-A-5409.
This 2-year-old male shepherd is in kennel No. 31, ID No. LCAC-A-5344. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male shepherd
This 2-year-old male shepherd has a short tan coat with white markings.
He is in kennel No. 31, ID No. LCAC-A-5344.
This 6-month-old male shepherd mix puppy is in kennel No. 32, ID No. LCAC-A-5408. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male shepherd mix puppy
This 6-month-old male shepherd mix puppy has a black coat with white markings.
He is in kennel No. 32, ID No. LCAC-A-5408.
This 10-month-old female shepherd is in kennel No. 34, ID No. LCAC-A-5323. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female shepherd
This 10-month-old female shepherd has a tricolor coat.
She is in kennel No. 34, ID No. LCAC-A-5323.
“Jojo” is a one and a half year old female pit bull terrier in foster care, ID No. LCAC-A-5312. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Jojo’
“Jojo” is a one and a half year old female pit bull terrier with a short tricolor coat.
She is in kennel foster care, ID No. LCAC-A-5312.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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