Lake County Water Resources Department

04/07/2026

Lake County Sponsored Phosphorus Mitigation Demonstration on Clear Lake Starts April 13th

Lake County is sponsoring a demonstration project led by EutroPHIX and approved by the Clear Lake Blue Ribbon Committee. Excess phosphorus is a key driver of harmful algal blooms in Clear Lake. This project will implement a phosphorus mitigation demonstration in the Upper Arm of Clear Lake.

From April 13–24, EutroPHIX will apply EutroSORB® G, a safe and effective phosphorus-binding treatment, to lake sediments within a 400-acre treatment area located about 2 miles offshore. This project will not affect lake uses such as boating, fishing, or drinking water. It is an important step in building the foundation for future large-scale rehabilitation efforts in Clear Lake. By reducing the release of phosphorus from sediments into the water, the project is expected to mitigate up to 14,500 pounds of phosphorus over time. Reducing phosphorus helps limit harmful algal blooms and supports healthier, more usable water for the community.

Work will be based out of Lucerne Harbor Park from April 13–24. During that time, a portion of the parking lot and half of the boat launch will be reserved for project operations. Closed areas will be clearly marked, and the rest of the park and boat launch will remain open to the public, though parking will be limited until work is complete. If the project finishes before April 24, all parking restrictions will be lifted early.

Multiple application boats will travel between Lucerne Harbor Park and the offshore treatment area several times each day. Please give contractors space on the water as they carry out this work safely and efficiently.

A map of temporary closure areas is provided below.

For more information, please contact Lake County Water Resources at 707-263-2344, or [email protected]

Vimeo link (downloadable):
https://vimeo.com/1180936488/69a23adb1f?fl=ip&fe=ec

04/02/2026

Friendly reminder to all boaters, if you're planning to launch make sure your vessel is inspected and has an up-to-date mussel sticker. Our screening locations listed below are open and ready to assist you. Visit one of our screening locations before heading out to the lake.

03/19/2026

Press Release

Lake County invites community members to attend a public Town Hall on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Soper Reese Theater, 275 South Main Street, Lakeport, CA, to learn about the next step in restoring Clear Lake.

Lake County is sponsoring a spring 2026 demonstration project led by EutroPHIX and approved by the Clear Lake Blue Ribbon Committee. The project includes a lake-wide sediment assessment and a treatment demonstration in the Upper Arm of Clear Lake.

Clear Lake continues to experience severe harmful algal blooms, and research has shown that phosphorus released from lake sediments is an important driver. This demonstration project is intended to help build the scientific foundation, shared understanding, and community momentum needed to guide future restoration and long-term stewardship of Clear Lake.

At the Town Hall, representatives from EutroPHIX will present an overview of the project, explain the purpose of the upcoming work, and discuss how the effort fits into broader restoration planning for Clear Lake. The presentation will be followed by a public question-and-answer session.

Lake County encourages residents, stakeholders, and other interested community members to attend and learn more about this important restoration effort.

Event Details
What: Clear Lake Restoration Town Hall
When: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Soper Reese Theater, 275 South Main Street, Lakeport, CA

Evening Schedule:
6:00 p.m. – Presentation
6:15 p.m. – Open Q&A session
6:30–7:30 p.m. – Visit interactive booths to learn more about the project and ask questions of experts

For more information, please contact Lake County Water Resources at 7072632344, or [email protected]

03/13/2026

Fishing Tournaments this weekend (March 14 and 15)
Saturday 3/14/2026 - Launching out of Library Park
Sunday 3/15/2026 - Launching out of Redbud

!!Reminder!!
All boats participating on any tournament (Resident or Visitor) must go through the inspection process.

Inspection Process:
If required after screening, an Authorized Inspector will perform a thorough search of the exterior and interior of the vessel, including but not limited to:

Bilge pumps
Motors
Live wells
Bait wells
Ballast tanks
Bladders
All areas of standing water
The Inspector is looking for adult mussels, and water containing microscopic mussel larvae (veligers), in and on a vessel using a flashlight and mirror.

If vessel is found to be clean, drained and dry, and invasive species infestation is either not found or removed from the vessel, the Authorized Inspector shall certify the vessel for launch after receiving the appropriate Mussel Stickers from an Authorized Screener.
https://www.lakecountyca.gov/1253/Inspection-Process

For More Information check out the Water Resources Website at
https://www.lakecountyca.gov/1248/Invasive-Mussel-Prevention

Dreissenid mussels significantly alter lake ecology by displacing native species, destroying native habitats and the species that depend on natural habitats, blocking water delivery, disrupting recreational and commercial fishing, undermining docks and all other structures in the water, impeding nav...

02/28/2026

An Urgent and Important Joint Message from Lake County Water Resources Department, Lakebed Management, and Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Marine Patrol.

Boaters Take Care: Reduced Boating Speed Enforced When Operating a Motorboat Within One-Quarter Mile of Shore While Lake Levels are High in Clear Lake

02/28/2026

Clear Lake hitch have started their spawning migration today on February 27, 2026. Sacramento suckers have also been observed in the tributaries since February 19th. Please do NOT disturb them. Hitch are protected under the California Endangered Species Act. If you notice any stranded fish, please contact the Hitch Rescue Team (permits are required to safely relocate them).

Lake County Watershed Protection District: (707) 263-2344
Robinson Rancheria Danoxa Fish and Wildlife: (707) 572-9688
Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake EPA: (707) 900-6938
Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians EPA: (707) 349-4040

12/16/2025

Do you live near a tributary of Clear Lake? Do you like to observe native fish migrations? Do you love the Clear Lake hitch?

2026 Community scientists are needed! The Lake County Watershed Protection District is seeking volunteers from the community to collect valuable Clear Lake hitch spawning data. This data will be used to study population trends over time to help with long term management decisions.

Before selecting your survey site, become a volunteer with the County of Lake and attend a mandatory training on fish identification and survey protocols. Volunteers will be assigned 1 of 33 pre-selected survey sites, which will be monitored once a week for 10 consecutive weeks. If you live on a creek and would like to survey from your backyard, you can sponsor your private property with a 5-10 year commitment. Site selection priority will be given to returning volunteers. Sign-up before all the sites are taken!

Training Dates/Times
February 18, 2026: 1:00PM – 3:30PM
February 26, 2026: 9:30AM – 12:00 PM
Location TBD: Lakeport

2026 surveys (Monday through Sunday)
Week 1: March 9 - March 15
Week 2: March 16 - March 22
Week 3: March 23 - March 29
Week 4: March 30 - April 5
Week 5: April 6 - April 12
Week 6: April 13 - April 19
Week 7: April 20 - April 26
Week 8: April 27 - May 3
Week 9: May 4 - May 10
Week 10: May 11 - May 17

If interested, please contact the Lake County Water Resources Department at (707) 263-2344 or email [email protected] and [email protected]

11/13/2025

The area circled in red will be closed on 11/15 from 6AM - 3PM for a special event.
Please reach out to Water Resources directly with any questions regarding this closure. (707) 263-2344

11/02/2025

/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A recent collaborative study, spearheading the use of canine detection technology in aquatic invasive species (AIS) management, has...

10/31/2025

🌧️ September/October Levee Update 🌧️

Our team’s been working hard to get ready for storm season! 💪 Big thanks to Coleman Construction and DWR (Dept. of Water Resources) for their ongoing help keeping Upper Lake safe.

✅ Levee Maintenance:
DWR inspected 12 pipes throughout the levee system and re-lined several to extend their life. No pipe failures — just proactive maintenance!

🚧 Pitney Lane Bridge:
Sediment was removed from the bridge downstream toward Clover Creek, and we’ll keep clearing vegetation as weather allows. Thanks to Fish & Wildlife for working alongside us.

📧 [email protected]
📞 (707) 263-2344

Stay safe, stay prepared, and don’t forget to check on your neighbors — flooding affects us all. 💙

10/31/2025

Hello Everyone,

A big thank you to the amazing Lake County community — this year’s Coastal Cleanup was another great success! Nearly 100 volunteers came out across eight sites throughout the county to help protect and clean up our local waterways.

A special shout-out goes to Middletown for hosting a cleanup at Park Square. While we couldn’t include a site in Clearlake Oaks this year, we’re excited to share that we’ll be adding one there next year!

After a morning of hard work, the Water Resources Department hosted a fun Volunteer Appreciation BBQ, generously sponsored by District 4 Supervisor and Board of Supervisors Vice-Chair Brad Rasmussen. It was a great afternoon of food, laughter, and gratitude as we celebrated our volunteers and all their efforts to keep our waterways healthy and clean.

This year, the California Coastal Commission gifted Water Resources an inflatable 4-person boat to give away as a special prize! All volunteers from every cleanup site were entered into the drawing, and our lucky winner was Mr. Randy Pledger from Middletown — congratulations! A big thank-you to both the CA Coastal Commission and Intex for making this prize possible.

Check out some of the wonderful photos below from Coastal Cleanup Day and our Volunteer Appreciation BBQ — you might spot yourself!

Please Share any pictures you may have as well.

Until next year, remember: you don’t have to wait for Coastal Cleanup Day to do your part in keeping Clear Lake clean.

If you spot a dump site near or in a waterway, please contact Linda Rosas-Bill at [email protected]

Thank you all again for your dedication and community spirit. Together, we’re making a difference! 💙

10/30/2025

💧🌧 Where Stormwater Flows… Everything Goes! 🌊🐸
Every drain in Lake County flows straight to our creeks, streams, and Clear Lake, not to a treatment plant! That means whatever washes off our streets, driveways, and yards flows directly into the water we all share.
Let’s work together to keep it clean and clear:
✅ Clear leaves and debris from your storm drains before it rains.
✅ Never dump anything down storm drains, only rain belongs there!
✅ Pick up after your pets and keep trash where it belongs.
✅ Skip fertilizer or pesticides when rain is in the forecast.
Every small action helps protect our waterways, wildlife, and community health. 💙
📸 Show us your clean drain! Snap a photo of your “stormwater hero” moment and tag it with to inspire others to take part.
🌀 This message is from the Lake County Clean Water Program — a partnership between the City of Lakeport, City of Clearlake, CA - Government, CA - Government, and Lake County Water Resources Department working together to protect our local waters.