Successful Big Lake Science Symposium
Lake County Held Clear Lake Integrated Science Symposium (CLISS) on August 15 & 16
The Clear Lake Integrated Science Symposium (CLISS) took place on August 15-16 at the Robinson Rancheria Conference Center. This symposium was the first conference on research, management, and conservation in the Clear Lake Watershed in 25 years!
Researchers and practitioners from Federal, State, County and Tribal agencies and non-profit organizations shared the latest developments in water quality monitoring, lake and lakebed management, and conservation and restoration efforts in the Clear Lake Watershed. They also shared unique insights with Lake County residents on the ongoing scientific research on issues that deeply concern all county residents.
Background on Clear Lake. Clear Lake is the oldest freshwater lake in the Americas at half a million years old, and the Clear Lake Basin has been home to the Yukiah and Pomo Peoples for over 14,500 years. The oldest artifacts found in Clear Lake date back 21,000 years.
Challenges that Clear Lake is Facing in Modern Day. Despite Clear Lake’s importance to our community and ecosystem, the lake faces challenges such as water quality issues and cyanobacteria algae blooms, which cause obnoxious smells and health hazards for recreation. Local scientists and tribes are working together to improve the lake's health quality for years to come. Sarah Ryan, the Environmental Director for the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, describes how her program addresses these problems through surface water monitoring, mitigation measures, and examining water chemistry trends and cyanobacteria issues. While the cyanobacteria can be harmful to humans, they also help feed the lake’s fish, leading to prosperous fisheries. Angela DePalma-Dow, a program coordinator at the Water Resources Program, explains that the key for environmental groups is to restore the balance the lake had centuries ago.
Importance of the Symposium. Although Clear Lake faces the aforementioned issues, the Clear Lake Integrated Science Symposium was a key event where our community shared crucial information on what we can do to understand and manage Clear Lake. The two-day symposium featured presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities. For researchers, students, or science enthusiasts, this symposium was the perfect place to engage with the latest developments in various scientific fields.
Symposium Highlights.The event featured a keynote address by Geneva Thompson, Deputy Secretary for Tribal Affairs at the California Natural Resources Agency. The sessions covered a range of topics, including water quality monitoring, lake management, conservation efforts, and the impact of invasive species on Clear Lake's ecosystem. Attendees gained insights into scientific research on hazardous algal blooms, fish population changes, and volcanic eruption risks.
In addition to the daytime sessions, the symposium will offer evening programming, including a poster session, mixer, and reception on Thursday, followed by a documentary film debut and Science Slam on Friday night at the Soper Reese Theater in downtown Lakeport. The Friday evening Science Slam featured young, emerging, and veteran researchers discussing their projects based in the Clear Lake watershed.
Visit Lake County’s Department of Water Resources here to stay informed of upcoming community events and symposiums. https://www.lakecountyca.gov/1662/Clear-Lake-Integrated-Science-Symposium-
Lake County will continue to hold community events because when we come together and work together to keep our lake clear, we can all live our best lives in Lake County.