LAKE COUNTY – On August 15 and 16, the Lake County Water Resources Department hosted its first Clear Lake Integrated Science Symposium in over 25 years. The free event was sold out and attracted over 200 scientists and interested parties from near and far.
The event began at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, continued through Friday, and culminated at Lakeport’s Soper Reese Theater with a screening of local director Sam Euston’s “Big Lake, Big Science: A Film That Uncovers the Secrets of California’s Oldest and Largest Lake.”
The film lasts for an hour and nearly 40 minutes and explores the wonder this district is named after – Clear Lake. It begins with interviews of locals who are interested in this lake, with Third District Supervisor Eddie Crandell explaining, “California’s largest natural freshwater lake, originally called Xabatin, which means ‘Big Water’ in the native Pomo language, is now known as Clear Lake.”
This was the beginning of a historical presentation by archaeologist John Parker PH.D., who highlighted the connection of the native Pomo people with the native plants that grow on the shores of Clear Lake, such as tule. Parker says, “It wasn’t long before people figured out that you could bundle these plants and build boats out of them, so tule boats were everywhere on the lake. Their houses were made of wicker frames with tule thatched roofs.” He goes on to explain the edible properties of tule and other ways it coexists with the waters of Clear Lake.
Also featured in the film was Angela DePalma-Dow of Water Resources, who shared some interesting historical information: “Captain Ramsey realized that Clear Lake’s water level fluctuated differently than many other bodies of water and that the flow was regulated by the Grigsby Riffle. So he came up with a method of measuring the water level on a scale that reflected the level of the water at its discharge point at the Grigsby Riffle in Cache Creek.” The film provided a very diverse range of perspectives on history, biodiversity, wildlife, etc. This film and more from CLISS will be available on Lake County’s YouTube page.
Throughout the event, the program included a comprehensive list of keynote speakers totaling over 60 discussions on topics such as “Environmental Permitting 101” moderated by the AES; “In Lake Mercury Studies” presented by Charlie Alpert of the United States Geological Society; “Geology, Alpine Geysers, Groundwater” moderated by Mitchell Breedlove of the Lake County Watershed Protection District and also “Clear Lake Hitch Status and Conservation” by Felipe La Luz of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.” These speakers filled the entire day and were hosted by both the Robinson Rancheria Casino Conference Center in Nice and the Habematolel Meeting Hall in Upper Lake.
Organizers stated in a social media post, “We are quite proud of these accomplishments! Thank you for making the symposium a HUGE success. If you were unable to attend, the sessions will be available on the County of Lake YouTube channel!” Videos will also be available on the Lake County PEG YouTube page.
