LAKE COUNTY— On August 15-16, the Lake County Water Resources Department held their first Clear Lake Integrated Science Symposium in over 25 years. The free event sold out, drawing in over 200 scientists and interested individuals from far and wide.
The event began at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday and continued over Friday, ending at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport with a viewing of local Director Sam Euston's film "Big Lake, Big Science -A film Revealing the Secrets of California's Oldest and Largest Lake."
The film spans one hour and almost 40 minutes, exploring the wonder that this county is named after - Clear Lake. Beginning with interviews of locals with interests in this lake, with District 3 Supervisor Eddie Crandell sharing "California's largest natural freshwater lake, originally referred to as Xabatin, which means Big Water in Native Pomo, is now known as Clear Lake."
This began a historical presentation from Archaeologist John Parker PH.D, who noted the connection native Pomo people had with the native plants that grow along Clear Lake's shores, in example Tule. Parker states "It didn't take long for people to figure out we can bundle these up and make boats out of them, so Tule boats were all around the lake. Their houses were willow framework with thatched Tule over the framework." He continues to explain the Tule's edible properties and other ways it coexists with the waters of Clear Lake.
Also featured in the film was Angela DePalma-Dow from Water Resources who shared some interesting historical information stating "Captain Ramsey identified that Clear Lake water level moved up and down in a different way than many other water bodies and that the flow was regulated by the Grigsby Riffle. So he identified a way of measuring the water level on a scale that reflected where the water was at its outflow point at the Grigsby Riffle in Cache Creek." The film offered such a diverse array of perspectives covering the history, biodiversity, wildlife, and so on. This film and more from the CLISS will be available on the Lake County You Tube page.
Throughout the event the itinerary included a comprehensive list of key note speakers totaling over 60 discussions covering topics such as "Environmental Permitting 101" moderated by the AES; "In Lake Mercury Studies" presented by Charlie Alpert from the United States Geological Society; "Geology, Alpine Geysers, Groundwater" moderated by Mitchell Breedlove from the Lake County Watershed Protection District, and also "Clear Lake Hitch Status and Conservation" by Felipe La Luz from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife." These speakers filled the day and were hosted by both the Robinson Rancheria Casino Conference Center in Nice and also the Habematolel Meeting Hall in Upper Lake.
Organizers stated in a social media post, "We are pretty proud of these accomplishments! Thank you for making the symposium a HUGE success. If you were not able to attend, the sessions are available on the County of Lake YouTube channel!" Video will also be available on the Lake County PEG You Tube page.
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