Algae blooms in Clear Lake are a public health risk and increase water treatment costs. Image credit: Brett Walton/Circle of Blue May 4, 2021
On a good day, usually in late winter and early spring, the magnificent waters of Clear Lake seem to live up to their name. Under the shadow of the volcano Mount Konocti, the oldest lake in North America and second largest in California sparkles in an array of blues while fishing boats ply the shallow nearshore, their anglers hoping to hook a trophy bass.
From his office two miles inland, Frank Costner knows that the lake’s waters also shelter a treacherous occupant – potentially toxic blooms of cyanobacteria. As general manager of Konocti County Water District, Costner is responsible for supplying drinking water from Clear Lake to 4,500 people who live in this region a two-hour drive north of San Francisco.
- Nathan Aaron David Peters (born 1985) was sentenced to one year probation with a suspended sentence for breaching probation. - Kevin Alexander Forrest (born 1979) was sentenced to a 75-day conditional sentence order and two years probation and issued a five-year firearms prohibition for careless use or storage of a firearm and unauthorized possession of firearm. Forrest spent 22 days in custody following his arrest. - Ryan Roy Bush (born 1990) was fined $1,500 plus a $225 victim surcharge for driving without reasonable consideration under the Motor Vehicle Act. - Brandhon Leslie Dargatz (born 1993) was sentenced to 57 days in jail for assault with a weapon, uttering threats and two counts of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Dargatz was also sentenced to one year probation on the counts and two counts of breaching probation and assessed $600 in victim surcharges.