Waverly Lake on May 23, 2023. In the background, the Pacific Boulevard bridge and the work of spray-paint vandals.
The growth of aquatic plants in Waverly Lake is getting an early start this spring. An effort to prevent vegetation from covering most of the lake will be made this summer.
In response to last year’s complaints about the sad shape of this lake at the northern gateway to Albany, the city’s Parks Department came up with a plan to get rid of algae and other growth this year.
On May 10, the city council approved the department’s request for authority to make a deal with Aquatic Harvesting LLC, a company based in Centralia, Wash.
According to the plan, the company will use its special equipment to scour the lake of the ugly surface material. It will also install aeration equipment and a fountain that should keep the water from getting too stagnant. The city estimates the “budget impact,” presumably meaning the cost, at $60,000.
After looking at the lake this week from the path skirting its west end, I asked the parks department about the timing of the cleanup plan. “We haven’t heard exactly when they are coming,” maintenance manager Rick Barnett responded. “The vegetation has to be growing pretty abundantly when they do the work. I am guessing July.”
At the moment the west-end path at Waverly Lake is closed because of a huge sewer project, a phase in the reconstruction of the Cox Creek Interceptor, which is being enlarged to serve the growing part of Albany east of I-5.
I don’t know when that path will reopen to the public. When it does, it would be nice if the lake was once again clear. (hh)
It’s nice to hear that the city taking action against an age-old problem that happens every year.
However, this plan sounds like a one-off solution without much community involvement other than taxpayer money.
Maybe a better solution is to nurture an ongoing partnership between city government, citizen volunteers, and educators to monitor and prevent the problem. Not just with this “lake”, but all bodies of water within the city that are susceptible to bloom.
Everyone will learn in the process and you can quit writing about this scummy issue.
Is there any update on this? The pond is looking pretty gross. I just read where they plan to put the duck back in the pond. It’s going to be surrounded by slime.
Thanks
QUESTION, SERIOUSLY, can anyone say whether or not the algae bloom is caused by possible sewer leaks that are being fixed