Waverly Lake on Monday evening, Aug. 3, 2026.
At the risk of too much repetition, let’s return to Albany’s Waverly Lake for a status report after the latest round of fighting an outbreak of aquatic growth.
After being out of town for the weekend, I returned to the lake on a bike ride Monday evening and found it looking absolutely fine. Gone were the mats of azolla, the so-called mosquito fern that had covered much of the 10-acre lake before.
Two floating aquatic harvesting machines hired by the Albany Parks and Recreation Department worked on the lake last week. The plant material they gathered was taken to the city’s compost operation at the sewage treatment plant.
I wondered if the harvesters were expected to come back for another treatment this summer, or next year.
“The aquatic harvesters worked 5 days this year and we have no plans for any additional harvesting this year,” replied Tommy Reeder, parks and open space manager in the parks department.
As for next year, he wrote in an email, “We are working with Public Works Environmental Services team to develop short and long term plans for the lake. We will assess treatment options for next year as conditions and budget dictate.”
The story isn’t over. But for now, the surface of the lake looks the way it should. (hh)
An angler in a kayak floats near the Salem Avenue bank of Waverly Lake on Monday evening.
I thought “harvest” was being used incorrectly, then I read that the azolla is used as animal feed and maybe suitable for human consumption.
It’s piled up in the field, east of the dog park at Timber-Linn, along the trees. This is where it has been piled each year.
Too bad the city leaders didn’t keep it clean for the taxpayers to use in the Summer; instead, of sprucing it up for the city’s signature event…The Art and Air Festival.
If the Swan Lakes flow into Waverly, it just a matter of time before the goo in them reach Waverly.