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USGS Scientists Present Findings at Clear Lake Integrated Science Symposium 2024

Photo: Mount Konocti as seen from the town of Clear Lake. (Credit: Julie Donnelly-Nolan, USGS California Volcano Observatory)

Learn more about the Clear Lake symposium
By California Water Science Center September 12, 2024

Located in California’s Coast Range, approximately 60 miles north of San Francisco Bay, Clear Lake is the largest natural lake entirely within the state. The USGS California Water Science Center (CAWSC) conducts a variety of research at Clear Lake, including surface-water monitoring, watershed modeling, and aquatic habitat studies. 

The Clear Lake Integrated Science Symposium is a two-day meeting focusing on research, management, and conservation efforts in the Clear Lake Watershed. The event draws researchers, students, and the greater Clear Lake community to learn about the latest scientific developments in the lake and its surrounding region.

This year’s symposium took place on August 15th and 16th at the Robinson Rancheria Conference Center in Nice, California. 

 

Collaborating with UC Davis

There was a co-presentation by Dr. Charles Alpers of CAWSC and Dr. Sergio Valbuena of the University of California, Davis on mercury modeling research, a collaborative effort between the university and the USGS. The presentation focused on the development of tools for predicting suspended sediment and mercury dynamics at Clear Lake.

 

Photo of members of the team associated with USGS research done in collaboration with UC Davis.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

The above photo includes members of the team associated with research done in collaboration with UC Davis. From left to right, Angela DePalma-Dow (Lake County, conference co-organizer), Sergio Valbuena (UC Davis), Charles Alpers (USGS), Alicia Cortes (UC Davis), and Samantha Sharp (UC Davis). 

 

Other presentations from CAWSC scientists were:

Dr. Charles Alpers, Research Chemist

  • Mercury sources, transformations, and transfer from Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine to the Clear Lake ecosystem
  • Sediment fingerprinting in the Clear Lake drainage basin
  • Monitoring discharge and water quality in tributaries to Clear Lake
  • Mercury bioaccumulation in the Clear Lake food web (poster with Fred Feyrer)

Dina Saleh, Research Hydrologist  

  • Results of SPARROW Modeling of Tributary Streams of the Clear Lake Watershed: Effects of Wildfire and Human Activities on Nutrient Loads
  • Demonstration of the SPARROW model to evaluate sources and transport of Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus in Tributary Streams of the Clear Lake Watershed (poster)
2024 Clear Lake Symposium poster presenters
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

USGS scientists Dina Saleh, Fred Feyrer, and Charles Alpers stand next to their posters at the 2024 Clear Lake Symposium.

Dr. Michelle Stern, Hydrologist  

  • Watershed modeling of the Clear Lake tributaries

Danielle Palm, Biological Science Technician  

  • A non-intrusive sampling platform to study Clear Lake Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda chi) in streams (poster)

Dr. Matthew Young, Research Fish Biologist  

  • Status and Trends: An Update on USGS Monitoring of Clear Lake Hitch

     

Screenshot of title screen for feature documentary “Xabatin Big Lake, Big Science.”
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details

Premiere of Documentary on Clear Lake Science

The symposium was also occasion for the world premiere of a feature documentary “Xabatin: Big Lake, Big Science.” Included in the documentary is a segment featuring USGS Fish Biologist Fred Feyrer discussing USGS hitch population studies. 

The symposium was sponsored by the Lake County Water Resources Department. To watch video recordings of the presentations, please go to the Department’s YouTube channel. 

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