I'm proud of all of the volunteers. They have worked very hard and I believe the work will make a difference in the future of Clear Lake. People throughout the entire 8,667 acre watershed which sustains the lake learned how to help reduce unsightly and smelly summertime algae blooms, improve water clarity and make the lake more inviting as a result of Zarwell's work. Second, it is a community-wide public education program to inform and motivate individuals and families about both the causes and solutions to water quality problems. Third, it is an environmental protection effort in which community leaders are seeking financial and technical partnerships to protect and restore an essential component of the community.
People just have to remember that it's a long-term struggle to change a lake.
It didn't fill with algae overnight and it won't be free of it that fast either. But I think Clear Lake will be clear again, and I think it will happen sooner than many of the nay-sayers think. Zarwell said the water quality studies being currently conducted on the lake by Dr. John Downing and Iowa State University should yield valuable data to assist efforts to help the lake. Dr. Downing's report is due in March 2001 and that's when another round of serious remedial work will begin. He will present a recipe for the solution.