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Case Study for Customer Location CA98:

Audio Testimonial:

Reservoir or Lake Use:
Recreational lake near Middletown, Lake County, CA. Recreational uses include swimming, fishing and boating.

System Overview and Reservoir:
The lake has a surface area of 101 acres, a maximum depth of about 57 feet, and a mean depth of about 35 feet.

Reported Problem Before SolarBee Installation:
Primary problems were persistent blue-green algae blooms and submerged aquatic weed infestations – both problems seriously impaired the use and enjoyment of the lake. In 2003, the lake association spent $25,000 for herbicide treatments on the aquatic weeds.

SolarBee Installation:
Date: June 2004, installed four (4) SB10000v12 units equipped with safety signs and beacons. Units were positioned to cover the entire lake for blue-green algae bloom control, but placed closer to shore so they would more effectively oxidize littoral sediments for reducing invasive aquatic weeds.

Results:
Blue-green algae blooms were controlled for the remainder of 2004 and throughout 2005 in the lake. Residents also noted that fishing noticeably improved as well. As a result of blue-green algae control and an improved lake fishery, water clarity also improved and visibility during the summer of 2005 reached down to about 21 feet into the water column. Although SolarBee deployment was designed to address aquatic weeds secondarily, the HVLA used only half the amount of chemicals for weed control in 2004 that they had used in 2003. In 2005, the amount of chemicals used was again cut in half, or about 25% of that used in 2003. The HVLA has been very pleased with the SolarBees and subsequent savings on chemicals, and homeowners are very happy to have clearer water without algae blooms, a more vigorous fishery (a lake record 24”, 8 lb rainbow trout was landed in 2007), and progressively less toxic chemicals added to the lake – all of which have enhanced their recreational enjoyment of the lake.


Photo shows a SB10000 in one part of the lake.

Updated: 4/20/2007

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