Photograph the algal bloom line and storm outfalls along Lakeport's Clear Lake shore (2026-07-18)

Clear Lake is the oldest lake in North America and Lakeport's front yard, but summer cyanobacteria blooms now paint its shoreline green and close it to swimmers most years. The blooms feed on nutrients washing in from town and creek outfalls. A regular photo record of which outfalls flow, what they carry, and where the bloom sits gives the county's lake managers ground truth they cannot collect everywhere themselves. Standard: California Water Boards freshwater harmful algal bloom monitoring practice; SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation. Proof: Dated outfall and bloom-line photo set from dry vantage Method (California Water Boards freshwater harmful algal bloom monitoring practice; SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation.): 1. Walk the public shoreline path and photograph each storm outfall from a dry standing point, noting whether it flows. 2. Photograph the bloom edge and water color against fixed landmarks like dock pilings. 3. Note any posted advisory signs and their condition. 4. Record wind, weather, and the date and time with each photo. 5. Upload the full photo set with GPS so visits build a season-long record. Done when: Dated outfall and bloom-line photo set from dry vantage

Where

Public shoreline, Library Park and Fifth Street landing, Lakeport, CA 95453

Pay

$80 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Dated outfall and bloom-line photo set from dry vantage

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-08-17

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–60 minutes. Method of record: EPA dry-weather / AMD field screening

Bring

• GPS phone
• pH meter or strips
• conductivity meter
• ammonia + iron test kit as specified
• surfactant screen if specified
• gloves
• camera

Steps

1. 1. Navigate to the outfall/reach; record GPS; photograph it, capturing any visible flow or staining.
2. 2. Note whether flow is present in dry weather (yes/no).
3. 3. Measure and record pH, conductivity, and each specified analyte per kit instructions.
4. 4. Log any color, odor, floc, or aquatic-life observation.
5. 5. Enter all readings with units, GPS, time, and photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Dry-weather flow present with elevated conductivity/ammonia/surfactants -> flag suspected illicit discharge for the responsible agency.
• pH < 6 with visible iron floc -> tag suspected acid mine drainage; recommend metals lab panel.

What counts as done

• pH + conductivity recorded with units
• Each specified analyte recorded with a value
• Dry-weather flow present? recorded yes/no
• GPS waypoint + timestamped photo

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.