After the 2022 fish kill
The Oaklandside article by Ricky Rodas and Darwin BondGraham describes the aftermath of a massive fish kill linked to harmful algae bloom Heterosigma akashiwo in San Francisco Bay and Lake Merritt. Stewards warn that future blooms are likely and that record winter storms also reduced salinity, stressing brackish and saltwater species.
Monitoring and planning
The Lake Merritt Institute and Oakland officials are studying the lake and pursuing pilot interventions. Eli Kersh of LakeTech placed sensor buoys to monitor dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, chlorophyll, and salinity and provide real-time charts for the city and institute.
Kersh is gathering data to design continued monitoring plus circulation and oxygenation systems. The article discusses decorative fountains versus propellor-style circulators and oxygen saturation technology, including possible refuge zones in hydrologically isolated areas.
Funding and next steps
The Lake Merritt Institute launched a GoFundMe campaign targeting $150,000 for shallow-water aerators, an additional monitoring buoy, staff, and equipment repairs. As reported in March 2023, the campaign had raised just over $8,000.
Measure Q parcel tax funds were also under review for pilot or longer-term water quality investment. Lake stewards emphasized urgency before summer 2023 bloom conditions could return.