MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) – During the next three weeks, the City of Marysville is implementing a two-phase project to improve water quality in Ellis Lake. 

The lake water has developed high levels of phosphorus that feed harmful green algae blooms which negatively impacts the entire Ellis Lake ecosystem. The lake has also experienced a steady increase of the invasive fish species Cyprinus carpio. Their destructive nature stirs up lake sediment which causes the lake to experience high levels of phosphorus.

The two-phase clean-up process began March 21^st through March 25^th at which time the invasive fish species will be removed from the lake. The second phase of the process will consist of the application of a phosphorus locking technology Phoslock® which will take place April 4th to 7th.

Phoslock is a modified clay technology the specifically inactivates (locks) available forms of phosphorus in the water column. Phoslock is certified for use in drinking water and poses negligible risk to the aquatic environment.

Phoslock has been successfully and safely applied to inactivate phosphorus in hundreds of ponds, lakes and reservoirs in over 20 countries.

City Manager Jim Schaad looks forward to the process being complete. “With Spring just around the corner, Marysville residents and visitors deserve a clean, safe lake environment and this process should deliver that,” said Schaad. 

Signage will be deployed around the perimeter of the lake to inform visitors that the Lake is undergoing an improvement process.

The City of Marysville has engaged the services of HDR and Aquatechnex to manage the clean-up for Ellis Lake.