BLPOA membership dues support a Facilities & Maintenance team who work to control invasive algae, wireweed, and widgeon grass in the lagoon by manual removal and occasional use of non-herbicide additives. 

Approved aquatic herbicides are also used, typically applied every three to four weeks between April and October. Following California regulations, the licensed applicators wear protective clothing and respirators while working with some of the chemicals.

For full transparency to our members, we mail an annual notice in the early spring reminding members of upcoming aquatic treatments. We also intend to email members alerting them to the details of each individual treatment two days prior.

We publish a complete list of the approved aquatic herbicides and mixing adjuvants that the BLPOA may use to treat the lagoon as needed, as well as their guidance on swimming per the product label.

All are approved by the State Water Resources Control Board.

In an abundance of caution, the BLPOA Board recommends avoiding swimming or fishing in the Lagoon before 5:00 pm the day of treatment with aquatic herbicides, and aims to give notice by emailing members with the date and specific treatment two days prior.

After treatments, you may notice a black residue or clumps in the lagoon which is the dead algae, wireweed, and widgeon grass. While unsightly, there are no use restrictions while this condition exists.

Additionally, the BLPOA may also use selected non-herbicide additives, typically in the form of a blue dye, to further control aquatic weed and algae growth.

The BLPOA Board recommends avoiding swimming or fishing following dye applications until the dye has visually dispersed.