As a longtime San Luis Obispo resident (grade schools, Cal Poly grad, now retired), I have a great love of this town. I even used to fish Laguna Lake as a kid.
Currently, I am a member of the Laguna Lake Model Yacht Club. For years, this club has enjoyed sailing our model sailboats and hosted national regattas on the lake.
I have been totally dismayed by the condition of the lake with weed clutter. I am ashamed that our city has allowed the lake to become a swamp instead of the beautiful lake of the past. There are many ecologically sound solutions to restore its beauty and usefulness, but nothing has been done. Spending money for a fenced in dog park did nothing to help the lake’s condition.
Chemicals that kill the weeds but not the fish have been used in many lakes. Instead, SLO has allowed this problem to go on, resulting in recreational use being ruined.
Taking action toward restoring this beautiful city asset would furnish joy to many SLO residents. It’s the right thing to do.
Dale Thompson
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in Aug 27 – Sept 3, 2026.

