Mysterious floating island in Watsonville

UPDATE 3/10/2016 10:15PM: A half-acre piece of land continues to float around Pinto Lake in Watsonville.

City environmentalists said its part of a wetland connected to the lake that broke free after last weekend’s storm. It’s something they said hasn’t been seen for at least 20 years.

“It decided it was going to go for a ride so it’s actually floated all the way down to this side,” said fisherman Scott Kawa.

Kawa spends a lot of time at the lake and he said it’s been entertaining to see it move around.

“It’s pretty amazing. There’s like eight trees on that thing and some of the trunks are a foot around or more. For that thing to take off on its own, it’s kind of funny,” said Kawa.

Researchers think the island may have a positive effect on the lake’s toxic algae problem. They said the wetlands can filter nutrients and create a healthier environment.

“If it were to be able to get into a shallow area and anchor itself, we may see it start to take up nutrients and actually that’s what’s fueling these blooms that we’ve been seeing,” said Jackie McCloud, Watsonville environmental projects manager.

Still, there’s a lot environmentalists don’t know. Recent storms have flooded much of the dock making it difficult for crews to get a good look at the island.

“Scientifically, it’s really cool to see this happening. Mother Nature really takes care of herself and so to see this happening has been very neat,” said McCloud.

City leaders said people should stay away from the island because it could be dangerous, especially with another storm system coming in.

“I don’t know if it’s going to stay right there behind me or if it’s going, if you get a strong wind it’s going to head back. It might actually end up where it started, who knows,” said Kawa.

PREVIOUS STORY: A mysterious island is floating around Pinto Lake in Watsonville. City environmentalists say part of a wetland connected to the lake broke free after high winds and rain last weekend.

Those environmentalists say they haven’t seen anything like this in at least 20 years.

Specialized Helicopters helped us out by getting video of the island from up above. The island is about half an acre wide. It’s continuously floating around the lake.

Researchers plan to take a look at the island next week, when the weather is clear, to gather information.They think it may help with the lake’s toxic algae problem, as the wetlands are known to filter nutrients, creating a healthier environment.

KION’s Monica Jacquez will have more on this island tonight. Catch her story at 10 and 11 p.m.