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Lake George Water Quality Reports Released

Lake George water quality data for 2010 has been released by the Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP). Since 2004, the Lake George Association has participated in CSLAP, which is coordinated by the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and the New York State Federation of Lake Associations.

In 2010, LGA volunteers monitored mid-lake sites near Diamond Island, Harris Bay, Basin Bay, Huletts Landing, Gull Bay and Hearts Bay. Each year, volunteers collect and process water samples throughout the summer. The samples are mailed to a lab for analysis, and then results are reviewed and compiled by NYS DEC staff. Summary and detailed reports for 2010, as well as scorecards for each site, are available on the Lake George Association website along with reports and data from previous years. Some of the key findings are as follows:

Water Clarity
Lake George continues to be characterized as oligotrophic at all sites, based on water clarity, total phosphorus readings and chlorophyll a readings. Water clarity was lower than normal in 2010 at the Harris Bay site, and higher than normal at the Hearts Bay site. Neither of these sites exhibited a change in phosphorus or chlorophyll a readings in 2010, although there has been an increase in the water clarity readings in Basin Bay since 2004 (although nearly all water transparency readings at this site have been high). Total phosphorus readings were slightly higher than normal at the Gull Bay site in 2010, though this did not lead to a change in chlorophyll a or water clarity readings. Phosphorus readings were close to normal in 2010 at the Diamond Island site, but these readings have been lower in the last three years than in the period from 2004 to 2007.

Potability
Algae levels are not high enough to render the lake susceptible to taste and odor compounds or elevated DBP (disinfection by product) compounds that could affect the potability of the water. Hypolimnetic phosphorus, ammonia, iron, manganese and arsenic readings are low or close to those measured at the lake surface at all sites.

Chemical Presence
With the exception of a slight decrease in pH readings at the Huletts Landing site (which is probably not ecologically significant), there has been no long-term change at any of the sampling sites. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) readings were higher than normal in 2010 at all sampling sites except Harris Bay and Hearts Bay, and ammonia readings were higher than normal at the Basin Bay, Gull Bay, and Hearts Bay sites, although all readings for both NOx and ammonia continue to be low. Calcium readings were higher than normal at the Diamond Island, Basin Bay, Gull Bay, and Hearts Bay sites, but lower than normal at the Huletts Landing site. Calcium levels at each of these sites remain marginal for supporting zebra mussels, although near-shore calcium levels may be higher at some of these sites. Color readings were lower than normal at the Huletts Landing and Gull Bay sites in 2010, and pH readings were lower than normal at the Hearts Bay site in 2010.

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Floating Classroom to Return in 2011

The Lake George Association’s Floating Classroom, will return to Huletts on Friday, July 22nd at 10:00 am, courtesy of the Friends of Historic Huletts Landing who is sponsoring this event.

A donation of at least $10 is suggested to help defray the $300. cost. Sign up will be required ahead of time, as space is limited to 25-30 people.

So if you missed the excursion last summer, please plan on attending the July 2011 trip!

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New Rain Garden Poster and Presentation

The Lake George Association and the Lake Champlain/Lake George Regional Planning Board are distributing a free 18″ x 24″ four-color poster entitled Rain Garden. Designed and illustrated by Sheri Amsel, the poster depicts a rain garden design for a home in the Adirondacks, including 10 native plants. Teachers, gardeners, municipalities, and people who are interested in lake-friendly landscaping are encouraged to call the LGA to receive their free copy.

Rain gardens are landscaped depressions that are designed to capture and filter stormwater from roofs, driveways and other hard surfaces. “By collecting water and allowing it to slowly soak into the ground, rain gardens reduce the potential for erosion and minimize the amount of pollutants flowing from your lawn into a storm drain, and eventually into our lakes, rivers and streams,” said Emily DeBolt, the LGA’s director of education. “Planting your rain garden with native plants not only enhances the beauty of your yard, but also provides valuable habitat for birds and butterflies,” she said.

Funding for the project was provided by the Champlain Watershed Improvement Coalition of New York, the LGA, and the Lake Champlain/Lake George Regional Planning Board. Funding for printing and a paper donation were provided by the International Paper Foundation.

In coordination with the poster’s release, the LGA is offering talks about rain gardens for public groups, both children and adults. People interested in scheduling a talk can contact Emily DeBolt at the LGA at 518-668-3558 or info@lakegeorgeassociation.org

Click on the above image to see a larger version.

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Basket Fundraiser: Saturday 4/16

The Basket party for Gidget Connors will be held on Saturday, 4/16/11 at the Whitehall Elks lodge starting at 11:00 am.

Drawings will start at 1:00 pm.

Five dollar admission, refreshments will be offered for sale.

The Whitehall Elks lodge is located just across the street from Lock 12 on the Champlain Barge Canal at 7 Williams Street.

If you would like to make a donation or learn more information, please contact Bernadette Perone or Sue Young.

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Maria the Goose

Steve Hartman meets a retired salesman from Los Angeles who shares a special bond with a Gray Toulouse goose named Maria.

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Email to the Editor

Hello,

I’m writing to inform you that the Lake George Coliform Monitoring and Bathing Beach Assessment Program has not been funded for the 2011 season. The original sponsor, the FUND for Lake George, while still supporting the efforts of this program, is unable to fund this program due to other committments. The FUND for Lake George has contributed more than $300,000 in cost sharing for this program over the past 25 years. The LGA has also indicated that while they support the goals of the project, have financial committtments which preclude them from underwriting this effort. We continue to believe that this program provides a valuable service to the Lake George community through assurance of water quality at our public bathing beaches and by instigation of corrective actions when septic or sewer leaks are discovered. I have provided a brief description of the value of this project to the residents and visitors to the Lake George region. I would ask that you encourage some level of water quality testing at the public bathing facilities within your towns or villages and encourage regular inspection and testing of septic or sewer systems serving your community. I would be happy to discuss services that the Darrin Fresh Water Institute could provide.

Lake George Coliform Monitoring Program

Bacterial water quality is evaluated at sites with chronically high levels of coliform bacteria, areas with the potential for drainage related problems (e.g. elevated water tables, poor soils, exposed bedrock etc.), or areas with excessive growth of algae or fungi. Excessive bacterial levels serve as indicators of the presence of animal or human waste, and suggest that potentially disease-causing protozoans, bacteria and other microorganisms may be present in the water. In addition to pathogens, wastewaters contain high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, the primary agents responsible for declining water quality. The Lake George Coliform Monitoring Program is designed to be a proactive water quality program. Prompt identification and remediation of wastewaters entering Lake George is one of the most efficient ways to protect water quality. Working with local and regional regulatory agencies on a regular basis insures a good working relationship. With semi-monthly distribution of interim reports, the program also serves as an educational tool to remind local authorities and individuals of the importance of proper septic and sewer maintenance. Evaluation of bathing beach water quality provides a reminder that water quality is not guaranteed and proper maintenance and surveillance is critical.

In the last few seasons, the Lake George Coliform Monitoring Program has provided direct support to regulatory agencies in the correction of 2 sewer leaks in the Town of Bolton, correction of one leaking septic system and ongoing investigation of a second in Dresden, capping of a contaminated drainage pipe in Lake George, and correction of a gray water/stormsewer cross connection in Lake George. In addition to direct action, recurring identification of bacterial contaminants and long-term datasets instigated stormwater runoff management in several sub-watersheds; including Prospect Mountain Brook (Sheriffs? Dock Stormsewer), Lake Avenue Beach drainage (Vortechs Stormsewer System), West Brook, and Foster Brook. An improved small community sewer system was installed in Huletts Landing as a result of identification of chronic sewage spills, with additional districts added annually over the past few years.

Thank you for your consideration.

Larry
Lawrence Eichler
Research Scientist
Darrin Fresh Water Institute
5060 Lakeshore Drive
Bolton Landing, NY 12814
Ph (518) 644-3541
Fax (518) 644-3640

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LGA Launches New Website and Facebook Page

The Lake George Association has launched a new website and Facebook page for LGA members, educators, local residents and tourists. Both the website (www.lakegeorgeassociation.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LakeGeorgeAssociation) provide accurate and current information on the watershed, its ecosystem, and the environmental programs that protect the Lake.

“The scope of content on the new website is quite broad,” said LGA Communications Coordinator Lynne Rosenthal. Homeowners can learn about lake-friendly landscaping and septic systems. Tourists can request a reservation on the Floating Classroom. Potential volunteers can download training materials to become an LGA Citizen Scientist. Teachers can plan an LGA stream monitoring field trip, or find lesson plans and information on native and invasive flora and fauna. The status of lake-saving infrastructure projects underway and completed around the watershed is also detailed, from sediment ponds and streambank remediation, to delta removal and shoreline restoration. LGA publications, presentations and events are also posted on the site, and people who want to support lake protection efforts can join the LGA online or make a donation.

“In order to protect Lake George, two key things have to happen,” said LGA Executive Director Walt Lender. “First, people must appreciate just how unique, beautiful and special our Lake is. Second, we must provide easy- to-understand, current information that motivates people to keep Lake George clean and clear. As the nation’s oldest lake protection non-profit, the public trusts and relies on the LGA to provide balanced and accurate information. Both our new website and Facebook presence support these efforts.”

“On the Facebook page, the LGA will seek to create a community of caring people who love the Lake for its unequaled natural beauty and outstanding recreational opportunities, as well as those who depend upon a pristine Lake for their livelihoods,” said LGA Communications Coordinator Lynne Rosenthal. “We will encourage our Facebook fans to share what they are doing to protect Lake George, and we will post late-breaking environmental news, as well as invitations to participate in events and programs,” she said.

A key partner in producing the website, Mannix Marketing of Glens Falls created the infrastructure and navigation for the site and provided extensive in-kind services and support for its development.

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Bits of Everything

Volunteers Sought to Monitor Spawning Migrations

WNYT.com tells you how to become involved monitoring smelt populations.

Albany TV Station Shows Huletts

The Adirondack Outdoors blog, tells us that an Albany television station ran some pictures of Huletts.

New Rules to Help Adirondack Lakes

Denton Publications reports on new federal rules to limit mercury emissions.

Where Did Lake George’s Name Come From

The Lake George Mirror Magazine talks toponomy and Lake George.

Warren County Boat Patrols May Be Saved

The Post Star tells us that Warren County got some good news last week.

Trout Season Begins: DEC Urges Caution

WNBZ advises that cold conditions have led to a DEC warning.

How to Give a Good Slap: Courtesy of Rachael Ray

Susan Lucci visited ‘Rachael Ray’ to school the audience on how to give a proper soap opera slap.

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Whitehall School District’s State Aid Announced

The state aid amounts to local school districts were released on Wednesday. These are the figures for the Whitehall School District.

For the 2010-2011 year, the district received $8,119,139. For 2011-2012, the district is scheduled to receive $7,361,054. This is a $758,085 cut which translates into a 9.34% reduction in state spending.

To see the entire year by year comparison for Whitehall, look here (bottom right of page).

The problem for the taxpayers of the school district is that historically no matter what the state does, the district increases property taxes. This is a good year to reduce spending, in so far as enrollment is falling and the population is declining. Once the school board recognizes that the decline of the town and the school district are related to their tax and spend policies, we might be on our way to an improved situation. At least our state leaders are recognizing this fact and are cutting spending.