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Minutes
Copake Lake Conservation Society
Lake Management Committee Meeting
October 1, 2011
2011 invasive
weed report:
55 acres of the Lake were treated with Reward ® on May
13,2011. There was complete control of Curly Leaf Pondweed
throughout the Summer. Milfoil was knocked down, but isolated
plants reached the surface in several areas in August. The invasive
weed control strategy seems to be working very well.
A thin leafed native pondweed: potamogeton pusillis
grew strongly in July and covered 37 acres by early August. It
limited boating in several areas of the Lake. Both herbicides and
harvesting were considered, but not used because the pusillis died
off and was gone before the end of August. The cause of the sudden
growth is unknown, but could be a result of the exceptional clarity
of the lake May through July.
2012 weed
control plans:
It
is proposed to treat nuisance weed areas (about 50 acres) of the
Lake with Reward ® on May 9, 2012 to control curly leaf pondweed and
milfoil. As in 2011, the early treatment ensures that the 14 day
Lake use restriction is completed before Memorial Day weekend.
If thin-leaf pondweed becomes a nuisance again in 2012, CLCS
Lake Management Committee will arrange for restricted area
harvesting and/or spot herbicide treatment. Final decision to take
action to control thin-leaf pondweed will be taken after a weed
survey and consultation with George Knoecklein in July.
2011 Water
clarity
Clarity of Copake Lake was exceptional through the end of
July. Secchi Disc readings of over 20 feet allowed clear viewing of
the lake bottom over most of the Lake. However, the algae grew
strongly in August, and a copper sulfate treatment was made August
15 when clarity neared 5 feet. Other New York lakes also
experienced high algae blooms in 2011. The cause is unknown as
nutrient levels in the Lake were less than normal.
A planned treatment to control filamentous algae which had
been a problem in 2010 was cancelled when only small patches of
filamentous algae were found.
2012 Clarity
plans:
As in prior years, copper sulfate treatments are proposed for
mid-July and mid-August, but weely lake clarity monitoring will
determine if treatment is needed or not.
2012 NYS Dept.
Environmental Conservation (DEC) permits:
Aquatic Control Technology (Marc Bellaud) & North East
Aquatic Research (George Knoecklein) together with Dave Craw will
collaborate in renewing the permits for application of the
herbicides and copper sulfate. CLCS will seek a 5 year renewable
permit.
Health
monitoring
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Jack Schultz reported on the
coliform and e-coli sample results. The 17 areas sampled
to determine swimming safety showed no out of compliance
for e-coli. “Almost drinking quality”. There were areas
with elevated total coliform results, likely due to
heavy rains prior to the sampling. George Knoecklein
will cross reference historical total coliform results
to other lake measurements to see if there are useful
correlations.
Jack Schultz will coordinate health monitoring for 2012. |
Lake level &
Dam:
Keith Schaefer reported that Lake level was high during the
Summer due to the exceptional rainfall for the year. For the
herbicide application, no water can flow from the lake so the dam is
blocked for two weeks after the May application. There was 6 inches
of rain during that period. Later, Hurricane Irene dumped another 6
to 7 inches. The lake level will be lowered after Columbus day to
reduce ice damage to the shoreline. The level will be kept low until
ice is off the lake.
Jon Urban & Keith Schaefer will work together to ensure
compliance with DEC requirements on Dam Safety.
Stormwater &
Sediment Control:
Dave Craw & Buddy Sinisi reported on the work with the Town
of Copake to reduce sediment flowing into the Lake. $10,000 was
allocated for 2011 work, but only a few drainage ditches received
culvert and stone, so less than $5000 was spent. For 2012, $15,000
will be allocated for this work. One barrier to getting the work
done is the cooperation of homeowners. Jack Schultz, Dave Craw and
Ernie Cutler will come up with a plan to provide financial
incentives from the CLCS to individuals and home owner’s
associations to improve their infrastructure to reduce the impact on
the lake. Said plan would be presented to the Board of Trustees for
their consideration by 9/12. The plan would include a list of
criteria, an application and approval process, and a budget.
Shoreline
Concerns:
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The development of Mosquito Island
was denied by the town and the appeal was also denied.
Shoreline erosion continues to be a
concern and many people lost shoreline due to the high
lake level this summer. Barbara Bunger will contact
Rebecca Schneider to see if she would be able to make a
presentation on lake-shore landscaping at the CLCS
annual meeting.
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2012 Lake Management Budget |
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Aquatic Control Technology - permits, surveys |
$3,500 |
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Reward® treatment |
17,000 |
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thin leaf pondweed control (harvesting or herbicide) |
10,000* |
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2 copper sulfate applications |
9,000* |
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Total ACT |
39,500
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North East Aquatic Research - Lake consulting,
surveys,sampling, analysis & reports |
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17,000 |
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Allocation for infrastructure improvements (Town) |
16,000 |
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Biological water testing |
2,500 |
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Allocation for weed disposal (if harvesting is used) |
2,000
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Total Lake Management Budget |
77,000 |
* Contingency if needed
The Lake Management Committee:
Fred Bunger, Chair, Rick Aluisio, Barbara
Bunger, Denise Chickery, Dave Craw, Joyce Craw, Ernie Cutler, Russ
Funk, Lindsay LeBrecht, Jed Luchow, Keith Schaefer, Jack Schultz,
Buddy Sinisi, Jon Urban
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