October 16, 2021 - 2020 boater migration map of top 4 lakes that most boats travel from before entering Skaneateles Lake. SLA's AIS Prevention Program is coming to a close this month and 2021 reports will be made available in near future.
Dear Friends of Skaneateles Lake-
This week the SLA has been active with:
preparing for an upcoming revegetation project working to enhance a stream stabilization project designed to help reduce nutrients entering Skaneateles Lake,
hosted end of season advance lake monitoring with the DEC,
met with researchers that are focusing on predicting toxin level growth during Harmful Algal Bloom season, and
participated in initial planning stages for the new PLAN ONondaga initiative.
SLA initial input regarding Onondaga County planning outreach meeting, lake data, and online shopping support for SLA highlighted below.
PLAN ONondaga & Invasive Species
SLA received an invitation from Onondaga County Executive McMahon to attend a Greenways and Blueways Focus Group meeting on October 12, 2021.
Onondaga County planners described the focus group meeting as "an initial effort at defining the Greenway and Blueway resources and methods of conservation and enhancement within Onondaga County and will be facilitated in a way that encourages ideas."
Some discussions included the topic of possibly increasing connectivity of County and regional Blueways and Greenways as part of overarching goals to integrate economic development, quality of life, and protection of natural resources.
Regarding connectivity of lakes and rivers, SLA followed up with planning representatives calling for hand-in-hand protection against Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) with existing and new connectivity and access.
SLA shared 2018-2020 information regarding an increase of boating activity brought on by the 2019 closing of marinas on Lake Ontario due to flooding and the 2020 increase due to boating perceived as a safer activity during the pandemic.
On a similar note, SLA is also calling for an increase in support from New York State for AIS prevention and management to be funded directly from sales tax on increase of boat purchases and fishing license sales that occurred during the pandemic.
SLA's AIS Prevention is mainly supported by membership to the association. Please become a member if you aren't already and encourage others to join - membership information found HERE.
The Plan ONondaga website at plan.ongov.net is live and will continually be updated as the plan and themes are developed
Lake Data
According to the City of Syracuse Water Department, lake level as of 10-12-21 was 862.54' (down from 862.7' on 9-27-21) with dam discharge at 37.6 million gallons per day (MGD) and the surface temperature by the city intake pipes was listed as 64 degrees F.
Additionally, NO Harmful Algal Blooms were reported this week.
Support SLA's Mission of Lake Protection while You Shop Online
Shopping online for Halloween, additional back to school supplies, and the Holidays? – please designate the Skaneateles Lake Association as your Amazon Simile recipient. Every little bit helps. If you are not registered with Amazon Smile you can do so at SkaneatelesLake.org under the Membership/Support tab.
