DEC Update on Honeoye Alum treatment.
Town of Richmond Mill Creek Master Plan Phase 1 construction has started.
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Monday July 22, 2024 Honeoye Lake Water Quality
Surface Water Temperature: ~80.1 F
Water Clarity: ~10.2 Feet
Lake Level: HVA lake level device temporally out of service. Expect it back in service soon.
Observations: Monday (7/22/24), Water clarity was ~10.2 about 0.6 feet higher than Sunday 7/14. The small increase in water clarity was probably due to the sunny calm weather this morning. The surface water temperature was 80.1 F an increased ~0.8 F from Sunday 7/14. It was a very nice day to be out on Honeoye Lake!
We were able to check all 10 of our regular near shore locations around the lake for blue-green algae blooms today. We visually could see what appeared to be Aphanizomenon in the water column at about half the near shore sites we checked today. The rest of the sites did not visually appear to have much algae present. We did not see any algae surface scum. The area that had the most blue-green algae in the water column today was the NE shore of the south lake basin (See picture on the left). The Sandy Bottom Park Swimming Beach has reopened after passing testing by the NYSDOH. Since there is 10 miles of Honeoye Lake shoreline there is likely to be several other locations currently experiencing blue-green algae blooms this week. Please regularly check the DEC HABs alert map for more detailed updates on Honeoye Lake HABs alerts:
We found a small amount of Gloeotrichia (lots of small spikes) today both in near shore areas and open water in the water column. Aphanizomenon (looks like a leaf) and Anabaena (Dolchospermum) (looks like a spring) are rapidly becoming the dominate blue-green algae species. This transition is normal for late July. These are all blue-green algae species. Expect to see Anabaena and Aphanizomenon blooms lake wide over the next few weeks particularly when we have 80-90 F days with calm winds. See pictures below: More information on Gloeotrichia and Anabaena can be found at: https://www.honeoyelakewatershed.org/habs
Several research studies have found that most of the phosphorus that fuels Honeoye Lake’s blue-green algae blooms is released from the lake bottom sediments when the lake’s dissolved oxygen level goes below 0.50 mg/L in the deeper parts of the lake. The dissolved oxygen (DO) level near the lake bottom at ~7.5 m (~25 feet) was ~0.44 mg/L today. So, phosphorus may currently be released from the bottom sediments. This potential release of phosphorus from the bottom sediments could fuel blue-green algae blooms of Anabaena, Microcystis and other blue-green algae species, which depend on phosphorus being in the water column, when the lake mixes again. The lake has stratified again at 7 m (~23 feet). Today’s temperature and dissolved oxygen graphs are on the left.
Always use your own visual assessment before making contact with the lake water at this time of year as the blue-green algae situation can change daily if not hourly. Please regularly check the DEC HABs alert map for more detailed updates on Honeoye Lake HABs alerts:
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DEC Update on Honeoye Alum treatment:
We are continuing to monitor the lake and collect further information, and will evaluate it over the coming months.
The follow-up evaluation will look at all aspects of the project, including water quality results, design assumptions, material quality control, and response of lake water and sediment quality to the alum application.
The evaluation is expected to be completed in 2024 and will supplement the water quality and biological diversity monitoring in the lake to help understand long-term implications of the inactivant treatment.
The output of the review will be a report highlighting lessons learned and areas of improvement for future nutrient inactivant applications.
DEC plans to provide water quality monitoring results and the evaluation results in an information session in early 2025. Participants will be able to engage with DEC staff to ask questions and provide comments and feedback on the project during the information session.
Any and all additional questions can be directed to HoneoyeAlum2022@dec.ny.gov or to 518-402-8179 at central office.
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The Town of Richmond has posted an update on their plans to address the Mill Creek and Outlet Creek issues on their town web site. The Mill Creek Master Plan Phase 1 construction has started. You can read their update by clicking on the link below:
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Click on the link below to see the June Muller Field Station Newsletter:
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Click on the link below to see the Honeoye Lake Watershed Task Force 2024 Winter Newsletter:
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DEC Big Panfish Initiative (BPI)
The Big Panfish Initiative (BPI) was developed to create destination fisheries for larger size panfish in select waters including Honeoye Lake. The BPI is an experimental program that is being conducted to determine the impacts of lower harvest and minimum size limits on sunfish population age and size structure in select lakes throughout New York and to evaluate the level of angler satisfaction with this management strategy. It also includes an assessment of crappie population age and growth characteristics in select waters to determine if those waters have the potential to yield larger fish under more conservative harvest regulations.
Review complete details in the Big Panfish Initiative Study Plan, 2021-2026 (PDF)
DEC BPI Study Updates can be found on the links below:
2021 BPI Study Report Cards (PDF) | 2022 BPI Study Report Cards (PDF)
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New York Safe Boating Class Certificate will be required of all boaters on this schedule:
If born on or after: You will need boating safety certificate to operate motorized vessel in:
January 1, 1988 2022
January 1, 1983 2023
January 1, 1978 2024
All operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, will need a boating safety certificate by January 1, 2025.
Click on the link below for more information and the schedule of local NYS Safe Boating classes:
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- Click on this link to see the new HLWTF Honeoye Lake Watershed Storm Water Took Kit if you are planning any storm water projects on your property:
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Click on the blue outlined box that says "Log in / Sign up" in the upper right-hand corner of this page to sign-up to be notified when we update our weekly Honeoye Lake water quality blog.
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