Sunday July 5, 2026 Honeoye Lake Water Quality
- Terry Gronwall
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 1 minute ago
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Including just released NYS DEC Honeoye Lake Nutrient Inactivation Pilot Study Report.
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Sunday July 5, 2026 Honeoye Lake Water Quality
Surface Water Temperature: ~81.0 F
Water Clarity: ~14.2 Feet
Lake Level: 803.2 Feet above sea level
Lake level is just slightly below weir level.
Observations: Sunday (7/5/26), Water clarity was ~14.2 feet the same as last week. This is a very high-water clarity for early July. Actually ~ 6 feet higher water clarity than early July 2025. The surface water temperature was ~81.0 F about a 5.4 F increase over the last week. When the surface water temperature rises above 80 F it is optimal for blue-green algae reproduction. Today had calm winds and an overcast sky.
Gloeotrichia (lots of small spikes) is the dominate blue-green algae species today. See image on the left. We also continued to find small amounts of Anabaena (Dolchospermum) (looks like a spring or chain of beads) and did not find any Microcystis (looks like a group of small round cells) today. We also found a lot of Ceratium (looks like a small spaceship) which is not a blue-green species today. See images below of Anabaena and Ceratium: You should be watchful for Gloeotrichia, Anabaena, Microcystis blooms lake wide over the next few weeks particularly when we have 80-90 F days with calm winds. More information on Gloeotrichia and Anabaena which are cyanobacteria can be found at: https://www.honeoyelakewatershed.org/habs
Over the last week, 5 Honeoye Lake Gloeotrichia near shore blooms have been reported to the DEC NYHABS site. See the Honeoye Lake DEC NYHABS Honeoye Lake map below: Normally we see Gloeotrichia booms until late July. So please be watchful for Gloeotrichia blooms over the next several weeks. Gloeotrichia gets its nutrients directly from the bottom sediments in the winter and spring rather than from the water column like all the other blue-green algae species.
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:
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 0.5 mg/L in the deeper parts of the lake breaking the phosphors/iron bond in the bottom sediments releasing phosphorus into the water column. The dissolved oxygen (DO) level near the lake bottom at ~9 m (~30 feet) was 0.57 mg/L today. This means that a small amount of phosphorus could be released be released from the ~5 acres of 9 m bottom sediments into the deepest part of the lake water if the dissolved oxygen drops below 0.5 mg/L next week. If we do not have a complete lake mixing event soon, we expect that the dissolved oxygen near the bottom at 7 m to 9 m will go anoxic (DO = <0.5 mg/L) in early July releasing significant phosphorus from the bottom sediments potentially fueling a blue-green algae bloom. Today’s temperature and dissolved oxygen graphs are posted on the left.
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Click on this link to read the just released NYS DEC Honeoye Lake Nutrient Inactivation Pilot Study Report:
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If you have a kayak or canoe, please consider signing up for this European Frogbit pull in the Honeoye Lake inlet.
You can sign up on this web site:
For more information on European Frogbit an invasive aquatic plant, please read the article in the 2025 HLWTF Newsletter on page 1:
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Muller Field Station Summer Program Schedule
PROGRAM RECAP
Nature Illustration Talk & Art Showcase
Thursday, June 18th, welcomed Amy Slentz and a wonderful crowd for our Nature Illustration Talk & Art Showcase. Guests were introduced to the educational panel project we've been working on with Amy, the history behind nature illustration, and the research process that goes into creating scientifically-accurate scenes.
Amy's talent and knowledge shined a bright light on the importance of nature illustration and how it is an accessible and creative tool to showcase more than a photo. Amy completed 4 vignettes of the ecological communities at Muller Field Station; artificial ponds & shallow emergent marshes, the Honeoye Inlet, silver maple-ash swamp, and old successional fields.
Fridays at the Field Station
Children entering grades 4th-9th are invited to explore
Muller Field Station on Fridays in July.
Fridays at the Field Station immerses young nature explorers in nature to fully experience the wonders of Muller Field Station and learn about the species that help create the balanced ecosystem of the Honeoye Valley. Each session will run from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. each Friday.
Participants will have the opportunity to canoe along the Honeoye Inlet, walk the trails during each session, and work through specific science lesson plans and activities.
Each week will bring a new theme for the explorers:
Week 1, 7/10: Water & The Finger Lakes
• Glacier formation, watersheds, aquatic species exploration
Week 2, 7/17: Wildlife Habitat at the Field Station
• Bird box creation, exploring beaver dams by boat, and camera traps
Week 3, 7/24: Plants & Pollination
• Explore the relationship between bees, butterflies, birds, and plants!
Registration is $15 per child per session, $60 for all three.
REGISTER HERE
REGISTER FOR OUR UPCOMING SUMMER PROGRAMS!
Community Sunset Paddle
SOLD OUT, join the waitlist!
Thursday, July 9th,
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Embrace the long, warm days of summer with a sunset paddle at Muller Field Station. Participants will paddle along the channel to see what birds are slowing down for the evening, beaver activity, and surrounding plants in bloom. Participants are welcome to bring their own canoe or kayak and gear or use one of the field stations. Waterproof clothing, sunscreen, and a water bottle are all recommended. Binoculars are suggested and will be provided if needed. To join the waitlist, email teresa.pietrusinski@flcc.edu.
Families in Nature
REGISTER HERE
Saturday, July 11- WILDLIFE!
Saturday, August 8- PLANTS!
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Enjoy the summer weather and learn about the natural wonders of the world with your family! Families will be guided by a Muller Field Station staff member along the channel trail to ignite the senses, smell blooming flowers, hear birds sing, see wildlife traverse the property. The program will conclude with an indoor activity to cool down and practice our art and creation skills! Spots are limited so registration is required. Parents must be in attendance with their children.
This program is ideal for children ages 3-10 but all nature explorers are welcome!
Community Wildflower & Birding Walk
REGISTER HERE
Saturday, July 18th,
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join Muller Field Station for a Saturday morning wildflower and birding exploration throughout the 48-acre property.
Peak bird nesting season will be happening as the bright pinks, purples, whites, and yellows of wildflowers begin to shine. This leisure walk will be two hours, with little incline and on even terrain. Participants are suggested to bring a water bottle and sunscreen for this summer excursion.
This program is free to attend and registration is required.
Light Trapping Seminar & Insect BioBlitz
REGISTER HERE
Tuesday, August 18th,
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Muller Field Station is hosting a Light Trapping Seminar and Insect BioBlitz with FLCC alum, Ben Knowlton, to learn more about the nocturnal life around us. The seminar and bioblitz will include a presentation about local insects in the Finger Lakes and the purpose of light trapping. Following the presentation, Ben will lead participants in a light trapping demonstration to identify as many insects as possible. This program will take place both inside and outside and won’t require excessive walking. All are welcome to join!
Migratory Bird Morning Excursion
REGISTER HERE
Saturday, August 22nd,
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
As summer draws to a close, the birds begin their journeys south for the winter after ending their eventful breeding seasons. Participants will be guided on a leisure walk along multiple of Muller’s trails to identify what birds are still around and who has left. The walk will be 2+ miles along even terrain with little elevation. Binoculars are recommended. Binoculars will be supplied on a first come, first serve basis. Spots are limited so registration is required.
End of Summer Break Community Evening Paddle
REGISTER HERE
Saturday, September 5th,
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
School is almost back in session after an exciting summer! This paddle will travel through the meandering path of the Honeoye inlet where we will see beaver dams, late summer blooms, and many other exciting sites. Come learn and observe with us before heading into the new school year! Participants are welcome to bring their own canoe or kayak and gear or use one of the field stations. Waterproof clothing, sunscreen, and a water bottle are all recommended. Binoculars are suggested and will be provided if needed. Spots are limited so registration is required.
Field Notes from Muller Field Station
Our monthly newsletter has transitioned to a quarterly edition of “Field Notes from Muller Field Station”. Field Notes will be filled with highlights of the field station, species features, scientific and stewardship happenings, and will be a space to connect with our community. Program schedules will be sent out on a monthly basis with information about upcoming programs and sign up links. “Field Notes from Muller Field Station” will be out in September!
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Click on the link below to see the 2026 Winter Honeoye Lake Watershed Task Force Newsletter:
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2025 Honeoye Lake Fishery Update
Pete Austerman
Aquatic Biologist
NYSDEC Region 8 Fisheries
Click on the link below:
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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 on how to get a NYS Safe Boating certificate:
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Click on the link below to see the HLWTF Stormwater toolkit:
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