Invasive Species - Learn more about them!

We are hearing more and more about Invasive species affecting our lakes and streams.The Cayuga County Planning Department is sponsoring a series of training classes to help folks identify and deal with various aquatic invasive species. The five sessions are being held at various locations around the finger lakes.

• 6 p.m. Monday, July 22, at the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network Offices (2nd floor, Zabriskie Hall), Wells College, Aurora

• 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, in Meeting Room A of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca

• 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at the Finger Lakes Institute, 601 S. Main St., Geneva

• 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, in the auditorium of the Yates County Office Building, 417 Liberty St., Penn Yan

• 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at First Presbyterian Church, 97 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles

Get more details at:
http://auburnpub.com/news/local/cayuga-county-to-hold-aquatic-invasive-species-training/article_87f9982f-462f-5ab1-8092-0cfde014ccfb.html

Learn about invasive plant species too: http://auburnpub.com/lifestyles/eco-talk-get-to-know-invasive-plant-species/article_8f357c53-074d-5b62-9cfd-4d04ccb170d8.html

More about Invasives: The Water flea

Everyday it seems, we hear about another invasive species affecting our water quality or recreation in the Finger Lakes. Another fairly recent invader; the water flea is significantly affecting recreation on lakes all over NY state. Presently it is mainly affecting fishing, but it is another story that highlights the need to clean and inspect for invasives on our equipment before we move them from lake to lake. Learn more about the water flea at these resource links:

Auburn Citizen article:
http://auburnpub.com/lifestyles/why-the-water-flea-makes-life-miserable-for-lake-fish/article_6b5c6737-b8cb-58d2-a7af-d7b32d4a5ed6.html

NY Invasives:
http://www.nyis.info/index.php?action=invasive_detail&id=35

Info from Sea Grant program:
http://www.iisgcp.org/exoticsp/fishhook.html

Learn about Hydrilla:
http://owascolake.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=231

Hydrilla - a new threat to upstate NY waters

Hydrilla was discovered in the Cayuga Lake Inlet in Ithaca in late August of 2011. There have also been several possible recent detections in other upstate waters. Folks in the Fingerlakes need to be vigilant and use best practices to prevent the spread of yet another invasive plant.

Rooted in the bottom sediment and growing up to an inch a day, Hydrilla verticillata, quickly out competes native vegetation and creates a dense mat of vegetation at the surface of the water. This dense mat inhibits boat traffic, displaces natural habitat, and discourages recreational uses of the water. Spread by seed, buds (turions), tubers and vegetative fragments; this plant is often referred to as one of the worst invasive aquatic plants in the world.  

Boaters and other water recreation users can help prevent the spread, see recent guidance from NYS Sea Grant:  http://www.owla.org/Hydrilla%20Marina%20Factsheet.pdf


Additional Hydrilla information on the Tompkins County CCE website:
http://ccetompkins.org/environment/invasive-species/hydrilla

Editorial on Invasives

With our early spring/summer weather this week, many people are thinking about getting the boat in the lake. As you begin to plan your season, please be aware of the invasive species we are working to control/eliminate in our local waters. Take a quick read of this recent article from the Auburn Citizen and also checkout a few of the links on invasive species at the bottom of this blog.

Enjoy the great weather!

Editorial:
http://auburnpub.com/news/opinion/editorial/our-view-don-t-let-invasives-hitch-a-ride/article_b1002be0-73cd-11e1-9f7e-0019bb2963f4.html
SeaGrant:
http://www.nyis.info/
FLI at HWS:
http://fli.hws.edu/aquatic_guidebook.asp

Owasco Lake workshop

The registration is now open for “Owasco Lake… OWN IT” a two part workshop focused on the current condition of Owasco Lake and opportunities for citizen involvement. The workshop is being held in two parts and includes optional participation in a special training for citizens who want to participate in the long term protection of the Lake. Registration for the morning session will remain open until the day of the event, Saturday, March 3^rd.

The registration for the afternoon training that will follow the morning sessions will be on a first come first serve basis with only about 25 seats open. The afternoon workshop is a hands-on training program by iMapInvasives, a multi-state program focused on invasive species. Please see: http://imapinvasives.org/nyimi/map/

 The event is being sponsored by:

The Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA)

The Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology (IAGT)

Cayuga Community College (CCC)

The Finger Lakes Institute (FLI)

Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency (WQMA)

Topics Include:

•         The Condition of Owasco  lake

•         The sources of nutrient entering the lake

•         Invasive Species in the lake

•         Opportunities for Citizen Involvement

•         iMap Invasives hands-on training

                        “Owasco Lake, OWN IT”

Time:               9am- noon and 1pm -3:30pm

Date:               March 3rd, 2012

Location:        Bisgrove Theater, Cayuga Community College

199 Franklin Street  

Auburn, NY 13021 

Sign up today to reserve your seat.  There is no registration fee for the morning or afternoon sessions. Pre-registration is recommended for both events however and in fact required for the afternoon invasive species training program. A brown bag lunch is suggested for those registering for the afternoon workshop.  

 To register by phone or for additional information call: 315.252.8669    

On-line registration opened on February 3^rd at: www.Owascolake.org

Guest Speakers:

Dr. John Halfman has been studying Owasco Lake for years and has recently completed synthesis of his data for the summer of 2011. His picture of phosphorus levels during the summer created concern when it was clear that high levels of phosphorus had again been discharged into the lake from the Groton Sewage treatment plant. He will present his findings in the morning session. His work is supported by the Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency and the Owasco Watershed Lake Association.    

Dr. Barry Evans completed the only nutrient allocation model for Owasco Lake. This milestone work uses a combination of science and geo-spatial technology to identify and estimate the sources of nutrients entering the lake from throughout the watershed. Nutrients remain a primary if not the most significant threat to the condition of the lake. He will present his findings during the morning session. His work was supported by the Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology at Cayuga Community College.

This workshop is a companion event to Lake Day 2012, to be held at Emerson Park on the shores of Owasco Lake on June 27th, 2012. SAVE THAT DATE!  

Gilda Brower, Chair, Owasco Lake Watershed Association (OWLA) Lake Day Planning Committee

Is Owasco Lake getting worse?

A recent article in the Auburn Citizen describes an interesting debate between two local experts about the water quality of Owasco Lake. Eilleen O'Conner, the Director of Environmental Health and Bruce Natalie, a Cayuga County Planning Engineer have opposite takes on this important issue. I feel most people that live on or spend much time on the lake would agree that it is getting worse. The various new invasives, weed growth issues, and continuing problems with phosphorus from sewage treatment plants and agricultural run off are influencing the water quality in Owasco Lake significantly.

We hope the debate continues with the WQMA in 2012. Hopefully, the new Chairman Keith Batman can focus a strong response on some of these issues. Owasco Lake definitely needs more attention.

Can you help? Come to the OWLA meeting this Wednesday Feb. 1st at 7pm at the Springside Inn in Fleming to learn more and maybe help spur some new solutions.

What do you think?  Leave us a comment..........

- Lakeman

Read the article: http://auburnpub.com/blogs/the_sixth_floor/is-owasco-lake-getting-worse/article_f1330a5c-37cd-11e1-9374-0019bb2963f4.html

New Lake George Asian Clam web site

Asian clams were found in Lake George last August. The Lake George Asian Clam Rapid Response Task Force was quickly formed by a number of local, regional, and state agencies and organizations. The Task Force’s main goal is to coordinate efforts to eradicate this new invader from Lake George before it has a chance to establish a permanent population. 

The Lake George Asian Clam Rapid Response Task Force (LGACRRTF) has created a new web site to educate and keep people informed about the Asian clam response in Lake George. The LGACRRTF has organized an eradication plan for the Asian clam planned for April - July of 2011.


With Owasco Lake now facing a similar challenge, we should all learn more about the Asian Clam and the complexities involved with managing the infestation. Check it out:

Lake George Asian Clam Rapid Response Task Force (LGACRRTF) web-site:
http://www.stoptheasianclam.info/

Asian Clam Task Force formed

At the urging of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA), the Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency has formed a task force to immediately address the Asian clam infestation in Owasco Lake. Asian clams were confirmed in Owasco Lake late last year. The task force will immediately begin activities to identify areas of the lake affected, as well as possible remediation techniques. The group hopes to follow some research and actions identified by a similar group working on Lake George. 

Asian clams are a freshwater mollusk that are usually found in sandy, warm, sunlit waters, similar to several areas in the northern end of Owasco Lake. The clams can spread very quickly. Capable of self-fertilization, clams can release up to 40 young a day. Rapidly growing colonies can carpet a lake bottom, reaching densities of  thousands per square yard.

Photo courtesy of the USGS
The OWLA Board of Directors met earlier this week and identified both the Asian Clam and Blue Green Algae as two priority issues needing immediate attention by local government. OWLA volunteers and lake shore residents will be a key resource in helping to identify areas of infestation. Please report any sitings to the resources listed below:


Link to the Asian Clam Task Force article in the Auburn Citizen:http://auburnpub.com/news/local/article_7e939fc0-4615-11e0-bf94-001cc4c002e0.html

Stay tuned here for updated information  on both issues.

To report a siting of the Asian Clam contact  the Watershed Inspector; Jessica Reinhart at OLWIP (315)-252-4171 x 120 or jreinhart@cayugaswcd.org.


To report sitings of the Blue Green Algae please contact the Cayuga County Health Department at 315-253-1405.

For information on Blue-green algae go to this NYS Department of Health web-site http://www.scribd.com/doc/40201631/NYS-Health-Department-Blue-Green-Algae

New invasive discovered in Owasco Lake

The Chinese Mystery Snail is the latest invasive species to be identified in Owasco Lake. At Thursday's Water Quality Management Agency meeting there was a discussion on the snail and it's possible effects to the Lake. The snail was discovered in the lake in late 2010, but the positive identification was only recently confirmed. The Owasco Watershed Inspector; Jessica Reinhart, has requested that anyone who spots the snail to report the siting by calling her office at 315-252-4171 ext. 120.

The Chinese Mystery Snail has spread to many parts of the country and has been reported in the Great Lakes for many years. The snail is fairly large, about the size of a walnut or golf ball and is olive green in color. They spend most of their life in partially buried in the bottom sediments. When the snail dies, it washes up on shore and and can be easily seen(...and smelled). Long term effects of the snail are not completely understood. As more information becomes available we will post updates on the Owasco Lake News blog.

(photo from USGS)




Learn more about the Chinese Mystery Snail by visiting these links:

link to USGS fact sheet on the Chinese Mystery Snail:
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=1045

link to the Auburn Citizen article:
http://auburnpub.com/news/local/article_3cf8b992-1a0f-11e0-b701-001cc4c03286.html

More information on recently identified Invasive's in Owasco Lake

The Auburn Citizen had an article Friday with more information on recently identified Invasive's found in Owasco Lake. The article quoted folks from the Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency stating that the Asian clams and blue green algae in the lake may be related. Read the whole story at:

article link:
http://auburnpub.com/news/local/article_2db1bef8-e886-11df-a77f-001cc4c03286.html

Update: Asian Clams found in Owasco Lake

Updates on the Asian Clam discovery in Owasco Lake:

Guidance from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County:

We are asking lakeshore residents to explore their shoreline to see if any Asian clam shells have washed up in the area. Please rake the sediment near and just below the waterline to see if you can find any live clams. If a clam or shell is found that fits the description of an Asian clam, we are asking that you take a photograph or a sample and report it on the Owasco Lake Network at www.owascolake.org. Please contact Jessica Miles in the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection Program with any questions about identifying clams in Owasco Lake at 252-4171 ext. 120. If you find a clam in a lake that is not Owasco Lake, please call Amy Barra at Cornell Cooperative Extension at 255-1183.

We are asking boaters and people who fish to be extra cautious. We do not yet know the extent of the infestation and are hoping to keep the clams confined to the areas we know they already inhabit. Here are some ways to help stop the spread of the Asian clam:

• Do not keep golden clams in aquariums or water gardens; if you already have them, do not dispose of waste water in or anywhere near a body of water

• Do not dump bait buckets into the lake

• Make sure to fully inspect and clean your boat if it is necessary to move it into an uninfected body of water. Be sure to eliminate water from the equipment and make sure to dry any parts that come into contact with water.

•Remember to never release fish or other aquatic animals into a waterway, unless that is where they came from.

Links to more information and recent news articles:

Clam guidance from OWN: http://owascolake.org/joomla/

Asian Clam background from the Finger Lakes Institute: http://fli.hws.edu/asian_clams.asp

Auburn Citizen article: http://auburnpub.com/lifestyles/article_59c381b2-e2f4-11df-8e09-001cc4c03286.html

Asian Clams found in Owasco Lake

More disappointing news; Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) have been found in Owasco Lake. The Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection Program (OLWIP) reported earlier today that recent samples found by a an OWLA water sampler have been confirmed as asian clams. OLWIP and other Cayuga County officials are putting together a response to the issue and will be going public with more detailed information over the next 2-3 days.

OLWIP has been designated as the lead for identifying or answering questions about properly identifying the clams. Please refer any questions to Jessica Miles at OLWIP (315)-252-4171 x 120 or jmiles@cayugaswcd.org.

Stay tuned to this blog for more information and links to keep you informed on this developing issue on our lake.

Potentially toxic algae found in Owasco Lake

Blue-green algae was found in Owasco Lake in late September according to the Cayuga County Health and Human Services Department. Samples taken from the north end of the lake were tested by the NYS Health Department and were confirmed to be the potentially toxic Blue-green algae. The Cayuga County Health Department is cautioning people to not swim, cook or wash with water that has algae in it.

For more information on Blue-green algae go to this NYS Department of Health web-site http://www.scribd.com/doc/40201631/NYS-Health-Department-Blue-Green-Algae
 or call the Cayuga County Helath Department at 315-253-1405.


For more details, see the news story at the following links:

WSYR Channel 9: http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/Potential-harmful-algae-identified-in-Owasco-Lake/DYzM4-cyf0ORSXr1pgqD2g.cspx

Auburn Publications: http://auburnpub.com/news/local/article_ad8ef46c-e17c-11df-9237-001cc4c03286.html?print=1

Library of Information on Invasive Species

The Finger Lakes Institute (FLI) at Hobart William Smith College has compiled a nice library of information on Aquatic Invasive Species Management. Resources covering milfoil to zebra mussels are available on their web site. There are brochures to aid in in plant identification as well as background research covering invasive species in upstate NY.

Check it out at the link to the FLI web site below:
Link:http://fli.hws.edu/aquatic_guidebook.asp

Also be sure to check out other Finger Lakes environmental activities at FLI by going to their October calendar at :http://fli.hws.edu/pdf/2010/publications/october2010.pdf