Weeds, Weeds and more Weeds

[Tori]

I did not make it to the Black Lake Association meeting.....Rich or someone can you comment on what is happening with the weeds on Black Lake??? Thanks for any updates.
Tori

[RochNY]

The weeds are still with us. They're growing into emergent canopies in some bays and are visible in many parts of the lake. Because of higher water, and increased turbidity in the Spring due to lots of rain, the growth was delayed this year. This was the extent of what was discussed at our annual Members' Meeting. Dr. Brad Baldwin spoke in detail about his study funded last Fall by the Army Corps. He did reveal that much of the weedbeds that his group mapped were comprised of native vegetation other than milfoil. Of the milfoils they observed, they were unable to tell if it was native-to-New-York milfoil or the invasive Eurasian variety. He said positive identification was possible only with DNA testing--something that is expensive and that most likely no one will do. He also said that old studies from several decades ago showed extensive weedbeds in Black Lake--long before the Eurasian Watermilfoil invasion. He reported that Black Lake is a biologically very healthy lake with almost 100% oxygen saturation throughout the lake--this, due to the long fetch, persistent winds, shallowness of the water and the profuse submerged plant growth. We discussed that the nutrient levels however, remain excessively high and continue to rise--over 80 whereas 20 and over is considered eutrophic. The experience has been on other lakes that when the weeds are removed, Harmful Algal Blooms take their place, using up the total phosphorus. As you know, this year Black Lake has had three localized CONFIRMED Harmful Algal Blooms, one of which has now tested positive for the dangerous toxin: Microcystin! We're awaiting test results for the latter two sampled bloom areas and will post those here once we hear the results.

We're sorry you missed the meeting--it was a good one.

Sincerely,

Richard Henderson, Director, Black Lake Association

[jcalpine]

I , too , did miss the meeting ,but am very interested in what took place . Will there be a report of the meeting or will there be news letter soon ? Thanks to the Black Lake Association for their efforts !

[RochNY]

JC, Please see the entry immediately preceding yours. I think that will answer your question(s).

Also, if you could reach out to two or more of your friends, neighbors and acquaintances that are not currently members of the Black Lake Association and urge them to join, that would be very helpful to the Association. Our only source of funds are dues from members as well as occasional donations from interested and kind parties.

We are a 501(c)(3) corporation in the state of New York and those making contributions may under advice of a tax consultant find that they're tax deductible.

Currently the Black Lake Association is seeking an attorney or attornneys who would be willing to serve on the Association's Board of Directors or perform occasional pro bono work for our Association. If you know of any attorney we might contact in this regard, please let me know. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Rich Henderson, Board of Directors, Black Lake Association