Lake Monitoring Program Begins This Summer: Volunteers Needed

Adapted from CSLAP brochure by DEC

A CSLAP volunteer measures the water clarity by lowering a Secchi Disk into the water until it is no longer visible.

New York State contains over 7000 lakes, ponds and reservoirs, many of which are natural and recreational treasures. At present, each year the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) gathers information from less than 5% of the state's significant lakes. Citizens help DEC extend its reach through the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (commonly referred to as "C Slap").

DEC provides training, equipment, and the processing of water samples at a laboratory. In turn, bi-monthly through the summer CSLAP volunteers collect water chemistry samples, watershed data and historical information that is used to build long-term databases, to educate lake users and concerned citizens, and to develop management strategies.

The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network is making the five-year minimum commitment to CSLAP. The Network is seeking volunteers with access to a boat that is "sea worthy" in most weather, who can attend a training May 3-5, and who can begin monitoring this summer. The training covers lake ecology and detailed instructions on monitoring.

Every other week from May through September the volunteers spend about one hour sampling. They collect water from the middle of the lake and record information about water clarity, recreational uses, and weed growth. Returning to shore, the volunteers process the water sample, completes paperwork, and prepares the samples for shipment to the lab. The water sample is analyzed at the lab for chemistry parameters of total phosphorus, nitrate nitrogen, true color, pH, specific conductance, and chlorophyll a. DEC shares the sampling results and its analysis of the data in an Annual Report.

Citizens interested in learning more about CSLAP can contact Sharon Anderson, Watershed Steward at 607-532-4104 or steward@fltg.net.