Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Management Approaches For The Control Of Aquatic Plants, Joseph Makarewicz, Daina Beckstrand, Isidro Bosch

Joseph C Makarewicz

This guide is designed to provide information on the ecological values and problems associated with aquatic macrophytes, to present methods used to control the troublesome species, and to provide suggestions on how to implement a lake management plan that would deal with macrophytes as legally and as safely as possible.

Segment Analysis Of Sheldon Creek: The Location Of Sources Of Pollution, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Considerable concern about the deteriorating condition of Lake Neatahwanta has existed for well over a decade. A goal of the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District water quality monitoring program was the development of a statistically defensible database of ecologically important parameters that would allow stewards of the watershed to prioritize and determine which sub-watershed had the largest potential impact on Lake Neatahwanta. After three years of sampling the four creeks draining into the lake, Sheldon Creek, as opposed to Ley, Summerville and Granby Creeks, was determined to be losing the largest amounts of water, soil and nutrients from …

An Addendum To Segment Analysis Of Sucker Brook: The Location Of Sources Of Pollution, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

This supplemental report is an addendum to the original study 'Segment Analysis of Sucker Brook: The location of sources of pollution' (Makarewicz et a/. 1999). In the original study, recommendations for further investigation of two segments of Sucker Brook were suggested as follows. 1. The segment above Site 7 (Figure 1) in the City of Canandaigua had high concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) during an event January 1999. The source(s) was not identified. 2. The segment between Sites3 and 4 (Figure 1) had high concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total phosphorus (TP) and total …

Chemical Analysis And Nutrient Loading Of Streams Entering Sodus Bay, N.Y, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

In response to public concern created by an abundance of nuisance weeds (i.e. macrophytes) within the three embayments of Wayne County (Sodus, East and Port Bays) , the Aquatic Vegetation Control Program was created in 1987 to develop long-term management strategies for the Bays. The program is administered jointly by the Wayne County Planning Board and the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District. The Soil and Water Conservation District recognized early that management of the Bay ecosystem would require the development of a data base presently not available. Toward this end, the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District …

Silver Lake Limnological Survey, 2004, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis, William Guenther

Joseph C Makarewicz

During the spring, summer and fall of 2004, a limnological survey of Silver Lake was conducted. The purpose of the survey was to update the status of Silver Lake. Some of the questions being asked were as follows. Was the lake highly productive? Were the bottom layers of the lake devoid of oxygen? Was phosphorus being released from the sediments into the water column? Were there algal blooms? What might be the cause of them? Were there blue-green algae present? Were algal toxins present? When? Monitoring was designed to take samples only during the summer period with depth to minimize …

Genesee River Monroe County, New York, Joseph Makarewicz, Matthew Nowak

Joseph C Makarewicz

Originating in Potter County, Pennsylvania, the Genesee River travels 157 miles northward before emptying into the Rochester Embayment at the Port of Rochester on Lake Ontario. The 2,500-mi watershed of the Genesee River is predominately in agriculture and forest until it reaches the suburban urban environment of the City of Rochester, New York. Several wastewater plants, including Eastman Kodak’s industrial waste plant (King’s Landing) and Scottsville, and Honeoye Falls sewage treatment plants, discharge into the river. Just west and east of the outfall of the Genesee River into Lake Ontario are Charlotte and Durand Eastman Beaches that are periodically closed …

Cape Vincent Harbor: Summer Data Report To The Army Corps Of Engineers Buffalo District, James Haynes, Joseph Makarewicz

Joseph C Makarewicz

Fish, benthos, macrophytes and birds were collected or observed over two days (16 July through 17 July 1979) at Cape Vincent Harbor, New York, to evaluate the potential biological impact of dredging on the harbor. Figure 1 is a map of the harbor area indicating the location of sampling sites. Observed fishing pressure and boat traffic were minimal during the two-day sampling trip. This is a preliminary data report. The final report will include both our analysis and interpretation of the data regarding potential impacts of dredging.

Final Data Report: Sodus Bay Limnology, Lake Chemistry, Phytoplankton And Zooplankton Abundance And Nutrient And Soil Losses From The Watershed, 2004, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

During the spring, summer and fall of 2004, limnological and sub-watershed data were collected from Sodus Bay. In general, monitoring and analysis were designed to meet the following objectives: document current lake, sediment and nutrient conditions; document stream loading to the lake; characterize the bay's community of phytoplankton and zooplankton to provide a benchmark against which the effectiveness of future management actions can be measured. This program will assist in developing a watershed enhancement plan and provide data for a simulation to determine the need for and likely success of adding alum to decrease phosphorus loss from the anoxic hypolimnion.

Oak Orchard Harbor Summer Data Report To The Army Corps Of Engineers Buffalo District, Joseph Makarewicz, James Haynes

Joseph C Makarewicz

On 8 and 9 July 1979 benthos, fish, macrophytes and birds were collected or observed at Oak Orchard Harbor, New York, to evaluate the potential biological impact of dredging the harbor area. This is a data report. In the final report, our analysis and interpretation of the data collected will be presented. Figures 1 and 2 are maps of the Oak Orchard Harbor area indicating the location of sample sites. Table 1 provides information on bottom characteristics at the benthos sampling sites. Fishing pressure and boat traffic were heavy compared to the usage during the fall 1978 sampling trip. Water …

Nutrient And Sediment Loss From The Watersheds Of Canandaigua Lake, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

In the past three years of tributary monitoring, we have established the importance of meteorological events to the loss of nutrients and material into Canandaigua Lake. We have also prioritized the sub-watershed in terms of those losses and narrowed the focus of remedial attention down from sixteen to six sub-watersheds. This has allowed a shift in a portion of the monitoring towards the identification of the actual sources, both point and non-point, of pollution in the priority watersheds. The Sucker Brook Segment Analysis has been completed (Makarewicz, Lewis and Lewandowski 1999). Intensive monitoring is also continuing in the watershed. At …

Nutrient And Sediment Loss From The Watersheds Of Orleans County Year 2: Johnson, Oak Orchard And Sandy Creek Watersheds. June 1998 - May 1999, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

In recognition of the need to acquire a uniform, organized approach to addressing surface water degradation and given the diverse nature of non-point sources of pollution, the Soil and Water Conservation District has recently formed a committee whose specific task is to address water quality issues. Since the reduction of non-point source pollution is likely to occur through the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP's) and changes in land use regulations, this committee provides the necessary foundation for these changes to occur. This committee has become known as the Orleans County Water Quality Coordinating Committee (WQCC). With the combined expertise …

Segment Analysis Of Oneida Creek: The Location Of Sources Of Pollution, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

The water quality of Oneida Lake is directly influenced by land use practices in the lake's watershed. As precipitation falls on the landscape, it washes or carries materials, such as soil, cow manure, nutrients, pesticides, etc., from the land surface into nearby streams and eventually into Oneida Lake influencing water quality (CNY RPDB 2000). Thus different land usage greatly influences water quality of streams and lakes. For example, land usage that includes agriculture and urban living has a greater potential to deliver nutrients and soil to a lake than a forested watershed. If efforts are made to protect a lake's …

Nutrient Loading Of Streams Entering Sodus Bay And Port Bay, Ny 1 April, 1990 To 30 June, 1991, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis, Robert Williams

Joseph C Makarewicz

Freshwater resources have historically played a key role in community development and sustainability. Maintaining a high quality freshwater resource is of equal importance. Within the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, degradation of water quality and aesthetics due to excessive plant growth is a growing concern. Involved agencies have recently focused their attention on non-point source pollution as a primary candidate linked to accelerated macrophyte growth and surface water degradation. Wayne County recognizes the importance of maintaining a quality water resource and has responded by developing a Water Quality Program. Established in 1 987 and administered jointly between the …

Oak Orchard Harbor Autumn Data Report To The Army Corps Of Engineers Buffalo District, Joseph Makarewicz, James Haynes

Joseph C Makarewicz

Fish, benthos, and macrophytes samples were collected over four days (30 September through 3 October 1978) at Oak Orchard Harbor, New York, to evaluate the potential biological impact of dredging the harbor area. Figure 1 is a map of the harbor area indicating the location of sample sites. Information on marina development, boat traffic and fishing pressure is included to document the heavy usage of this harbor during the fall salmon run. This is a data report. The final report will include both our analysis and interpretation of the data regarding potential impacts of dredging.

Stressed Stream Analysis Of Deep Run And Gage Gully In The Canandaigua Lake Watershed, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Deep Run and Gage Gully subwatersheds are located at Canandaigua Lake’s northeast corner. Both subwatersheds are relatively small in size but a three-year monitoring program has identified them as contributing disproportionately high loads of nutrients and suspended solids (soils) to Canandaigua Lake. Within the entire Canandaigua Lake watershed, Deep Run lost the most phosphorus and nitrate per unit area of watershed to Canandaigua Lake (January 1997 to January 2000), while Gage Gully ranked third. Also, the Deep Run and Gage Gully subwatersheds ranked 3rd and 5th for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) loss and 2nd and 3rd for total suspended solids …

Segment Analysis Of Otter Creek: The Location Of Sources Of Pollution, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

The Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District has monitored the waterways of Orleans County since 1997 in collaboration with the State University of New York at Brockport's Center for Applied Aquatic Science and Aquaculture (CAASA). SUNY Brockport has provided analytical services for water chemistry, consulting services on the direction of the monitoring program and interpretation of data. The Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District along with the Orleans County Water Quality Coordinating Committee decided to continue the water pollution source identification in Otter Creek beginning in the spring of 2002. Otter Creek is located in the south portion …

Understanding The Role Of Phosphorus In Lakes, Isidro Bosch, Joseph Makarewicz

Joseph C Makarewicz

We believe it is important to regard the lake proper as two separate habitats, the offshore and the coastal zone. Over the last 15 years conditions along the coastal zone in Conesus Lake have deteriorated significantly, following a trend that has been documented in the Great Lakes and other Finger Lakes after the invasion of zebra mussels. Meanwhile the offshore zone has remained mildly eutrophic over the last 25 years (high in nutrients and algal biomass). While this is an undesirable state in terms of water quality, monitoring data provides no indication that the offshore system is becoming increasingly eutrophic.

Segment Analysis Of Marsh Creek: The Location Of Sources Of Pollution, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Marsh Creek is located in the southern portion of the Lake Ontario watershed, Orleans County, New York. The watershed flows into Oak Orchard Creek near its mouth on Lake Ontario at Point Breeze, New York. A branch of Marsh Creek, is known as Beardsley Creek, and was sampled as part of the study, Also Otter Creek, which also drains into Oak Orchard Creek, was sampled two times to access whether further segment analysis is warranted at another time.

The purpose of this study was: 1. To identify sources of nutrients, soils and salts within the Marsh Creek watershed; 2. To …

Canandaigua Lake Subwatersheds: Time Trends In Event Loading And The Watershed Index, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

From an applied science perspective, a goal of the Canandaigua Lake water quality monitoring program was the development of a statistically defensible database of ecologically important parameters that would allow stewards of the watershed to prioritize and determine which subwatershed had the largest potential impact on Canandaigua Lake. Before the 2000 sampling season, we had collected and analyzed a total of 5 1 samples (36 event and 15 event samples) taken from 20 tributaries of Canandaigua Lake. After three years of sampling, the database was large enough to provide a reasonable estimate of annual nutrient and sediment loss from the …

Phytoplankton And Zooplankton Abundance And Seasonal Distribution In Eighteenmile Creek, Ny, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

The objective of this study workplan is to determine the health of the planktonic community in the Eighteenmile Area of Concern (AOC) and to establish the status of the Use Impairment Indicator in the Eighteenmile Creek Remedial Action Plan (RAP). Results from this study will be compared to results of previously studied community structure data from control / reference sites: an undisturbed creek on the south shore of Lake Ontario (Yanty Creek), the open waters of Lake Ontario, and from Braddock Bay on Lake Ontario.

Segment Analysis Of Sucker Brook: The Location Of Sources Of Pollution, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis, Stephen Lewandowski

Joseph C Makarewicz

Sucker Brook is located in the northwest portion of the Canandaigua Lake watershed, Ontario County, New York (Figs. 1 and 2). The relatively large watershed encompasses 6.9 square miles and flows into Canandaigua Lake at the City of Canandaigua. The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Task Force with the assistance of the Ontario County Planning Department and the Soil and Water Conservation District has monitored Sucker Brook since 1996 in collaboration with the State University of New York at Brockport's Center for Applied Aquatic Science and Aquaculture (CAASA). Monitoring efforts have included the installation of a permanent gauging and sampling station located …

Nutrient Loading Of Streams Entering Lake Neatahwanta Oswego County, Ny: A Summary Of The Lake Neatahwanta Tributary Monitoring, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

This study suggests that the highly eutrophic condition of Lake Neatahwanta is in large part due to the very high loadings of nutrients from the surrounding watershed. Specifically, Sheldon Creek was identified as a major contributor of phosphorus and total suspended solids to the lake. The amount of nutrients entering the lake from Sheldon Creek were in excess of those observed in creeks of New York receiving point source loadings from small sewage treatment plants. Improvement of the water quality of Lake Neatahwanta will depend upon the identification and remediation of the major sources of nutrients in the watershed and …

Stream Water Quality Assessment Of Long Point Gully, Graywood Gully, And Sand Point Gully: Conesus Lake Tributaries Spring 2012, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis, Dale Pettenski

Joseph C Makarewicz

In 2011, Cottonwood Gully and North McMillan Creek were monitored to determine the status of these two watersheds of Conesus Lake using the newly developed Stream Water Index. In 2012, the goal was to implement the assessment tool in three additional watersheds: Long Point Gully, Sand Point Gully and Graywood Gully. The implementation of this tool allows the county to evaluate the status of Conesus Lake watersheds over time; that is, are they improving, getting worse, or not changing. An evaluation using a tool of this type should provide further direction to the Conesus Lake Watershed Management Plan.

Analysis Of The Existing Water Quality Database For The Sandy Creek And South Sandy Creek Watersheds – 1997 To 2005, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Runoff from agricultural lands containing soil and nutrients poses a known threat to the water quality of embayments and coastal regions of Lake Ontario (Makarewicz 2000). The Lakeview Marsh State Wildlife Management Area in Jefferson County, NY is a prime example of these types of ecologically valuable coastal wetland and embayment habitats. This embayment / wetland complex is fed by the watersheds of Sandy Creek and South Sandy Creek. The mouths of these creeks contain globally rare freshwater dunes, diverse wetlands and several types of globally rare vegetation. Sandy Creek also provides an emergency unfiltered drinking water supply for the …

Small Intermittent Rivulets Versus Major Tributaries: The Loss Of Soil And Nutrients From Selected Small Subwatersheds Compared To The Major Subwatersheds Of Canandaigua Lake, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

The rivulets that drain small subwatersheds of Canandaigua Lake contributed significant amounts of total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrate, soil and phosphorus to Canandaigua Lake. The large amount of material being lost from these small subwatersheds was surprising when compared to larger nearby watersheds despite the fact that only two events were sampled. This pilot study shows the potential importance that small intermittent streams may have on the health of Canandaigua Lake. We recommend that the watersheds studied be further interrogated as to potential land-use practices that could be the cause for the high losses observed. A further, more intensive study, looking …

Chemical Analysis And Nutrient Loading Of Streams Entering Conesus Lake, N.Y With Sections On I. Status Of Conesus Lake I I. Crayfish As Control Agents Of Macrophytes, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis, Ronald Dilcher, Michael Letson, Norma Puckett

Joseph C Makarewicz

A program of research was developed at the State University of New York at Brockport's Department of Biological Sciences to investigate the causes of decreasing water transparency and increased salt levels in some streams draining into Conesus Lake and to identify watersheds and sources of. fertilizers that may be polluting the lake and causing increased abundance of "weeds". It has been supported by New York State, Livingston County, the Villages of Avon and Geneseo and the Town of Livonia and many private citizens. The thrust of the research has been to gather and synthesize information necessary to determine the physical …

Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Macrobenthos And Lchthyoplankton Abundance, Biomass And Species Composition In Onondaga Lake, 1994, Joseph Makarewicz, Bruce Cady, Theodore Lewis, Joseph Buttner, James Haynes

Joseph C Makarewicz

Once a pristine recreational center and a productive fishery that supplied New York City markets with fresh fish, Onondaga Lake is now considered one of the most badly degraded bodies of water in the entire world (Sage 1993). The Onondaga Lake Management Conference was established to develop a comprehensive restoration, conservation, and management plan for Onondaga Lake that recommends priority corrective actions and a compliance schedule for cleanup of the lake. Biological assessment of the lake has been infrequent and concentrated on a few biological groups. This study either updates or establishes baseline characteristics for the following biological components of …

Oak Orchard Creek Watershed The Location Of Sources Of Pollution, Annual Loss Of Nutrients And Soil To Lake Ontario, And A Test Of Effectiveness Of Zone Tillage As A Best Management Practice, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Oak Orchard Creek is on New York State’s “303(d)” (1972 Clean Water Act) list of impaired water bodies. Waters designated as 303(d) do not meet water quality standards that states, territories, and authorized tribes have set for them, even after point sources of pollution have installed the minimum required levels of pollution control technology. A 303(d) designation may require the eventual development of Total Maximum Daily Loading (TMDL) for a watershed as a mechanism of managing nutrient losses from a watershed. Funding was received by the Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District from the Environmental Protection Agency to implement …

The Loss Of Nutrients And Materials From Watersheds Draining Into Lake Neatahwanta Oswego County, Ny, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Here we report on the status of Lake Neatahwanta and losses of materials and nutrients from the various watersheds draining into the lake. Since 1994, Oswego Soil and Water Conservation District has begun several projects, Best Management Practices, to remediate and reduce loss of nutrients in the watershed. These include installation of rock rip-rap below the gaging station and the confluence of the Summerville and Sheldon Creeks, the installation of rock rip-rap in the drainage path near the gaging station on Sheldon Creek and the installation of fencing preventing cows from entering Sheldon Creek upstream from the gaging station at …

Nutrient Loading And Segment Analysis Of Streams Entering Lake Neatahwanta: With An Evaluation Of The Muckland Demonstration Project In Oswego County, Joseph Makarewicz, Theodore Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Here we report on the status of Lake Neatahwanta and losses of materials and nutrients from the various watersheds draining into the lake based on work done over the past five years. The conclusion that Sheldon Creek and its watershed are the dominant source of sediments and nutrients to Lake Neatahwanta is inescapable. Based on this conclusion, an effort know as segment analysis has begun in the Sheldon Creek watershed to systematically analyze the watershed for sources of nutrient and soil loss. Preliminary results of the segment analysis currently underway are presented. Finally, we provide results from the muckland demonstration …