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 …

Biological Survey Of Yanty Creek Marsh At Hamlin Beach State Park, Joseph C. Makarewicz, James M. Haynes, Ronald C. Dilcher, John C. Hunter, Christopher J. Norment, Theodore W. Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Four primary objectives were addressed in this study: 1 . To undertake a survey of the biological resources of Yanty Creek. 2 . To compare relative abundance and species richness of phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammtals and plants in Yanty Creek marsh and adjacent areas to literature on other embayments and wetlands in the Great Lakes region. 3. To predict the types of changes that may occur in the biological diversity of Yanty Creek marsh should the barrier beach be breached. 4. To write a final report that compiles new and existing information on the species …

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.

Ecological Health Of Sediments Located In The Rochester Embayment, Lake Ontario, Ny, Joseph C. Makarewicz, Mary Arnold, Theodore W. Lewis, Carole Beal

Joseph C Makarewicz

The objective of this study was to provide a preliminary evaluation of benthic macroinvertebrate community health, and thus water quality, within the Rochester Embayment of Lake Ontario. The Rochester Embayment is one of 42 Great Lakes Areas of Concern .

The various biological indices utilized suggest that a moderate to severely impacted benthic community exists in portions of the Rochester Embayment of Lake Ontario. Clearly, this study is not conclusive. Field sampling was limited geographically to four sites with three sites located either in or in close proximity to the Genesee River and to the dredge disposal site. Further field …

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.

The Sucker Brook Watershed Revisited, Joseph C. Makarewicz, Theodore W. Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

Mitigation of soil and nutrient loss from the landscape continues to be a concern within watersheds of the United States and indeed worldwide. There are a number of reasons for this concern. Depletion of agricultural soil is counterproductive to good farming practices and crop productivity. Suburban, urban, and agricultural runoff and concomitant nutrient and soil loss to downstream aquatic ecosystems may produce undesirable effects including increased numbers of bacteria, algae, and macrophytes, increased siltation, and decreased aesthetics – in general, a deterioration in both surface (streams) and groundwater quality downstream resulting in cultural eutrophication of lakes and streams. In central …

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 …

Chemical Analysis Of Water From Buttonwood, Larkin, Round Pond And Northrup Creeks, Lake Ontario Basin West: May 1987 - May 1988, Joseph C. Makarewicz

Joseph C Makarewicz

As the local contribution to the Rochester Embayment Remedial Action Plan, the Monroe County Health Department contracted with SUNY Brockport to extend the ongoing sampling program in order to obtain one full year of data. The general objectives of this study of Buttonwood, Larkin, Northrup and Round Pond Creeks were: 1. To compare the water quality of stream water from watersheds having different land-use patterns; 2. To compare the water quality of stream water above and below the Spencerport Sewage Treatment Plant; 3. To obtain time trend data on chemical and physical characteristics of runoff water of these creeks; 4. …

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.

Conesus Lake 2008: Baseline Data On The Stream Bank Restoration Project, Update On Water Quality Of Usda Monitored Watersheds, Joseph C. Makarewicz, Theodore W. Lewis, Christiann Severson

Joseph C Makarewicz

Conesus Lake is fed by 18 tributaries and a number of smaller streams and rivulets (Forest et al. 1978). The terrain in the watershed is characterized by gentle slopes at the northern outlet and southern inlet areas. Steep hilly slopes characterize the flanks and southern portion of the watershed. For example, from the middle third of the lake to the southern end of the watershed, the lake and valley are flanked by steep slopes exceeding 45 percent. The soils of the Conesus Lake watershed are mostly derived from locally-occurring shale and sandstone bedrock material that has been reworked by glacial …

Chemical Analysis And Nutrient Loading Of: Salmon Creek, Otis Creek, Black Creek, Spencerport Sewage Treatment Plant, Precipitation Falling In Western Monroe County: With A Discussion On The Trophic Status Of Long Pond And Stress Stream Analysis Of Northrup And Buttonwood Creeks, Joseph C. Makarewicz, Theodore W. Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

The purpose of the RAP project is to prepare water quality management action plans for watersheds in the three basins (Genesee, Lake Ontario West, and Lake Ontario Central) within Monroe County that empty into the Rochester Embayment. These basinwide plans would be prepared using existing data and literature on each of the three basins. In some instances where baseline and storm event data were not available, such as the Lake Ontario West Basin, it would be necessary to collect the required data. As part of the local contribution to Rochester Embayment Remedial Action Plan, the Monroe County Health contracted with …

A Five Year Summary Of Kendig Creek Watershed Monitoring, Joseph C. Makarewicz, Theodore W. Lewis, Gregory G. Lampman

Joseph C Makarewicz

Land use in the Kendig Creek watershed is mostly for agriculture purposes. Kendig Creek has relatively high concentrations of nitrate, total kjeldahl nitrogen and total suspended solids when compared to other watersheds in central New York State. Kendig Creek is also an event responsive watershed, i.e. a majority of the discharge, nutrient and solids lost from the watershed to the stream ecosystem occurs during precipitation or melting events. Stressed stream analysis has identified several agricultural sites that are contributing nutrients and soil to the stream ecosystem. Linking these three facts together suggest that agricultural practices allowing nutrients and soil to …

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.

Chaumont Bay Jefferson County, New York, Joseph C. Makarewicz, Matthew J. Nowak

Joseph C Makarewicz

Chaumont Bay is a 9,000-acre embayment located on the east end of Lake Ontario. The bay receives tributary waters from Guffon Creek, Three Mile Creek, and the Chaumont River, creating three smaller embayments within Chaumont Bay on the northeastern side. The bay is lined by shoreline development, but the watershed is primarily agriculture. Algae blooms plague Chaumont Bay and hamper boating, swimming, and fish consumption. Direct sewage discharges into Chaumont Bay have been documented, but inadequate septic systems are considered the primary source of nutrient loading to the bay. This short report provides a synopsis of data collected monthly from …

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 …

Conesus Lake Limnology: Including Lake Chemistry, Phytoplankton And Estimates Of Internal Loading In 2004, Joseph C. Makarewicz, Isidro Bosch, Theodore W. Lewis

Joseph C Makarewicz

During the spring, summer, fall and winter of 2004 and 2005, various limnological data were collected from Conesus Lake to assist in the implementation of the Conesus Lake Watershed Management Plan. In general, monitoring and analysis are designed to meet the following objectives: (1) Refine the estimates of external loading of sediments and nutrients from the watershed, (2) Refine the estimates of internal loading of phosphorus (that is, phosphorus released from lake sediments), (3) Characterize the lake’s community of algae (phytoplankton and metaphyton) and zooplankton to provide a benchmark against which the effectiveness of future management actions can be measured.