2010 Galway Lake CSLAP Scorecard

The following link will take you to the 2010 Galway Lake Scorecard that presents the results of the 2010 lake survey. Additional information from past CSLAP surveys is available within the Documents of Interest section of the GLCA website for your review.

The following information is from the nysfola.org website and will provide you within an overview of the program.

What is CSLAP? The Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) is a volunteer lake monitoring program run by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the NYS Federation of Lake Associations, Inc. (NYSFOLA). It was initiated in 1985, with the support of New York Governor Mario M. Cuomo. It was modeled after successful volunteer programs in Vermont, Maine, Illinois and Minnesota.

Each participating lake association is a member of NYSFOLA, a not-for-profit coalition of lake associations and others interested in lake management. NYSFOLA was founded in 1983 and presently serves nearly 200 lake associations as well as individual and corporate members.

Citizen volunteers from NYSFOLA-member lake associations are responsible for collecting biweekly water quality data and samples from June through October. In 2005, nearly 100 lakes participated in the program. Samples are collected from surface waters (epilimnion) for shallow lakes. Bottom, or hypolimnion, samples are collected from deeper lakes. Parameters include water temperature, transparency, conductivity, pH, color, phosphorus, nitrogen, Chlorophyll a and calcium.

Water samples are sent to a state certified laboratory (currently Upstate Fresh Water Institute in Syracuse, NY) for analyses. These results and other lake measurements are forwarded to NYSFOLA and NYSDEC. Each participating lake receives a report highlighting the year’s sampling results. In addition, results are stored electronically to allow for comparison of historical data and current conditions. This allows changes and trends in water quality to be observed and predicted for CSLAP lakes. Ultimately, CSLAP participation provides NYSDEC and NYSFOLA lake associations with a basis for making management decisions.

In order to ensure that the data collected is of the highest caliber, all volunteers are trained to adhere to procedures set forth in the CSLAP Sampling Protocol. Lakes are asked to commit to a five year sampling regimen. Hence, a firm commitment from volunteers and lake associations is required prior to enlisting in the program.

Darrin Freshwater Institute Report

The Darrin Freshwater Institute has submitted their report with regards to the work performed during the 2009 season. The report is available in PDF format and can be downloaded by clicking on the following link.

Galway Lake Final Report 2009

The GLCA Board has met and discussed the information contained within this report. The Board is in the process of developing an integrated lake management plan as well as mitigation steps that will be commenced in 2010.

The plan for 2010 will be provided to all members of the Association in the 2010 annual letter. Please plan on attending the annual business meeting of the GLCA on July 10. At the annual meeting we will present the findings of the Darrin report and our plan for 2010 and beyond.

If you should have any questions or concerns regarding this report please contact your Grove Director as they are prepared to discuss the report in detail and answer your questions.

Youth & Novice Sailing Clinics

The Galway Lake Sailing Club is planning a Youth and Novice Sailing Clinic and Racing Program for the 2011 Summer Season.

If you or any of your family members are interested in learning to sail and/or race on Galway Lake this is a wonderful opportunity to discover what it is all about.

The program will start with a weeklong clinic and then host races and additional clinics every Saturday from July through August.

If you are interested please contact Matt Kniskern by phone at 518-261-6617 or email him at mknisker@nycap.rr.com to reserve a spot.

If you do not have a boat we will provide one for you so that you can learn about this wonderful life sport.

GLSC Let’s Go Sailing Brochure

Shoreline Maintenance During Drawdown

As you know this fall the GLCA is performing a deep drawdown of Galway Lake. During this time we would like to encourage lake front property owners to take the opportunity and perform waterfront and wall maintenance to limit future shoreline erosion. During this work you are not allowed to fill in the lake or erect permanent structures on the lakebed. You will also improve the enjoyment of your waterfront through the removal of lakebed vegetation as this material adds additional nutrients to the lakebed if left to decompose.

Please remove vegetative material to decompose on your property or burn it within a pile on the lakebed. We have been in contact with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to discuss the application of the current New York State burning law as is pertains to our situation. DEC has given permission to the GLCA and its members to burn weeds on the lakebed. Mr. Bruce Kniskern has been in contact with the Town of Galway to notify them of this determination by the DEC.

Please be aware that the lakebed can in fact be dangerous. There are areas of the lakebed that will not support the weight of a person on foot and you may become stuck in certain sediments. If you decide to move about the lakebed during the drawdown please be cognizant of this fact and take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety. I hope that you had an enjoyable summer season at Galway and that each of you has a safe and enjoyable winter. This season we were truly blessed with a beautiful and sunny summer.

Membership Letter dated October 10, 2010

APRIL 21, 2010 GLCA BOARD HANDOUT

The attached handout was provided to the GLCA Board during our meeting of April 21, 2010. This presentation will allow you to familiarize yourself with the background surrounding this study, the report, its findings and the subsequent recommendations of the Lake Preservation committee.

We are providing the presentation at this time in PDF format to enable the ease of distribution to members without the need for printing by the individual groves.

Reading this report before attending the July 10, Annual GLCA meeting will allow you to be informed about this topic and the condensed summary of this topic that will be presented at the annual meeting. The full report from the Darrin Fresh Water Institute is also available on the GLCA website.

April 21, 210 GLCA Board Presentation Handout

Learn to Sail

In just three days, Learn to Sail Course gives you the confidence to sail small boats, learning the principles of rigging, righting, and racing your boat, as well as basic safety and right-of-way rules.

Learn from veteran sailor and former GLSC Fleet captain. For intermediate sailors, learn racing tactics specific to Galway Lake. Enjoy the fun of boating this summer and get off to a good start.

Class lessons will be held July 9th-11th Friday-Sunday (3 days), 4-5:30 p.m. Private lessons by appointment – week of July 11th. Lessons start from the Gardner dock in the East Bay, on the border of Rubacks and Hardwoods Grove. All ages welcome. contact: joangardnerconsulting@gmail.com

Milfoil Control at Galway Lake

As the GLCA Board works to develop and implement our integrated lake management plan for Galway Lake we think it would be helpful for members to have a historical reference of the 1990 deep drawdown process and corresponding results.

The attached transcription of the presentation, Milfoil Control At Galway Lake, was developed by Mr. Jesse Aronstein and presented at May 16, 1991, Conference on Nuisance Plants in Aquatic Environments: Ecology and Management, Sponsored by the Hudson River Environmental Society, Inc., in cooperation with the Freshwater Institute of RPI.

This transcription provides a concise yet detailed overview of the deep drawdown process as used by the GLCA in 1990 and the associated results. Since twenty years has passed from the drawdown we believe that a review of this information will be helpful for members to put the Darrin Fresh Water Institute’s 2010 report, An Assessment of Aquatic Plant Growth and Filamentous Algae Problems in Galway Lake, Saratoga County, New York, into perspective and better understand some of the findings presented within.

Report Links

Galway Lake Milfoil Presentation

Darrin Freshwater Institute Report on Galway Lake 2009

Galway Lake Final Report 2009 (1)

2010 Lake Refill Complete

The Galway Lake refill process was completed on April 6, 2010. Due to the constant supervision and management of Kurt Ladu we have achieved a full lake 38 days prior to 2009, 46 days ahead of 2008,and 36 days ahead of 2007.

Request for Photos

Time is drawing near for a refresh of the GLCA web presence and you can help. If you have photos of the lake that you would like to share we would greatly appreciate receiving them.

As the new site is designed we will incorporate an area that includes the ever-changing images of Galway Lake. We would like to include images of the lake throughout the four seasons and of members enjoying their time on and in the lake.

Submission of Photos

To submit your photo electronically you can select the “Add A Comment” link found at the bottom of this post. Once you have selected the “Add Comment” link you will be presented with the following window:

To upload your photo follow the four steps below.

1.) Enter your description of the photo in the comment area.

2.) Select the “Add Attachment” link that is located below the Comment window.

3.) After selecting this link you will be allowed to upload your photo to the server.

4.) Remember to enter the verification string in the Image Verification window and then press Add Comment.

Note: If you would like you can also send your photos via email to Glen Rundell at – grundell@nycap.rr.com.

Water Chestnut Advisory

The GLCA Lake Preservation Committee has been advised by the Darrin Fresh Water Institute that a small colony of Water Chestnut was discovered during the 2009 lake-wide weed survey. The plants were found in the Northwest corner of the lake. The Darrin research team removed all plants that were discovered, via hand harvesting. Adjacent landowners have been notified and will aid in observing the area to make sure the Water Chestnut does not return. The Lake Preservation Committee will continue to monitor this and the rest of the lake to ensure Water Chestnut does not gain a foothold within Galway Lake.

This finding as well as all others noted during the Darrin study will be provided to the GLCA within their final report. We expect this report to be submitted to the GLCA Board in January 2010.

The following is an overview of Water Chestnut as provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:

Water Chestnut – Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, water chestnut is an annual aquatic plant with a long flexible stem that can reach 12 to 15 feet in length. On the water’s surface, the plant contains a circular cluster of sawtoothed-edged, triangular floating leaves that are connected to an inflated petiole (bladder), which provides added buoyancy. Feather-like leaves can be found along the long-submerged stem. The fruit is a nut with four 1/2-inch, barbed spines that can cause a painful wound if stepped on. Seeds can remain viable for up to 12 years. Water chestnuts can be spread from the rosette and fruits detaching from the stem and floating to another area, or by fruits clinging to objects, birds, and other animals.