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.

2009 Drawdown Complete

Kurt Ladu has reported that the 2009 lake drawdown was completed on November 24, 2009. We will hold the lake at its current level until mid-January. In mid-January we will close the gate to begin the refill process.

During this time, and throughout the entire, winter please do not rely on the ice to be safe. We also want to remind all members that ice fishing is not allowed on Galway Lake. As noted on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s web site Galway Lake is private lake and the GLCA does not allow ice fishing.

2009 Lake Drawdown

The GLCA Board of Directors has set October 15, 2009, as the date this year’s lake drawdown will start. Please make sure that you have removed all boats that may become stranded due to a lack of water prior to this date.

Please note that the first priority for the lake level committee in the spring is to ensure a full lake for the 2010 summer season. Please do not leave any docks or boat lifts on the lake bottom as they may be damaged by ice during the spring refill.

Zebra Mussels & Spiny Water Fleas

The Galway Lake Preservation Committee’s 2008 Season Report highlights the potential threat of non-indigenous, invasive species to Galway Lake. Two of the more serious threats are zebra mussels and spiny water fleas. Zebra mussels have smothered native mussels and crayfish, littered beaches with their sharp shells, and clogged water intake pipes within other bodies of water. Spiny water fleas are crustaceans that have caused the decline or elimination of some species of native zooplankton, an important food source for fish and other aquatic organisms within other bodies of water.

In order to more thoroughly introduce these two invasive species to all members of the Association Dr. George Giokas has put together an informational brochure. This brochure was distributed to all of the members who attended the July 11 Annual Meeting of the GLCA.

For those of you who were unable to attend or who would like additional copies to provide to your guests or tenants please download a PDF copy by clicking on the following link:

2009 Zebra Mussel & Spiny Water Flea Handout.pdf

2009 Mussel & Flea Handout.pdf

This is a very important topic and one in which you can directly aid in protecting our lake.

If you would like further information on invasive species please follow this link to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservations website:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/265.html

2009 GLCA Directory is Available

The 2009 edition of the Galway Lake Campers Association Directory has been published and distributed to all Grove Directors.

If you are a member in good standing and have not received your copy please contact your representative to receive your copy.

OWTS within the Lake District

All members of the Association will be receiving the attached OWTS Memo July 1_2009.pdf as noted by Bruce Kniskern at this past weekend’s Annual Meeting of the Association.

We are also posting it on the website in the event you would like a second copy or wish to reference this document in the future.

The memorandum will be stored within the “Documents of Interest” section of this site. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the Lake Preservation Committee.

OWTS Memo July 1_2009

Annual Meeting – July 11 @ 7:00 PM

The date for the 2009 Annual Meeting of the GLCA is Saturday July 11, 2009 and it will start at 7:00pm. The meeting will take place at the Ruback’s Grove Pavilion and is open to all GLCA members in good standing.

If you are interested in the lake and understanding what you can do to ensure its future the Annual Meeting is a good venue to learn about the activities of the GLCA and to better understand the lake and what is being done to protect it.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Let’s Go Sailing!! – the Fun Starts June 27

If you are looking for a fun activity for your family or yourself this summer while at the lake the Galway Lake Sailing Club (GLSC) could be just what you are looking for! Sailing is a wonderful sport that you and your children can enjoy throughout your life and sailing with the GLSC is a wonderful way to build your foundational sailing skills.

The GLSC has provided organized racing on Galway Lake for the past 58 years and has educated generations of Galway Lake residents in the joys of sailboat racing. Races take place each Saturday and Sunday from June 27 – Labor Day Weekend with special events throughout the summer.

If you have ever thought about learning to sail or are just interested to understand what exactly is going on during the weekend races you should contact Matt Kniskern. Matt is the Commodore of the GLSC and he is looking forward to talking with you about sailing on Galway Lake. Matt can be reached either via phone at 518.261.6617 or email at mkniskern@nycap.rr.com.

To learn more about the sailing club you can download the flyer below or visit the GLSC website. You will also receive a copy of the GLSC flyer in your annual letter, which is due to arrive in your mail this week.

GLSC Recruitment Flyer

2008 Lake Preservation Committee Report

The Lake Preservation Committee’s Report for the 2008 Season is available and has been posted for your review. This report will also be provided in the annual letter which will go out in June. To review online please click on the link below:

West Bay Inlet Stream
Weed Suppression Test During Construction January 10, 2009

Galway Lake Preservation Committee Report 2008

The State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation has provided the GLCA with our New York Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) Report for the 2008 Season.

This report can be found in the Documents of Interest Section of this site or by following the link below. We have participated in this program since its inception in 1986 and the information collected is used by the Lake Preservation Committee to evaluate the overall health of Galway Lake and help in measuring the impact of our preservation efforts.

2008 CSLAP Report – Galway Lake

2008 Raw Data File – 68-GalwayL_Data.xls

Barley Straw Test Underway

The Lake Preservation Committee is conducting a test to determine if barley straw may help to suppress the growth of filamentous algae growing in North Bay and the West Bay Cove. Barley Straw is thought to have chemical properties that will suppress the growth of algae spores and has been used successfully in other bodies of water.

Portion of a map showing Galway Lake Area Catchments

Jim Lombard from the Harts Section has led an effort to install 4 mesh tubes of loosely packed barley straw measuring 20’ x 2’ in three lake locations impacted by the extensive infestation of Green Filamentous Algae during the 2008 season. The mesh tubes are anchored below the surface of the water with cement blocks and marked with a floating bottle. One of the mesh tubes has been installed in the West Bay Cove and a second tube is in the North Bay Cove. The other 2 tubes are in the shoreline waters in front of Jim’s camp in the northern end of the Harts Section.

The impact of the Barley Straw on the growth of the algae will be evaluated during the 2009 season as well as other research which is currently underway in relation to this issue.