In the Spring of 2016, the Long Lake Association enrolled in the Adirondack Lake Assessment Program (ALAP). ALAP is a water-monitoring project managed by Protect the Adirondacks. Samples are taken by volunteers, and the analysis reports and interpretation are done by the Adirondack Watershed Institute at Paul Smith College.
Long Lake enrolled in a three month lake sampling program. During this time, the transparency of the lake is measured with a secchi disc. Water is collected to be analyzed for various chemical compounds and filtered for chlorophyll. Analyses test for acidity, total phosphorous, alkalinity, conductivity, color, nitrate, calcium, aluminum, pH, calcite saturation index, chlorophyll-a, chloride, and dissolved oxygen. Abnormal levels of these water properties not only would compromise the natural aesthetics of Long Lake, but also diminish lake health, reducing the habitat quality of the lake and the surrounding ecosystem.
Here is the link to ALAP's website that explains all the details of the water testing program. Here is the 2019 report summary for Long Lake.
WHAT'S NEW:? We received the 5 year trend analysis report (2016-2020)! Thank you Carma and Steve Flannery.
HAMILTON COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT (HCSWCD)
Hamilton County Board of Supervisors contracted with the District in 1993 to conduct a comprehensive lake monitoring program. Our residents, economy, and ecosystem depend on clean water for drinking, recreation, and flourishing flora and fauna. Decades of consistent lake data collection is essential to the effective analysis of long term trends. Tax payer dollars are saved when a water quality problem is detected and remediated in its early stages.
Twenty-one Hamilton County lakes are monitored once a month from June through August at their deepest point. A YSI probe is lowered at 1 meter increments to the bottom of each lake, collecting pH, conductivity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen data. Water samples are collected for nitrates, total phosphorus, calcium, aluminum, alkalinity, and chlorophyll a analysis.
The data from 1993 to 2003 is available on the HCSWCD website. Very interesting. Here is the link to the The State of Hamilton County Lakes- A Statistical Analysis of Water Quality Trends 1993-2003.
In addition, Carma and Steven Flannery and formerly Bill and Sue Kunzmann collect water quality samples and submit them to the HCSCD. The reports of their findings are available in the back issues of the Water Level and reported at the LLA Annual Get-Together.
SHORELINE MANAGEMENT IN THE ADIRONDACKS
The HCSWCD teamed up with Cornell Cooperative Extension and with a grant from the Hamilton County Water Quality Coordinating Committee put together an informational brochure on shoreline management.
Topics include:
TOWN OF LONG LAKE DRINKING WATER QUALITY
The Town of Long Lake Water Department works throughout the year to maintain the drinking water quality for us and reports are mailed periodically to all residents. The reports are available on the Town of Long Lake website. Here is the report for 2022. There were no water quality violations in 2022. NICE JOB Keith and Josh!
What should you do if you the Town and the Department of Health (NYSDOH) issue a "Boil Water Notice"? Check out these FAQs issued by NYSDOH.
WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION
Funding for the Long Lake Waterfront Revitalization has been accomplished through the Waterfront Revitalization Intermunicipal Agreement Program between the Village of Potsdam and the Town of Long Lake. The grant funding is from the NYS Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program to undertake a wide range of programs along the Raquette River Blueway Trail. The funds allocated to the Town of Lake from the Village of Potsdam's grant are $171,388. Here is a link to the agreement
Long Lake enrolled in a three month lake sampling program. During this time, the transparency of the lake is measured with a secchi disc. Water is collected to be analyzed for various chemical compounds and filtered for chlorophyll. Analyses test for acidity, total phosphorous, alkalinity, conductivity, color, nitrate, calcium, aluminum, pH, calcite saturation index, chlorophyll-a, chloride, and dissolved oxygen. Abnormal levels of these water properties not only would compromise the natural aesthetics of Long Lake, but also diminish lake health, reducing the habitat quality of the lake and the surrounding ecosystem.
Here is the link to ALAP's website that explains all the details of the water testing program. Here is the 2019 report summary for Long Lake.
WHAT'S NEW:? We received the 5 year trend analysis report (2016-2020)! Thank you Carma and Steve Flannery.
HAMILTON COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT (HCSWCD)
Hamilton County Board of Supervisors contracted with the District in 1993 to conduct a comprehensive lake monitoring program. Our residents, economy, and ecosystem depend on clean water for drinking, recreation, and flourishing flora and fauna. Decades of consistent lake data collection is essential to the effective analysis of long term trends. Tax payer dollars are saved when a water quality problem is detected and remediated in its early stages.
Twenty-one Hamilton County lakes are monitored once a month from June through August at their deepest point. A YSI probe is lowered at 1 meter increments to the bottom of each lake, collecting pH, conductivity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen data. Water samples are collected for nitrates, total phosphorus, calcium, aluminum, alkalinity, and chlorophyll a analysis.
The data from 1993 to 2003 is available on the HCSWCD website. Very interesting. Here is the link to the The State of Hamilton County Lakes- A Statistical Analysis of Water Quality Trends 1993-2003.
In addition, Carma and Steven Flannery and formerly Bill and Sue Kunzmann collect water quality samples and submit them to the HCSCD. The reports of their findings are available in the back issues of the Water Level and reported at the LLA Annual Get-Together.
SHORELINE MANAGEMENT IN THE ADIRONDACKS
The HCSWCD teamed up with Cornell Cooperative Extension and with a grant from the Hamilton County Water Quality Coordinating Committee put together an informational brochure on shoreline management.
Topics include:
- Preventing the Introduction of Exotic Species
- Special Considerations of Lakefront Planning
- Limiting the Impact of Recreation on Water Quality
- For Lakeshore Residents - Hazardous Household Product Use; Maintaining a Safe Water Supply; and Maintaining your Septic System
TOWN OF LONG LAKE DRINKING WATER QUALITY
The Town of Long Lake Water Department works throughout the year to maintain the drinking water quality for us and reports are mailed periodically to all residents. The reports are available on the Town of Long Lake website. Here is the report for 2022. There were no water quality violations in 2022. NICE JOB Keith and Josh!
What should you do if you the Town and the Department of Health (NYSDOH) issue a "Boil Water Notice"? Check out these FAQs issued by NYSDOH.
WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION
Funding for the Long Lake Waterfront Revitalization has been accomplished through the Waterfront Revitalization Intermunicipal Agreement Program between the Village of Potsdam and the Town of Long Lake. The grant funding is from the NYS Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program to undertake a wide range of programs along the Raquette River Blueway Trail. The funds allocated to the Town of Lake from the Village of Potsdam's grant are $171,388. Here is a link to the agreement