Meeting Summary
Water Quality Issues Identification
Cayuga Lake Watershed Management Plan
March 24, 1999
Seneca Falls, New York
Part 1: Visioning
Participants were asked imagine that they return to the Cayuga Lake Watershed after an absence of 20 years. The watershed management plan is in place. Each person was asked to name three specific attributes of the lake or watershed (water quality related) that they would like to see. Responses were clustered into broad categories (human uses, lake ecology, control of inputs, and tools).
Each respondent was asked to rank the issues as Priority 1, 2 or 3. The data summary includes a total score for each comment based on the priorities. Priority 1 was assigned 3 points, Priority 2, 2 points and Priority 3, 1 point. These results are included in the "weighted rank" column next to each specific comment.
From the rankings, it is clear that protection and improvement of the lake as a recreational resource (swimming and aesthetic) and a source of high quality drinking water are the highest priorities. Public access to the lake is also a high priority.
Part 2: Specific Issues, Impairments, and Sources of Data
As the second exercise, each of the four tables (southern lake and watershed, mid-lake and watershed, northern lake and watershed, and lake-wide, watershed-wide) focused on identifying specific water quality issues. Guided by a facilitator at each table, the groups created a matrix of sources of pollution, type of pollutant, water quality impacts, uses affected, and any data sources for documentation.
Whenever possible, the group identified the specific location in the lake or watershed where the pollution source was an issue. Maps of the specific lake and watershed segments were marked with numbered dots. The numbers correspond to the numbered responses presented in the tables.
The following series of tables records the specific responses provided during the meeting.
Part 1: Visioning
Category |
Subcategory |
Weighted Rank |
Comment |
| Human uses:
Recreational (total 63 points) |
Swimming 17 |
11 | Swimming at Stewart park in Ithaca |
| 1 | Clean safe swimming at the south end of the lake | ||
| 2 | Swimming everywhere in Cayuga Lake | ||
| 3 | Swimming at Stewart Park and other public beaches | ||
| Recreation 4 |
2 | More recreational use available in watershed | |
| 2 | Health condition of lake for recreation | ||
| Access 19 |
15 | Improved public access | |
| 2 | Development of access with sensitivity to fragile systems | ||
| 2 | Unrestricted access for all recreational needs (i.e. access to lake and minimal growth of weeds) | ||
| Aesthetic 12 |
3 | Reduced algae blooms | |
| 3 | Much less weed growth for all recreational uses | ||
| 2 | Increased post-storm transparency | ||
| 2 | Preservation of aesthetics/scenic beauty | ||
| 2 | Aesthetic beauty of lake preserved, including tranquility | ||
| Noise 5 |
2 | Less noise from watercraft | |
| 3 | Noise pollution from jet skis for example | ||
| Fishing 6 |
3 | Excellent fishing opportunities | |
| 1 | Pan fishing with public access (for children etc) | ||
| 2 | Fish at Fall Creek | ||
| Human uses: Water
supply (total 23 points) |
Drinking water
quality 23 |
19 | High quality drinking water source |
| 2 | Less sediment in lake for municipal water use | ||
| 2 | Protection of public drinking water sources | ||
| Human Uses:
Economics (total 8 points) |
Economics 7 |
3 | Sustainable economics |
| 2 | Economic development: develop a plan to help use the lake to improve the economy | ||
| 2 | Quality of life among agricultural and urban sector | ||
| Land ownership 1 | 1 | Native Americans don’t get control of 64000 acres around north end of Cayuga Lake |
Part 1: Visioning
Category |
Subcategory |
Weighted Rank |
Comment |
| Lake Ecology (total 50 points) |
Water Quality (not
specific to any use) 18 |
5 | Lake quality maintained as it is now, no degradation |
| 7 | Improved water quality | ||
| 1 | Find no pollution in Cayuga Lake basin | ||
| 2 | Improved protection of ground and surface water | ||
| 3 | Lake in near pristine condition | ||
| Natural resources 17 |
3 | Natural resource for all | |
| 3 | Clean water providing healthy watershed dependent ecosystems and good human drinking water | ||
| 4 | The ecosystem within the lake is healthy | ||
| 2 | Cleaner environment | ||
| 1 | Healthy lake for flora and fauna | ||
| 3 | All tributaries healthy | ||
| 1 | Beaver control | ||
| Control
of weeds 7 |
3 | Reduce/eliminate the seaweed in the lake | |
| 2 | Reduced algae and other weeds in the lake and good fishing | ||
| 2 | Clean water and fewer weeds | ||
| Exotic species 3 |
2 | Elimination of exotic species such as milfoil and control of vegetation in general | |
| 1 | No new non-native species and a noticeable reduction in previously established ones | ||
| Fish community 5 |
1 | Re-appearance of the sturgeon in deep water | |
| 1 | A healthy fishery and ecosystem | ||
| 2 | Salmon fishing in Salmon Creek | ||
| 1 | Fish spawning in Fall Creek and Cayuga Inlet | ||
| Tools for
Preservation (total 12 points) |
Open space and
scenic vistas 12 |
5 | Preservation of open space (agriculture and public lands) |
| 3 | Maintain scenic vistas via land use regulation, planning | ||
| 1 | Aesthetics of more open areas for the general public | ||
| 3 | Significant tracts of open space in the full variety of habitats are preserved, both in the watershed and along the majority of the lakeshore. |
Part 1: Visioning
Category |
Subcategory |
Weighted Rank |
Comment |
| Management and
regulatory tools (total 17 points) |
Water level and
flooding 7 |
1 | Flood control (water level management) to help reduce erosion |
| 1 | Manage lake levels appropriately for recreational use | ||
| 2 | Flood-prone areas are under better control | ||
| 3 | Water supply systems improved to allow better water level management | ||
| Regulation of shoreline construction 1 | 1 | No further construction on the lake perimeter and some buildings gone. | |
| Implementation funding 1 | 1 | $ to implement plan | |
| Land use planning 8 |
3 | Controls on development | |
| 1 | Better land management | ||
| 2 | Balanced management plan | ||
| 1 | Zoning and health laws enforced, septic systems etc. | ||
| 1 | Use of best management practices and land use planning that considers and protects the environment long-term | ||
| Control of
Inputs (total 28 points) |
Wastewater
management 11 |
3 | Properly running wastewater treatment plants |
| 2 | Programs for residual sewage | ||
| 2 | Municipal water system and sewer around the lake | ||
| 1 | Control of wastewater discharges from public or private sources (no pathogens) | ||
| 2 | No lake-related industry potentially damaging to the lake | ||
| 1 | Regional wastewater treatment programs | ||
| Agricultural 5 |
3 | Agriculture thriving in the southern basin, with reduced sediment and nutrients | |
| 1 | Progress for agricultural runoff | ||
| 1 | Preservation of agricultural economy with controlled erosion and sedimentation | ||
| Erosion and
sedimentation 11 |
3 | Less sedimentation pollution of south end | |
| 2 | Control erosion | ||
| 3 | Beach areas no longer eroded | ||
| 1 | Reduced sedimentation | ||
| 2 | Sediment control from runoff | ||
| Nonpoint sources 1 | 1 | Lawn care, fertilizer, herbicides |
Part 2: Specific Water Quality Issues
Group 1: Northern Basin, Northern Watershed
SOURCE |
TYPE |
ISSUE |
USE |
DATA |
| (1) Nonpoint source of TCE | Volatile organic compound | Drinking water | Drinking water | County health and DEC |
| (2) Water level drawdown | Water level management | Biotic habitat | Habitat alteration | DEC, DOT |
| (3) Inadequately treated domestic sewage | Nutrients, bacteria, oxygen demand | Smell and bacteria | Aesthetic Water supply |
Bridgeport |
| (4) Canoga Creek area | Sediment | Turbidity | Water supply | Treatment plant reports |
| (5) Agriculture and residential runoff | Nutrients in water | Weeds, water clarity | Boating, drinking water | |
| (6) Exotic species (rudd and zebra mussel) | Transplanting | Water quality and filtration of microorganisms | Food chain | Dave McNeil at Brockport |
| (7) Septic systems | Nutrients, bacteria, oxygen demand | Water quality, algae, aquatic vegetation | Navigation | Ray Oglesby |
| (8) Marinas | Organic chemicals gas/oil etc. | Toxic substances | Water quality drinking swimming | Visual observation |
| (9) Stormwater runoff | Road-side ditches | Turbidity | Water quality drinking swimming | Visual observation |
Part 2: Specific Water Quality Issues
Group 2: Mid-Lake, Mid-Watershed
SOURCE |
TYPE |
ISSUE |
USE |
DATA |
| (1) Stewart Park | Runoff from Fall Creek | Water is filthy and polluted | Swimming | |
| (2) Sewage treatment plant | Effluent running to lake | Affects aquatic life in streams | Aquatic life | DEC |
| (3) North end | Nutrients and possibly pathogens | Water fowl | Drinking and recreation | none |
| (4) Hog farms | Nutrients (nitrogen), odors | Nutrient loading and aquifer | Recreation and drinking water | none |
| (5) Building marina | Scenic, safety | More cars, sewage | Neighboring properties, cove | |
| (6) Deans Cove Stream | Sediment | Sediment loading | Recreation and drinking | |
| (7) Milfoil | Introduction of exotic species | Recreational use, disruption of ecosystem | Swimming, boating | |
| (8) Zebra mussels | Introduction of exotic species | Drinking water intakes | Drinking water, recreation | |
| (9) Lamprey eels | Depletion of fish supply | Fish community | Fishing, recreation |
Part 2: Specific Water Quality Issues
Group 3: Southern Lake, Southern Watershed
SOURCE |
TYPE |
ISSUE |
USE |
DATA |
| (1) Rapid storm runoff | Sediments and nutrients | Lack of transparency, lack of infiltration, increased sedimentation, aesthetics (smelly) | Swimming Boating Drinking Fishing |
USGS Cornell LSC Milliken |
| (2) Wastewater treatment plants | Biochemical oxygen demand. Phosphorus and nitrogen, pathogens | Algae blooms Transparency Weed growth |
Fishing Recreation Drinking water |
|
| (3) Oil spills (Jacksonville leak, Fall Creek and Inlet spills) | Petroleum products | Ground and surface water quality, ecosystem degradation, fish productivity, general ecosystem health | Fishing Recreation Drinking water |
|
| (4) Private septic systems | Bacteria Nutrients Chemicals Pathogens |
Groundwater pollution | Drinking water | |
| (5) Abandoned landfills (Trumansburg area, Cornell low-level radioactive, etc.) | Heavy metals, petroleum | Surface water and groundwater (localized in watershed), wildlife | Drinking water General water quality, Environmental health |
|
| (6) Lawn and garden overuse of pesticides and fertilizers | Pesticides and fertilizers | Water quality Turbidity Wildlife |
Drinking water Recreation Wildlife |
Part 2: Specific Water Quality Issues
Group 4: Lake-Wide, Watershed-Wide
SOURCE |
TYPE |
ISSUE |
USE |
DATA |
| (1) Sediment streams and agricultural runoff (south end) | Nutrients Pathogens Pesticides Sediment./fill-in |
Degraded water quality Clarity decrease |
Recreational use Human health Drinking water Fishing |
USGS Health depts. |
| (2) Treatment plant | Phosphorus Nitrogen Metals Coliform Giardia and Cryptosporidia Viruses Pathogens |
Drinking water source Recreational use Metals in fish |
Drinking Swimming Recreational use |
Special project (Coliform data not that great) Treatment plant (age and efficiency) |
| (3) Lake level | Erosion and sedimentation Inundated septics Water supply systems Salt water Concentrate contaminants Mosquitoes |
Increased turbidity Affect water supply issues (including algae due to septics) Recreational use Access to homes |
Recreation Navigation Drinking water Fish population |
Canal Corp Citizens around the lake |
| (4) Camps in floodway with unregulated septic systems | Pathogens Nitrogen Phosphorus Coliform |
Similar to wastewater treatment plants | Swimming Boating Drinking water Public health Insects |
Cayuga County DOH Other health departments? Smaller political subdivisions (code enforcement people?) |
| (5) Industrial use of the lake | Thermal Ionic (chlorides) |
Temp. degradation, biosides, phosphorus transfer | Swimming, Fishing Drinking |
NSDEC, SPDES permits, reports. |
| (6) Commercial and residential development around the lake | Runoff Impervious surfaces Infrastructure (bring in water and sewer) Erosion |
Degraded water quality in lake Loss of natural infiltration Loss of open space |
Open space Lack of public access Increased noise pollution General water quality Decreased agriculture |
Building permits Zoning boards Home Builders Associations Remote sensing Aerial photos (historical) |
CLW IO 2002