The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) are holding joint public comment periods to solicit comments for the Rollins Pond and Golden Beach Campground and Day Use Area Unit Management Plans (UMPs). The public is invited to submit input on the draft plans, which will guide future management of the facilities over the next five years and their conformance to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan. Comments will be accepted until September 18, 2023. [Read more…] about Rollins Pond, Golden Beach Campground Comments Sought
swimming
Report Cladophora Algae Along Great Lakes, Niagara, St. Lawrence River Shorelines
Cladophora is a type of stringy (filamentous) algae that grows on rocks, wood, logs, and other hard underwater surfaces in freshwater ecosystems, including the Great Lakes basin. If you spot this type of stringy algae along New York’s Great Lakes beaches and shorelines, including Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Niagara River or the St. Lawrence River, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) wants to know. [Read more…] about Report Cladophora Algae Along Great Lakes, Niagara, St. Lawrence River Shorelines
16-Year-Old Drowns In Strong Currents At Kaaterskill Clove
On Tuesday, August 8 at about 3:30 pm, New York State Forest Ranger Dawson responded to a call for a subject trapped under the water at Fawn’s Leap, at Kaaterskill Clove on Kaaterskill Creek, just above Moore’s Bridge in the town of Hunter, Greene County, NY, in the Catskills. The 16-year-old was part of a group of six who traveled from Brooklyn to swim at Fawn’s Leap. Heavy rainfall the previous night created strong currents in the swimming hole. [Read more…] about 16-Year-Old Drowns In Strong Currents At Kaaterskill Clove
Beach Closures: Cyanobacteria and Phosphorus in New York’s Lakes
Cyanobacteria blooms have closed beaches regularly this summer across New York State. While it may feel like a nuisance to not be able to cool off at your local beach, these blooms force swimming areas to close because they can be dangerous. To protect yourself, your loved ones, and pets, it is important that you understand how to recognize them and what you should do if a bloom is present at a beach you visit. [Read more…] about Beach Closures: Cyanobacteria and Phosphorus in New York’s Lakes
9 Rescued From Same Location During High Waters In The Catskills
New York State Forest Rangers responded to multiple reports of subjects stranded during high waters created by flash flooding in Hamlet of Haines Falls, town of Hunter in Greene County in the Catskills last week. [Read more…] about 9 Rescued From Same Location During High Waters In The Catskills
Check Your Pool Filter for Asian Longhorned Beetle
Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is active from now through Labor Day. Pool owners should check filters for the invasive insect regularly and submit a report if any are found.
ALB attacks and kills maples, birches, willows, and other hardwoods. They emerge from infested trees in the late summer to find a new host. The beetles are 1.5 inches long, have long black-and-white antennae, and have black-and-white spots on their body. [Read more…] about Check Your Pool Filter for Asian Longhorned Beetle
Wake of the Flood: A Lake Champlain Report
It has been two weeks since flooding devastated many communities in the Lake Champlain watershed and throughout the states of New York and Vermont. The heavy rains lasted for days and sent rivers and streams over their banks, pouring into homes and businesses and carrying a swill of debris, nutrients, sediment, untreated wastewater, chemicals, and more into Lake Champlain.
If you live in an area not directly affected it may be hard to understand the monumental impact. [Read more…] about Wake of the Flood: A Lake Champlain Report
Swimmers & Anglers: Give Trout A Break In This Summer’s Heat
You know who isn’t a huge fan of summer? Trout. Summer heat waves impose serious stress and can even cause death. Trout and salmon that are already heat-stressed may not recover after being caught and released.
You can help these fish survive the summer by following a few simple tips: [Read more…] about Swimmers & Anglers: Give Trout A Break In This Summer’s Heat
State Campground Beaches Turn to Unsupervised Swimming
The Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that Adirondack and Catskill campgrounds are updating swimming policies for the 2023 camping season to specify unsupervised swimming at their beaches. Lifeguards will continue to supervise swimming at DEC’s Lake George “Million Dollar Beach” and Hinckley Reservoir Day Use Areas. [Read more…] about State Campground Beaches Turn to Unsupervised Swimming
Harmful Algal Blooms in NYS: A Season Summary
The 2022 Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) notification season has ended, and the Department of Environmental Conservation posted the summary of this year’s HABs notices to the HABs Archive webpage.
During 2022, 198 waterbodies statewide were listed with “Confirmed HABs” on the NY HAB System (NYHABS). Over 1,600 HAB reports were collected, and of these, over 1,000 met criteria for a Confirmed HAB. The reports ranged from a single observation to widespread blooms that were persistent throughout the season. [Read more…] about Harmful Algal Blooms in NYS: A Season Summary