SKANEATELES LAKE, NY (NCC News) – Skaneateles Lake, the main water source for the city of Syracuse, becomes home to toxic algae blooms.
Toxic algae blooms occur when high levels of phosphorus accumulate in bodies of water. These high levels of phosphorus, along with warm climatic conditions, cause an overgrowth of algae harmful to humans.
This summer, the Town of Skaneateles initiate solutions to prevent the possible emergence of harmful algae blooms. Charles Driscoll, a board member at Skaneateles Lake Association, proclaims that the Town Board collaborates with The Natural Conservancy to prevent toxic algae in Skaneateles Lake. Driscoll states that both organizations developed “25 projects.” He further states that these projects are in the process for approval by the town board. Once approval is received, “some of them will be built” soon, said Driscoll.
These projects consist of planting shrubs along the shoreline that will filter out phosphorus, and other nutrients that aid algae growth, in the soil from steeping into the lake.
“We are interested in implementing projects to… reduce the run off… and the sediment that comes in off of the land,” Driscoll explains. “Even if they don’t directly stop the (toxic algae) they are going to reduce the nutrient inputs and the particle inputs which are going to be beneficial to the lake, so I think they will have a positive outcome.”
Besides preventing another toxic algae bloom, additional projects, such as minimizing the introduction of invasive species, Quagga Mussels, that can exasperate an already compromised ecosystem, are currently being planned.
Overall, the Skaneateles Town Board expects initiation of these projects this summer.
