Lake Ronkonkoma Ronkonkoma Update to the 1986 Clean Lakes Study - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Lake Ronkonkoma Ronkonkoma

Update to the 1986 Clean Lakes Study Update to the 1986 Clean Lakes Study

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Lake Ronkonkoma

The Legend of the Lady of the Lake

Source: based on the version found at http://www.geocities.com/timmlimm/princess.htm

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Lady of the Lake Folklore

There are several legends surrounding the lady of the lake with a common theme. Here is one version. There is a lake called Lake Ronkonkoma that is very deep; in fact, it is believed to be

• bottomless. There was a tribe of Secatogue Indians living in what is now Sayville. In

this tribe there was a princess named Ronkonkoma. She was in love with an Indian Poospatuck prince from an area that is now Bayport, located on the other side of Brown's River where she was forbidden to go. One day they snuck off together to the lake in Ronkonkoma and took their canoe to a romantic spot after dark to make love. The spirits did not approve of this, as people

• n opposite sides of the river should not mix.

So the boat sunk, and their bodies fell forever and ever down into the bottomless lake. So every year the angry Indian princess kills two lovers and pulls their souls to the bottom of the lake. And every year at least one young couple dies.

Source: based on the version found at http://www.geocities.com/timmlimm/princess.htm

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

1986 Clean Lakes Study

• A combined effort. Agencies included:

– Suffolk County Planning and Health Departments, as well as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

• The Study identified the following problems:

– Bacteria (affecting lake activities) – Algae blooms (indicating a potential imbalance in the ecosystem as well as an aesthetic issue) – Elevated phosphorus levels – Elevated nitrogen loading – Incompatible land use – Degraded shoreline – Illegal dumping

• The Study identified stormwater runoff as a

primary source of pollution and conveyance of nutrient loads.

• The Study included a Management Plan with

many recommendations to achieve water quality improvements.

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Since 1986

• The NYS Final 303(d) List includes waterbodies which should be studied to

determine if a TMDL is appropriate. Lake Ronkonkoma was listed due to Pathogens and Phosphorus (2002) with suspected sources noted as runoff. Waterbody will be included on the updated 303(d) list for 2006 (although not yet released).

• The EPA is currently working on TMDLs. Lake Ronkonkoma is a relatively

low priority (nationally).

• NYS DEC has classified the Lake as a high priority for TMDL Development
• A TMDL would mandate maximum pollutant loads and require reduction

strategy with measurable targets. While effective as a program, the preparation requires years of data collection to allow monitoring of success following the TMDL adoption. Thus, a TMDL for Lake Ronkonkoma is years in the future.

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Also since 1986

• DEC has begun to stock

walleye fingerlings to control the perch population.

• The primary food source of

perch is zooplankton, which feed primarily on algae; when perch populations dominate, and zooplankton populations are decreased, algae blooms can occur, sometimes resulting in low dissolved oxygen.

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Also since 1986

• December 2002 – DEC tree

stumps used to create eight reef sites in the lake.

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Improvements & Accomplishments

• Aesthetics – algae blooms have not been occurring in recent years
• SC Acquisitions for open space and drainage improvements
• Sedimentation pond installed on Great Bog, east of Steuben Blvd.
• Town of Brookhaven Beach Improvement plans have been

completed and are pending installation (beach parking lot, drainage basin, water access)

• Installation of signs advising not to feed the waterfowl
• Stormwater improvements, including storm filters and proposed

basin at n/w/c/o Lake Terrace and Lake Shore Road

• Pilot program for catch basin inserts
• Public Education through the Town Phase II Stormwater Programs
• Community activity (Civic and Chamber of Commerce outreach,

beach cleanup days, education, geese nest mapping, research on control of geese, continued involvement with the Task Force)

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Town of Brookhaven Beach and Stormwater Improvement Site Plan

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Problems

• Resident Canada Geese population has escalated

– Town of Brookhaven Beach not open for swimming due to waterfowl population – Adding stormwater drainage infrastructure does not solve this problem – Need to control population – Methods

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

August 10, 2006 New F&WS Regulatory program

Three components:

1. Allow taking of resident Canada geese without a federal permit. 2. Expanded hunting methods and opportunities. 3. Authorizes implementation of a resident Canada goose population control program, or "management take".

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Problems

• The water level of the lake is a function of both rainfall

and groundwater elevation

– The conditions this year illustrate how high quantities of precipitation and high groundwater results in elevated lake levels and flooding problems

• Shoreline is subject to erosion in several areas,

particularly along Lake Shore Road on the east side of the lake

• Population within the primary watershed has increased
• nly slightly since 1990 (by about 100 people)

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

GIS Inventory & Analysis

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Update to the Clean Lake Study Study Area

Study Area (2440 Acres) Primary Watershed Area (564 Acres) Lake (158 Acres)

Sources: 2004 NYS Orthoimagery Program, USGS DEM

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Bathymetry

Source: NYS DEC Bureau of Fisheries

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Topography and Hillshade

Lake elevation 17 meters asl Primary Subdrainage Area – 17 to 20 meters asl

Lake Proximate Area

Digital Elevation Model

17 17.01 - 18 18.01 - 19 19.01 - 22 22.01 - 23 23.01 - 25 25.01 - 27 27.01 - 30 30.01 - 33 33.01 - 34 34.01 - 35 35.01 - 36 36.01 - 38 38.01 - 40 40.01 - 44 44.01 - 48 48.01 - 51 51.01 - 56 56.01 - 64 64.01 - 70 Lake Ronkonkoma Drainage Area

Source: USGS DEM

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

SLOPE (as percent)

Lake Ronkonkoma Drainage Area Lake Proximate Area

SLOPE

Percent Slope

0 - 1.4 1.5 - 3.6 3.7 - 6.5 6.6 - 10 11 - 15 16 - 21 Lake and ponds

Source: USGS DEM

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Sewer District and Septic Areas

Legend

Lake and Ponds S.C.Water Authority properties Sewer Districts Lake Ronkonkoma Drainage Area Lake Proximate Area Residential tax map properties

Source: Town parcel files, SCDPW

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Watershed Areas and Public Land

Legend

Lake Ronkonkoma drainage area Parks_reserve_basins SubDrainage Areas Lake and ponds

Digital Elevation Model

meters

High : 70 Low : 17

Source: USGS DEM

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Public Lands

1986 2006

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Possible Vacant Properties

Most properties recommended for purchase in 1986 are now

• wned by the county or a town.

ACREAGE Tax-map-number ADDRESS LAST_NAME TAX ASSESSOR LANDUSE 0.196 0500021000300063000 4 LAKE CREST LANE LAKE CREST BEACH CLUB 311 0.257 0500022000100009000 152 ROSE DRIVE NAME 311 0.459 0500022000100007001 143 LAKE SHORE DRINAME 312 0.195 0500022000200004001 95 STILLWATERS ROA NAME 311 0.135 0500022000100050000 129 LAKE SHORE DRINAME 311 0.081 0500022000200009000 PO BOX 411 NAME 311 0.207 0800171000400037000 10 KAPPLER CT NAME 311 0.361 0800171000400043000 PO BOX 573 DEERA HOMES INC 330 0.048 0800171000400036002 77 BENSON AVE HUGH C HACKETT INC 330 0.118 0800171000600008000 432 SMITHTOWN BLV NAME 330 0.099 0800171000600010000 432 SMITHTOWN BLV NAME 311 0.515 0200688000100028000 LK RONKONKOMA NAME 330 0.813 0500010000300107002 310

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Census 2000

Legend

2000 Census Blocks

adjusted population

1 - 8 9 - 18 19 - 27 28 - 37 38 - 50 51 - 65 66 - 90 91 - 125 126 - 172 173 - 570 streets

13,927 residents (compared to 13,823 in 1990)

Source: US Census

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

1992 Land Cover

Lake Ronkonkoma Drainage Area

USGS Land Cover 1992 ID

11 open water 21 Low density residential 22 High density residential 23 commercial/industrial/transportation 41 deciduous forest 42 evergreen forest 43 mixed forest 85 urban/recreational grasses 91 woody wetlands 92 emergent herbaceous wetlands Roads Lake Proximate Area

Source: USGS, 1992

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Land Use

Source: 1998 Suffolk County Tax Map Parcel

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Groundwater Hydrology

• Study area is south of the groundwater

divide.

• The local water table is 55’+ above msl.

The lake level is in the same range.

• This indicates that the lake is a surface

reflection of the water table. However, since the lake receives surface runoff from a large drainage area, during times of high precipitation and high lake levels, the lake is expected to recharge the aquifer. During low lake level periods, the aquifer is the lake level. This groundwater inflow-

• utflow relationship is an interesting and

important hydrologic condition.

Groundwater Divide

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Ground Water Capture Zones

Legend

Lake Ronkonkoma Drainage Area Water Supply Wells with S number 2_year capture zone 5_year capture zone 25_year capture zone 50_year capture zone 75_year capture zone 100_year capture zone

Source: Suffolk County Department of Health Services

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Ground Water Quality & Elevations

Legend

F SCDHS_wells

USGS_wells Lake Ronkonkoma drainage area Lake Proximate Area Lake and ponds

Ground-water levels are quite variable, eight feet differences between highs and lows have been recorded. There are 8 wells in general area of lake and watershed with a few samples taken between 1968 - 1994

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

EPA ENVIROMAPPER website

http://www.epa.gov/enviro/html/em/index.html

Identifies 355 regulated hazardous waste handlers within the three zip code areas: 11779, 11767, 11766

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Source Water Assessment

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Field Observations – 10/14/05

Streets street flow directions Lake and ponds puddles - P sheetflow - Flow Lake Proximate Area Lake Ronkonkoma Drainage Area

• At BNL, 9” of rainfall was

recorded on 10/14/05 (with a total

• f 17.23” between 10/10 and 10/15

and a total of 22.14” for October)

• Five field team members

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

June 2004 New Bacterial Standards Adopted

• Enterococci and E.coli are bacterial

indicators which occur in the intestinal track of warm-blooded animals.

• SCDHS now uses enterococci as the

primary indicator

• The EPA has found better correlations

between swimming-associated gastrointestinal illness and E. coli/enterococci in fresh waters than total coliform and fecal coliform used previously.

• Beach closures at freshwater beaches

are considered when two successive results exceed the single sample criteria of 61 per 100 ml for enterococci or when the log-average

• f all samples collected in a 30 day

period exceeds the multiple sample criteria of 33 per 100 ml. Beach Sampling Sites

Source: USGS DEM, SCDHS

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

25 190 228 72 530 24 294 86 320 136 548 60 150 28 320 32 11 160 14 374 4 10 1 22 20 80 204 92 154 40 5071 1 484 4 92 84 112 636 16 400 20 20 408 80 24 220 32 112 100 24 32 320 56 44 28 48 12 4 28 12 52 564 172 104 680 212 112 76 84 196 388 16 8 8 260 320 24 32 96 12 16 20 28 88 40

100 200 300 400 500 600 700

COLLECTION 6/2/03 6/18/03 5/25/04 6/11/04 7/10/04 7/26/04 8/5/04 8/12/04 8/19/04 8/26/04 9/21/04 5/27/05 6/6/05 6/10/05 6/14/05 6/17/05 6/24/05 7/1/05 7/7/05 5/19/06 5/31/06 6/6/06 6/9/06 6/15/06 6/22/06 7/5/06 7/17/06 7/27/06

Brookhaven Town Beach Enterococci Levels 2003 - 2006

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Enterococci Sampling Town of Islip Beach since 2003

10 20 122 12 10 75 160 56 36 18 2 15 13 5 29 7 44 18 30 82 24 170 42 128 296 20 276 34 40 15 3 211 11 6 56 5 30 160 39 77 2 160 14 8 234 4 16 2 24 60 24 86 6 174 182 22 10 15 44 68 32 12 3246 80 52 120 56 32 292 64 16 112 20 132 816 40 96 88 68 12 72 40 2440 72 20 8 44 20 16 12 16 100 76 4 44 52 28 76 192 52 60 60 44 224 372 40 16 44 36 36 60 40 48 24 16 8 320 36 20 44 156 204 20 4 40 16

50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 COLLECTION 6/9/2003 6/30/2003 7/22/2003 8/7/2003 5/19/2004 6/3/2004 6/14/2004 6/22/2004 6/30/2004 7/10/2004 7/26/2004 8/5/2004 8/13/2004 8/21/2004 9/1/2004 5/31/2005 6/9/2005 6/13/2005 6/17/2005 6/27/2005 7/4/2005 7/12/2005 7/16/2005 7/21/2005 8/2/2005 5/19/06 6/2/06 6/8/06 6/15/06 6/23/06 7/7/06 7/20/06 8/3/06

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Summary of Lake Ronkonkoma Bathing Beach Closures 1988 - 2005

23 27 2 21 67 11 27 25 104 23 12 5 21 3 21 13 12 3 5 40 * * *

20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Brookhaven Islip

* The Town of Brookhaven Beach did not open in 2003-2005 due to continued presence of resident population of Canada Geese and other waterfowl.

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Summary of 2000-2006 Bathing Beach Advisories and Closures (all Suffolk County beaches)

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 8 Beaches/Coastal Areas Monitored 82 124 71 108 218 4 206 174 Samples Collected 560 522 479 2,364 2 4,754 4,109 1975 Beaches Affected By Advisories 1 3 2 38 3 76 5 38 6 57 9 Total Days Advisories in Effect 5 13 11 162 303 114 209 Precipitation (Jun, Jul, Aug) at BNL (inches) 16.9 14.6 9.7 19.9 8.7 4.5 10.3 10 Beaches Closed Due to Water Quality Exceedances 2 2 3 11 12 16 6 Total Closure Days 54 44 114 1 40 91 152 7 21 Total Closure + Advisory Days 59 57 125 202 394 266 230

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Precipitation

Precipitation (Jun, Jul, Aug) at BNL (inches) 16.9 14.6 9.7 19.9 8.7 4.5 10.3 5 10 15 20 25 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 (through mid-July)

54/59 44/57 114/125 40/202 91/394 152/266 21/230 #/# - closure days/closure + advisory days per year

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Inorganic Water Quality

USGS samples Smithtown Town Beach USGS samples Brookhaven Town Beach

Date of sample Dissolved

• xygen,

water, unfiltered, milligrams per liter pH, water, unfiltered, field, standard units Organic nitrogen, water, unfiltered, milligrams per liter Total nitrogen, water, unfiltered, milligrams per liter Chloride, water, filtered, milligrams per liter

5/6/1966 5.8 13 4/22/1971 11.8 6.6 0.43 13 7/6/1973 7:12 13 9/20/1973 5.1 18 1/3/1974 8.4 7.3 0.4 1 17 4/3/1974 6.4 0.21 1.5 18 6/18/1974 1.7 6 0.57 0.92 22 9/8/1974 5.7 0.09 1.3 20 1/2/1975 7.1 6.7 1.8 16 3/24/1975 6.3 6.2 0.15 1.1 19 6/25/1975 6 0.4 0.84 19 10/1/1975 2.4 6.4 0.46 1.4 18 12/30/1975 4.9 5.5 0.34 2.2 24 3/24/1976 12.2 6.9 0.4 0.62 16 6/24/1976 10.4 6.7 0.92 0.95 17 9/24/1976 8.4 7.1 0.78 1.1 18 12/28/1994 8/16/2002 2.7 6.3 8/16/2002 2.7 6.3 8/19/2002 3.8 6.4 Date of sam ple pH, w ater, unfiltered , field, standard units O rganic nitrogen, w ater, unfiltered , m illigram s per liter Am m onia plus

• rganic

nitrogen, w ater, unfiltered , m illigram s per liter as nitrogen Chloride, w ater, filtered, m illigram s per liter 7/6/1973 6.3 0.68 1.6 13

One sample in 30 years

Not much data available

18 samples in 40 years

Source: USGS

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

DEC Data

• NYSDEC will be conducting an assessment of the white

perch population next year

• Walleye seem to be doing well according to local

fishermen

• No follow up information on how the stump reef sites are

working yet

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Initial Recommendations

• Preparation of a Watershed Management Plan for Lake Ronkonkoma and its

surrounding area which is adopted by the three townships to prohibit intensification of land use, targets stormwater management improvement projects and incorporates public outreach, water quality monitoring and watershed modeling to better understand the hydrology.

• Limit phosphorus loading through public outreach. Scott’s fertilizer has agreed to

create a product with little to no phosphorus (the Chesapeake Bay program is driving this initiative).

• Step up program to control the resident Canada goose. Prepare and implement a

formal Management Plan for control of resident Canada goose population consistent with the new F&WS program.

• Continue with the objective for eliminating all untreated stormwater runoff to the lake

and wetlands. Current improvement initiatives recommended in the 1986 Study include: – Parking lot reconstruction on the Town of Brookhaven Beach scheduled to begin in fall 2006 – Improvements to parking area at the Suffolk County Beach (Smithtown) – Implementation of Lake Shore Road Drainage Improvement Project.

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Initial Recommendations

• Maintain infrastructure (roads, stormwater pipes, recharge and treatment basins) and

routinely clean catch basins and clear storm basins of debris.

• Step up collection of data on the quantity and quality of surface and groundwater in

the area. This includes volume of water moving between the Great Bog and Lake Ronkonkoma, volume of water into and out of treatment basins as well as general water quality measurements (not just bacterial values).

• Educational – Personalized mailing to notify all residents within the primary

watershed area that water quality of the lake can be directly impacted by fertilization and other actions on their properties.

• Create access around the lake where feasible to increase use and appreciation of the
• resource. Where a trail is not feasible, consider a boardwalk. Incorporate

educational signage.

• Mailings to all 355 EPA regulated facilities (within the zip codes of 11767, 11779, and

11755) asking for extra cooperation to prevent wastes from entering stormwater or groundwater.

• Establish a citizen monitoring program similar to the Cornell Cooperative Program in

Rhode Island

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Next Steps

• Complete comparison of current conditions and 1986 Study and

assess relevance of outstanding recommendations

• Further investigations of available surface water quality data
• Further investigations of waterfowl population and management

program options

• Public meeting
• Final recommendations for future actions
• Potential funding opportunities
• Finalize study

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma

Thank you