Week 9 Results (8-30-10)

Wilson Beach: FAILED

Potter’s Beach: PASS

Frink Dock: PASS

Round Island: PASS

Lake of the Isles: PASS

Scenic View Park: PASS

Why Did Wilson Beach “Fail” This Week?

Save The River believes Wilson Beach is experiencing a scenario where unsafe bacteria levels are linked to the presence of thick mats of Cladophora, a native type of green algae that harbors harmful bacteria. This algae is often found washed onto the shore of this site. To read more about this issue and how other Lakes within the Great Lakes are affected by this visit our blog.

About Beach Watch

The program provides a snapshot of water quality at popular swimming areas which are not monitored by other groups during peak recreational swimming season. Our goal is to ascertain whether there is a health risk to swimmers from Enterococci in the water. Enterococci is a bacteria found in warm-blooded animals, including humans, which is closely linked to human health concerns.

There are many potential sources for Enterococci bacteria in swimming areas, including: improper sewage disposal, agricultural run-off, animal waste and various other environmental factors.

Although the results cannot be used to conclusively say that a location is safe for swimming, Save The River advises beach goers to practice safe swimming habits to reduce the likelihood of acquiring a bacteria related illness, such as rashes or gastrointestinal illness. A few simple steps should be followed: choose swimming sites with good water circulation, never swallow swimming water and wash hands after swimming and before eating. If you are very young, very old or have a compromised immune system you are more susceptible to acquiring bacteria related illnesses.

Questions?

If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information on our Beach Watch program, please stop by the office or call, 315-686-2010.

Week 8 Results (8-23-10)

Wilson Beach: FAIL

Potter’s Beach: PASS

Frink Dock: PASS

Round Island: PASS

Lake of the Isles: PASS

Scenic View Park: PASS

About Beach Watch

The program provides a snapshot of water quality at popular swimming areas which are not monitored by other groups during peak recreational swimming season. Our goal is to ascertain whether there is a health risk to swimmers from Enterococci in the water. Enterococci is a bacteria found in warm-blooded animals, including humans, which is closely linked to human health concerns.

There are many potential sources for Enterococci bacteria in swimming areas, including: improper sewage disposal, agricultural run-off, animal waste and various other environmental factors.

Although the results cannot be used to conclusively say that a location is safe for swimming, Save The River advises beach goers to practice safe swimming habits to reduce the likelihood of acquiring a bacteria related illness, such as rashes or gastrointestinal illness. A few simple steps should be followed: choose swimming sites with good water circulation, never swallow swimming water and wash hands after swimming and before eating. If you are very young, very old or have a compromised immune system you are more susceptible to acquiring bacteria related illnesses.

Questions?

If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information on our Beach Watch program, please stop by the office or call, 315-686-2010.

The project is an effort to reclaim important wetland habitat for fish spawning, particularly northern pike, by removing a large cattail mat that is blocking fish movement into the marsh lands. To remove the cattails volunteers manually cut the plants and then brought them to shore where they were piled to dry and decompose. The hand removal of this cattail stand was the first step in opening a path for fish movement into the marsh.

In addition to volunteers hand cutting efforts, there was also an aquatic excavator that will be working through the next week to cut channels through the wetlands to allow fish access and movement to spawning grounds.

To learn more about this project check out the Watertown Daily Times recent article and the Channel 7 News coverage of this project.

Special thanks to the many volunteers that came out and assisted in this great restoration project!

The Thousand Islands Biological Station is working to reclaim wetland habitat between Blind and Chippewa Bay and we want you to help!

Wednesday, August 25th at 9 a.m. volunteers should meet at the Chippewa Bay boat ramp, see directions below.

Some background info: The State of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and landowners are collaborating to restore connectivity between Chippewa Bay and Blind Bay; the connection between these bays has been filled in by invasive cattail expansion. The major goals are to restore native fish spawning and nursery habitat and to improve dissolved oxygen conditions in Blind Bay.

Work details: This will be a one day event. The work will require wading in about 4 feet or less of water and physically removing cattail plants by hand. Moderate physical strength needed. However, some volunteers could help in transporting the plants after they are removed.

Want to help out? Lunch will be provided so be sure to e-mail Save The River Program Manager Sarah and let us know you are coming.

How do I get there? Take route 12 north towards Chippewa Bay. Take a left onto County Route 6, indicated by a green sign for Chippewa Bay. Follow that road to the end where you’ll see the store and boat dock. We will meet there and then transport you to the nearby site.

Week 7 Results (8-16-10)

Wilson Beach: FAIL

Potter’s Beach: FAIL

Frink Dock: PASS

Round Island: PASS

Lake of the Isles: PASS

Scenic View Park: PASS

Why Did Wilson Beach and Potter’s Beach “Fail” This Week?

Save The River believes Wilson Beach is experiencing an ecological scenario where unsafe bacteria levels are linked to the presence of thick mats of Cladophora, a native type of green algae that harbors harmful bacteria.  At Potter’s Beach, spikes in bacteria levels may correspond to increased human activity.

About Beach Watch

The program provides a snapshot of water quality at popular swimming areas which are not monitored by other groups during peak recreational swimming season.  Our goal is to ascertain whether there is a health risk to swimmers from Enterococci in the water.  Enterococci is a bacteria found in warm-blooded animals, including humans, which is closely linked to human health concerns.

There are many potential sources for Enterococci bacteria in swimming areas, including: improper sewage disposal, agricultural run-off, bird and animal waste and various other environmental factors.

Although the results cannot be used to conclusively say that a location is safe for swimming, Save The River advises beach goers to practice safe swimming habits to reduce the likelihood of acquiring a bacteria related illness, such as rashes or gastrointestinal illness.  A few simple steps should be followed: choose swimming sites with good water circulation, never swallow swimming water and wash hands after swimming and before eating.  If you are very young, very old or have a compromised immune system you are more susceptible to acquiring bacteria related illnesses.

Questions?

If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information on our Beach Watch program, please stop by the office or call, 315-686-2010.

Just last week, volunteers from Save The River and TILT took down two exclusion grids on the Eagle Wing Group and Tidd Island. Both sites are gridded annually with a wire net at waist height that keeps the nesting terns safe from gulls and other birds that feed and harass terns. The removal of the grids is the end of nesting season on the River and both organizations are already working on habitat restoration initiatives for next year to ensure the continued population increase for the New York State Threatened Species.

To read and learn more about tern populations on the River this year read the Watertown Daily Times recent article.

To learn more about the grid removal project check out Channel 7’s news coverage of this project.

Need more background? Check out our Common Tern Monitoring page and listen to North Country Public Radios report on this project.

Special thanks to all the volunteers who assisted in this year’s Common Tern Monitoring Program. We are looking forward to another successful year of tern farming next year.

Monday, August 23rd at 9 a.m. volunteers should meet at the Chippewa Bay boat ramp, see directions below.

Some background info: The State of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and landowners are collaborating to restore connectivity between Chippewa Bay and Blind Bay; the connection between these bays has been filled in by invasive cattail expansion. The major goals are to restore native fish spawning and nursery habitat and to improve dissolved oxygen conditions in Blind Bay.

Work details: This will be a one day event. The work will require wading in about 4 feet or less of water and physically removing cattail plants by hand. Moderate physical strength needed. However, some volunteers could help in transporting the plants after they are removed.

Want to help out? Lunch will be provided so be sure to e-mail Save The River Program Manager Sarah and let us know you are coming.

How do I get there? Take route 12 north towards Chippewa Bay. Take a left onto County Route 6, indicated by a green sign for Chippewa Bay. Follow that road to the end where you’ll see the store and boat dock. We will meet there and then transport you to the nearby site.

Week 6 Results (8-9-10)

Wilson Beach: PASS

Potter’s Beach: FAIL

Frink Dock: PASS

Round Island: PASS

Lake of the Isles: PASS

Scenic View Park: PASS

Why Did Potter’s Beach “Fail” This Week?

In previous Beach Watch seasons, the swimming water quality at Potter’s Beach never indicated any cause for concern.  However, twice this season, water samples have yielded high bacteria levels.  Initial observations may indicate a correlation between increased usage of the beach and unsafe swimming water conditions.  Potter’s Beach will continue to be closely monitored.

About Beach Watch

The program provides a snapshot of water quality at popular swimming areas which are not monitored by other groups during peak recreational swimming season.  Our goal is to ascertain whether there is a health risk to swimmers from Enterococci in the water.  Enterococci is a bacteria found in warm-blooded animals, including humans, which is closely linked to human health concerns.

There are many potential sources for Enterococci bacteria in swimming areas, including: improper sewage disposal, agricultural run-off, bird and animal waste and various other environmental factors.

Although the results cannot be used to conclusively say that a location is safe for swimming, Save The River advises beach goers to practice safe swimming habits to reduce the likelihood of acquiring a bacteria related illness, such as rashes or gastrointestinal illness.  A few simple steps should be followed: choose swimming sites with good water circulation, never swallow swimming water and wash hands after swimming and before eating.  If you are very young, very old or have a compromised immune system you are more susceptible to acquiring bacteria related illnesses.

Questions?

If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information on our Beach Watch program, please stop by the office or call, 315-686-2010.

Last year, Save The River’s nearly 300 volunteers provided more than 3,200 hours of service – the equivalent of nearly 400 eight-hour days – in support of Save The River’s advocacy, education and research programs. Volunteers assist with a variety of projects, from monitoring River health to stuffing envelopes and providing expertise on River policy issues.

“The time and expertise, often combined with hands-on labor, that volunteers provide is critical to the strength of Save The River’s efforts to protect the St. Lawrence River. Volunteers magnify the capacity of our small staff and our River protection programs,” stated Save The River’s Executive Director Jennifer Caddick. “We are thrilled to recognize this year’s recipients of the Volunteer of the Year Awards for their dedication and commitment to Save The River. We are a stronger organization thanks to their efforts.”

Jim McGarry, Oak Point and Ithaca, NY – Although a relatively new volunteer, Jim jumped in with both feet two years ago and has become a leader in the Common Tern restoration program. The program is a partnership working to restore the population and habitat of Common Terns, a threatened bird species once abundant on the River. After reading everything the Cornell Ornithology lab had on Common Terns, Jim got to work developing innovative methods to reduce predation while increasing the amount of suitable habitat for the birds. In addition to braving fierce adult Common Terns while monitoring nests and counting eggs and chicks on a weekly basis, Jim has also been key in efforts to band additional birds and develop better reporting methods for volunteer monitors. Jim’s efforts have directly led to an increase in breeding success at two historic nesting sites, providing a significant boost to the Common Tern population on the River.

Jay Nash, Clayton and Ludlow, VT – Seven years ago, long-time supporter Jay Nash approached Save The River with an idea – bring the best independent singer-songwriters to Clayton for a night of music to benefit Save The River. Today, the event, Rock for the River, has grown into Save The River’s largest annual fundraiser. Over the past seven years, the event has raised more than $40,000 for Save The River’s programs. Additionally, much of Jay’s music has been influenced by the River and it seems that he’s always sporting a Save The River tee at shows around the U.S. and Europe, which has been so important in spreading the word throughout the U.S. and Europe about the importance of protecting the St. Lawrence River.

For more information on Save The River’s volunteer programs, visit www.savetheriver.org and click on ‘Get Involved’.

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For more information, contact:

Jennifer Caddick, Save The River Executive Director

E-mail: jennifer@savetheriver.org / Phone: (315) 686-2010 / Cell: (315) 767-2802

Week 5 Results (8-2-10)

Wilson Beach: FAIL

Potter’s Beach: PASS

Frink Dock: PASS

Round Island: PASS

Lake of the Isles: PASS

Scenic View Park: PASS

Why did Wilson Beach ‘fail’ this week?

The samples at Wilson Beach had a bacteria count of 130 and 1600 colonies of Enterococci per 100 milliliters of sample water, respectively.  The NY State Health Department has set a limit of 61 colonies of Enterococci per 100 milliliters of sample water for water quality at swimming beaches.  Enterococci is a bacteria closely linked with human health impacts, such as rashes and gastrointestinal illness.

Cladophora Algae – Potential Source of Water Quality Problems

This video produced by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, depicts the ecological, social and financial impact Cladophora, a native type of green algae, has on Lake Michigan.  Although Lake Michigan is the focal point of the video, the relevance to Lake Ontario, in particular Wilson Beach, can easily be applied.  Save The River’s Beach Watch program has found a correlation between high levels of bacteria and significant algae at Wilson Beach, a problem explored in this video.

About Beach Watch

The program provides a snapshot of water quality at popular swimming areas which are not monitored by other groups during peak recreational swimming season.  Our goal is to ascertain whether there is a health risk to swimmers from Enterococci in the water.  Enterococci is a bacteria found in warm-blooded animals, including humans, which is closely linked to human health concerns.

There are many potential sources for Enterococci bacteria in swimming areas, including: improper sewage disposal, agricultural run-off, bird and animal waste and various other environmental factors.

Reduce bacteria related illness

Although the results cannot be used to conclusively say that a location is safe for swimming, Save The River advises beach goers to practice safe swimming habits to reduce the likelihood of acquiring a bacteria related illness, such as rashes or gastrointestinal illness. A few simple steps should be followed: choose swimming sites with good water circulation, never swallow swimming water and wash hands after swimming and before eating. If you are very young, very old or have a compromised immune system you are more susceptible to acquiring bacteria related illnesses.

Questions?

If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information on our Beach Watch program, please stop by the office or call, 315-686-2010.