Kirk Lake Watershed Association

2009-04-26T17:01:00.002-05:00

Please visit our website at http://sites.google.com/site/kirklakenetwork/

Resolving Canada Geese Conflicts

2009-03-09T21:38:00.003-05:00

No, it's not a course in helping waterfowl to play nice. It's a DEC workshop on effective geese management techniques, scheduled for Thursday, March 19 from 1-4:30 pm at Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining.

Join me and learn what we might do here on Kirk Lake to help eliminate some of the phosphorus these birds deposit in our lake and on our shores. For more information, and to register, follow this link: http://www.hrnerr.org/public/training/workshoplinks.html.

I plan on attending, and hope that others will as well. If we can learn of practical techniques to discourage an overpopulation of Canada geese, we may help to limit the amount of phosphorus that enters the lake and feeds the aquatic plants and algae that have become a nuisance to us.

3/1 (unofficial) Steering Committee Report

2009-03-09T21:31:00.006-05:00

Background
The Committee met on March 1 to begin implementation of the resolution passed by the community meeting on January 31st. As you recall, that motion was “to proceed with the necessary steps to obtain the triploid carp, and other steps we might take to develop a management plan to improve water quality.” The committee members are Eric Birnbaum, Abby Grow, Jane Kartsch, Lynn Ligay, Alan & Diane Raines, Minia Sas, Pamela & Richard Stanley, Jud Steere, Mary Wright, Ron Yehuda, and myself.

We put a lot of thought into how we might achieve these goals. It became clear that the informal Steering Committee would not be able to accomplish these goals on its own. For example, what individual or organization would raise and handle the money for these projects? Whose name would be put on the permits required by the DEC and DEP? Who would monitor and maintain the carp barrier in the future? At this point, there is no one individual or group willing to take on these responsibilities. And coordinating all of this activity amongst three associations is unworkable. Given these realities, we discussed and debated the formation of a single lake association to carry out the two directives established at our January 31st Community meeting.

New Association
I’m happy to report that the Steering Committee voted unanimously in favor of this motion. The new association, to be called the Kirk Lake Watershed Association, will be formed as a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation with tax-exempt status. Its mission will be the improvement of Kirk Lake’s water quality, and will immediately work on the introduction of sterile carp and the development of a lake management plan toward that end. Note that KLWA will be independent of, and separate from the existing neighborhood associations (WKLCA, LGPOA, and Interlochen Association). The Steering Committee will act as the Executive Committee of KLWA=2 0until it is legally incorporated.

Alan Raines, an attorney & CPA, as well as a 30-year resident of Kirk Lake, has generously offered to file incorporation papers at no charge.

Carp Project
On March 1, the Steering Committee made several other important decisions. KLWA will take responsibility for the carp project and proceed as quickly as possible, following all legal requirements and practical steps to ensure that this is done carefully, and in the best interests of the lake community. LGPOA has generously offered to donate $3,000 toward the permitting process.

Lake Management Plan
At this time, the Steering Committee has decided not to pursue a professional lake management study. The high cost of a professional plan ($25-$35,000), and the fact that we already know of actions we can take to improve water quality, led the committee to choose a different approach. We will develop and implement our own lake management plan, based on our knowledge of the Kirk Lake watershed and our water quality problems. For example, these might include: working with local government on storm drain maintenance; educating residents about their septic systems, landscaping and lawn care, and household chemical use; and management of the Canada geese population. This is a major undertaking that will require assistance and support from community residents, so stay tuned.

Let me close in saying that I’m confident that KLWA is our best option for success. The Steering Committee that gathered on March 1st was congenial, hard working, and productive. I feel lucky to be working for the collective good of our lake with such a fine group of dedicated Kirk Lakers. Complete March 1st meeting minutes will be posted on the KLWN website after they’re formally reviewed and approved at our next meeting, scheduled for April 18. Thanks to all of you for the confidence you’ve placed in us, and your continuing support. Please feel free to call or write if you have questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Joe Montuori, Chair
Kirk Lake Steering Committee

Kirk Lake Community Meeting Scheduled!

2008-12-30T00:38:00.006-05:00

I’m writing with some important news that everyone on Kirk Lake should be aware of. A Kirk Lake Community meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, January 31 from 11 am - 2 pm at the Mahopac Library. Every resident of Kirk Lake is invited. Here's the background:

I’ve indicated for some time over the past two years that Kirk Lake faces difficult problems with water quality that appear to be getting worse. That is still true. The good news is that people around the lake are coming together with concrete ideas to address those problems.

Recently, the three lake associations (Interlochen Association, Lake Garden Property Owners Association, and West Kirk Lake Civic Association) have been meeting to discuss these problems. As a result of these meetings, a general Kirk Lake community meeting has been scheduled for Saturday, January 31 at the Mahopac Library’s Community Room (3rd floor) from 11 am – 2 pm. Everyone is invited to attend and participate. Come and hear several speakers give their views. Ask questions. State your opinion. Or just sit back and become informed.

It’s clear that decisions may be made to move forward, and it’s important that as many residents as possible be involved in that decision. It’s already apparent that there are different views about the direction we should take.

For example, a proposal has been made by one of our three neighborhood associations to stock Kirk Lake with a special breed of carp that eats large amounts of aquatic plants of almost every type. The idea is to rid the lake of nearly all plants because they interfere with swimming and boating. It’s certainly worthy of consideration. On the other hand, it is possible that these sterile grass carp will also eat beneficial plants, other fish, and excrete waste that could feed the problematic algae blooms we experience, and therein lies an important question. Would the benefits of a carp-stocking program outweigh the costs in dollars and unintended impacts? A discussion of these issues has already been started amongst the leaders of the three lake associations and a few individuals such as myself.

Another issue is who will decide? With three lake associations, lake residents belonging to no organization, and the oversight of NYC’s Department of Environmental Protection, it isn’t clear who, if anyone, has the authority to make these decisions. And yet, it seems clear to many of us that we need to take action.

This January meeting will involve any and all residents of Kirk Lake who wish to attend. We’ll review the background on the problems, the proposals, and then hold a discussion to answer questions, and weigh our options. It’s vital that you become informed and involved. The Kirk Lake community is poised at a crossroads, and your input is needed. Please join us.

Sincerely,

Joe Montuori
Kirk Lake Watershed Network
kirklakenetwork@gmail.com
845-628-0263

Water skiing buoys

2008-06-06T17:28:00.006-05:00

The following post was sent by the Interlochen Park Association:

The Interlochen Park Association must formally report an unpleasant, unsafe situation that has been occurring on Kirk Lake for at least the past three years that must be addressed. Markers, again this year, have been set out along one side of the lake to create an obstacle course for water skiing. In the past these buoys have not been removed until September or October.

This is not anyone's personal, private lake in which to place a semi-permanent fixture. The obstacle course interferes with other people's enjoyment of the lake and has created a severe safety hazard.

There are definite safety issues involved. Propellers of motorboats could get caught in the ropes used to anchor the markers. There are 24 markers this year. Motor boats coming in the other direction from the other side of the boomerang shaped lake do not know if there will be a fast moving boat and skier coming toward them from the opposite direction. Everyone is forced to stay clear of the area for his or her own safety. Small boats, canoes, kayaks, sail boats, stay away for fear of being hit.

Certainly the pleasure of all lake users is being hampered by a thoughtless gesture. This slalom course could be put up for a day, but on a public lake cannot be installed as a semi-permanent fixture for 5 or 6 months.

The lake should be available to all, for recreation and safe fun. The safety issue has become a constant concern in that area of Kirk Lake. For these reasons, the Interlochen Association recommends that the markers be removed from the lake. Thank you for understanding.

-- The Interlochen Park Association

Kirk Lake Water & Shore Cleanup

2008-04-21T12:38:00.002-05:00

Kirk Lake Watershed Network has scheduled a shoreline and water cleanup for Saturday, June 14, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Some areas of our shoreline have become littered with unsightly trash: plastic tarps, pieces of boat hulls, chairs, even an old lawnmower! Broken docks and rafts have resulted in old lumber floating around the lake. (See the photos below: http://kirklake.blogspot.com/2007/08/grafitti-trash-on-kirk-lake.html). In just a few short hours, we’ll clean up the shoreline wherever we see trash and debris, and pull floating objects out of the lake.

The more volunteers we get, the more complete will be our cleanup. Join the effort with your neighbors! Help us beautify the shoreline and keep swimming and boating hazards to a minimum. We need boaters (powerboats and rowboats welcome). We need strong men and women to help collect and dispose of the trash.

Ice Boating?! Yes!

2008-02-22T09:22:00.004-05:00

Ice skating and global warming

2008-02-21T10:58:00.003-05:00

This has been an unusually good year for ice skating on Kirk Lake. Despite dramatic shifts in temperatures, we've had long periods of thick ice and little snow cover -- a perfect combination for skating, ice fishing, and yes, even ice boating.

Will this become a thing of the past in our area? Check out some great local lake and pond photos and an article addressing this question from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/02/17/nyregion/0217-POND_index.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

An Invasion on Kirk Lake

2007-08-18T14:32:00.000-05:00

Huge thanks to KLWN member Dennis Roberge of Lakeside Road for tipping us off to a very serious threat to Kirk Lake's health: the non-native, invasive water chestnut plant.

Above The northern end of Kirk Lake at its main source: the wetlands between Long Pond Road and Stocum Road. This beautiful area is home to turtles, frogs, Great Blue Heron, various ducks, Belted Kingfishers, and many other plants and animals. These wetlands help to purify the waters that feed the lake, and must be protected
Right: A not-so-beautiful water chestnut plant in the lake just north of London Bridge. This non-native, invasive plant is so prolific it can create a mat of growth thick enough that birds could sit on top of it. But they wouldn't want to because the "chestnuts" have very sharp barbs! The rather extensive mat pictured above is choking out native lilypads that are beneficial to native fish and other wildlife.

Two pics above: These rosettes were pulled from the north end today (Saturday, August 18, 2007). Notice that each root (the dense, dark masses to the right of the green "rosettes") sprout many individual rosettes of leafy growth. Each rosette in turn yields many chestnuts. "Do the math" and you can see that water chestnuts grow exponentially from one year to the next. Immediately above: Five "chestnuts" about actual size. Imagine swimming into these sharp barbs -- ouch!

When chestnuts mature, they drop through the water to the sediment where they sprout into new plants the following season, or remain dormant for years! That's why it's so important to pull these plants right away before they spread to the main lake body. (Incidentally, Dennis Roberge did pull several plants from the main lake body; fortunately, there were only a few of them.) I pulled what I could above the bridge working alone in a kayak.

Boaters beware: these plants probably "hitchhiked" a ride in from the Hudson or some other water body. Always inspect your trailer, hull, propeller, and bilge for plant material. Remove it on dry land before leaving any water body. See Invasive Aquatic Plants for more information.

-- Joe Montuori

Grafitti & Trash on Kirk Lake?!

2007-08-10T13:56:00.000-05:00

Lost rafts, rusting lawn chairs, beach balls, boat hulls, and the usual assortment of litter abound on our lake.

Solutions?

DEP could paint over the dam.
KLWN could sponsor a lake shore cleanup, with help from the Town of Carmel and Putnam County's Keep Putnam Beautiful.

Watch for details.

Get involved!

Email kirklakenetwork@gmail.com.

Summer 2007

2007-07-06T17:54:00.001-05:00

A five-foot plume of road sand that has washed into Kirk Lake via storm drains on Lakeside Road.

2007-03-10T21:14:00.000-05:00

Liberal use of road sand and salt help with winter driving, but both wash into the lake through old-fashioned storm drains. Retrofitting existing storm drains with traps and filters would put an end to this onslaught.

2007-03-02T23:23:00.000-05:00

A frigid February provided a solid layer of ice, allowing skaters, skiers, ice fishermen, and activity with "quads."

These two shots show "the point," and ice fishermen as the camera faces toward Kirk Lake's primary source.

The Wish List

2007-01-25T21:11:00.000-05:00

What would you like to improve on and around Kirk Lake? What would you like to preserve? Click the green time below to see comments. Click "Post a comment" to add your comments. Click the envelope icon to email this post to a friend.

Journal News Article 1/20/2007

2007-01-20T13:57:00.000-05:00

The Journal News page 1 story about local environmental web sites, including KLWN!
Click here to go directly to the story: http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070120/NEWS01/701200367/1020/NEWS04

Winter weather?

2007-01-07T07:22:00.000-05:00

The warm weather has brought out hikers, picnickers and even boaters in January. Several kayakers and canoeists have been spotted. It's been a great opportunity to enjoy the lake in winter. On the other hand, it doesn't look good for ice skating any time soon...