This is the Official Website of the SILVER LAKE ASSOCIATION
Silver Lake Association Mission Statement:
The purpose of the Silver Lake Association shall be to protect and improve the environmental quality of Silver Lake and its watershed, and the quality of life around the lake (recreational, commercial, industrial, and social).
Events and News Around Silver Lake
Mops found in Castile Sewer System
The Town of Castile is asking residents of the Lake District to not throw, flush, or discard in any way items that will damage the sewer pumps. Attached is a picture of the mops cleaned out of the pumps.
NYS Federation of Lakes (F.O.L.A.) News
FOLA will be holding their 23rd Region 1 meeting at The Club on Silver Lake Restaurant Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 10 AM. Anyone interested in attending contact the SLA to be registered. The $15 fee for attendees will also include Coffee, danish and lunch. Deadline for registration is October 12th.
Blue green Algae Update
ALGAE BOOM UPDATE….. (please read, important information)
Good Afternoon –
The near shore CSLAP sample taken on 9/9/17 from the sampling point at the deepest point in Silver Lake CONFIRM the presence of an Open Water cyanobacteria HAB in Silver Lake based on blue-green chlorophyll a levels of 32.2 µg/L (above the DEC Confirmed Bloom threshold of 25 µg/L) and a microscopic analysis of Trace Microcystis, Woronichinia, and Centric Diatoms.
Toxin data are NOT yet available, but will be forwarded upon receipt IF they indicate an elevated risk.
However, even if the toxin levels are low, the same advisory information applies – lake residents, visitors and pets should avoid exposure to any surface scums or heavily discolored water, should seek medical assistance as needed if any exposure symptoms are experienced, and should report these symptoms to their local health department and to harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov.
Any questions or comments may be sent to HABsInfo@dec.ny.gov.
As always, please consult the DEC (http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html) and DOH (http://www.health.ny.gov/…/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae.pdf) web sites for additional information on what to do if you see or encounter blooms. The Silver Lake Association (http://silverlakeassociation-wny.org/) web site and Facebook page will also have updates.
As warranted I will report back to you.
This situation will eventually dissipate as conditions for bloom growth deteriorate.
Sincerely,
Frank Bright
Co-Chair, SLA Water Quality Committee
September SLA Meeting
The September SLA monthly meeting was filled with information on how involved the Water Quality Committee is with the Wyoming County Soil & Water District in helping with projects in the Silver Lake watershed. For more details check out the SLA website under the Water Quality tab.
This meeting was also bitter sweet as we thanked Pat and Marcia U. as they go on to a new adventure leaving Silver Lake and their 10 years of involvement with the SLA. Thank You so much Pat and Marcia for all you did with the SLA!!!! You will be missed.
The October meeting (October 9) will be the last of the season. This will be a year in review. Anyone interested in joining our group of directors or committees, contact your tract director or comment on the FB post and we will get in touch.
Town of Castile to hold Solar Energy meeting
Please be advised and aware that the Town of Castile will be holding a Public Hearing to discuss/pass a law for solar energy systems. If anyone would have a concern or would like more information about this matter we recommend/encourage to attend this meeting.
July Meeting Summary
The July meeting summary is now available on the minutes tab. 3 months to go for the 2017 season.
2017 Meeting Summaries are Now Available
Click on the “Minutes” tab for all SLA meeting summaries.
Silver Lake Algae Bloom Update
Algae Bloom Information Update…
Good Morning –
The near shore CSLAP sample taken last week from the Silver Lake Campground (Lake Shore Dr., Castile; near Mack’s) lab results confirm the presence of a cyanobacteria harmful algae bloom (HAB) in Silver Lake (Wyoming Co.) based on blue-green chlorophyll a levels of 178,069 µg/L (above the DEC Confirmed Bloom threshold of 25 µg/L) and a microscopic analysis of very dense Microcystis, Mod. Planktothrix.
Toxin results will be forwarded upon receipt. However, even if the toxin levels are low, the same advisory information applies – lake residents, visitors and pets should avoid exposure to any surface scums or heavily discolored water, should seek medical assistance as needed if any exposure symptoms are experienced, and should report these symptoms to their local health department and to harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov.
Any questions or comments may be sent to HABsInfo@dec.ny.gov.
As always, please consult the DEC (http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html) and DOH (http://www.health.ny.gov/…/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae.pdf) web sites for additional information on what to do if you see or encounter blooms. The Silver Lake Association (http://silverlakeassociation-wny.org/) web site and Facebook page will also have updates.
I will report back to you when I have more information.
Again, cyanobacteria harmful algae blooms have been confirmed within Silver Lake; one should assume that bloom conditions exist at other locations in Silver Lake.
This situation will eventually dissipate as conditions for bloom growth deteriorate.
Sincerely,
Frank Bright
Co-Chair, SLA Water Quality Committee
New Water Quality presentations are now available
Two presentations are now available for your viewing (Water Quality tab). Slideshow #1 is the Silver Lake Experience presentation given by Frank Bright (Water Quality co-chair) and Ellen Folts (www.amandasnativeplants.com).
Slideshow #2 is the Water Quality presentation from the SLA Annual Meeting August 12, 2017.
Both have great information for everyone!
Blue-green Algae spotted
Good Afternoon –
There has been an apparent blue green algae bloom spotted at the Silver Lake Campground along the main dock area.
Please consult the following DEC web site for more information:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html
It is best to avoid these blooms!
I will get out to the lake this afternoon and I will secure a sample that will then be sent on for formal testing.
Testing results can take up to 10 days.
SLA WQ Committee
2017 Annual SLA Public Meeting
The SLA Annual Public Meeting will be held August 12, 2017, at 9 AM at the Club on Silver Lake Restaurant (upstairs). The first hour will be dedicated to a mini Town Hall with Q&A as time allows. Representatives from the surrounding municipalities will present information concerning the Lake District and beyond. The Sheriff Department will also share information that involved boating/fishing on Silver Lake this summer.
All are welcome to attend!
New Water Quality Information
New WQ Information was added to the Water Quality Tab.
Included is a story about the chemistry of fireworks and how they are safe for the environment. The inquisitive mind wanted to know!
The SLA Water Quality Committee also shared an article on soil testing and how easy and inexpensive it is with “Dairy One”. The required forms are attached to this post (form-H & form-H2).
2017 SLA Water Quality Golf Tournament
The inaugural Silver Lake Association (SLA) 2017 Water Quality Golf Tournament was held on Saturday, July 29th at the Club on Silver Lake and it was a huge success. Eighty-seven golfers enjoyed the “Golf Perfect” day and supported funding the purchase of native plantings to be placed adjacent to key tributaries to help mitigate sediment and nutrient influx into Silver Lake. The sites-to-be-planted were identified with help from colleagues at the Wyoming County Soil and Water Commission.
Volunteers, led by Loren Penmen and Karen Norton, made sure everything ran smoothly from registration to the final basket raffle door prize awards. Frank Bright (SLA Water Quality Committee Co-Chair) acknowledged the golf committee’s organizing skills that put together such a successful tourney and explained to the attendees how the tournament proceeds will be used. Mark Emmerson (SLA President) handed out trophies and prizes to golfers and lunch participants, including an award for “Longest Marshmallow Drive”. Rick Fish (Owner, Club on Silver Lake Golf Course and Restaurant) made 28 people very happy by calling their ticket number to win beautiful baskets that Silver Lake residents assembled and donated to this wonderful day of fun and comradery.
The Club efficient staff made sure more than 100 people were happy and did not go home hungry serving the delicious Roast Beef and dessert in spite the prolonged electrical power outage at The Club and nearby homes. We repeatedly heard, “We can’t wait until next year”, confirming that the Water Quality Golf Tournament was a success. See you again in 2018!! 
The SLA’s New Invasive Species Disposal Station is now available
Roland Beck, from the State Park’s Office at Letchworth, and the SLA WQ Committee worked together to make available this very important disposal station. This will help alleviate the possibility of invasive species being transported into Silver Lake or from Silver Lake to another body of water. The Invasive Disposal Station is installed at the State Public Launch at the South west end of Silver Lake. Let us all do our part and use this valuable tool.
Welcome to Silver Lake, Wyoming County New York
Welcome to the Silver Lake Association Website. Silver Lake is located in Western New York, one hour Southeast of Buffalo NY, or one hour South of Rochester NY. Our 3 mile long lake is great for fishing and boating around the 7 mile stretch of it’s shorelines and watershed. On our website you will find events happening on and around Silver Lake, in our towns and villages of Perry and Castile, places of interest (ex. Letchworth State Park – 10 minutes away) and contact information. As our mission statement says, our organization of dedicated and passionate volunteers are here to keep Silver Lake Clean, safe, and beautiful for the present and for generations to come. Thank you for stopping in and hope you come and visit… if you don’t live or vacation here already!