WELCOME TO THE SILVER LAKE ASSOCIATION
WELCOME TO THE SILVER LAKE ASSOCIATION
Want LED Flares for the ring of fire? Click on the lilnk for a QR code to buy from Cele-Brite. This program replaces the Wegmans profit sharing plan, and CeleBrite will donate $1 per flare purchased to the SLA/CLEAN (that equals a $3 donation for the 3 pack, and $2 donation for the 2 pack).
The July 3rd Ring-of-Fire and lake-wide fireworks display(S!) were very enjoyable and the late rain, low clouds, smoke from the chemical flares, and near zero wind led to an otherworldly display for many spectators. Of course, viewers only needed to turn their heads slightly to see wide open displays or displays bursting through smoke like a scene from a war movie.
*Homeowner of Distinction Award: Dick Bausch and Nanci Dugan. After their fire, they have rebuilt, repotted and relandscaped their yard. With 13 bubblegum petunias, their flowers can be seen from across the lake. Nice job!
*Veteran Patrick Blakely works with the Warrior House bringing hunting, fishing, bear hunts to our veterans. Through the support and help of the community, the Warrior House Camp will be offering a place for veterans and their families.
*Silver Lake Experience - Coming August 1-3 2024. Mary Jemison, Historian Bob Murphy, Make & Take crafts and concerts will be on the program. Don't miss out - registration starts in January. Go to: Home (silverlakeexperience.org)
*Facebook - 1800 followers with a reach of 5,600 in the last 28 days. Website: 1022 hits in July. Goal is to keep growing these important communication tools for SLA. Members can help by sending news and picture through private message on FB or email on the website.
*Historian Bob Murphy presented a trip down memory "train". With his collection of pictures and stories this was a treasure trove of lake history. Go to the history tab to view pictures and video.
Go to the Water Quality tab for more highlights.
Leslie Kunze, Chairwoman of the HOD Committee, Betsy Kent, VP of SLA and Bob Capurso, President of SLA present the 2022 HOD award and new banner to Evelyn Militello and Tom McEvoy of Sherman Road.
The gardens at Evelyn's property use a variety of annuals and perennials that help with soil management and attract essential pollinators.
Evelyn's name will be added to the HOD plaque that is displayed at the Silver Lake Marine
NOMINATIONS FOR 2023 DUE BY JUNE 30TH 2023. GO TO: Important Forms (silverlakeassociation-wny.org)
This committee has been formed to review the assessment process and work with the towns to improve communication and help keep our overall taxes in reasonable.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 05/15/2020 09:37 AM EDT
MakingWaves – News From the Division of Water
FYI - Silver Lake is on the eligible waterbody list.
NYS announced $15 million in funding is available through the State Septic System Replacement Program to support homeowners. The grants are the second round from a total of $75 million provided under the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act to improve water quality and protect public health through the targeted replacement of aging and sub-standard septic systems and removal of cesspools in communities statewide. The program is a collaboration between the Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Health, Environmental Facilities Corporation, and participating counties to administer funding to qualifying homeowners.
For more information on applying and for priority waterbodies that are eligible, visit: https://www.efc.ny.gov/SepticReplacement
Nancy Mueller, Manager NYS Federation of Lake Associations, Inc.
PO Box 84
LaFayette, NY 13084
fola@nysfola.org
(315)677-9987
www.nysfola.org
https://nysfola.org/books/
Native Species Plantings completed on 10/14/2022 - at the Silver Lake State Park (boat launch)
LIST OF NATIVE PLANTS USED:
Tress: Sycamore, Swamp white oak, red oak, bald cypress, sugar maple
Shrubs: Silk dogwood, button bush, Nannyberry, Am hazelnut
Perennials: Wild ageratum, cutleaf coneflower, Joepye weed, hoary skullcap, NY ironweed, wild bergamot, clustered mountain mint
INVASIVE SPECIES MITIGATION - JAPENESE KNOTWEED - SLA, CLEAN, Wyoming County, along with a small contribution from landowners funded a chemical treatment plan for elimination of this fast-growing invasive species. The sites identified by SLA were sprayed 3 times and dead plants were removed. More work in 2023 will be needed to complete this important project.
Silver Lake Dams: The Silver Lake Dam leak was repaired.
Perry Central School Activities Todd Shuskey and his students performed their first gravity corer experiments (50 cm, ~20”) into the lake bed. These types of samples can be used as a “time machine”, allowing students to quantify the history of inorganic analytes (e.g., heavy metals, nutrients) and biologicals in Silver Lake. The first samples are being analyzed at UB and PHS. Todd and the students plan to carry out deeper core measurements to establish a more complete time line.
Watercraft Inspection Steward: Silver Lake has been fortunate to have a dedicated steward in place at the State Boat launch for the past several years. 2 Jenelle Grigelevich is serving as this year’s steward. She spoke at the last SLA meeting. She is scheduled to be on-site from Friday, May 27 through Labor Day weekend (FridayMonday 8:00AM-6:30PM). We will be giving Jenelle a gift card for all her hard work.
Dredging There was an update provided at the 07/21/2022 SLWC meeting. Steve Perkins formerly from the Wyoming County Health Department is still spearheading the efforts and he mentioned that the total project may be expanded to include Eberstein Tract. A $3.2-3.4M estimated budget was mentioned. The effort would be multi-faceted with a combination of in-lake, on nearby land, and off-site sediment relocation/removal. Current effort is centering on securing needed land approvals by Fall ’22 with an eye toward targeting grant funding sources after all arrangements and approvals are in hand. The next step after land approvals is in hand is a comprehensive planning grant submission.
Golf Tournament
The 2022 Annual Silver Lake Water Quality Golf Tournament was be held July 30th, 2022at the Silver Lake Country Club. Proceeds are used to purchase native shrubs and perennials that Association members will plant along a tributary identified by the Wyoming County Soil & Water Conservation District as a problematic run-off location. Native plants help to stem the influx of nutrients and sediment into the lake.
THE 2023 SLA Water Quality Golf Tournament will be July 22, 2023, at 9:00 am
DON'T RAKE IN THE LAKE - WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Harmful Algea blooms are created by nutrients in yard waste, including nitrogen and phosphorus which are released during decomposition. This:
Kills Pets, fish and wildlife
Harms people
Contaminates drinking water
OPTIONS:
*COMPOST
*MULCH
*BAG and take to either Smith Road or end of Luther Road dumpster
*Hire a lawn care service (make sure they take the leaves)
The Silver Lake temperature array has been successfully rebuilt, relocated, and reinstalled. A BIG shout out to Rob Ritz and Karl Hanafin for designing and constructing the new, more robust array. Rob and Karl also installed the new system at its new location. Data from the new array can be seen at the following website: https://karl.hanafins.com/silver-lake-thermocline-data---station-1
The next several weeks will see the new system being more fully calibrated, tested, and assessed. You can follow along. The new temperature array is designed to accurately record depth- and time-dependent data from the lake at 15 minute time intervals throughout the year. These data are used to observe in-lake mixing events / ‘turn over’ in real time. In the warmer summer season, lake-wide mixing events are often precursors to algae blooms (nutrients from sediment in the lake sediment + delivery to the lake surface + sun light = algae growth).
*Homeowner of Distinction Award: Dick Bausch and Nanci Dugan. After their fire, they have rebuilt, repotted and relandscaped their yard. With 13 bubblegum petunias, their flowers can be seen from across the lake. Nice job!
*Veteran Patrick Blakely works with the Warrior House bringing hunting, fishing, bear hunts to our veterans. Through the support and help of the community, the Warrior House Camp will be offering a place for veterans and their families.
*Silver Lake Experience - Coming August 1-3 2024. Mary Jemison, Historian Bob Murphy, Make & Take crafts and concerts will be on the program. Don't miss out - registration starts in January. Go to: Home (silverlakeexperience.org)
*Facebook - 1800 followers with a reach of 5,600 in the last 28 days. Website: 1022 hits in July. Goal is to keep growing these important communication tools for SLA. Members can help by sending news and picture through private message on FB or email on the website.
*Historian Bob Murphy presented a trip down memory "train". With his collection of pictures and stories this was a treasure trove of lake history. Go to the history tab to view pictures and video.
Go to the Water Quality tab for more highlights.
We had 22 teams, lots of great volunteers, 30 fabulous baskets for the raffle, Hole Sponsors, Premium Level Sponsors, Bloody Marys to start the day, pizza and the drink cart on the course, a delicious lunch and so much fun!
Thank you to Clean at Silver Lake for organizing such a great event at The Club on Silver Lake.
Thank you also to all of the golfers who joined in to support our mission and to all of our volunteers!
Congratulations to the winners:
1. Team Kinsman
2. Team Clark
22. The HoneyBrights
For more information about Clean at Silver Lake, click the link below!
The winners are:
Most Creative: 1957 Chevy: Sarah Paryz
Most Patriotic: Buffalo Bills Boat: Joan Cole and family with their spirited red, white, and blue
Funniest: Elvis for President: Mike Bellamy Family and Friends
President’s Award: Just Ducky: Missy Dynarski
Best Theme: Under the Sea/Lake: Mark Fitzmaurice
Honorable Mention: Little Mermaid Under the Sea: Brian Gross (Papa's boat)
Thank you to all 21 participants who shared their talents and made this a successful event. Thanks also to all the behind the scenes people:
Sheriff Dave Richardson; Judges DJ Starner and Bob Bausch and grands; go between assistants Hannah Quigley and Shaelyn Kutis; photographers Steve, Ron Norton and Jen Bateman Di Quattro; Bob Capurso, SLA President and Event Coordinator Sally Capurso.
HELPFUL HINT: When renewing your driver’s license, provide your Boater Safety Certificate to the DMV to add the ANCHOR on your card as proof of course completion.
For more information: 13 things you need to know about NY’s new boater safety law - newyorkupstate.com
Look for 2024 Boat Safety Course information in the spring.
Four boats carrying thirteen Veterans and five wives enjoyed a spectacular sunny day touring Silver Lake for the Inaugural Veterans Launch and Lunch. Before lunch, Veterans shared some experiences while relishing in the breezes of the lake atop the Warrior House Camp’s waterfront building. Veterans were recognized individually as they were given tokens of appreciation. The event was sponsored by the Silver Lake Association in conjunction with the Warrior House Camp. Thank you to all our Veterans and everyone who helped make this event successful. Pictures shared below.
Memberships/Directories: 502 members up 10% since 2021
**Thank to our business members: Asbury Camp and Retreat Center, , Silver Lake Campsites, Silver Lake Camps and Docks, Silver Lake Marine, The Rivellino Team, The Club at Silver Lake and Yaeger Boat and RV Storage
Water Quality – (SLA’s PRIORITY FOCUS)
Continued Dredging work/applications for goal of 2024
New Temperature Array installed
500 Native Plants distributed to members
Follow-up Japanese Knot Weed spraying and eradication
Leaf/yard debris governance around lake
Invasive Species education, monitoring and prevention
DEC-approved testing by students at Bucknell
Wyoming County Soil and Water Resource Conservation Committee (WCSWRCC)
Silver Lake Watershed Commission
Perry High School/Todd Schuskey/students monitoring program
https://bit.ly/SilverLakeHealth2020
Communication –Increased postings on Facebook, Website and Perry Herald. Added display case at State Launch for WQ planting site updates.
Homeowners of Distinction 24 homeowners to date have been recognized for their efforts to focus on keeping the lake clean by planting buffer zones, using native plants, using non-phosphorus fertilizers, safe cleaning products and keeping yard debris out of our lake. Plaque at Silver Lake Marina.
Taxation Oversight Committee – Working to improve communications and to attempt to keep local towns accountable for their taxation and assessments. Tina Rados presented at SLA meeting in May.
Events:
*July 3rd Ring of Fire (LED flare usage was up 20% since 2021) Sold 1,997 flares this year
*July 4th Howard Benedict Boat Parade – 21 Boats participated
*Water Quality Golf Tournament with 22 teams, basket raffle and event sponsors
*Annual Meeting with Bob Murphy presenting History of Silver Lake Railroad
New SLA events:
Boater Safety Course- 23 participants
*Veteran’s Boat Tour (Launch and Lunch)– hosted by the Warrior House - 12 Veterans/4 boats participated
*Trunk or Treat at the Charcoal Corral
Donations:
55” TV to the Warrior House Camp
Perry Ambulance
Castile Fire Department
Perry Fire Department
Silver Springs Fire Department
Silver Lake Fireworks Fund
Silver Lake Watershed Commission (SLWC). Improper Leaf and Yard Waste Disposal into Silver Lake. The SLAWQ team shared policies from the Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance (LEWPA) (see link below) with the SLWC and they agreed to look into the leaves-in-the-lake issue. http://mansfieldny.org/pdfs/2019/LEWPA%20Yard%20Waste%20Brochure.compressed.pdf Bob Capurso successfully secured two (2) large dumpster for yard waste disposal (Luther Rd & E side of Smith St by East Lake Rd). Michelle Hess created the “Don’t Rake in the Lake” campaign and posted it on our social media sites. Michelle also worked with SLA and CLEAN to purchase several hundred biodegradable leaf bags for distribution to SLA members. These leaf bags are intended to launch appropriate yard waste disposal efforts during the ’23 season.
DON'T RAKE IN THE LAKE!
Monarch Butterfly, Milkweed & Pollinator Planting - 500 Native, Pollinator-Friendly Plants distributed to SLA members in spring. Fun photo contest spurred interest and response.
Walker Rd Bridge. Electrical power line relocation activities began in Sept. ’23. At last report the Walker Rd bridge replacement is planned for spring ’24.
WNY Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM). The SLAWQ team has worked with WNY PRISM and its Director Andrea Locke for many years. PRISM staff have visited Silver Lake several times over the past 10 years and they have executed several lake-wide surveys. Andrea informed us that the new DEC Region 9 Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Coordinator plans to survey Silver Lake this year. DEC will not perform a full survey (they use a point intercept method, including rake tosses, that is time intensive), but hope to get a partial survey completed. A report will follow. Our most common invasive aquatic plants (macrophytes) are curly leaf pond weed and Eurasian milfoil. Both have been in Silver Lake for decades.
Follow-up to 2022 Japanese Knotweed (JK) Spraying. In late Aug. ’23 A-TIP executed a second spraying for the season.
Improved Communications. The SLAWQ team has worked to expand and improve communication efforts with members and other stakeholders. Examples include timely postings on the SLA and CLEAN web sites and Facebook pages (shout outs to Michelle Hess and Joe Caputo) and several full page articles in the ’23 Perry Herald (shout out to Lee Loomis). A new display case has been installed at the Silver Lake State Par
.
CSLAP. The ’23 CSLAP campaign has been completed.
DEC Big Panfish Initiative (BPI). SLAWQ briefed members last month on this project. Please stay informed by visiting the BPI web site: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/124966.html
Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB). NYHABS is the official portal to all NYS HAB archives and reporting. To view the HAB archives go to the following site: https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ae91142c812a4ab997ba7 39ed9723e6e Please stay up-to-date on HABs at Silver Lake by checking this web site as often as you wish. You can also use this site to compare Silver Lake to other NYS lakes. To report a suspicious bloom go to the following site: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/66337b887ccd465ab7645c0a9c1bc5c0
Silver Lake Water Level. Remember that the Village of Perry (VoP) maintains a camera at the Silver Lake Outlet dam that monitors the lake level. The link to this camera is: https://villageofperry.com/departments/water-sewer/source-of-water/lake-water-level/ Please stay up-to-date on the lake water level by regularly checking in at this site. In a normal year the water level is ~95” in the spring and it may fluctuate throughout the seasons with rainfall, outflow, etc. The lake’s water level often drops to 80” or less in fall/winter (~78” at noon on 10/13/23).
U.S. National Drought Monitor. The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a map released every Thursday, showing where drought is and how bad it is across the U.S. and its territories. The map uses six classifications: normal conditions, abnormally dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought: moderate (D1), severe (D2), extreme (D3) and exceptional (D4). The link to the interactive USDM map is: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ Please stay up-to-date on drought levels by checking this web site as often as you wish. The 10/12/23 map shows that the Silver Lake area is at the “D2 (Sever Drought)” level.
Watercraft Inspection Steward. The steward served at Silver Lake State Park boat launch (Friday-Monday, 8:00AM-6:30PM) from Memorial Day through Labor Day. We will post the season’s Report once it becomes available.
Silver Lake Sewer System. The SLAWQ team visited the VoP Waste Water Treatment Plant in Aug ’23 and learned about the system and we discussed where we can best help.
Temperature Array. The Silver Lake temperature array has been working well since it was rebuilt, repositioned, and reinstalled. Data from the new array can be seen at the following web site: https://karl.hanafins.com/silver-lake-thermocline-data---station-1
Sediment Core. A team of students from Bucknell University led Dr. Lorelei Curtin visited Silver Lake in late Sept. ’23 and secured a well-defined continuous core segment from the Send of Silver Lake. The core sample was 6-m in length (~18’). We will report results from the core as they become available.
WEEDS: Benthic Mats – These can be used to eliminate the weeds at your dock. They must come out in the fall and cannot be put back into the water until after June 1. Go to the tip ship on the Clean website for more information. _1 - Benthic Mats.pdf (wsimg.com) You can also order on-line: Aquatic Weed Control | Chemical Free Weed Killer for Lakes | Aquatic Weed Killer (lakebottomblanket.com)
Potential Planting Sites. Our efforts with the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District (WCSWCD) staff did not yield a ’23 planting site. We hope to get back on track in ’24.
SLA /CLEAN Golf Tournament. The 2024 Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, 2024 at the Club at Silver Lake.
The next SLAWQ meeting will held at 4:00 pm on April 5, 2024 via Zoom.
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