Citizen Led Environmental Action Network PO Box 64 Silver Lake, NY 14549 *
The resource and advocate for betterment of water quality at Silver Lake
CLEAN@SILVER LAKE STATE OF THE LAKE MEETING JUNE 6TH
TO VIEW THE ENTIRE MEETING, GO TO: WYOMING COUNTY/Silver Lake/State of The Lake meeting/hosted by Clean@SilverLake
The PowerPoint Presentation can be found here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Gad4cnS074n9gAJgNRcltH3cFT3cWW0b/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102373579347896792877&rtpof=true&sd=true
Thank you to all who attended the State of Silver Lake Meeting on 6/6/26. We had an outstanding turnout with more than 200 community members joining us. It was stated several times how important it was that so many people were there and our attendance to this meeting will help bring more action and funding for projects like dredging. Also mentioned was the campaign that CLEAN did last year asking residents to contact our govement leaders regarding dredging which resulted in the one million dollar federal funding award! Those actions brought real results!
There is a lot of concern regarding the dredging plan but we are closer to actually dredging than we have ever been with both the county and federal funding in place and the DEC permit application for the pilot scheduled to be submitted within the next few weeks. CLEAN will continue to advocate for north-end in-lake dredging as was recommended by the FX Browne Lake Management Plan and supported by the LWRP.
Some additional meeting highlights:
Philip Gow from Congresswoman Claudia Tenney's office announced that Silver Lake has been awarded a one‑million‑dollar federal grant to begin the dredging project. This funding is now secured and will not expire, unlike many grants that must be used within a specific time frame.
Wyoming County Administrator Scott Schrader shared that the 440 page pilot dredging permit application is currently being reviewed for submission to the DEC. The projected timeline for pilot dredging in the OUTLET ONLY will depend on the DEC approval and the hope is late Fall of 2027 start for this pilot dredge- October/November are the only months dredging can be done. Scott also reported that the goal of this project is to remove nutrient rich sediment to improve water quality. The entire project will extend over 5 to 10 years.
Allen Fagan from Wyoming County Soil and Water announced that $2 million in grant funding was awarded for 5 watershed projects and 27 BMPs. These projects are so important to help keep the sediment/nutrients out of the lake that cause the harmful algae blooms.
John Snyder reported that New York State has passed its budget, which includes funding for a new state boat launch, with completion planned for late Fall of 2027.
DEC Representatives: Lisa Czechowicz, Erin Kane and Lindsay Yoder provided updates on permitting, the Harmful Algae Bloom Roadmap, and aquatic weeds. CLEAN@Silver Lake is actively exploring the new grant opportunities presented and will be attending the webinar on Monday.
A reminder that reporting Harmful Algae Blooms is essential for protecting our lake. The reporting link can also be found here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e5dec19912454731a308bbb7af605fb3/
Again, all of our presenters emphasized how important an engaged community is to help advocate for our lake. The more we demonstrate our commitment at the state, county, and local levels, the stronger our voice becomes. CLEAN@Silver Lake serves on the Water Resource Agency, the Watershed Commission, Wyoming County Water & Soil, the Drinking Water Commission, the LWRP, and more. Your support helps reinforce our position on these boards and ensures our concerns are heard.
We provided over 160 Native Plants to the attendees and sold over 100 LED flares for the July 3rd Ring of Fire in support of our Make the Switch in 2026 to LED Flares.
We remain committed to advancing projects that protect and improve Silver Lake and appreciate your continued support.
CLEAN@SILVER LAKE
ORDER FLARES HERE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
Watercraft Inspection Steward Kellen Gradwell at Silver Lake
Protect the lake we love: CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY. Every launch. Every haul‑out.
Watercraft Inspection Steward Kellen Gradwell will be at Silver Lake Boat Launch starting May 22nd.
Schedule: Friday–Monday, 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m
Kellen will be supporting the CLEAN/DRAIN AND DRY campaign to stop invasive species from entering our lake. Please help us welcome Kellen and support his efforts to:
- Conduct voluntary watercraft inspections
- Identify, remove, and properly dispose of aquatic plants
- Educate boaters and visitors about invasive species prevention
- Distribute educational materials
- Collect and record environmental data
- Support additional stewardship tasks as needed
CLEAN@SILVER LAKE has added weed‑removal tongs to the invasive‑species collection boxes. These field‑tested tools are used across NY to help stop the spread of invasives.
Join CLEAN@Silver Lake today!
Become a member of CLEAN@Silver Lake and help us make a difference. By joining our community, you'll receive regular updates on our initiatives and events, as well as tips on how you can live a more sustainable life. Sign uo for our emails!
LAKE WEEDS AND OTHER INVASIVES
DEC AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES UPDATE
Why DEC Conducted This Survey
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non‑native plants and animals that can harm lake ecology, recreational use, and water quality The NYSDEC Region 9 AIS Monitoring Program, launched in 2022, focuses on early detection, tracking spread, and guiding management decisions in high‑priority inland lakes, including Silver Lake
- Mechanical harvesting can improve navigation and recreation in heavily impacted areas.
- Importantly, harvesting removes plant biomass and bound phosphorus from the lake system.
- Harvesting is considered a management tool, not a cure, and is most effective when integrated with nutrient‑reduction strategies.
- Evaluation of the Weed Harvester program to align with the NYS EPA Aquatic Invasive Report is ongoing.
- European Frog‑bit - recommendations for hand plucking is being investigated
- DEC Permit for Weed Harvesting for 2025 was denied.
DEC ANNOUNCES HAB ROADMAP
HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS
Although significant progress has been made in understanding and managing HABs and their causes and impacts, a deliberate plan is needed to guide DEC in its mission to reduce HAB occurrences. This roadmap provides that guide.
Roadmap Goal Statement: Design and implement monitoring approaches to identify the presence and abundance of cyanobacteria and other HABs or their indicators and support the evaluation of new HAB in-waterbody mitigation and reduction strategies. Develop monitoring approaches to improve data usage for various objectives (e.g., HAB screening,assessment, or modeling) and fill knowledge gaps.
FIND THE ROADMAP HERE: Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Roadmap: A Five-Year Plan to Study, Manage, and Reduce HABs in New York State
Learn how to identify problematic algal blooms and, if warranted, to report them online through the DEC New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS).
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) - NYSDEC
Ultrasonic Algae Control Systems
- Ultrasonic systems use specific sound frequencies to disrupt algae cell buoyancy.
- These systems do not add chemicals and are considered experimental/short‑term tools.
- Current consensus (including DEC guidance) is that ultrasonics may help locally, but do not replace nutrient reduction as a primary solution.
- Submission for Federal Grant by CLEAN was denied for 2025, plans to submit updated grant application based on feedback.
More information can be found at: MPC-Buoy | Monitor and Control Harmful Algal Blooms - LG Sonic
Other options to prevent blooms are being vetted as well. Go to: 4. Introduction to treatment strategies – HCB-2 for more information.
We look forward to the any progress and strategies DEC's Roadmap can offer to help clean up Silver Lake.
LED FLARES – A Chemical Free Solution with No Pollution!
250TH ANNIVERSARY RED/WHITE/BLUE FLARES AND TRADITIONAL RED FLARES AVAILABLE
MAKE THE SWITCH TODAY - HALF THE PRICE OF AMAZON!
- RED/WHITE/BLUE FLARES 3 FLARES/$10**
- TRADITIONAL RED FLARES 4 FLARES/$15**
Switching to LED flares isn’t about ending a tradition, it’s about strengthening it and our commitment to protecting water quality.
****SUGGESTED DONATION PRICES Exclusive for lake members****
NOTE: Chemical flares produce toxins that negatively impact humans, plants and water bodies. Help keep our lake clean and reduce excess nutrients and toxins in our air by making the switch to LED flares.
DREDGING UPDATE!
WITH DEC APPROVAL, DREDGIING COULD START NOVEMBER 2026!
- Pilot dredging application to the DEC will be submitted soon, pending final NYSDEC permits, plan to dredge has been delayed to Nov. 2027.
- Phase 1 will focus on the north end outlet channel, from Walker Road bridge to the pedestrian bridge.
- $1 million is secured by Congresswomen Claudia Tenney for Phase 1, with additional funding being pursued for future phases.
- Dredged sediment is planned for beneficial agricultural use, reducing disposal costs while addressing phosphorus‑rich legacy sediments.
- Based on successful pilot, future plans will be developed. CLEAN supports following the FX Brown Report – Lake Management Plan to remove heavy phosphorus laden material from the outlet, inlet and north end.
Why this matters: Removing nutrient‑laden sediments improves flow, reduces internal phosphorus recycling, and supports long‑term water quality improvement, including reduction in HABs.
CLEAN WORKS TO ERADICATE JAPANESE KNOTWEED AROUND THE LAKE
CLEAN along with Wyoming County Water and Soil will be partnering with both the Silver Lake Golf Course, Silver Lake Institute and a property on Fairview Road this year to address the knotweed in these locations.
- Japanese knotweed along shorelines and tributaries contributes to erosion and nutrient runoff.
- CLEAN supports targeted treatment programs that prioritize containment and long‑term control over disturbance.
- Managing shoreline/watershed invasives helps reduce sediment and phosphorus delivery to the lake.
- Continued targeted treatments are planned in 2026 at the Silver Lake Golf Course, Silver Lake Institute and Fairview Drive. If you see knotweed development or areas please notify any member of the CLEAN group.
Knotweed's early spring emergence and dense growth give it a competitive advantage over native plants, enabling it to take over large areas. Its thick rhizomes can extend horizontally through soils for 60 ft. or more. Plants can emerge through concrete and asphalt, with potential impacts on infrastructure.
Eradication:
Knotweed can be very difficult to control, depending on the extent (size) and location of the infestation. A stem injection or foliar treatment with systemic herbicide is the most effective management. Individual plants can be dug, if all pieces of the root are removed. However, keep in mind that knotweed roots extend up to 6 ft. down and very small pieces of roots are able to re-sprout. For the same reason, be mindful when mowing or otherwise cutting knotweeds, as plant fragments transported on mowers, etc., will spread the species. Whether using chemical or manual means of removal, 3-5 years of treatment should be expected.
MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:
Japanese Knotweed – Profile and Resources | Invasive Species Centre
DEC WALLEYE SURVEY 3/25
The DEC is currently managing Silver Lake to produce and maintain a balanced walleye fisher. On the night of 3/25, the DEC conducted an early-spring boat electrofishing survey to evaluate the status of walleye in the lake. The fish are measured, weighed and scales are taken for age determination.
Since 2016, the DEC has been stocking the lake biennially.
To see the 2019 report, go here: Water Quality Reports
LOCAL WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM (LWRP)
THE LWRP WILL BE THE GATEWAY FOR FUNDING CRITICAL LAKE/WATERHSED INIATIVES. DREDGING, WEED MITIGATION AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE STATE LAUNCH ARE CLEAN PRIORITIES!
Th LWRP is a partnership with waterfront communities across NYS to address local waterway issues, improve water quality and natural areas, guide development to areas with adequate infrastructure and services away from sensitive resources, promote public waterfront access, and provide for redevelopment of underutilized waterfronts. The LWRP uses substantial public input and then serve as keys to unlock doors to resources to implement (for CLEAN@SILVER LAKE – dredging and weed mitigation and improvements at the State Launch are the focus). More information on the LWRP can be found at: https://dos.ny.gov/local-waterfront-revitalization-program
The draft for the Phase 1 of the LWRP has been distributed to the WAC committee for review/editin. . Five CLEAN members are on this board and have submitted updates to make sure our priorities are included.
Temperature Array
The 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). August 30, 2025 showed this missing event and the September HAB event was a direct result.