IT IS AGAINST DEC LAW TO RAKE IN THE LAKE!
Call (716) 851-7050 with complaints along with photos/videos including dates and time.
MANAGING HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS WITH ULTRASOUND
CLEAN INVESTIGATING MPC BUOY FOR USE ON SILVER LAKE!
Most of the entire lake has algae as do all bodies of water. Silver Lake was mostly clear in July and August. However, because of rain in June and the lake turning late August, September and October had lake wide algae and HAB issues.
CLEAN is investigating the use of MPC Buoys to help combat HAB's. Multiple NYS Parks and waterbodies are currently successfully using this system. Team members will be meeting with a vendor in October with the goal of a test site for 2026 implementation.
Learn how to identify problematic algal blooms and, if warranted, to report them online through the DEC New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS).
https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms/notifications
Proposed Weed Removal Program-DEC Permit and Funding Needed
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Silver Lakeis experiencing excessive growth of aquatic invasive plants—primarily Asian water millfoil and Curly-leaf Pondweed — which contributes to nutrient loading, degrades fish habitat, impairs recreational use and impacts overall water quality. This project proposes a targeted aquatic weed harvesting program to mechanically remove
Silver Lakeis experiencing excessive growth of aquatic invasive plants—primarily Asian water millfoil and Curly-leaf Pondweed — which contributes to nutrient loading, degrades fish habitat, impairs recreational use and impacts overall water quality. This project proposes a targeted aquatic weed harvesting program to mechanically remove invasive biomass, reduce phosphorus recycling, and improve ecological balance. . It aims to reduce invasive plant coverage, while monitoring water quality, fostering native regrowth, and educating shoreline residents on invasive species prevention.
GOALS/OBJECTIVES
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
GOAL:
Improve the ecological health and recreational value of Silver Lake by reducing invasive aquatic plant biomass through environmentally responsible harvesting.
OBJECTIVES:
- Improve circulation of water near inlet and Outlet areas choked by aquatic weeds
- Reduce excessive aquatic vegetation to improve water quality, swimming, boating
GOAL:
Improve the ecological health and recreational value of Silver Lake by reducing invasive aquatic plant biomass through environmentally responsible harvesting.
OBJECTIVES:
- Improve circulation of water near inlet and Outlet areas choked by aquatic weeds
- Reduce excessive aquatic vegetation to improve water quality, swimming, boating, and fishing conditions.
- Reduce phosphorus loads by removing biomass from the lake entirely (no shoreline composting).
- Support lake ecosystem balance by preventing excessive organic buildup.
- Incorporate best management practices to minimize disturbance to native species
PROJECT AREA
FUNDING NEEDED!!
FUNDING NEEDED!!
● Target Area: Key sections of Silver Lake with excessive vegetation.
Key harvest zones include:
● Northern end near inlet and outlet
● Northwest side between inlet and Country Club
● Northeast side near Standpipe Road
● Southeast side near Macs
● Southwest area near public launch
● TBD
● Frequency: Annual harvesting during peak
● Target Area: Key sections of Silver Lake with excessive vegetation.
Key harvest zones include:
● Northern end near inlet and outlet
● Northwest side between inlet and Country Club
● Northeast side near Standpipe Road
● Southeast side near Macs
● Southwest area near public launch
● TBD
● Frequency: Annual harvesting during peak growth season.
Method: Mechanical harvesting using appropriate aquatic plant harvesters; disposal/composting of removed material onshore
● Coordination: Work with DEC, Wyoming County SWCD, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, US Army Corps of Engineers, and local municipalities
FUNDING NEEDED!!
FUNDING NEEDED!!
FUNDING NEEDED!!
Without funding, this project cannot happen. We will be looking for grant funding and all options to at minimum to do a test program in 2026.
Possible Funding:
- Finger Lakes–Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance (FLLOWPA)
- New York State Invasive Species Grant Program (ISGP)
- DEC & NY Sea Grant Great Lakes Basin Small Grants
- C
Without funding, this project cannot happen. We will be looking for grant funding and all options to at minimum to do a test program in 2026.
Possible Funding:
- Finger Lakes–Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance (FLLOWPA)
- New York State Invasive Species Grant Program (ISGP)
- DEC & NY Sea Grant Great Lakes Basin Small Grants
- CLEAN@SilverLake
- Local Residents
Thank you to Bob Michalski for researching and putting this plan together.
50% LED FLARES USED IN 2025 JULY 3RD RING OF FIRE!
IN 2026 - CLEAN WILL AGAIN PROMOTE LED FLARES WITH SPECIAL DISCOUNTS!
With over 750 LED flares purchased by lake residents in 2025, CLEAN was able to meet the goal of 50% conversion to LED Flares. In 2026, we will again be promoting this program with discounts for lake residents. . You can pre-order yours now for pick up/payment in the spring of 2026 and make the switch to LED for a cleaner Ring of Fire!
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.
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. The next WAC meeting is October 24 for a review of Phase 1.
CLEAN WORKS TO ERADICATE JAPANESE KNOTWEED AROUND THE LAKE
Ove the past 4 years, CLEAN Team members led by Frank Bright have worked tirelessly to eradicate Japanese Knotweed around the lake. This year, the team visited all previously treated sites. The overall JK kill-off has been excellent. Team members secured all property owner permissions and new vendor quotes to execute two (2) JK treatments at the Silver Lake Country Club in ’25. The sites are located at the creek paralleling Pvt Dr 1 (near the hole 14 “T” box) and along Luther Rd parallel to the Hole 13 fairway. .
Japanese Knotweed is known for its aggressive growth and invasive nature, making it a noxious weed. This plant can grow up to 10 feet tall and is often characterized by its bamboo-like stems and heart-shaped leaves. Its removal is challenging due to its persistent root system, which ranks it among the world's worst invasive species.
CLEAN DONATES WATER SAMPLING EQUIPMENT TO PHS PROGRAM
Clean has donated $1200 towards water sampling equipment for Todd Shuskey's PHS class for their program testing and monitoring Silver Lake. Todd serves on the CLEAN team and we appreciate all of the work he and his class do to support our lake.
CLEAN AT SLM LAKE LIFE EVENT!
Perry High School’s Teacher Todd Shuskey, and his students have been hard at work studying Silver Lake—conducting tests, mapping weeds, and researching fish populations. They were at the Lake Life event presenting their research to Silver Lakers!
2025 is the Year of the Milkweed! We gave away 130 milkweed plants to lake residents to start/add to their pollinator gardens! Thanks to Kelly McMurtry for all your work starting from seed over 100 plants and working at the event educating lakers about the importance of milkweed plants for monarch butterflies.
The Boat Steward Erika and Emily and their invasive species/spin the wheel win a prize and promotion of the Clean/Drain/Dry boating message to stop the spread of invasive species into our lake were a hit with lakers!
We also sold 40 LED Flares and CLEAN hats!
Thanks to Silver Lake Marine for having CLEAN at your event!
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.