Seneca tributaries' bacteria levels raise concern

SENECA LAKE--The Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association (SLPWA) announced the results of the second year of stream monitoring from Big Stream, Catharine Creek, Keuka Outlet and Reeder Creek last Wednesday, Oct. 21. The SLPWA stream monitoring program, conducted in collaboration with the Community Science Institute of Ithaca, has shown that the four streams flowing into Seneca Lake have phosphorus and bacterial contamination above the levels recommended by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Department of Health (DOH) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
"If these streams were 'bathing beaches,' regulated by the state Health Department, they would be closed for much of the season," said Mary Anne Kowalski, SLPWA president. "We recommend that any contact with the water be avoided, including letting pets in the water."
According to the SLPWA, the bacterial contamination measured "are of grave concern for any contact recreational activities." While the bacteria levels are reduced as the streams get diluted in the lake waters, the group claims it is important to identify and mitigate the point sources of bacterial release to the streams.
The Keuka Outlet was monitored from July through August of 2015. Big Stream, Catharine Creek and Reeder Creek were all measured at several locations dating back to May 2014 through August or September of 2015.
Phosphorus concentrations in the Keuka Outlet, Catharine Creek, Big Stream and Reeder Creek all exceed the DEC guidance levels of 20 ug/L (micrograms per liter) of phosphorus, which the SLPWA claims accounts for the increases in algae blooms and weed growth along Seneca Lake shorelines. The group also monitored the streams to see how many times they exceeded the standard of 235 E. coli colonies per 100 milliliters.
"While some of the streams have elevated phosphorus levels from time to time, the numbers on Reeder Creek are so high (six to 685 times the recommended levels)," Kowalski said. "This cannot be attributed solely to the wastewater plants or agriculture. [The] DEC is beginning special monitoring in 2016 to identify the source."
The Keuka Outlet was monitored at the Keuka Lake boat launch, at Fox's Mill Road, the Keuka Outlet tributary at Ridge Road and at the Charles Street bridge. Big Stream was tested at Crystal Springs at Crystal Springs Road, Chubb Creek at Route 14A, upstream of the Dundee Wastewater Treatment Plant, at Dundee-Glenora Road and the Big Stream mouth at Glenora Point. Catharine Creek was tested at Huck Finn Road, in Millport, both upstream and downstream of the Montour Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant, at the Havana Glen mouth and Catharine Creek at Seneca Lake. Reeder Creek was monitored at North Patrol Road, Access Road, Route 96A, the Reeder Creek mouth and at Secor Road.
"Our results should concern everyone who lives, works or plays on and in the lake, or gets drinking water from the Lake," said Dan Corbett, SLPWA board member and Stream Monitoring Committee chair. "We have been able to collect samples in storm water conditions, when 80 to 90 percent of pollutants, including nutrients, sediment and pathogenic bacteria, enter streams and lakes."
Five sampling times occurring throughout the year, including high water events. In 2015, the program was expanded to include an additional stream, Keuka Outlet. The program is funded by grants from the Tripp Foundation, Freshwater Future, and SLPWA member support.
"This summer we have had over a dozen reports of suspicious algae blooms on the shores of the lake," said Edwin Przybylowicz, SLPWA's harmful algal blooms (HABs) coordinator. "Many of the confirmed blooms are linked to the nutrient outflow of the streams we are monitoring. One of the confirmed blooms and multiple reports occurred near Kime Beach, north of Reeder Creek. Reeder Creek is very high in phosphorus, a key nutrient for this cyanobacteria."
The group noted Hobart and William Smith Professor John Halfman and the Finger Lakes Institute have been instrumental in calling attention to the deteriorating quality of Seneca Lake waters and the consequences which are now occurring.
SLPWA will be working with local residents, along with federal, state and municipal governments to address the problems identified. Their goal is to add new streams to the testing program. SLPWA will be seeking funding from community and foundation sources to support this work.
Full test results and the map location of the monitoring sites can be seen on the Community Sciences Institute website athttp://communityscience.org/database/monitoringregions/4. SLPWA will also be presenting the results of the Reeder Creek sampling Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Three Brothers Wineries and Estates.