What is that buoy doing in my lake?

Over the past few years, residents have noticed a yellow science buoy in the middle of Cazenovia Lake. In addition to being a popular turn-around point for swimmers, this buoy has had an important role in the study of algal blooms that occur in the lake. Algal blooms plague many bodies of water and are becoming of increasing concern. Most algal blooms in freshwater systems are composed of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. In addition to being unsightly and impacting recreation on the lake, some algal blooms can produce compounds that have been linked to the death of domestic animals as well as human health issues.

Several factors are necessary for an algal bloom to occur. These include a source of nutrients, light, warm temperatures, calm winds, and a starting seed population. Similar to the wagon wheel concept, if one of these spokes is missing, an algal bloom may not occur. Of these different components, only nutrients that feed the algal bloom can be readily controlled. The two nutrients of main concern are phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N). These come from a variety of sources, both external and internal to the lake. External sources include things such as runoff from creeks, leaky septic systems, and lawn fertilizers. Internal sources include release from the sediment in the bottom of the lake. How fast the nutrients are released from the sediments depends on the overlaying water and can be important in the overall nutrient budget of the lake. In shallow, well mixed, and aerated lakes, phosphorus is tightly bound to minerals in the sediment. When these waters are devoid of oxygen, the rate of release can increase twenty-fold. During the summer, warming from the sun causes lakes like Cazenovia Lake to form layers, or stratify. The upper water, or epilimnion, is warm and well mixed due to wind. The bottom water, or hypolimnion, is cold and separated from the upper water. Bacteria in the bottom water feed on organic matter and consume oxygen in the process. If enough decomposition takes place, oxygen in the bottom water can be depleted, leading to a rapid release of phosphorus. This phosphorus remains trapped in the bottom water. When the lake mixes, or turns over, in the fall, that extra phosphorus in the bottom water mixes with the upper water and can lead

Trees get a trimming

to an algal bloom. The buoy in Cazenovia Lake tells us if and when these waters stratified and turned over. It had sensors that measured temperature at one-meter intervals as well as two sensors that measured dissolved oxygen. The lake strongly stratified during the summer of 2022 and the bottom water was depleted of oxygen. Turnover began to occur in late September, with the bottom water mixing with the surface water around September 28th. That coincided with the lake-wide bloom of a non-toxic cyanobacteria (Dolichospermum) that formed and lasted a few days.

Cazenovia Lake is classified as moderately productive and has experienced several algal blooms over the years. The lake has been part of New York’s Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) nearly continuously since 1988. It has had intermediate levels of algae and phosphorus. The bottom water has had higher levels of phosphorous than the upper water in 18 out of the 19 years CSLAP collected data.

Blooms started to be reported in 2012 and since then, at least one bloom has been reported in the lake every year since amy Spring

Last week, Keeney Tree and Lawn Care took down several large trees at the Old Drovers Tavern in Nelson free of charge as a service to the community. The Old Drovers Tavern is a project of Nelson Preservation Associates (NPA), a non-profit organization committed to the preservation of historic Nelson. The group completed the purchase of the former Magee’s Auction House at 3307 US Rt. 20 in November 2020. NPA plans to preserve the history of the building and rehabilitate the entire property to create economic and community-use opportunities. The building is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. This is the second time the tree company has provided its services at the site pro bono. Keeney first removed trees from the property on March 24, 2021. Learn more about the Old Drovers Tavern at olddroverstavern.com.

Lions Club Foundation is 501c3. Limited tax deductions may apply, please see current IRS regulations for eligibility/limits

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Bike safety

There is nothing like the feeling of getting out and going for a nice ride on your bike.

For many of us this was an important rite of passage.

There was the special moment when, after a lot of trial and error and a skinned knee or two for some of us, when you learn to find and keep your balance and can ride securely on two wheels all on your own.

For many it is a first taste of freedom and the chance to transport ourselves a little farther from home and have a little more independence.

Riding bikes with friends as kids can lead to many fun adventures.

And for many adults riding a bike is not only a fun means of transportation, but also offers a chance to relax, perhaps get out and take a path you might not otherwise take on foot or in a car and explore and it offers a chance to get in some extra exercise when we venture out without our cars.

For some it even becomes more than a hobby and offers exciting opportunities to compete and go for long range rides with like minded people.

And with the warmer weather of spring and summer there will likely be more bikes out on the road and this means bicyclists as well as pedestrians will be out and for all involved, including as motorists, there are some important safety tips worth keeping in mind.

According to AAA, May was both Global Youth Traffic Safety Month and Bike Safety Month, but these tips are valuable for everyone’s safety year round.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 846 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2019, with most killed between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and most often in urban areas.

Males are eight times more likely than females to be fatally hit while riding a bicycle.

However, what’s more alarming, is the number of pedestrians killed in collisions. The NHTSA reports that, in 2019, 6,205 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes, that’s 85 pedestrians killed every 85 minutes. With more families walking and cycling, AAA has tips to ensure everyone’s safety while sharing the road.

Tips for pedestrians:

Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.

Walk on sidewalks whenever possible and cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.

If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.

Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.

Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

Tips for bicyclists:

Follow the same rules of the road as other roadway users, including riding in the same direction as traffic and following all the same traffic signs and signals.

Signal all turns.

Wear a bicycle helmet every time and on every ride.

Be visible. Wear bright colors in daytime, reflective gear in low light conditions, and use head and taillights at night.

Remember that respect is a two-way street. Show motorists the same courtesy that you expect from them.

Tips for drivers:

Stay alert—avoid all distractions while driving.

Yield to bicyclists when turning.

Make a visual check for bicyclists by scanning mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.

Slow down and give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing.

Never honk your horn at a bicyclist— it could cause them to swerve into traffic or off the roadway and crash.