Some local residents have voiced their frustration with the usability of Chautauqua Lake due to weed growth during the first half of summer. P-J photo by Jay Young

Early-season growth of curlyleaf pondweed continues to spur debate and disagreement between various interested parties and organizations concerned about the maintenance of Chautauqua Lake.

Cutting, harvesting and shoreline cleanup have continued over several weeks at a number of different locations, with crews from the Chautauqua Lake Association and various municipalities coordinating their efforts. On June 29, SOLitude Lake Management crews treated 86.4 acres for eurasian milfoil near shores of the village of Bemus Point, village of Lakewood, town of Busti and town of Ellery with the herbicide ProcellaCOR.

That treatment area is a significant reduction from the 380 acres treated in 2019, and is far less than the 500 acres in herbicide applications that were submitted by six different municipalities for 2020.

The condition of the lake thus far with respect to nuisance macrophytes, and unpleasant odor, has led to frustration for some lake organizations and homeowners due to the small amount of herbicide treatment that was approved.

Mike Holland, who has owned a cottage in Bemus Point for 14 years, expressed his concerns about a lake maintenance strategy in a letter sent to local officials and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

“I heard that a herbicide was finally applied to a small portion of the lake today, so I am writing to thank you for that, but to also tell you how frustrated and sad I am to see the lake fall into such a weedy mess this year,” Holland said. “My family won’t invite friends here anymore, only to look at a weed-choked dock. My kids used to swim off the dock, but can’t and won’t anymore due to the weeds.”

Holland said areas near his home were scheduled for herbicide treatment this year, but those permits were rejected.

Similar concerns have also been shared by Dave Dudash of Lakeside Boulevard in Ellicott.

“During the summer of 2017, the lake was tolerable weed and smell-wise,” Dudash said. “During the summer of 2018, the lake was so covered with weeds, use of our lakefront was frustrating and fruitless. Last summer, with the use of herbicides, the lake was completely clean of weeds and odor. We have been at the house for the past week. The odor is almost intolerable, and I’m sure, probably unhealthy. The odor is from the accumulated cut weeds that escape the collection boats and wash up in the shallow water at the park next to my house. I have canceled planned visits from friends and family for the near future.”

Both Dudash and Holland stated that effective lake maintenance is a significant factor in homeownership decisions, and that negative conditions may incentivize property owners to look at other options.

Amanda and Colin Ludwig, also of Lakeside Boulevard, have also been frustrated.

“Please open your minds and ears to the people who own lakefront property, to visiting friends and families, and tourists. The lake conditions this year are unacceptable,” the Ludwigs said.”It’s so very obvious and apparent that when the surveys are conducted at the right times, and herbicides are applied (to the entire lake) these issues dissipate.”

State Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown, responded to Holland’s concerns, citing the many complex issues at work that contribute to weed growth and usability of the lake.

“In the past, there has not been herbicide treatment applied in Chautauqua Lake targeting pondweed because it naturally dies off at the end of June,” Goodell’s letter reads. “In addition, the effective herbicide treatment for pondweed is more complicated and expensive because the plant reproduces using turions that germinate in the fall, typically long after the herbicide treatment. Thus, herbicide treatment of pondweed requires earlier treatment before the plant produces turions over a multiyear cycle as pre-existing turions germinate.”

The herbicide application permits take into account many different factors, including the lake’s role as a fishery. “These applications are made on an annual basis because the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation wants to minimize the herbicide application in any given area to allow and encourage a greater ‘back-fill’ of native species,” Goodell said. “The DEC fishery division is also very concerned that an adequate amount of macrophytes remain in any given area.”

Lake organizations like the Chautauqua Lake Partnership have also been dissatisfied with the lack of herbicide treatment permitted in 2020, raising concerns that the permitting process could be influenced by political and financial considerations rather than scientific lake maintenance strategies.

BUSINESS IMPACT

Marina owners around Chautauqua County have benefited from increased boat sales during the first half of the summer season, despite large amounts of pondweed.

“They’re definitely clearing up, they were really bad at first,” said Grant Robinson, service manager for Ashville Bay Marina. “People are disappointed, but I mean that is the way it is. It’s Chautauqua Lake, it has always been weedy. Out in the middle it is pretty good, it’s really along the shoreline that’s real bad. A lot of people don’t want to (herbicide), some people do and some people don’t. That’s probably an issue on it’s own.”

Smith Boys Manager Nick Matteo has had a similar experience this year.

“It’s definitely the same as it always has been, just nasty,” Matteo said. “It’s pretty bad, I could speak for myself when I go out there, it is bad. When you pull out of the marina, the weeds get stuck in these outboard motors.”

Greg Swan, owner of Ready About Sailing in Celoron, also confirmed that pondweed has been an issue.

“It is a lot of weeds this year compared with certainly last year,” Swan said. “We haven’t seen the eurasian milfoil weed yet. I know they are going to treat the lake for it, but right now the pondweed is causing some problems for people, getting tangled up in their props.”

Swan’s position is that last year’s herbicide treatment may not have necessarily been the right approach.

“The lake was never better in terms of weeds than it was last year, the 20 years that I’ve been here. I don’t think it’s necessarily a good thing, because I think that kind of treatment was sort of uncontrolled,” Swan said. “A certain amount of weed is necessary for a healthy lake. Last year it was completely gone, and this year it is back in spades, at least the curlyleaf.”

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS

While it is tempting to draw direct and specific conclusions linking distinct lake management approaches to resulting conditions at different times and locations, there is a complex web of factors at work.

“These are difficult and complex issues, but we have several excellent people devoting a tremendous amount of time and energy seeking cost-effective solutions,” Goodell said.

Uncontrolled and variable factors including weather conditions, temperature changes and nutrient profiles all contribute to macrophyte growth, the prevalence of algae, and the recreational usability of the lake.