Due to all the snow and rain over the past several weeks, it has been difficult to maintain a consistently low water level in the lake, even though the dam sluice gate has been wide open. In fact, the water level is extremely high right now, about 26” above the normal winter level. Adding in the cold temperatures, many docks are now frozen in the ice, potentially leading to some ice damage. Also be aware that If the current ice does not melt, the water level below the ice may begin to drop, so please use extreme caution if you venture out on the ice. Hopefully, the situation will improve, but as you know and have heard many times before, it is totally weather dependent.
Just a reminder that we will begin to lower the lake to winter level starting on October 15th 😢. Enjoy the next two weeks of boating and watching the leaves change color. The member’s launch gate will be left open from Oct 8 – 15 for those of you waiting until the very last second to remove your boats. Also, please remember to complete any waterfront projects this fall, as the water level is difficult to control in the spring due to rain and snowmelt.
Would you like to get involved, have a say, help make decisions about water quality, weeds, watershed issues, fundraising events, dam maintenance, and the future of Kinderhook Lake?
The KLC Board of Directors is actively seeking two (2) new Directors for election by KLC members at its Annual Meeting of Members on August 24, 2019.
Candidates must have the following minimum qualifications:
- be a current KLC member
- be available to attend monthly mid-week evening board meetings and occasional committee meetings
- be a strong advocate for the KLC, Kinderhook Lake, and community-related issues
- have routine access to email, text, and cellular communications.
- be active in organizational planning and become well versed in 501(c)3 nonprofit IRS and NYS Charities Bureau regulations.
Candidates with experience in support of existing or new KLC programs would be preferred:
- outreach & communications (assist with the design and publication of community outreach materials, such as newsletters, social media, e-mail announcements, website postings, and distribution of educational materials)
- fundraising (develop, propose, organize and implement fundraising activities)
- maintain and grow an existing donor database (design, implement, and oversee annual appeal, maintain donor history, recruit new members, donor acknowledgments)
- lake stewardship and support (grant writing, lake habitat and biology, environmental law, legal research, NYS regulations, data compilation, and statistical analysis).
Interested Board candidates are asked to email a letter of interest and qualifications to the KLC Secretary, Lauren Desharnais, at lauren.desharnais@yahoo.com, no later than July 31, 2019.
July 4th turned out to be a spectacular day on the lake. Beautiful weather, well-attended kayak rally and boat parade, a great ring of fire and evening parties all around the lake. Thanks to all the participants and volunteers who helped make the day’s events so successful.
Kayak rally winners: Kyle Hickey ($50 lake merchandise), Tina Decker ($25 lake merchandise), Jayne Sinker ($15 lake merchandise).
Boat parade winners: Fitzpatrick Family and Friends (patriotic), Ebel Clan (patriotic), K Jade Ng (Funniest – Mermaid Bubble Boat)
Independence Day is just around the corner. Here’s the scoop on the events.
Kayak Rally: 8:30 – 11:30, rain or shine. Paddle around the lake with any non-motorized vessel and collect as many tickets as you can from orange flagged locations. Print your name and phone # on each ticket and bring your tickets to the Rt 28 launch by 12:00 noon. Tickets will be drawn for prizes. Don’t forget a pencil/pen and a plastic bag for your tickets.
Note: We are looking for additional orange flag bearers. The more the merrier. If you are available in the morning to fly an orange flag at your dock and pass out tickets for the kayak rally, please call Pete Walkes by this weekend at 914-217-6770.
Boat Parade: Starts 1:30 from One Tree Island. Decorate your vessel to tour the lake, entertain your neighbors, make some noise and have a ton of fun. Be recognized for best decorations and most patriotic boat.
Ring of Fire: 9:00pm. Light your flares at 9:00pm along the shoreline for the annual Ring of Fire. Flares and KLC logo merchandise will be available at the Rt. 28 launch from 10:00am to 1:00pm on July 4th, or call Pete Walkes 914-217-6770 to arrange for flares at other times.
Keep your fingers crossed for great weather. Please be safe, and let’s have another spectacular Fourth of July on Kinderhook Lake.
Please don’t forget about KLC logo merchandise for some of your holiday shopping needs. Many products will be sold at discounts up to 50%. We also have some new merchandise, shown below – 16oz ceramic mugs for $10 (two for $18) and 16oz glasses for $6, both with new logos.
All merchandise can be seen on the MERCHANDISE page and purchased by contacting Pete Walkes at 914-217-6770 or 17freebyrd@gmail.com
Kinderhook Lake has been selected for study by a student in the Professional Science Master’s Lake Management Program at the State University of NY at Oneonta. This is the only Lake Management degree program in the US. Over the course of one year, Amanda Setteducate will study and evaluate the lake’s water quality and nutrient levels, invasive species, watershed, and issues important to the lake community. It is expected that the study will result in a report that will provide recommendations for implementation of future lake management efforts. The KLC Board of Directors and Water Quality Committee is excited to work with Amanda and is looking forward to receiving assistance from her and the Lake Management program.
You can read more at Lake Management Graduate Program. If you have any questions about the Program or what Amanda will be doing at Kinderhook Lake, you can contact her at settan29@oneonta.edu.
Effective Friday, July 6, 2018, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has lifted the Health Advisory for Harmful Algal Blooms on Kinderhook Lake that was issued on June 29, 2018.
DEC staff accompanied a member of our water quality committee today on a site visit around the lake and saw no evidence of any algal blooms currently on the lake. As such, the advisory has been lifted and the advisory signs around the lake will be down-posted tomorrow morning.
To be clear, the lake was NEVER closed and despite news reported on TV and in some of our local papers, the advisory was only to be on the lookout for HABs and to avoid the blooms, if spotted.
With the extended heat wave forecast over the next week or so, people and pets will want to stay cool in the lake. This is a good opportunity to remind everyone to be cautious of harmful algal blooms (HABs) that can form anytime, but especially during these hot spells. The following information is provided for easy reference and includes links to websites and related documents. It was provided by DEC through the Cornell University Cooperative Extension. Additional information can be found on Page 3 of the Spring 2018 KLC News.
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People Exposure
If you think you may have been exposed to a HAB and are experiencing symptoms, contact your physician or, in the case of severe reactions, seek immediate medical attention. You should inform your physician and your local health department if you were exposed to an algal bloom, both to help determine the proper course of treatment and to determine if others should also be notified of this potential risk. More information about these symptoms can be found on the Department of Health Blue-green Algae webpage. Swimming at regulated beaches will greatly reduce your risk of exposure to HABs, since beaches are closely monitored for the presence of blooms. Beach closures by health officials are conducted to protect swimmers.
Animal Exposure
HABs cells can stick to animal fur and become concentrated when the animal cleans itself. Rinse your dog, pet or livestock with clean water and seek veterinarian medical assistance should your animal show any signs of distress. HABs may release a fast-acting nerve toxin that can be dangerous for pets, particularly dogs that swim within blooms. Symptoms of HABs exposure for dogs include:
- Stumbling, seizures, convulsions, paralysis
- Excessive salivation or drooling
- Disorientation, inactivity or depression
- Elevated heart rate, and difficulty breathing
If you see or suspect any of these symptoms, particularly within 30 minutes to a few hours after exposure to an algal bloom, seek immediate veterinarian care.
Long-term exposure to algal liver toxins may lead to symptoms such as repeated vomiting (green liquid), diarrhea or tarry (bloody) stool, loss of appetite, anorexia, jaundice (yellowing of eye whites or gums), abdominal swelling tender to the touch, cyanosis (bluish coloration) of skin, dark urine or reduced urine output. Your veterinarian should be consulted to see if veterinarian assistance is appropriate. Any information you can provide to the veterinarian about the potential duration of algae exposure will help to determine the appropriate course of action.
New York Sea Grant published a Dogs and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) (PDF) (809 KB) brochure. The brochure includes descriptions of common symptoms and what to do, information about toxins and how dogs are exposed, how to reduce your dog’s risk of exposure and how to report suspected blooms.
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Time to get your boats and gear ready!! On Sunday, April 1st, the sluice gate will be closed and the flashboards installed on the dam so the lake can start rising to summer level. The speed of the rise will be dependent on rain and snowmelt, so please be sure to complete any shoreline projects by the end of this weekend.
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