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TheKLC News |
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| Lake & Water Updates |
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Water QualityAlgae Season Preview & Copper Sulfate Treatment |
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| As water temperatures climb through spring and into summer, algae activity increases significantly. Early in the season, beneficial diatoms and green algae form the base of the aquatic food chain. Once water temperatures reach 68°F, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can begin to bloom rapidly — crowding out beneficial species and forming unsightly surface scum. |
| To prevent harmful algal blooms, the KLC applies for a permit each year to treat Kinderhook Lake with copper sulfate (EPA Registration No. 46923-4). This targeted herbicide kills blue-green algae without harming other aquatic life at approved concentration levels. Treatment is timed based on water temperature monitoring and sampling results, and typically occurs every two to three weeks in June, July, and August. |
| NoticeSwimming, eating fish, and watering domestic animals will be restricted for 24 hours following any copper sulfate treatment. Shoreline posting signs will be placed prior to treatment and announced on our website and Facebook page. |
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| Invasive Species Management |
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ProcellaCor TreatmentUnderstanding Eurasian Milfoil — Biology, Timing & Why It Matters |
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| Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) is a submersed aquatic plant that thrives in warm, nutrient-rich water. Each stem can produce thousands of tiny fragments that drift and root elsewhere — making physical removal alone ineffective. Left unchecked, EWM forms dense mats that block sunlight, crowd out native plants, tangle boat propellers, and degrade fish habitat. Members who were on the lake in 2019–2020 know how quickly conditions can become unswimmable and unnavigable. |
| ProcellaCor (florpyrauxifen-benzyl) is a highly selective aquatic herbicide that targets invasive milfoil while leaving native plants virtually unaffected. Treatment must be timed to early active growth — typically mid- to late-June — when milfoil is actively taking up herbicide through its leaves. This narrow phenological window is why planning and permitting must begin months in advance. |
| KLC has applied to DEC for approval to treat approximately 140 acres of EWM throughout the lake. Our licensed contractor, Burden Aquatics Inc., will conduct the treatment once permits are approved. Water use restrictions will be posted on our website and along the shoreline well in advance. |
| $90,000 raised of $125,000 goal · ~$35,000 still needed |
Donate Now → |
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Treatment StrategyWhy Full Treatment — Not Partial — Is the Right Strategy |
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| A common question from members is: why not treat just the worst areas and save money? The answer lies in how milfoil spreads. EWM reproduces primarily through fragmentation — even a single untreated patch can produce hundreds of fragments that spread throughout the lake via boat traffic, wind, and current. Partial treatment provides short-term visual improvement while leaving reservoir populations that recolonize treated areas within one to two seasons. |
| A whole-lake treatment approach suppresses EWM across its entire range simultaneously — dramatically reducing the fragment seed bank and giving native vegetation a chance to reestablish. Studies show that comprehensive ProcellaCor treatment can deliver 3–5 years of significant milfoil suppression from a single application, making the per-year cost far more favorable than repeated partial treatments. |
| Bottom LineTreating 140 acres now for $125,000 is far more effective — and cost-efficient over time — than treating 40 acres three times. Donations remain the only reliable funding source we can count on. |
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Grant UpdateDEC Invasive Species Grant — Why We Did Not Receive Funding |
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| This year, KLC submitted its first-ever application for a DEC invasive species grant to help offset the cost of ProcellaCor treatment — a significant milestone for our organization. Unfortunately, we were not selected for funding in this round. DEC grant programs are highly competitive, with many lakes across New York applying for limited funds each cycle. |
| This application was the result of a dedicated ad-hoc committee. Directors David Wilens and Dan Langer led the effort, supported by member volunteers Cris Carey, Carol O’Donnell, Tracy Angelini, and John Johnson. The committee completed the detailed application — including infestation mapping, treatment plans, and contractor qualifications — entirely on a volunteer basis. When the opportunity arises, we intend to apply again and will incorporate DEC feedback to strengthen our next proposal. The KLC Board extends its sincere gratitude to each committee member. |
| What This MeansWith no grant funding confirmed, member donations are the sole source of funding for the 2026 treatment. We are $35,000 short of our $125,000 goal. Please donate today at kinderhooklakecorp.org — and ask a neighbor to do the same. |
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Invasive SpeciesWater Chestnut Hand-Harvesting — Join Us This Summer! |
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| Water chestnut (Trapa natans) is a floating invasive plant that forms dense mats capable of completely blocking light to the water below — eliminating fish habitat, hindering navigation, and making swimming impossible. Unlike Eurasian milfoil, water chestnut is an annual plant that must be removed before it sets seed each summer. Hand-pulling is the most effective control method, and with enough volunteers we can make a real dent in the population at the north end of the lake. |
| Each plant produces spiny nutlets that can remain viable in lake sediment for up to 12 years. Every year we pull before seed set, we reduce next year’s population. It’s hard work, but enormously satisfying — and a great way to meet fellow lake stewards. Kayaks, canoes, and waders are welcome. No experience necessary. |
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| June27 |
1st Water Chestnut Pull10am–Noon · North end of lake
Bring gloves & water! |
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| July11 |
2nd Water Chestnut Pull10am–Noon · North end of lake
All volunteers welcome |
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| Community Events |
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Annual EventCommunity Lake Day — August 1 at One Tree Island |
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| Mark your calendars for Community Lake Day, Saturday August 1, 12:00–2:00pm at One Tree Island. This is your chance to connect with neighbors, celebrate the lake we all cherish, and enjoy a beautiful summer afternoon on the water. Come by boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard — all are welcome. |
| This year’s Lake Day will feature our popular raffle. Proceeds directly support KLC lake programs, so every ticket you buy is both a chance to win and a contribution to the lake’s health. Tickets are available from any KLC Director. |
Buy tickets from any KLC Director · Drawing held at Lake Day · August 1, 2026
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| Outreach & Training |
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Director Training & OutreachKLC at NYSFOLA Conference & CSLAP Water Quality Training |
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| In early 2026, KLC Directors Dan Langer and Steve Everett attended the annual conference of the New York State Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA) — a statewide organization that advocates for lake health, connects lake associations across New York, and provides education on best practices in lake management, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring. Attending the conference keeps KLC connected to the broader lake stewardship community. |
| Separately, Director Steve Everett and member volunteers Dan McCormick and Bruce O’Donnell completed training for the Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) — a DEC program that trains volunteers to collect standardized water quality data, including water clarity (Secchi depth), water chemistry, algae conditions, and aquatic invasive species, which is submitted to DEC to build a long-term record of lake health. |
| Why This MattersCSLAP data collected on Kinderhook Lake becomes part of the official DEC water quality record — strengthening future grant applications, informing treatment decisions, and documenting trends over time. We are grateful to Steve, Dan, and Bruce for volunteering their time. |
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| Education & Reminders |
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Boating EtiquetteWake Boat Reminders — Protect Our Lake This Summer |
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| Wake boats and wake surfing have grown in popularity on Kinderhook Lake, and we welcome everyone to enjoy the water responsibly. However, the large, sustained wakes these vessels generate can cause significant environmental damage when operated too close to shore or in shallow water — accelerating erosion, disturbing nesting areas, uprooting aquatic vegetation, and resuspending bottom sediment that reduces water clarity and disrupts fish habitat. |
| A few simple guidelines make a big difference: stay at least 200–300 feet from shore and operate in water deeper than 15 feet when generating large wakes. If you are moving your boat between waterbodies, please be sure your ballast tanks are fully drained before entering the lake to prevent the spread of invasive species. Slow down near docks, kayakers, and swimmers. Kinderhook Lake thrives when recreation and stewardship go hand in hand. |
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| Membership & Support |
| 🏷️Renew Your Membership TodayMembership dues are the foundation of everything KLC does — from dam maintenance and water quality monitoring to weed management and community events. If you haven’t renewed for 2026, now is the time.Renew online at kinderhooklakecorp.org. Consider adding a donation to the Dam Reserve, Water Quality, Weed Management, or Fish Stocking Fund. Every contribution makes a difference. |
🧢KLC Merchandise & Sponsor Thank YouKLC logo merchandise makes a great gift and funds lake programs — history books, wine glasses, sweatshirts, caps, and more. Contact Pete Walkes at 914-217-6770 or visit a Membership Day.A heartfelt thank you to all of our 2026 Business Sponsors. Please support the businesses that support our lake. View our full sponsor listing at kinderhooklakecorp.org/sponsors.Available ItemsHistory Books · Sweatshirts · Polo shirts · T-shirts · Henleys · Caps · Mugs · Cinch sacks · Tea towels · Flares · Wine Glasses |
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| KINDERHOOK LAKE CORPORATIONPO Box 53 · Niverville, NY 12130kinderhooklakecorp.org
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