See the FAQ page for information and warnings
about Copper Sulfate treatment for algae control
Due to this year’s ProcellaCor treatment that appears to have eradicated most of the Eurasian milfoil in the lake, the EcoHarvester was only used to harvest water chestnuts. Since most of the water chestnuts reside in shallower water at the north end of the lake, the harvester was easily able to pull them out with their roots well before the nutlets had a chance to grow. About 1 acre of water chestnuts was harvested on July 7th in accordance with our DEC permit.
After a cloudy and chilly morning, the weather cooperated and July 4th turned out to be a beautiful sunny day.
The Kayak Rally was attended by 21 paddlers in the morning chill collecting raffle tickets from 32 orange-flagged locations around the lake. Congrats to the raffle winners: 1st prize to Macy Zeilman, 2nd prize to Holly Kaiser, 3rd prize to George Longworth. Each raffle winner received KLC merchandise. Also, thanks to all the volunteers who flew orange flags and handed out tickets.
The Boat Parade was another huge success with about 15 beautifully decorated boats touring the perimeter of the lake, cheered on by hundreds of lake community fans. Congratulations to the winners: Most Patriotic boat, the big eagle, by Paul, Kathleen, and Robert Haen; Most Original boat, the pirate boat, by Rick and Cheryl Fitzpatrick; Funniest boat, the jungle boat, by Shelley and Scott Langer. Each winner received cash prizes. Thanks to Mike and Dawn Francoeur for leading the parade.
And, as always, the annual Ring of Fire was fun to see. Nightime on the lake was a head-spinning adventure and it was a joy to watch all the evening holiday festivities.
See the FAQ page for information and warnings
about Copper Sulfate treatment for algae control
We are closing in on one of the favorite days to be on Kinderhook Lake – July 4th, Independence Day. The KLC will be hosting the usual array of events including bringing back the popular kayak rally.
Kayak Rally
This event is open to all non-motorized vessels – kayaks, rowboats, canoes, paddleboards, rafts, etc. Between 8:30 and 11:30 AM collect tickets from nearly 30 orange-flagged locations spread around the lake. Write your name and phone number on each ticket. Don’t forget a plastic bag and pen to collect your tickets and keep them dry.
Important, due to the limited space at the launch and anticipated crowds for this event, please bring your tickets to the tan and green metal building at 9 OLD West Shore Dr in Valatie by 12-noon to be entered into the prize drawing.
Boat Parade
Decorate your boats and meet at One Tree Island at 1:30. Follow the lead boat as you parade around the lake, hootin’ and hollerin’ all the way. Prizes will be awarded to the Most Patriotic, Most Unique, and Funniest boats.
Ring of Fire
Light your flares and torches along the shoreline at 9:00 pm for a lovely bright ring around the lake. The more flares, the better.
Note: Flares and KLC merchandise will be available at the tan and green metal building at 9 OLD West Shore Dr in Valatie from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on July 4th. If you need them sooner or cannot make it on the 4th, please call Pete Walkes at 914-217-6770.
**WARNING**
Kinderhook Lake will be treated with ProcellaCor,
an aquatic herbicide used for the control of Eurasian milfoil
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
NO SWIMMING or BOATING
is permitted on the day of the treatment
NO IRRIGATION or LIVESTOCK WATERING
is permitted until herbicide concentrations are tested below 1ppb,
expected approximately 7 days after the treatment
Treatment notifications will be posted 24 hours prior to the treatment date
and removed when concentration levels are acceptable for irrigation,
expected approximately 7 days following the treatment date
Note: ProcellaCor will be applied by an airboat with weighted sub-surface drag-lines
As we move into June, we can see that the Eurasian milfoil is flourishing all around the lake. This is actually a good thing because ProcellaCor is most effective when milfoil is in full growth mode; it will allow the plants to better absorb the herbicide all the way down to the roots. Our DEC permit application has already been approved and, weather permitting, we hope to be treating the milfoil with ProcellaCor during the third week of June. For those of you not aware of what we are up to, please see our 14 January 2021 post below.
During a pre-treatment weed survey of the lake in early May, an additional 46 acres of milfoil were identified by Burden Aquatics, expanding the milfoil beds from 160 acres to over 200 acres. DEC has already amended our permit to include the additional acreage as it is critical that we address this issue now before it gets even worse.
Although ProcellaCor is absorbed by the milfoil within the first 3-6 hours after treatment, it will take weeks to see evidence of the results. Here is what you can expect to see.
A couple of things to be aware of, (1) milfoil that has not germinated at the time of the ProcellaCor treatment will not be affected and growth may begin later in the summer, and (2) milfoil fragments, whether floating or within the water column, will likely not be affected by the ProcellaCor treatment and may start new growth later in the season or next year. If you see weeds floating around your dock or shoreline, please try to remove them from the lake to reduce the potential of them starting new plant growth.
The treatment date will be posted on the KLC Facebook page as well as on our website as soon as it is confirmed. As required by DEC, signage will be posted around the lake 24-hours before the treatment date. As a reminder, there will be an irrigation restriction for up to 5-days after the treatment and a swimming restriction on the day of the treatment.
Although there are no other legal restrictions, we ask that all boats stay off the lake the day of the treatment. Boating activity will cause additional water movement that may disperse and dilute the herbicide and potentially make it less effective.
We are proud to say that our members have been very generous this year and we have almost reached our goal to raise the $70,000 needed to treat the original 160 acres. However, treating the extra 46 acres identified this spring will cost an additional $20,000, so we are raising our fundraising goal to $90,000. We ask those of you who have not yet donated to the ProcellaCor Fund to please consider doing so now. We also ask those of you who have already donated to please consider an additional donation to help offset the cost of treating the additional acreage. For donation information, please click the link at the top of this page or in the right-hand column.
Remember, based on the reported experience at other lakes, this ProcellaCor treatment should be effective for up to three years. While the lake will never be 100% weed-free, we can look forward to many years of boating and recreational activities not hampered by enormously thick beds of milfoil.
Every spring, shortly after the ice is off the lake, we crank down the sluice gate, add the flashboards back on top of the dam, and begin to raise the lake to summer level in accordance with our DEC permit. This year, that activity will start on April 3rd. Depending on the weather and water flow through the Valatiekill from our 41 square mile watershed, raising the lake fully will take anywhere from a week to over a month.
If you are a shoreline owner, please take some time before April 3rd to rake and clean out the lake bed in front of your property. Rotting leaves provide nutrients that spur the growth of aquatic invasive species and twigs and branches can float down to the dam and clog the outlet as well as create a hazard for boaters.
The Winter 2021 KLC News is now available HERE and on our NEWSLETTERS page.
Articles include: Expanding Our Weed Management Program, 2020 Summary of Harvesting Operations, Annual Notice of Copper Sulfate Treatment, A Quick Look Back, Membership and Merchandise Days, Parking at the Launch, Dates to Remember
Ice conditions permitting, the KLC will hold a Northern Pike Ice Fishing Contest on Saturday, February 20, 2021. The contest will be free to the public between 7:00am and 2:00pm. From 2:00pm to 4:00pm, Northern Pike will be accepted for disposal at the large metal building at 9 Old West Shore Drive in Valatie. Only fish caught within the legal size and bag limit per person will be accepted. See Statewide Angling Regulations at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31421.html. KLC merchandise prizes will be awarded to those individuals with the longest fish and most fish. Membership applications, member window placards, boat launch keys, trailer stickers, and merchandise will be available for sale.
Although this Contest will be open to the public and no entry fee is required, anglers who are not lake-front property owners will require permission from a Kinderhook Lake property owner to access the lake. Please respect private property.
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