Seneca Lake has reached a water level comparable to last year’s lowest reading more than a month earlier, according to the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association.
The lake measured 444.09 feet BCD on the morning of Oct. 9. Last year, a comparable low was not reached until mid-November. The association said an ongoing gate leak is estimated to have contributed about 8 inches to the decline.
The low-water report came in Pure Waters’ final weekly water quality email of the season, concluding 10 weeks of updates. One harmful algal bloom was confirmed between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8.
Water temperature and other readings were unavailable because the Finger Lakes Institute’s real-time monitoring buoy was offline. This week’s update relied on data from Pure Waters volunteers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Pure Waters said it sent more than 28,000 water quality emails during the season, with an average open rate of 52%. More than 1,200 people signed up for its harmful algal bloom text alerts.
Shoreline survey volunteers monitored the lake and reported potential blooms throughout the season. The association is seeking volunteers for next year through its volunteer interest form.
Several upcoming events will address water quality, environmental concerns and invasive species.
Torrey residents will host a public forum on the proposed Vulcan AI data center at the former Greenidge facility from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Seneca Stag Brewing in Penn Yan. The discussion will cover potential effects on air and water quality, public health and surrounding communities. Attendees will be able to hear from panelists, ask questions and share concerns.
Pure Waters’ next free Seneca Lake Deep Dive webinar is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 22 on Zoom. Kelly Smith, an associate professor of environmental science at Elmira College and a Pure Waters board member, will discuss how shoreline plants and floating wetlands can help reduce nutrient pollution and protect water quality.
Finger Lakes PRISM will host a free round goby webinar at 2 p.m. Oct. 27 on Zoom with Dr. Susan Cushman. Topics include identifying the invasive fish, monitoring its distribution and impacts, and reporting sightings.
A free spotted lanternfly workshop is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Finger Lakes Institute in Geneva. Participants will learn about the insect’s life stages, help remove egg masses from a known local population and learn how to prevent its spread.
Other events include SLOB Fest on Oct. 17 at the 41 Lakefront Hotel in Geneva, featuring 19 breweries from around Seneca Lake, and “Geneva’s Unfinished Revolutions” at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Geneva History Museum. That community discussion will include area nonprofit leaders, including Pure Waters Director Benjamin Klein.
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