Honeoye Valley Association

The Gronwall's visual BGA Update for Monday September 30th.

  Monday (9/30), We are still experiencing a few isolated near shore blue-green algae blooms particularly along the West shore.  Most of our blue-green algae monitoring locations had only very light algae present.  Even though we are clearly getting cooler Fall weather now, you still need to be watchful for visible signs of blooms before you or your pets make contact with the lake water. 

  This will be our last water quality report for the 2019 season.  It’s time to get our boats in winter storage and our docks & boat hoists out of the water in preparation for winter.

  2019 was a very good year from a blue-green algae perspective from May through August.  The lake stratified in late June and didn’t have a mixing event until August 27th.  The mixing event distributed the nutrient rich bottom water with all the water in the lake causing an Anabaena and Microcystis bloom starting around September 3rd through today.  This is very unusual as Honeoye Lake is a polymictic lake usually mixing every few weeks due to strong wind events.

  We did experience Gloeotrichia blooms from late June through August.  Gloeotrichia is a very different type of blue-green algae that gets its nutrients directly from the bottom sediments over a mild winter and spring.  Gloeotrichia has become very common in lakes around the world that are in a similar latitude to us. 



Mon. 9/23 Mon. 9/30 Weekly Change
Surface Water Temperature (F): 69.4 68 -1.4
Water Clarity (Ft): 9.8 9.8 0
Lake Level (Ft): 803.04 803.03 -0.01
Lake Level Relative to Weir (Ft): -0.46 -0.47 -0.01


In Lake Samplng at Deepest Point (9 meter) 2019
Date 5-Aug-19 12-Aug-19 19-Aug-19 26-Aug-19 3-Sep-19 9-Sep-19 17-Sep-19 23-Sep-19 30-Sep-19
Day of Week Mon Mon Mon Mon Tue Mon Tue Mon Mon
Secchi  (m) 4.20 2.50 2.90 3.90 2.70 2.40 3.20 3.00 3.00
Secchi (feet) 13.78 8.20 9.51 12.80 8.86 7.87 10.50 9.84 9.84
Surface
Temperature (C) 25.8 24.0 24.7 23.6 23.3 21.6 21.2 20.8 20.0
Temperature (F) 78.4 75.2 76.5 74.5 73.9 70.9 70.2 69.4 68.0
Lake Level (Feet) 803.01 803.15 803.30 803.17 803.10 803.05 803.07 803.04 803.03




The Gronwall's visual BGA Update for Tuesday September 17th.

  Tuesday (9/17), we observed light green algae dots or clumps in the water at most of our monitoring locations.  This usually is an indication of blue-green algae. We only observed algae surface scum at a few locations location along the south west shore.  We are now in the peak summer time period for blue-green algae blooms.  Be extra watchful for visible signs of blooms before you or your pets make contact with the lake water.

  Water clarity has increased ~2.6 feet over the last week indicating a reduction of algae in the water column since we haven’t had any rain events recently.

  The next several days are forecasted to be in the low 80+ F temperature range.  If we also get a bright sunny sky and calm winds we could see an increase in algae blooms.


Mon. 9/9 Tue. 9/17 Weekly Change
Surface Water Temperature (F): 70.9 70.2 -0.7
Water Clarity (Ft): 7.9 10.5 2.6
Lake Level (Ft): 803.05 803.07 0.02
Lake Level Relative to Weir (Ft): -0.45 -0.43 0.02



Date 5-Aug-19 12-Aug-19 19-Aug-19 26-Aug-19 3-Sep-19 9-Sep-19 17-Sep-19
Day of Week Mon Mon Mon Mon Tue Mon Tue
Secchi  (m) 4.20 2.50 2.90 3.90 2.70 2.40 3.20
Secchi (feet) 13.78 8.20 9.51 12.80 8.86 7.87 10.50
Surface
Temperature (C) 25.8 24.0 24.7 23.6 23.3 21.6 21.2
Temperature (F) 78.4 75.2 76.5 74.5 73.9 70.9 70.2
Lake Level (Feet) 803.01 803.15 803.30 803.17 803.10 803.05 803.07



The Gronwall's visual BGA Update for Tuesday September 9th.

  Monday morning (9/9), we observed green algae dots or clumps in the water at about half of our monitoring locations.  This usually is an indication of blue-green algae.  However, the rest of our monitoring locations only had light algae visible in the water column.  No algae surface scum was observed anywhere today.  We also noticed Cladophora in serval near shore areas.  Cladophora is a stringy (Filamentous) type algae that grows on hard surfaces in near shore areas.  Be extra watchful for visible signs of blooms before you or your pets make contact with the lake water.

  Water clarity has decreased ~1 feet over the last week indicating a small increase of algae in the water column.  Water temperature has decreased by 3 F.

  The next two days are forecasted to be in the low 80+ F temperature range.  If we also get a bright sunny sky and calm winds we could see an increase in algae blooms.


Tue. 9/3 Mon. 9/9 Weekly Change
Surface Water Temperature (F): 73.9 70.9 -3
Water Clarity (Ft): 8.9 7.9 -1
Lake Level (Ft): 803.10 803.05 -0.05
Lake Level Relative to Weir (Ft): -0.40 -0.45 -0.05


In Lake Sampling at Deepest Point (9 meter) 2019
Date 15-Jul-19 23-Jul-19 29-Jul-19 5-Aug-19 12-Aug-19 19-Aug-19 26-Aug-19 3-Sep-19 9-Sep-19
Day of Week Mon Tue Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Tue Mon
Secchi  (m) 4.80 3.00 4.00 4.20 2.50 2.90 3.90 2.70 2.40
Secchi (feet) 15.75 9.84 13.12 13.78 8.20 9.51 12.80 8.86 7.87
Surface
Temperature (C) 25.5 26.3 25.6 25.8 24.0 24.7 23.6 23.3 21.6
Temperature (F) 77.9 79.3 78.1 78.4 75.2 76.5 74.5 73.9 70.9
Lake Level (Feet) 803.32 803.22 803.11 803.01 803.15 803.30 803.17 803.10 803.05




The Gronwall's visual BGA Update for Tuesday September 3rd.

  Tuesday morning (9/3), we observed several new near shore and open water locations with Microcystis (blue-green algae) blooms for the first time this summer.   We submitted three blue-green algae bloom reports to the DEC.  Be extra watchful for visible signs of blooms before you or your pets make contact with the lake water.

  Water clarity has decreased ~3.9 feet over the last week.  This is an indication that the amount of algae in the water column has significantly increased since last week.   

  This new Microcystis bloom is being fueled by the mixing of the legacy phosphorous released from the bottom sediments, when the lake was stratified, over the last two months.  We expressed our concern about this issue in our last week’s update.  The trigger for today’s bloom was in addition to an excessive amount of phosphorus in the water; a warmer day, bright sunny sky, and calm winds.

  Always use your own visual assessment before making contact with the lake water at this time of year as the blue-green algae situation can change daily if not hourly.  Please regularly check the new DEC HABs alert map for more detailed updates on Honeoye Lake HABs alerts:

https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ae91142c812a4ab997ba739ed9723e6e  


Mon. 8/26 Tue. 9/3 Weekly Change
Surface Water Temperature (F): 74.5 73.9 -0.6
Water Clarity (Ft): 12.8 8.9 -3.9
Lake Level (Ft): 803.17 803.10 -0.07
Lake Level Relative to Weir (Ft): -0.33 -0.40 -0.07


In Lake Samplng at Deepest Point (9 meter) 2019
Date 15-Jul-19 23-Jul-19 29-Jul-19 5-Aug-19 12-Aug-19 19-Aug-19 26-Aug-19 3-Sep-19
Day of Week Mon Tue Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Tue
Secchi  (m) 4.80 3.00 4.00 4.20 2.50 2.90 3.90 2.70
Secchi (feet) 15.75 9.84 13.12 13.78 8.20 9.51 12.80 8.86
Surface
Temperature (C) 25.5 26.3 25.6 25.8 24.0 24.7 23.6 23.3
Temperature (F) 77.9 79.3 78.1 78.4 75.2 76.5 74.5 73.9
Lake Level (Feet) 803.32 803.22 803.11 803.01 803.15 803.30 803.17 803.10



The Gronwall's visual BGA Update for Monday & Tuesday August 26th & 27th.

  Monday morning (8/26), we observed that we are still experiencing a Gleotrichia (blue-green algae) bloom.  We only saw one near shore area with an algae surface scum that we reported to the DEC.  Be extra watchful for visible signs of blooms before you or your pets make contact with the lake water.

  Water clarity has increased ~3.3 feet over the last week.  Then surface water temperature has decreased from 76.5 F to 74.5 F over the last week.   

  Tuesday morning (8/27), we had a South wind gusting to 21 MPH with 2 foot high white caps.  We went out to our regular 30 foot deep water quality monitoring location and found the lake had complexly mixed this morning.  The water column had a uniform temperature of 73.6 F from top to bottom.  This would have mixed the nutrient rich bottom water with all water levels in the lake.  If we get warmer days with calm winds over the next week these nutrients could fuel a significant traditional late summer blue-green algae bloom.


Mon. 8/19 Mon. 8/26 Weekly Change
Surface Water Temperature (F): 76.5 74.5 -2
Water Clarity (Ft): 9.5 12.8 3.3
Lake Level (Ft): 803.30 803.17 -0.13
Lake Level Relative to Weir (Ft): -0.20 -0.33 -0.13


In Lake Samplng at Deepest Point (9 meter) 2019
Date 8-Jul-19 15-Jul-19 23-Jul-19 29-Jul-19 5-Aug-19 12-Aug-19 19-Aug-19 26-Aug-19
Day of Week Mon Mon Tue Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon
Secchi  (m) 2.90 4.80 3.00 4.00 4.20 2.50 2.90 3.90
Secchi (feet) 9.51 15.75 9.84 13.12 13.78 8.20 9.51 12.80
Surface
Temperature (C) 25.5 25.5 26.3 25.6 25.8 24.0 24.7 23.6
Temperature (F) 77.9 77.9 79.3 78.1 78.4 75.2 76.5 74.5
Lake Level (Feet) 803.55 803.32 803.22 803.11 803.01 803.15 803.30 803.17



The Gronwall's visual BGA Update for Monday August 12th.

  Monday morning (8/12), The Gleotrichia (blue-green algae) bloom that has been occurring for the last 6 weeks was still visible in the water column.  No surface algae scum was seen.  We did observe two isolated near shore Gleotrichia blooms that we reported to the DEC.

  Water clarity dropped to 8.2 feet and surface water temperature dropped to 75.2 F.  This was probably due to the rain storms we got last week and the cooler weather we have been having recently.  The lake continues to be stratified.

   

Honeoye Lake Data
Mon. 8/5 Mon. 8/12 Weekly Change
Surface Water Temperature (F): 78.4 75.2 -3.2
Water Clarity (Ft): 13.8 8.2 -5.6
Lake Level (Ft): 803.01 803.15 0.14
Lake Level Relative to Weir (Ft): -0.49 -0.35 0.14


In Lake Samplng at Deepest Point (9 meter) 2019
Date 1-Jul-19 8-Jul-19 15-Jul-19 23-Jul-19 29-Jul-19 5-Aug-19 12-Aug-19
Day of Week Mon Mon Mon Tue Mon Mon Mon
Secchi  (m) 3.10 2.90 4.80 3.00 4.00 4.20 2.50
Secchi (feet) 10.17 9.51 15.75 9.84 13.12 13.78 8.20
Surface
Temperature (C) 24.3 25.5 25.5 26.3 25.6 25.8 24.0
Temperature (F) 75.7 77.9 77.9 79.3 78.1 78.4 75.2
Lake Level (Feet) 803.71 803.55 803.32 803.22 803.11 803.01 803.15




The Gronwall's visual BGA Update for Monday August 5th.

  Monday morning (8/5), The Gleotrichia (blue-green algae) bloom that has been occurring for the last month was less intense than the previous week, but still visible in the water column.  No surface scum was seen.

  Water clarity was 13.8 feet.  This is about double what the water clarity normally is in late July.  The lake has remained stratified since late June keeping the phosphorus released from the bottom sediments during this time trapped below the thermocline and unavailable to fuel a late summer blue-green algae bloom.


Honeoye Lake Data
Mon. 7/29 Mon. 8/5 Weekly Change
Surface Water Temperature (F): 78.1 78.4 0.3
Water Clarity (Ft): 13.1 13.8 0.7
Lake Level (Ft): 803.11 803.01 -0.1
Lake Level Relative to Weir (Ft): -0.39 -0.49 -0.1


In Lake Samplng at Deepest Point (9 meter) 2019
In Lake Samplng at Deepest Point (9 meter) 2019
Date 17-Jun-19 24-Jun-19 1-Jul-19 8-Jul-19 15-Jul-19 23-Jul-19 29-Jul-19 5-Aug-19
Day of Week Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Tue Mon Mon
Secchi  (m) 4.50 2.20 3.10 2.90 4.80 3.00 4.00 4.20
Secchi (feet) 14.76 7.22 10.17 9.51 15.75 9.84 13.12 13.78
Surface
Temperature (C) 21.2 21.7 24.3 25.5 25.5 26.3 25.6 25.8
Temperature (F) 70.2 71.1 75.7 77.9 77.9 79.3 78.1 78.4
Lake Level (Feet) 803.33 803.90 803.71 803.55 803.32 803.22 803.11 803.01



The Gronwall's visual BGA Update for Monday July 29th.

  Monday morning (7/29), The Gleotrichia (blue-green algae) bloom that has been occurring for the last month is still visible in the water column.  No surface scum was seen.  Gleotrichia is an early summer species of blue-green algae that gets its nutrients directly from the bottom sediments during the winter and spring.

  Water clarity was 13.1 feet.  This is about double what the water clarity normally is in late July.  This is probably because the normal late summer blue-green algae species that are more dense haven't started to bloom yet. 

   Always use your own visual assessment before making contact with the lake water at this time of year as the blue-green algae situation can change daily if not hourly.  Please regularly check the new DEC HABs alert map for more detailed updates on Honeoye Lake HABs alerts:

https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ae91142c812a4ab997ba739ed9723e6e  



Honeoye Lake Data

Tue. 7/23 Mon. 7/29 Weekly Change
Surface Water Temperature (F): 79.3 78.1 -1.2
Water Clarity (Ft): 9.8 13.1 3.3
Lake Level (Ft): 803.22 803.11 -0.11
Lake Level Relative to Weir (Ft): -0.28 -0.39

-0.11



In Lake Samplng at Deepest Point (9 meter) 2019
Date 24-May-19 31-May-19 3-Jun-19 10-Jun-19 17-Jun-19 24-Jun-19 1-Jul-19 8-Jul-19 15-Jul-19 23-Jul-19 29-Jul-19
Day of Week Fri Fri Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Tue Mon
Secchi  (m) 4.50 4.50 4.00 3.50 4.50 2.20 3.10 2.90 4.80 3.00 4.00
Secchi (feet) 14.76 14.76 13.12 11.48 14.76 7.22 10.17 9.51 15.75 9.84 13.12
Surface
Temperature (C) 16.6 19.3 18.2 19.6 21.2 21.7 24.3 25.5 25.5 26.3 25.6
Temperature (F) 61.9 66.7 64.8 67.3 70.2 71.1 75.7 77.9 77.9 79.3 78.1
Lake Level (Feet) 803.74 803.65 803.53 803.35 803.33 803.90 803.71 803.55 803.32 803.22 803.11


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