CLA: “Deeper Than You Think”
The Cazenovia Lake Association is a volunteer organization whose purpose is to inform, collaborate and facilitate on all issues pertaining to Cazenovia Lake. Often times the true mission and scope of service is overshadowed by the ever-present Eurasian Milfoil issue that has impacted our lake and seemingly countless others over the past few decades. While this issue is certainly of critical importance to our community at large, we feel it is important to remind our friends and neighbors of the broad spectrum of services and affiliations we are involved in on a day to day basis.
On a periodic basis through the Cazenovia Republican and via e-mail we will provide updates on our efforts to maintain and preserve one of our most cherished community assets.
With regards to our 2019 treatment of Eurasian Milfoil the results have been very positive. Select areas were treated in May and there has been a pronounced reduction in this weed’s density. This is perhaps most conspicuous on the north end where the water depth is quite shallow and the Eurasian Milfoil density has been extreme in the past. As we know this is not a “one and done” initiative. It is expensive and requires regular treatments. Donations of any amount are of vital importance.
Another issue which garners a great deal of attention state-wide, in fact nationally is that of HAB or Harmful Algal Blooms. This topic is generating a great deal of attention because of the potential impacts of SOME algae. Rapid identification of a potential issue and testing are of paramount importance. The municipalities involved have to act out of an abundance of caution and will typically close swimming areas and issue public precautions until the results are back. This process can take days. Unfortunately, there remains much that we don’t know about HAB. The Cazenovia Lake Association is actively involved on the local, regional and state level and will serve as a conduit to our community and local governments about this and other issues. Additionally, the CLA is performing weekly inspections of the lake for any potential HAB outbreaks.
As part of the Cazenovia Lake Association’s commitment to our lake and community we interact with many entities such as CSLAP or Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program, the Cazenovia Watershed Council, CACDA, the Town and Village of Cazenovia and many local universities.
CSLAP is a volunteer program run by the DEC and the NYS Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA). Our board has a member who supports the CSLAP program by taking water samples from the lake every two weeks. The program is intended to track and detect existing lake issues and use the collected data to better understand our lake as well as all of the more than 7,500 lakes, ponds and reservoirs in the State.
The Cazenovia Lake Association meets monthly throughout the year and invites anyone who is interested in learning more about the CLA or our lake to sign up at cazlake.org.
Cazenovia Lake Association, 2020
Thomas Tait