Chautauqua Lake: Independent Third Party Monitoring

Princeton Hydro has provided a number of environmental services towards the long-term planning and management of the approximately 13,000-acre Chautauqua Lake, located in the southwestern corner of New York.

In 2019, Princeton Hydro was selected to serve as an independent, third-party monitoring consultant for the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Alliance to oversee efforts to manage macrophytes using aquatic herbicides. As part of this effort, Princeton Hydro provided a full suite of independent oversight to ensure the state-licensed applicator followed NYSDEC permit regulations and upheld the tenants of the locally approved Memorandum of Agreement. This effort included not only administrative and field oversight but also included a full suite of scientific monitoring of the macrophyte community and water quality pre- and post-application of herbicides.

Macrophyte monitoring was conducted by Princeton Hydro ecologists prior to, and thirty days after, herbicide application. This monitoring served to document the community composition, abundance, and general health of the plant community. Furthermore, this monitoring was evaluated through non-parametric statistical methods and Floristic Quality Analyses to evaluate the impact of the herbicide treatment on target and non-target plants. Finally, Princeton Hydro conducted monitoring for in-situ water quality and discrete laboratory analyses to determine potential drift of herbicides outside of the treatment zone and near critical drinking water infrastructure. Specifically, water samples were collected to analyze for selected herbicide active ingredients.

Princeton Hydro summarized all relevant data into a concise, factual representation of plant and water quality conditions at the lake during the period of monitoring. This peer-reviewed report was subsequently presented by Princeton Hydro to the community at a public meeting that summarized the results and implications for management. Princeton Hydro provided customized recommendations on how to improve such a program in the future.