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Princeton Hydro was contracted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) to conduct a feasibility assessment of management options to address Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Honeoye Lake (1,808 acres in Ontario County) and Conesus Lake (3,420 acres in Livingston County). The focus of this assessment was on addressing each lakes’ internal phosphorus load, which is a major contributor to HABs in both lakes. The project conducted a review and analysis of all of the data that have been collected on the lakes in the past and then evaluated the potential feasibility and cost effectiveness of nutrient inactivation and aeration.
The data review and analysis concluded that both lakes are good candidates for nutrient inactivation. Both have a naturally high buffering capacity and have a substantial amount of their phosphorus load originating from the release of high amounts of phosphorus from anoxic (dissolved oxygen less than 1 mg/L) sediments. Based on existing data on each lake’s annual hydrologic and phosphorus loads as well as water quality conditions, dosage rates and estimated costs for product and application were provided. The report also identified the need to conduct an alum bench test investigation to quantitatively determine the appropriate and safe dosage rate as well as reviewed the necessary State, Federal and local permits.
Several aeration options were also investigated as part of this study, again to address the internal phosphorus load of each lake, by keeping the bottom water oxygenated, which prevents the release of phosphorus from the sediments. Since Honeoye Lake is polymictic, or periodically mixes over the growing season due to prevailing weather conditions, the assessment determined that a destratification system would be the most cost effective approach to minimize its internal phosphorus load. Princeton Hydro then worked with a subcontractor to put together a conceptual design for a destratification system. Given the complicated morphometry and thermal dynamics of Conesus Lake a number of aeration strategies were reviewed. It was final determined that a direct oxygen injection system (DOX system) would be the most cost effective approach for Conesus Lake.
Some additional guidance and recommendations were developed in the long-term strategy of addressing the internal phosphorus load in these two lakes. This included discussions on the modeling and design specifications for specific aeration systems, as well as planning issues for both strategies such as funding, shoreline access agreements, ownership of equipment, long-term inspection, operation and maintenance, permit requirements, public hearings and notices, regulatory review and approval, bid specifications, and contractor oversight / project management.
Finally, a two tiered strategy was recommended, where nutrient inactivation would be conducted for HAB control at both lakes first by nutrient inactivation, followed by the installation and operation of the aeration systems. This strategy would provide both short- and long-term relief from HABs. The State of New York is in the process of moving forward with these recommendations.
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