County recognizes Seneca Canal as part of Cuga Lake watershed after local monitoring

Isaac Wall Walker, a local watershed organizer, and Lisa Klener, a certified water‑quality lab scientist, presented multi‑partner monitoring that tracked higher specific conductance and elevated nutrient levels in the Seneca Canal and showed mixing into the northern end of Cuga Lake. The board voted to adopt a resolution recognizing the canal as part of the Cuga Lake watershed.

The presenters described a six‑site sampling program run by local volunteers, university interns and the county lab. Walker said the canal’s specific conductance was consistently much higher than the lake’s baseline and that the conductivity signature from the canal was detectable “all the way down to site 8,” indicating canal water was mixing into the lake. He added the pattern was likely magnified by drought conditions last year but was evident on the tracking day.

Lisa Klener presented nutrient and algal biomass data. She said total phosphorus and late‑season nitrogen rose downstream of wastewater treatment plant outfalls and that chlorophyll a measurements indicated elevated cyanobacterial biomass near Oak Island and at the Deont site. "So yes, we can say that it is impacting and influencing the lake," Walker said, summarizing the group’s conclusion that canal inputs are contributing nutrients that could foster harmful algal blooms.

Supervisors discussed implications for funding and mitigation. Several members said the canal’s exclusion from the formal watershed designation has made it difficult to access state and federal grants for tertiary treatment at wastewater plants and for other soil‑and‑water projects. Presenters recommended multi‑year monitoring across different hydrologic conditions, targeted sampling of tributary streams, and follow‑up tests on observed blooms to strengthen grant applications and local planning efforts.

Following the presentation and questions, a resolution "To recognize the Cuga Seneca Canal as part of the Cuga Lake watershed" was moved and seconded. The chair called the vote; one brief opposed response was recorded and the motion carried.

Next steps identified by presenters included continued monitoring, exploring grant opportunities for tertiary treatment at plants, and encouraging municipalities to appoint representatives to the intermunicipal watershed organization to press for state recognition and funding. The board recorded the resolution and moved on to the next agenda items.