State DEC visits Paradise Park to investigate rising phosphorus in Lake Runnemede

State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) staff visited Paradise Park on June 17 to conduct fact‑finding on rising phosphorus levels in Lake Runnemede, the commission's minutes say. The delegation included Dr. Peter Isles (DEC cyanobacteria specialist), Mark Mitchell and Lizzie Gallagher from DEC Lakes and Ponds, and local Watershed Management Division director Marie Caduto; JB hosted the visit and joined field sampling.

The minutes record that old data indicate an inflow of about 1.8 million gallons per day and a residence time near 68 days, and that DEC and park staff conducted water sampling at two lake sites. DEC reported the watershed is small and recent precipitation does not appear to be delivering significant catchment runoff; investigators flagged groundwater inflow, wetland inputs through the northwest beaver baffle, and internal bioturbation (carp, recent fish spawning, beaver activity) as plausible sources of phosphorus. MM will forward laboratory results when the state lab completes processing, and DEC said it will hold internal discussions on next steps. The commission and DEC discussed the possible need for third‑party sediment analysis to identify internal loading mechanisms and the potential for a Fish and Wildlife fish survey to assess carp abundance; minutes note a prior fish survey attempt was abandoned due to high conductivity that caused shocks to personnel.