The Milfoil Team has been on the bottom of the lake rolling up the benthic matting. Â After all the mats are rolled the team brings out a pontoon boat with an electric winch to pick them up.
One member of the team in a diving suit secures the rolled mat into straps that are attached to the winch. The winch lifts the rolled mat and they are positioned on the boat.
Wet, with rebar sewn into pockets every 6 feet and as much as 80 feet long the mats are very heavy. Then they are off to the next site for pick up. The pontoon boat can hold up to 8 rolled mats. When the team has retrieved a full load of mats, they bring the loaded pontoon boat to the town boat launch where John Menapace has the trailer, equipped with a hydraulic crane in place on the ramp. The team pulls the pontoon boat up to one side of the trailer and puts a strap under each end of a rolled mat. John carefully maneuvers the crane to place the rolled mat onto the trailer. This process is repeated until all the mats are loaded onto the trailer. Then the team heads out to pick up more mats and John heads back to the shop to unload the mats for winter storage. We all owe the Milfoil Team (Liam Wilson, Jason Hole, Keith Marsden, Carrie Harkin) and John Menapace a round of applause for their work which is often carried out in cold water or hot weather or very rough waters.
What is with all this foam…..
Many concerned area residents have been asking about the foam and sending us pictures of the foam. We have also heard from some residents who who say basically “it happens and has been happening, nothing new.” You may have read the scientific explanations in the various newspapers (Syracuse and Auburn) that clarify that it is a natural phenomenon resulting from air mixing with organic material which most commonly occurs in the fall. The DEC also notes foam can occur at any time with the introduction of detergents. Foam has also been attributed to the excretion of organic material from zebra mussels. In response to the concerns, the SLA has done two things. We have collected a specimen of the foam and we are paying to have the specimen analyzed by a laboratory from Canandiauga. The results of this testing will be available in about two weeks. We have also asked the Syracuse Water Department to test the water, itself, for phosphate levels and surfactants which they have done. We should have the results of that testing this week. Stay tunned.
The SLA still needs more 2013 members…..
You can join the Skaneateles Lake Association by going to SkaneatelesLake.org and clicking on “become a member”. You can also call 315-685-9106 to have a registration form mailed or mail a check made out to the Skaneateles Lake Association to P. O. Box 862, Skaneateles, NY 13152. Annual membership dues are $100 for a couple/family embership or $50 for an individual membership. Additional donations are alwayshelpful and appreciated. Annual dues and donations are tax deductible.
Please thank the following people for sponsoring of the milfoil boat through their membership dues and additional generous donations: Sept. 16th Paul Alexander, Lynda & John Parsons, Karen & Chris Kreidler; Sept. 17th Illyssa & Tim Green, Elizabeth Liddy; Sept. 18th Nancy & Douglas McDowall, Mary & Joseph Gaffney; Sept. 19th Ten Mile Point Cottage Owners Association, Darcy & Douglas Sedgwick.
Source: Skaneateles Journal