Environmental Issues
Attached is an important update letter from the Green Pond Ecological Society from August 2020
| gpes_email_to_ctd_community_200831.pdf |
Sherman Health of the Lake Forum
| sherman_forum.pdf |
For a reminder of the environmental recommendations made for Sheman CT in 2003 see:
| 2003_recommendations_for_sherman.pdf |
Zebra Mussel and other invasive species- What we can do to limit the threat to Candlewood and Green Pond
Because of the difficulty of fully decontaminating a boat that has been in a waterbody infested with zebra mussels or other invasive plants or animals, it is best to avoid introducing a boat into Candlewood or Green Pond that has been in an infected water body anytime within the current boating season. If this can not be avoided, then there are a number of critical steps that need to be taken to avoid introducing zebras or other invasive species into Candlewood or Green Pond. Basically, these steps include "Clean, Drain and Dry". Note that to be effective, the needed drying time during the boating season to kill off zebras or their offspring can be up to 29 days- meaning that if you boat in an infected lake, it may require as long as 29 days before you can safely launch your boat into Candlewood or Green Pond- all the more reason to stay away from infected water bodies altogether and not risk infecting Candlewood or Green Pond.
Although we know that the water chemistries of Candlewood would likely support zebras, we're not sure about Green Pond at this point. Until we can determine if Green Ponds water chemistries could support zebras, it is better to err on the side of caution and take steps to prevent the introduction of zebras into both waterbodies.
From Candlewood Lake United's facebook page:
Zebra Mussels can hide and hitchhike in a variety of ways. They can also live while out of water for varying amounts of time. Be aware that swimming and diving in infected waters can allow them to hitchhike, so don’t think about zebras just in terms of your boat. To help stop the spread of zebra mussels, here’s what YOU can do:
1. Know where they can hide
2. Know how long they can survive out of water
3. Know where they already are
To help you, here are 3 lists –
1. The “hiding places” that allow zebra mussels to hitchhike from place to place
2. The drying times required in the CT area to insure that the zebras will not survive
3. The states/specific waters in the New England & surrounding area that are *already* infected
When traveling from one body of water to another, especially a body of water with a known infection, you should always inspect your belongings, equipment and watercraft when you leave. You should then clean, drain and dry your property and then inspect it again before you launch in another body of water.
A List of Where Zebra Mussels Can Hide
All Watercraft including:
Power Boats, Fishing and Bass Boats, Water Ski Boats, Pontoon Boats, Dinghies and Rowboats, Sailboats, Personal Watercraft, Kayaks, Canoes, Inflatables, Rafts, Tubes
Watercraft surfaces that must be checked: entire hull, deck, transom wall, motor, motor cooling system, live wells, ballast tanks, bladders, bilges, lower outboard units, lights, pilot tube, depth sounders, trim tabs, depth transducers, water intakes and outlets, propeller, propulsion units, all water systems using lake water (a/c, personal sanitation, wash down systems, if installed), filter screens, pumps, valves, trolling motors, centerboard trunk, rudder, transom, keel and fillings.
Trailers and Tow Vehicles – Check all surfaces in water contact: frame, axles, license plate and holders, lights and wiring, fenders, hangers, tires and wheels, rollers and bunks, springs, pockets and hollow spaces.
All Water Equipment including:
Boating Gear - Life jackets, float cushions, anchors, lines and ropes, fenders, floats, paddles
Skiing Gear - Water skis, tow ropes, ski gloves
Fishing Gear - Bait containers/buckets, nets, rods and reels, other fishing equipment
Swimming Gear - Bathing suits, goggles, masks
Beach Gear - beach toys used in the water (pails, etc), floats, noodles
Diving and Snorkeling Gear - Regulators, buoyancy compensation devices, wetsuits, masks, gloves, boots, snorkels
Hunting gear - Waterfowl decoys, camouflage blinds
Personal Gear - Clothing, footwear, other belongings
Pets - if exposed to water through playing/swimming
Seaplanes - All surfaces in water contact.
A List of Drying Times
Zebra mussels can survive out of water for varying amounts of time. Cool, damp weather allows them to survive longer than when it’s dry and hot. Here are the days of drying time, by month, recommended to insure that they have died. This is especially important when you are traveling from an infected body of water to one that isn’t.
April - 29 days
May - 19 days
June, July, Aug - 7 days
Sept. - 12 days
Oct. - 19 days
A List of Infected Bodies of Water in New England, NY, NJ and PA
CT East Twin Lake
CT Lillinonah
CT West Twin Lake
CT Zoar
MA Laurel Lake
ME none
NJ none
NH none
NY Ballston Lake
NY Black Lake
NY Canadarago Lake
NY Canandaigua Lake
NY Cayuga Lake
NY Chautauqua Lake
NY Conesus Lake
NY Cross Lake
NY Eaton Reservoir
NY Erie Canal
NY Goodyear Lake
NY Hemlock Lake
NY Honeoye Lake
NY Hudson River
NY Irondequit Bay
NY Keuka Lake
NY Lake Champlain
NY Lake Erie
NY Lake George
NY Lake Ontario
NY Mohawk River
NY Niagara River
NY Oneida Lake
NY Oneida River
NY Onondaga Lake
NY Oswegatchie River
NY Oswego River
NY Otisco Lake
NY Owasco Lake
NY Saratoga Lake
NY Senca River
NY Seneca Lake
NY Silver Lake
NY Skaneateles Lake
NY Sodus Bay (Big)
NY Sodus Bay (Little)
NY St. Lawrence River
NY Susquehanna River
PA Allegheny River
PA Canadohta Lake
PA Dutch Springs Reservoir
PA Edinboro Lake
PA Lake Erie
PA Monongahela River
PA Ohio River
PA Sandy Lake
RI none
VT Lake Bomoseen
VT Lake Champlain
VT Lake Dumnmore
VT Lake Hortonia
Although we know that the water chemistries of Candlewood would likely support zebras, we're not sure about Green Pond at this point. Until we can determine if Green Ponds water chemistries could support zebras, it is better to err on the side of caution and take steps to prevent the introduction of zebras into both waterbodies.
From Candlewood Lake United's facebook page:
Zebra Mussels can hide and hitchhike in a variety of ways. They can also live while out of water for varying amounts of time. Be aware that swimming and diving in infected waters can allow them to hitchhike, so don’t think about zebras just in terms of your boat. To help stop the spread of zebra mussels, here’s what YOU can do:
1. Know where they can hide
2. Know how long they can survive out of water
3. Know where they already are
To help you, here are 3 lists –
1. The “hiding places” that allow zebra mussels to hitchhike from place to place
2. The drying times required in the CT area to insure that the zebras will not survive
3. The states/specific waters in the New England & surrounding area that are *already* infected
When traveling from one body of water to another, especially a body of water with a known infection, you should always inspect your belongings, equipment and watercraft when you leave. You should then clean, drain and dry your property and then inspect it again before you launch in another body of water.
A List of Where Zebra Mussels Can Hide
All Watercraft including:
Power Boats, Fishing and Bass Boats, Water Ski Boats, Pontoon Boats, Dinghies and Rowboats, Sailboats, Personal Watercraft, Kayaks, Canoes, Inflatables, Rafts, Tubes
Watercraft surfaces that must be checked: entire hull, deck, transom wall, motor, motor cooling system, live wells, ballast tanks, bladders, bilges, lower outboard units, lights, pilot tube, depth sounders, trim tabs, depth transducers, water intakes and outlets, propeller, propulsion units, all water systems using lake water (a/c, personal sanitation, wash down systems, if installed), filter screens, pumps, valves, trolling motors, centerboard trunk, rudder, transom, keel and fillings.
Trailers and Tow Vehicles – Check all surfaces in water contact: frame, axles, license plate and holders, lights and wiring, fenders, hangers, tires and wheels, rollers and bunks, springs, pockets and hollow spaces.
All Water Equipment including:
Boating Gear - Life jackets, float cushions, anchors, lines and ropes, fenders, floats, paddles
Skiing Gear - Water skis, tow ropes, ski gloves
Fishing Gear - Bait containers/buckets, nets, rods and reels, other fishing equipment
Swimming Gear - Bathing suits, goggles, masks
Beach Gear - beach toys used in the water (pails, etc), floats, noodles
Diving and Snorkeling Gear - Regulators, buoyancy compensation devices, wetsuits, masks, gloves, boots, snorkels
Hunting gear - Waterfowl decoys, camouflage blinds
Personal Gear - Clothing, footwear, other belongings
Pets - if exposed to water through playing/swimming
Seaplanes - All surfaces in water contact.
A List of Drying Times
Zebra mussels can survive out of water for varying amounts of time. Cool, damp weather allows them to survive longer than when it’s dry and hot. Here are the days of drying time, by month, recommended to insure that they have died. This is especially important when you are traveling from an infected body of water to one that isn’t.
April - 29 days
May - 19 days
June, July, Aug - 7 days
Sept. - 12 days
Oct. - 19 days
A List of Infected Bodies of Water in New England, NY, NJ and PA
CT East Twin Lake
CT Lillinonah
CT West Twin Lake
CT Zoar
MA Laurel Lake
ME none
NJ none
NH none
NY Ballston Lake
NY Black Lake
NY Canadarago Lake
NY Canandaigua Lake
NY Cayuga Lake
NY Chautauqua Lake
NY Conesus Lake
NY Cross Lake
NY Eaton Reservoir
NY Erie Canal
NY Goodyear Lake
NY Hemlock Lake
NY Honeoye Lake
NY Hudson River
NY Irondequit Bay
NY Keuka Lake
NY Lake Champlain
NY Lake Erie
NY Lake George
NY Lake Ontario
NY Mohawk River
NY Niagara River
NY Oneida Lake
NY Oneida River
NY Onondaga Lake
NY Oswegatchie River
NY Oswego River
NY Otisco Lake
NY Owasco Lake
NY Saratoga Lake
NY Senca River
NY Seneca Lake
NY Silver Lake
NY Skaneateles Lake
NY Sodus Bay (Big)
NY Sodus Bay (Little)
NY St. Lawrence River
NY Susquehanna River
PA Allegheny River
PA Canadohta Lake
PA Dutch Springs Reservoir
PA Edinboro Lake
PA Lake Erie
PA Monongahela River
PA Ohio River
PA Sandy Lake
RI none
VT Lake Bomoseen
VT Lake Champlain
VT Lake Dumnmore
VT Lake Hortonia