Lake Ronkonkoma Ronkonkoma Update to the 1986 Clean Lakes Study - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Lake Ronkonkoma Ronkonkoma Update to the 1986 Clean Lakes Study Update to the 1986 Clean Lakes Study

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Lake Ronkonkoma The Legend of the Lady of the Lake Source: based on the version found at http://www.geocities.com/timmlimm/princess.htm

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Lady of the Lake Folklore There are several legends surrounding the lady of the lake with a common theme. Here is one version. There is a lake called Lake Ronkonkoma that is very deep; in fact, it is believed to be bottomless. There was a tribe of Secatogue Indians living in what is now Sayville. In this tribe there was a princess named Ronkonkoma. She was in love with an Indian Poospatuck prince from an area that is now Bayport, located on the other side of Brown's River where she was forbidden to go. One day they snuck off together to the lake in Ronkonkoma and took their canoe to a romantic spot after dark to make love. The spirits did not approve of this, as people on opposite sides of the river should not mix. So the boat sunk, and their bodies fell forever and ever down into the bottomless lake. So every year the angry Indian princess kills two lovers and pulls their souls to the bottom of the lake. And every year at least one young couple dies. Source: based on the version found at http://www.geocities.com/timmlimm/princess.htm

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma 1986 Clean Lakes Study • A combined effort. Agencies included: – Suffolk County Planning and Health Departments, as well as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation • The Study identified the following problems: – Bacteria (affecting lake activities) – Algae blooms (indicating a potential imbalance in the ecosystem as well as an aesthetic issue) – Elevated phosphorus levels – Elevated nitrogen loading – Incompatible land use – Degraded shoreline – Illegal dumping • The Study identified stormwater runoff as a primary source of pollution and conveyance of nutrient loads. • The Study included a Management Plan with many recommendations to achieve water quality improvements.

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Since 1986 • The NYS Final 303(d) List includes waterbodies which should be studied to determine if a TMDL is appropriate. Lake Ronkonkoma was listed due to Pathogens and Phosphorus (2002) with suspected sources noted as runoff. Waterbody will be included on the updated 303(d) list for 2006 (although not yet released). • The EPA is currently working on TMDLs. Lake Ronkonkoma is a relatively low priority (nationally). • NYS DEC has classified the Lake as a high priority for TMDL Development • A TMDL would mandate maximum pollutant loads and require reduction strategy with measurable targets. While effective as a program, the preparation requires years of data collection to allow monitoring of success following the TMDL adoption. Thus, a TMDL for Lake Ronkonkoma is years in the future.

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Also since 1986 • DEC has begun to stock walleye fingerlings to control the perch population. • The primary food source of perch is zooplankton, which feed primarily on algae; when perch populations dominate, and zooplankton populations are decreased, algae blooms can occur, sometimes resulting in low dissolved oxygen.

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Also since 1986 • December 2002 – DEC tree stumps used to create eight reef sites in the lake.

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Improvements & Accomplishments • Aesthetics – algae blooms have not been occurring in recent years • SC Acquisitions for open space and drainage improvements • Sedimentation pond installed on Great Bog, east of Steuben Blvd. • Town of Brookhaven Beach Improvement plans have been completed and are pending installation (beach parking lot, drainage basin, water access) • Installation of signs advising not to feed the waterfowl • Stormwater improvements, including storm filters and proposed basin at n/w/c/o Lake Terrace and Lake Shore Road • Pilot program for catch basin inserts • Public Education through the Town Phase II Stormwater Programs • Community activity (Civic and Chamber of Commerce outreach, beach cleanup days, education, geese nest mapping, research on control of geese, continued involvement with the Task Force)

Town of Brookhaven Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Beach and Stormwater Improvement Site Plan

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Problems • Resident Canada Geese population has escalated – Town of Brookhaven Beach not open for swimming due to waterfowl population – Adding stormwater drainage infrastructure does not solve this problem – Need to control population – Methods

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma August 10, 2006 New F&WS Regulatory program Three components: 1. Allow taking of resident Canada geese without a federal permit. 2. Expanded hunting methods and opportunities. 3. Authorizes implementation of a resident Canada goose population control program, or "management take".

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Problems • The water level of the lake is a function of both rainfall and groundwater elevation – The conditions this year illustrate how high quantities of precipitation and high groundwater results in elevated lake levels and flooding problems • Shoreline is subject to erosion in several areas, particularly along Lake Shore Road on the east side of the lake • Population within the primary watershed has increased only slightly since 1990 (by about 100 people)

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma GIS Inventory & Analysis

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Update to the Clean Lake Study Study Area Study Area (2440 Acres) Primary Watershed Lake Area (564 Acres) (158 Acres) Sources: 2004 NYS Orthoimagery Program, USGS DEM

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Bathymetry Source: NYS DEC Bureau of Fisheries

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Topography and Hillshade Lake Proximate Area Digital Elevation Model 17 17.01 - 18 18.01 - 19 19.01 - 22 22.01 - 23 23.01 - 25 25.01 - 27 27.01 - 30 Lake 30.01 - 33 elevation 33.01 - 34 34.01 - 35 17 meters 35.01 - 36 asl 36.01 - 38 38.01 - 40 40.01 - 44 Primary 44.01 - 48 Subdrainage 48.01 - 51 51.01 - 56 Area – 17 to 20 56.01 - 64 meters asl 64.01 - 70 Lake Ronkonkoma Drainage Area Source: USGS DEM

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma SLOPE (as percent) Lake Ronkonkoma Drainage Area Lake Proximate Area SLOPE Percent Slope 0 - 1.4 1.5 - 3.6 3.7 - 6.5 6.6 - 10 11 - 15 16 - 21 Lake and ponds Source: USGS DEM

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Sewer District and Septic Areas Legend Lake and Ponds S.C.Water Authority properties Sewer Districts Lake Ronkonkoma Drainage Area Lake Proximate Area Residential tax map properties Source: Town parcel files, SCDPW

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Watershed Areas and Public Land Legend Lake Ronkonkoma drainage area Parks_reserve_basins SubDrainage Areas Lake and ponds Digital Elevation Model meters High : 70 Low : 17 Source: USGS DEM

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma 2006 Public Lands 1986

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Possible Vacant Properties Most properties recommended for purchase in 1986 are now owned by the county or a town. TAX ACREAGE Tax-map-number ADDRESS LAST_NAME ASSESSOR LANDUSE 0.196 0500021000300063000 4 LAKE CREST LANE LAKE CREST BEACH CLUB 311 0.257 0500022000100009000 152 ROSE DRIVE NAME 311 0.459 0500022000100007001 143 LAKE SHORE DRINAME 312 0.195 0500022000200004001 95 STILLWATERS ROA NAME 311 0.135 0500022000100050000 129 LAKE SHORE DRINAME 311 0.081 0500022000200009000 PO BOX 411 NAME 311 0.207 0800171000400037000 10 KAPPLER CT NAME 311 0.361 0800171000400043000 PO BOX 573 DEERA HOMES INC 330 0.048 0800171000400036002 77 BENSON AVE HUGH C HACKETT INC 330 0.118 0800171000600008000 432 SMITHTOWN BLV NAME 330 0.099 0800171000600010000 432 SMITHTOWN BLV NAME 311 0.515 0200688000100028000 LK RONKONKOMA NAME 330 0.813 0500010000300107002 310

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Census 2000 Legend 2000 Census Blocks adjusted population 0 1 - 8 9 - 18 19 - 27 28 - 37 38 - 50 51 - 65 66 - 90 91 - 125 126 - 172 173 - 570 streets Source: US Census 13,927 residents (compared to 13,823 in 1990)

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma 1992 Land Cover Lake Ronkonkoma Drainage Area USGS Land Cover 1992 ID 11 open water 21 Low density residential 22 High density residential 23 commercial/industrial/transportation 41 deciduous forest 42 evergreen forest 43 mixed forest 85 urban/recreational grasses 91 woody wetlands 92 emergent herbaceous wetlands Roads Lake Proximate Area Source: USGS, 1992

Update to the1986 Clean Lakes Study for Lake Ronkonkoma Land Use Source: 1998 Suffolk County Tax Map Parcel