Keuka Lake Association

As boaters look forward to the 4th of July holiday, thousands of law enforcement officers across the United States will be on heightened alert for those violating boating under the influence (BUI) laws. From July 2 - 4, New York State Park Police, the State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Police, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the U.S. Coast Guard, along with other state and local agencies will participate in Operation Dry Water. Operation Dry Water is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign with a national weekend intended for law enforcement agencies across the country to intensify efforts on preventing incidents related to impaired boating and to educate boaters about safe boating practices, including sober boating.

For full press release click here.

Keuka Comfort Care Home (KCCH) is looking for kayaker
volunteers for its most important fund-raiser, Krossin’ Keuka, the morning of
Saturday, July 29th.    If you are not familiar with KCCH, we provide
hospice-like, end-of-life service to residents and their families at no
cost.  We are able to do this through
donations and fund-raising events.  One
of our largest fund-raising events is Krossin’ Keuka, where participants get
sponsors and swim across Keuka at Keuka College’s Point Neamo, approximately
2/3 of a mile.
Such an event requires a large number of volunteers to
assure the safety of the nearly 150 swimmers.  We are in need of some additional kayakers who
line the course and provide support for the swimmers as they proceed.  The event begins at 8 a.m. and wraps up
around 11 a.m.   There will be an
orientation/training session on an evening the week before the event,
specific  time and date to be determined.
If you are interested in this fun, but important volunteer
opportunity, we would appreciate your help.
Contact me by email kmjring@gmail.com
or phone 585-261-8375, and I will fill you in on further details.  Thanks for your consideration.
Kevin Ring

Keuka Lake Association is seeking interested members for our Board of Directors.  Our mission is to preserve and protect Keuka Lake and its natural beauty for future generations. We are seeking individuals who are interested in the health and well-being of our beautiful lake. All backgrounds are welcome, especially individuals with a finance, science, social media/marketing or engineering background. Directors are appointed for two-year terms. The Board generally meets monthly on the first Wednesday
evening of each month. 

If you are interested and would like to be considered for nomination as a Keuka Lake Association Director, please send your resume
with contact information and a letter of interest (or if you’d simply like more information) contact Steve Brigham at spbrigham@hotmail.com

It has been a while since we have made KLA merchandise available to our members. We are excited to announce that we are making a limited amount of custom KLA swag available for purchase on Zazzle.com. We expect to add additional items over time, so check back often. From Zazzle.com simply search KLA_Apparel or follow this Link.

Many people like to take firewood from their homes before traveling
to a campsite. Invasive pests like the emerald ash borer or Asian
longhorned beetle often hitch a ride to new areas in untreated firewood.
Transport of untreated firewood across the state has caused outbreaks
of these damaging pests.
Since 2009, New York State has regulated the movement of firewood to
keep the spread of invasives down. Untreated firewood must have been
grown in NY and cannot be moved more than 50 miles from where it was
grown or its source. Producers of firewood for sale are allowed to
declare their business as the source provided the wood was grown within
50 miles of their business and they must maintain documentation. Those
moving untreated firewood for their own use must fill out a Self-Issued Certificate of Origin (PDF).
Treated firewood, which has been heated to a core temperature of 160° F
for 75 minutes and labeled as “New York Approved Heat-treated
Firewood/Pest Free,” can be moved without restrictions. DEC has an
interactive map that shows if firewood’s source and its destination are
within 50 miles. View the map.
Violation of firewood regulations can result in fines, penalties, and
the potential destruction of beloved trees and habitats. The safest way
to enjoy a campfire and protect New York forests is to buy and burn
local firewood at your destination. Read more about New York’s firewood regulations on DEC’s website.

A PDF version of the new 2022 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide is now available to download from the DEC website. Hard copies of the guide are currently being produced and guides are anticipated to be available at License Issuing Agents by the second week of April. Hard copies can also be requested by emailing fwfish@dec.ny.gov. Season starts April 1.

Look for the Zero: Use Only Phosphorus-Free Lawn Fertilizer
DEC encourages homeowners to go phosphorus-free when using lawn fertilizer. Consumers should review bag labels for phosphorus content when shopping for fertilizer. Fertilizer labels have three numbers. The number in the middle is the percentage of phosphorus in the product. Regardless of the lawn's location, excess phosphorus can wash off and pollute lakes and streams, harming fish and ruining boating and swimming. For more information, visit DEC's Lawn Fertilizer webpage.

The KLA would like to recommend three “starter” websites that you can go to and get clear, relevant, and up-to-date information about HABs. The first 2 sites are from the NY Department of the Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the third is from the NYS Department of Health (DOH).


Please use these sites as your first stop:

1. Good overview and up-to-date info on HABs and actions
2. A one-page brochure with quick info and pics
3. A one-page brochure from DOH with quick info and pics

Note: The first website listed has a link to report the possible HAB to the DEC under "Report It!”. You can fill out a form and email it and post a picture to the DEC. The DEC then notifies our KLA CSLAP representative, Lexie Davis, to take a sample which provides results in a few days.

Exotic Fish found in Keuka Lake
Former KLA Board member, Candy Dietrich,
reported finding a strange looking fish on her shoreline (see below).  She contacted NYSDEC and learned that it was
a European Rudd.  This species is a member of the Cyprinidae
family that includes carp and many true minnows. Historic records indicate that the Rudd was introduced to the United States in the early 20th
century.  This fish has been used for bait in Europe and may have been brought to the US for that purpose.  Rudd resemble the native Golden Shiner, a key bait fish.  These two species can breed and their offspring are considered invasive and could impact the health of the
Golden Shiner population. The United States Geological Service reports that the Rudd have been in the US since the first half of 1900s.  It is now recorded in 20 States, including New York; specific areas include Lake Ontario and Oneida Lake.  The Province of Ontario has banned the possession and sale of Rudd in Canada. Preferred habitats for Rudd are still or slow-moving waters with vegetation.
Life History -
Rudd can reach an age of 15 years, are mature at 2 to 3 years, and produce 3,500 to 23,000 eggs, depending on size.  Adult Rudd range in size from 4 to 10 inches, with a Lake Ontario record of 15 inches.   Their identification includes bright red fins, fully scaled belly, eyes red or with a red spot, small upturned mouth, and they are relatively large compared to most minnows. Adult Rudd eat aquatic plants, insects and small fish, while the young feed on algae, snails, insects, worms and other small invertebrates.
If you catch such a fish, it should NOT be released, but taken to shore for disposal.
Picture from Candy Dietrich, Sept 14, 2022; Note prepared by Dieter Busch, KLA Board Member