CLWA Summer 2025 Newsletter : simplebooklet.com

02Susan MartensonPresident of the BoardCLWAA SEASON OF PROGRESS AND PARTNERSHIPPhoto by Micha JohnsonPhoto by Micha JohnsonSummer is when our missioncomes alive—on the water, atsummer camp, and across thewatershed. Together, we’reprotecting Canandaigua Lakeone action at a time.– SusanNEW LEADERSHIP, SHARED VISIONIn June, we welcomed Emily DeBolt as the new Executive Director of theCanandaigua Lake Watershed Association.Emily brings a wealth of experience in lake conservation, education, andcommunity engagement, from leading programs on Seneca and LakeGeorge to championing native plants and watershed health across NewYork State.As Executive Director, DeBolt is overseeing the organization’s watershedprotection programs, education and outreach efforts, and strategicpartnerships within the Canandaigua Lake region. Her appointment comesat a pivotal time as CLWA expands its efforts to engage the community andrespond to mounting pressures on lake health.Originally from Richmond, VA, DeBolt holds a Bachelor of Arts from CornellUniversity and a Master’s degree in Professional Studies in EnvironmentalInterpretation from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry(ESF). She is a board member of the New York Flora Association and alongtime advocate for native plants, shoreline buffers, and lake-friendlyliving practices.I’m honored and excited to joinCLWA at such a critical time,Canandaigua Lake is trulyexceptional. I look forward toworking with the Board, members,volunteers, and partners toprotect this incredible resourcefor future generations.– EmilyThis summer, we celebrate new beginnings and bold progress. We arethrilled to welcome new CLWA Executive Director Emily DeBolt, whosepassion and deep expertise will guide our next chapter of watershedprotection. She joined CLWA on June 16, 2025.In this issue, you’ll read about inspiring education programs supported bygenerous donations, expanded partnerships with local wineries andbreweries, and a record-setting year of citizen science. This includesunprecedented HABs data collection that informs our Membership, thecommunity, and municipal leaders about current lake conditions. Our dataalso supports NYS DEC efforts for clean water management.From scientific advances to collaborative conservation efforts, ourmomentum is strong. Thank you to our members, donors, andvolunteers. Your support makes this work possible.Let’s keep up the good work for Canandaigua Lake.

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03CLWA Bud RohrerStewardship Awardwinner Sally Napolitano(R) with CLWA Past-President Lynn KlotzCLWA Partner in ProtectionAward winner GlobalAquatic Research, RickSmith (R) and StellaWoodard with CLWA BODmember Joel PasternackStronger Together: 2025 CLWAAnnual Meeting Highlights SharedProgress and New LeadershipOn June 24, CLWA welcomed more than 100 members,donors, partners, and local officials to its 2025 AnnualMeeting, a powerful reminder of the shared commitment toprotecting Canandaigua Lake.Board President Susan Martenson shared highlights from astrong year, including expanded science programs, educationefforts, and community outreach. We also voted in new boardmembers, approved the officer slate for the coming year, andintroduced CLWA’s new Executive Director Emily DeBolt. Special guest speaker Kevin Olvany from the CanandaiguaLake Watershed Council (CLWC) delivered a State of the Lakeupdate, highlighting both the challenges and opportunitiesahead, particularly around runoff mitigation and safeguardingwater quality. He also shared news of the Friends ofCanandaigua Lake private fundraising initiative now underwayto benefit CLWC, along with the Wegmans' Make A Splashfundraising campaign, which is donating 50% of proceeds toCLWA.Thank you to everyone who joined us—and continues tostand with CLWA in protecting the lake we all love.CLWA Friend of theLake Award winnerDoug LlewellynCLWA Volunteer ofthe Year Awardwinner LynnThurstonWe are honored to recognize this year’sCLWA Stewardship Award winners:

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04Balancing the Books, Protecting the LakeAfter three years of her dedicated service, we extend our heartfeltthanks to Shaynee Rainbolt as she concludes her term as CLWATreasurer and board member. Shaynee brought professionalism, warmth, and a steady hand to ourfinancial stewardship—always with a deep care for the lake and ourmission. Her thoughtful leadership and attention to detail helped guideCLWA through important transitions and growth. Notably, shemodernized our records management and payroll services, and shesuccessfully led us through our first financial audit required when anon-profit crosses the $250,000 income threshold. While we will miss her presence on the board, we are grateful for hertime, talent, and commitment to protecting Canandaigua Lake. Thank you, Shaynee, for your meaningful contributions and lastingimpact. You’ll always be part of the CLWA family.Register for all events on our website:cananadaigualakeassoc.orgTuesday, July 29, 8 AM - 10 AMJoin us and Finger Lakes PRISM in the West River (Naples) to help remove aquaticinvasive species, focusing on European frogbit and water chestnut. A brief AISoverview will be given at launch, and some watercrafts will be available.Sunday, August 3, 8:30 AMRun the fastest mile in the Finger Lakes—or walk to support water quality awareness!Join us all after for a post-race party at NY Kitchen and a cleanup at Kershaw Park.Friday, August 1, 4:30 PMJoin us for the Canandaigua Lady’s monthly “Cruise for a Cause” to help raise money forCLWA. Tuesday, July 22, 5:30 PMJoin us at Wood Library for Lakes Appreciation Month to learn about the threatsfacing Canandaigua Lake—and how you can help protect it for future generations.Photo by Jason Cernis

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INVESTING IN FUTURE STEWARDS: EDUCATION ANDEQUIPMENT SUPPORT GROWSLegacy in Action: The Jim Holden Project Empowers Future StewardsIn April, CLWA received a $10,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Canandaigua to launch the Jim HoldenLegacy Project, a hands-on science and environmental education initiative that will empower local studentsto help protect Canandaigua Lake.This project honors Jim Holden, a lifelong educator, Rotarian, and advocate for youth and community.Through this generous bequest from the estate of Jim and Jane Holden, students will monitor lake healthusing professional-grade equipment, a YSI DSS probe, and contribute directly to CLWA’s water qualityresearch. We extend our deepest thanks to the Rotary Club of Canandaigua for believing in the power ofyouth and science to drive meaningful conservation.Fueling Citizen Science with New Tools and SupportCLWA also received a generous $5,000 gift from Xylem, a global water technology company committed tosolving water-related challenges through innovation and collaboration. The donation expands our watermonitoring capacity with additional scientific equipment and supplies. This support strengthens our robustcitizen science program—led by board member Joel Pasternack—and allows volunteers and students togather critical data from both the lake and watershed streams. Students will do data collection at our Waterand Wildlife Camp and during the school year.We are grateful for these generous donations that will enable further data collection. As part of this year’sstudy, four deep-water sites will be measured to at least a depth of 15 meters at the end of each month.Twenty-two creeks will be measured once a month along with as many creeks as possible within two days ofheavy rainfall. Key indicators being tracked include chlorophyll in the lake and nitrate and ammonium levelsin the creeks, alongside specific conductivity and chloride concentrations.3,000 Reasons to Celebrate: Watershed Education in ActionThis past school year, our education team delivered nearly 3,000 student experiences through in-classroomand hands-on field programs across watershed school districts—including Canandaigua, Saint Mary’s, Naples,and Marcus Whitman.Protecting Canandaigua Lake starts with education. By engaging young minds, we’re building the nextgeneration of lake stewards. Thank you to all the students, educators, and partners who made this season oflearning possible.05Canandaigua Rotary President Kim Tenreiro (L) presents CLWA donation along with Rotary member Mark Sheppard (R).Accepting are CLWA Board President Susan Martenson (L) and CLWA Program Manager Lindsey Ayers (R). Pictured to far right isthe Xylem Pro DSS probe purchased as part of the Rotary’s support for the Jim Holden Project.

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06Investing in Future Stewards: Continued from Page 5Join the Wave: Support Lake Protection TodayOur 2025-2026 membership drive is in full swing! If you haven’t renewed or joined yet, now is the perfecttime to make an impact. Your support powers the research, education, and advocacy efforts that protectCanandaigua Lake and its watershed. To those who have already donated—thank you. You're part of a growing community of more than 600members committed to preserving this incredible resource for generations to come. Please note, our fulldonor list with be shared in our fall newsletter!Let’s keep the momentum going. Every member matters. Every gift makes a difference.Hands-On Learning for a Healthier LakeAlongside our broader school district outreach, the 2024–2025 Watershed Education Program—alsosupported by the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council (CLWC)—offered students even more opportunitiesfor hands-on learning. K–6 students are exploring watersheds, water filtration, land use, aquaticmacroinvertebrates, stream sampling, native fish and plants, and harmful algal blooms (HABs).At the same time, CLWA educators continue developing a watershed curriculum through a NYSDEC grant.Once complete, it will be shared with environmental partners across the Finger Lakes to expand regionallake and watershed education.From top left to right: DEC watershed curriculum partner meeting, lesson on HABs for middle school students, trout lesson forhigh school students, stream sampling at Onanda, Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program in action, TIC trout release at the Lake.3 Easy ways to join CLWA: Fill out the Membership Form on page 19 of this newsletter, visitcanandaigualakeassoc.org/get-involved/membership, or call the CLWA office: 585-394-5030.

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We’re raising a glass to clean water and conservation with anexciting new partnership between CLWA and Heron Hill Winery,featuring wines from the sustainably farmed Ingle Vineyard. This summer, Heron Hill has released two beautifully crafted wines—a chardonnay and a cabernet franc—that not only reflect thequality of wines from the Finger Lakes region but also support thehealth of Canandaigua Lake. For every bottle sold, $2 will bedonated to CLWA to support our mission. Both wines are made fromgrapes grown at the historic Ingle Vineyard, nestled in the hillsabove the lake, where thoughtful farming practices help preservethe local ecosystem. This partnership represents a natural alignment of values—celebrating the land while working to protect the water thatsustains it. We’re thrilled to launch this collaboration and see it asjust the beginning. With your support, we hope to expand thisinitiative into a “Wine for the Watershed” series—think wine-of-the-A Toast to Conservation: CLWA Partners withHeron Hill Winery and Ingle VineyardLocal Partner Collaborations You Can SupportWe’re proud to once again collaborate with the NaplesBrewing Company on the refreshing Lakeside Cream Ale—abeer brewed with heart and purpose.Huge thanks to business owners Trevor and Dan for beingsuch thoughtful partners and passionate advocates forprotecting Canandaigua Lake. Your commitment to communityand conservation shines through in every pour. Thank you foryour partnership and all you do for the lake and ourcommunity.Naples Brewing Company is generously donating a portion ofLakeside Cream Ale sales to support CLWA’s lake protectionefforts. Be sure to stop by soon to enjoy a brew—and raise aglass to a healthier watershed!Cheers to Clean Water: Partneringwith Naples Brewing Co.month club, seasonal pairings, and even exclusive tasting events for CLWA members. Whether you're hosting a summer dinner party or relaxing by the lake, these wines are a deliciousway to give back. Every bottle makes a difference. Find the wines at Heron Hill Winery, on theHeron Hills website www.heronhill.com/Shop/CLWA-Wines or at select local retailers--this list willbe coming soon--and sip with purpose. 07

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08We’re pleased to welcome Rachel Bennett and Cody Perez to theCLWA team this summer.Rachel (left) is studying Pure Mathematics with a minor in Business atFlorida State University, and Cody is pursuing a degree inEnvironmental Science at SUNY Fredonia.Both have contributed meaningfully to a range of projects, includingstream sampling, water quality monitoring, developing citizen sciencesurveys, using drones to support lake imaging, and organizinghistorical materials on lake associations around Canandaigua Lake.We appreciate their support and look forward to sharing more abouttheir work in the weeks ahead.Meet the CLWA Interns Making WavesCLWA Program Manager Lindsey Ayers and CLWA board member Doug Merrill attended the42nd Annual Conference of the New York State Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA) this Mayin Lake George. The event brought together environmental professionals, educators, and studentsfrom across the state for a wide range of educational sessions.Topics included invasive species management, geospatial solutions for septic systems, citizenscience collaborations, college research partnerships, and mitigation strategies for harmful algalblooms (HABs).Doug Merrill, who also serves as vice president of the Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance(FLRWA), presented alongside FLRWA President Jacob Welch on proposed HAB legislation in NewYork State. Thank you, Doug, for breaking down this complex topic and sharing your insight—youcontinue to be an outstanding educator and advocate.The conference also provided a great opportunity to connect with lake associations across thestate and strengthen our partnerships within the Finger Lakes region.To cap it all off, CLWA took home a third-place award for the digital edition of our Winter LakeReporter. A big thank you to NYSFOLA for organizing another inspiring gathering—and to everyonewho helps us bring knowledge home to Canandaigua Lake.Lake Lessons & Legislative Leadership: CLWA at NYSFOLA 2025From left to right: Doug Merrill and Jacob Welch presenting on NY HAB’s bill, Doug Merrill presenting, staff member Lindsey Ayersand board member Doug Merrill with partner Finger Lakes Association members, Molly, Marion, Liz and our new ExecutiveDirector Emily DeBolt, all the way to the right.

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Emma Reed is a Canandaigua-born climate scientist and a lifelong aficionado of the lake, and joined the CLWACitizen Science committee in 2024. She received her PhD and MS in Geosciences from the University ofArizona, researching tropical Pacific climate variability and change with support from the National ScienceFoundation and co-authoring seven papers to date. Prior to that, received her BA in Earth Sciences fromCornell University. She now works as a researcher in the insurance industry, modeling changing naturalcatastrophe risk.CLWA 2024-2025 SCIENCE REPORT2024: A BLUE-GREEN YEAR FOR CANANDAIGUA LAKEBY EMMA REED, PHD2024 marked the 7th year of the CLWA’s cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom (cHAB) monitoring program. Itwas our most severe bloom season to date, but our 77 volunteers rose to the challenge, submitting 917monitoring reports, which included 281 confirmed and 44 suspicious blooms. Our volunteers reported theearliest confirmed bloom (6/20) and the latest (11/17), and the longest consecutive streak of bloom days (14days, from September 10th through September 23rd). These reports kept the watershed communityapprised of lake-wide conditions and contributed to long-term scientific research efforts.Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms & Canandaigua LakeCyanobacteria are microscopic organisms that are ubiquitous in lakes and oceans. Though they aresometimes called “blue-green algae,” and photosynthesize like algae, they are technically bacteria. Favorableenvironmental conditions–including high nutrient availability and calm, sunny, and warm water–can promoterapid growth of cyanobacteria populations. Cyanobacteria colonies often aggregate at or near the watersurface, and are visible as green paint-like streaks or pea-soup-like discoloration that are the telltale signs ofa cHAB.The first confirmed cHAB in Canandaigua Lake occurred in 2015, and blooms have been documentedannually since. Blooms have occurred anytime from June to November, though cHABs are most common inAugust and September, when lake temperatures are warmest.Though several types of cyanobacteria can form cHABs in Canandaigua Lake, the genus Microcystis isespecially important for our monitoring efforts. Microcystis blooms produce a class of toxins known asmicrocystins, which can cause respiratory symptoms upon inhalation, skin and eye irritation with physicalcontact, and gastrointestinal issues and liver damage if consumed. These toxins have been known to kill wildanimals and pets, and present water treatment challenges to remove from drinking water since they are notdestroyed by boiling. For these reasons, cHABs are a significant public health concern.CLWA cHABs Monitoring ProgramInstituted in 2018, our volunteer monitoring program has kept the lake community informed of cHABconditions. We train our volunteers in a state-approved protocol to monitor and report cHABs. Thesevolunteers provide “eyes on the lake”, reporting bloom presence/absence weekly (or daily if blooms arespotted) during peak season. The 2024 program ran from Friday, July 19th through Thursday, October 3rd.Volunteers also take photos of any suspected blooms, which are then submitted to the DEC for verification.Some of our volunteers are also trained to collect water samples of suspected cHABs, which are thenmeasured for chlorophyll and/or the toxin microcystin to determine if it meets bloom criteria.Since its inception, the cHABs monitoring program has expanded rapidly. As a result, though 2024 was arecord-breaking bloom year for Canandaigua Lake, our program broke records of its own. The 2024 programcomprised 77 volunteers–the largest number of participants yet. With more volunteers, our data pool hasexpanded significantly: in 2024, our volunteers submitted 917 bloom/no bloom reports, over 400 more thanthe previous year. The number of confirmed/suspicious bloom reports notably increased as well: 2024 saw281 confirmed and 44 suspicious bloom reports, more than triple that of any previous year.09

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102024: A Record-Breaking Bloom YearThese bloom/no bloom reports appraise the watershed community of lake-wide conditions during thesummer months. We disseminate these reports widely, including near-real-time maps on the CLWAwebsite, weekly water quality updates, public beach signage, social media posts, and communication withneighborhood organizations. We also provide this information to beach operators and water purveyors tofacilitate safe operations. The data is also shared with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council (our localinter-municipal watershed organization) and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC),contributing to the long-term research efforts on the lake.In 2024, blooms did not wait for the official monitoring season to begin: the first cHAB of the season wasreported on June 20th, after two days of heavy rain. This bloom–confirmed via chlorophyll measurement byour partners at the Finger Lakes Institute–was short-lived, but is the earliest confirmed Canandaigua LakecHAB to date.Nonetheless, the early summer was fairly normal, with no confirmed blooms in early to mid July. Sporadicblooms were reported in late July and early August, particularly after Debby brought 3-5.5 inches of rainfallto the region, but cooler and windier weather generally kept blooms in check until late August.Conditions deteriorated quickly in late August, with lake-wide blooms reported by the 27th. Bloomssampled during this week showed microcystin toxin levels ranging from 24 to 700 µg/L, substantially higherthan the DEC limit for recreational water (8 µg/L).Widespread blooms persisted through Labor Day and well into September. During two of these weeks,volunteers from every sector of the lake reported at least one bloom. Volunteers also reported anunprecedented 14 consecutive days of cHABs from September 10th through the 23rd – the longestcontinuous bloom activity the CLWA monitoring program has ever recorded. However, by late September,bloom reports were mainly constrained to the north end of the lake. Bloom reports continued sporadicallyeven after the monitoring program officially concluded on October 3rd. The last suspicious bloom wasreported on November 17th, the latest in the season we have ever seen.We can place the 2024 season into historical context by looking at weekly bloom reports for each year ofthe CLWA cHABs reporting system. Each panel shows the bloom months for a given year. Within each panel,the gray bars denote the total number of volunteer reports–bloom or no bloom–for each week. The greenbars show the total number of reported blooms that were categorized as either “confirmed” byindependent sources, such as the DEC or Finger Lakes Institute, or “suspicious”, which were likely bloomsbut unable to be independently confirmed.We can see how the total numbers of reports have skyrocketed over the years. These increases are atestament to our growing team–more than quadruple the number of volunteers in 2024 compared to 2018.Indeed, 2024 is remarkable for the record-breaking volume of bloom/no bloom reports submitted, and forthe number of confirmed bloom reports, more than triple that of any previous year. This truly impressiveamount of data reflects the dedicated efforts of our volunteers, and has ultimately kept our lake communityinformed during this busy bloom season.2024 cHABs, Continued from page 9

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11It is important to note that more confirmed bloom reports does not necessarily translate to more blooms.For example, volunteers can submit multiple reports in a given week, so some blooms can be over-reported,and volunteers are more heavily concentrated on the bloom-prone northern end of the lake, so southernblooms may be underreported. Nonetheless, these reports show the unusual length of this year’s bloomseason–from late June to mid-November. We also see that 2024’s early-season bloom in late July and earlyAugust was exceptional (though with the caveat that our official reporting season used to begin in late July).Taken together, these reports also show how rarely Canandaigua Lake experiences any completely bloom-free weeks between late August and early October–and that bloom season was much longer than in 2018,when our program began.Our volunteer reports also reveal which parts of the lake are more susceptible to blooms. Again, the caveathere is that more volunteers are situated on the northern end and therefore blooms in the central/southernareas are less likely to be reported. Nonetheless, these reports show the widespread nature of the blooms inlate August and September. For multiple weeks, these blooms were truly lake-wide, with at least one reportduring a given week from all six monitoring regions. Outside of the main bloom season, however, thesouthern end of the lake rarely reports cHABs. In contrast, the northern and central eastern portion of thelakes report longer bloom seasons, extending from July into late October/early November. Because thenorthern end is shallower, and prevailing westerly winds generally push blooms eastward, the north/centraleastern areas appear to be especially prone to blooms.

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2024 cHABs, Continued from page 11Plot to the side: The number of sectors of the lake(colored according to the map at right) reporting at least1 confirmed/suspicious bloom during any given week in2024. Gray shading denotes the official CLWA cHABsreporting season, from 7/21 through September. Onlyweeks when all regions are submitting bloom/no bloomreports are included.As part of our collaboration with SUNY College ofEnvironmental Science and Forestry (ESF), watersamples were also regularly collected from all six lakesectors and, when possible, directly from cyanoHABs.BoChlorophyll concentrations, measured from these samples with a device called a fluoroprobe, allow us totrack what fraction of the lake’s phytoplankton comprises green algae, cyanobacteria, or other plankton(such as diatoms). Data from 2023 and 2024 both show that Canandaigua Lake’s phytoplanktoncomposition shifted seasonally: green algae and diatoms were most common in spring and early summer,but cyanobacteria were generally predominant afterward. What’s more, samples from active algae bloomswere overwhelmingly composed of toxin-producing cyanobacteria.Above: Left: Chlorophyll concentrations averaged across sites for each date from ESF samples Right: Percentage oftotal chlorophyll levels comprising each type of phytoplankton.Beyond Canandaigua Lake, 2024 was a record-breaking cHAB season for many lakes in the northeast US.Every Finger Lake except Canadice reported widespread blooms (since Canadice and its watershed areundeveloped, blooms are less likely to be observed). Seneca, Cayuga, and Skaneateles Lakes, likeCanandaigua, each had over 100 reported cHABs. Even Lake Superior–the deepest and coldest of the GreatLakes–experienced blooms. The research on the increasing frequency and severity of these blooms is stillevolving, but we know that climate change, stormwater runoff/nutrient input, and ecological factors (such asquagga and zebra mussels) can contribute. Let’s take a deeper look at some of those contributors.What Drives cHAB Trends? What we know, and what we’re still learning:CyanoHABs require a combination of environmental and biological conditions in order to form:A longer, hotter warm season promotes cHAB growth.12

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13In general, warm, sunny, and calm conditions promote the formation of cyanoHABs, and many of thesecriteria have become more favorable for blooms in recent years. With regards to temperature, the toxin-producing Microcystis cyanobacteria can begin growing and reproducing when water temperatures reachabout 52°F, but reaches optimum growth between 68 and 86°F. Studies suggest that higher average summertemperatures can increase total phytoplankton abundance, while the length of the warm season (mainly dueto warmer spring temperatures and selective feeding by zebra and quagga mussels) can increase theproportion of cyanobacteria relative to other phytoplankton. Since 2020, the CLWA Secchi disk program hasmeasured lake surface temperatures from late spring through fall. These measurements show thatCanandaigua Lake tends to reach the 68°F growth threshold by late June, and stays within that range for anaverage of 16 weeks until late September/early October, coinciding with peak bloom season. In 2024, laketemperatures surpassed 68°F by mid-June, peaked in July (fairly early compared to previous years), andstayed above this threshold for 18 weeks. This prolonged warmth likely contributed to the unusual length ofthis year’s bloom season.To the right: Weekly lake surface temperaturesaveraged across CLWA Secchi disk program sitesfor each year of the monitoring period (2020-2024). Microcystis growth becomes possibleabove approximately 52°F (gray line), but isoptimal between 68 and 86°F (gray shading).This begs the question of how climate changeinfluences cHAB frequency and intensity.Unfortunately, our records of laketemperatures do not span the 30+ years weneed for a robust trend analysis. Fortunately,because lake temperatures ultimatelydepend on the temperature of the overlyingair, we can look for trends in nearby long airtemperature datasets. The water treatment plant on West Lake Road has collected weather observationssince 1946. Though its measurement methods have changed slightly over the decades, a strong warmingtrend is nonetheless visible: spring and summer mean air temperatures have both warmed by about 2°Fsince the early 1950s. Together, these trends indicate that the length and the intensity of the warm seasonhave increased in recent decades. These results align with region-wide trends, and are expected to continue:the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) climate projections for western NY anticipate a 4-6°F increase in annual average temperatures by the 2050s compared to a historical baseline (1971-2000).

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14Charts on P13: Historical Canandaigua Water Treatment Plant mean air temperatures during spring (April-May)and summer (July-September), with linear trend (+/- 95% confidence intervals, shaded).More extreme storms increase nutrient loadsLike other photosynthesizing organisms, cyanobacteria require nutrients, especially nitrogen andphosphorus, to grow. The ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus can influence what types of phytoplankton aremost prevalent, as well as the toxin production within individual species. Canandaigua Lake is considered an“oligo-mesotrophic” lake, with generally low phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations. However, nitrogen isplentiful enough to make phosphorus the main limiting nutrient for cyanobacterial growth in CanandaiguaLake. Our partners at SUNY ESF, the Finger Lakes Institute (FLI) at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, andGlobal Aquatic Research are currently investigating the role of nitrogen and phosphorus as cHAB triggers inCanandaigua Lake, but studies of multiple Finger Lakes show that total phosphorus is strongly correlatedwith chlorophyll-A concentrations.Both nitrogen and phosphorus commonly enter the lake from agricultural and residential properties viasewage, fertilizer and manure. Roughly of the Canandaigua Lake watershed is used for agriculture.Fertilizer from row crops and manure from dairy farms can enter waterways during storm events andincrease nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the lake. Residential fertilizer and stormwater/septicdischarge can also contribute to lake nutrient levels. Though the watershed has seen substantial residentialdevelopment in recent years, DEC and local regulations are in place for new residential/commercialdevelopment to reduce nutrient discharge into the lake.Extreme rainfall can increase runoff and resulting nutrient input to the lake, which can ultimately fuelcyanobacterial growth. Precipitation data from the Canandaigua water treatment station shows that 2024was unusually wet in terms of both total and extreme precipitation. Total precipitation was 16% higher thannormal (where “normal” is the average over 1981-2010). For comparison, 2021 and 2023–both severe bloomyears–were similarly wet, whereas 2020 and 2022 (which saw comparatively few blooms) were drier thannormal. These totals were driven partly by several extreme rainfall events between June and September,including major named storms such as Beryl and Debby.In recent decades, extreme rainfall has also become more intense and frequent. During 1950-1980, anaverage of 1.5 extreme events occurred each year (where we define an extreme event as the top 1% of dailyprecipitation totals), and those events accounted for 9% of annual total precipitation. Since 2010, however,2.7 events have occurred on average each year, contributing 14% of annual total precipitation. 2024 waseven higher: 19% of last year’s total rainfall fell during four extreme events.Since warmer air can hold more water vapor, climate models project these rainfall trends to continue. Forthe northeast US, total annual precipitation is expected to increase about 5% by mid-century compared to1981-2010 and extreme rainfall (defined as the annual maximum daily precipitation) is expected to become5-10% more intense by mid-century. The corresponding increase in runoff can potentially further increasephosphorus and nitrogen input to the lake, providing additional fuel for cyanobacteria blooms.2024 cHABs, Continued from page 13

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15Charts on P14: Canandaigua Water Treatment Plant precipitation. Left: the percentage of annual precipitationcontributed by extreme events, where an extreme event is defined by the 99th percentile of daily precipitationduring the 1981-2010 period. Right: cumulative precipitation for 2024 (red) compared to recent years (blues). Theclimatological average cumulative rainfall (1981-2010) is shown by the dotted gray line.Ecological changes can promote cyanobacterial bloomsChanges in the Canandaigua Lake ecosystem in recent decades can also worsen cHABs. The “state of thescience” is discussed in more detail at this link: canandaigualakeassoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/HABS-Newsletter-Article.pdf, but to summarize, many invasive species, like starrystonewort and zebra/quagga mussels, can potentially increase nutrient availability to fuel blooms. Inaddition, zebra and quagga mussels are filter feeders, consuming microscopic plankton–including greenalgae. However, these mussels selectively reject most cyanobacteria, allowing them to proliferate anddecrease competition for nutrients from green algae by depleting their populations during late summer. Atthe same time, filter feeding can increase water clarity, which in turn increases the availability of sunlight forcyanobacteria to photosynthesize.What can we do?Continue to stay informed about cHABs and how to safeguard your family’s health, as well as yourfriends and neighbors. Pets too. If you or your neighbors are not signed up for the free bloom alerts thatare sent out by the CLWA and our watershed partners, consider signing up at canandaigualakeassoc.org. Communicate your concerns with your elected officials and support the efforts of local cities, towns andvillages who are working to restore wetlands and natural stormwater management systems, such asstream buffers and diverting fast moving water into fields and upland settlement ponds. These effortsare aimed at reducing the speed of stormwater runoff and nutrient flow into the lake. Working with theCanandaigua Lake Watershed Council, our local officials are actively applying for and securing importantgrants to assist them with their efforts. Public-private partnerships are also key, as are private-privatepartnerships. What happens upland matters.Practice Lake Friendly Living: canandaigualakeassoc.org/education-outreach/lake-friendly-livingPractice lake-friendly lawn care by saying no to harmful chemicals and excess fertilizersManage runoff on your own property by adding "dry wells," rain barrels or rain gardensMaintain septic systemsReduce the size of your lawn and plant native speciesKeep organic materials (leaves, mulch, debris) out of streams/roadside ditches, and pick up pet wasteReduce household hazardous wasteAvoid flushing medicationsTake your vehicle to a car wash instead of cleaning it in your drivewayIdentify and report terrestrial invasive speciesConsider volunteering. We have one of the most respected and active citizen science programs in thecountry. Volunteers are provided with training, ongoing support, and a ready-made community of informedcolleagues. The importance of citizen scientists cannot be overstated. The data they collect is instrumentalto the ongoing protection of our watershed. If you might be interested, please reach out(canandaigualakeassoc.org/get-involved/volunteer).

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16Canandaigua Lake Watershed Specific Conductanceand Chloride ConcentrationIntroductionCanandaigua Lake’s salinity has been increasing over the last 60 years. Specific conductance (SC), ameasure of water’s ability to conduct electricity, and chloride concentration are standard measures ofsalinity. Chloride concentration in the lake had risen from less than 5mg/L in the 1960s to above 40 mg/Lby 2015. Further increases occurred from 2005 to 2024 in both the lake and tributary creeks (Figure 1).Road salt has been implicated as a cause, as has winter salting of sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.Why is this important? Salt concentrations can have many impacts on a lake’s ecology in subtle but notinsignificant ways. Over time, increased concentration can negatively impact biodiversity and alter nutrientand energy flows in a lake. Salt concentrations can increase with depth and cause oxygen depletion in thelower level of the water column which can trigger the release of phosphorus from sediments, possiblyexacerbating cyanobacteria blooms from the loss of large body zooplankton. (1)Figure 1. Specific Conductance in Canandaigua Lake - created from data collected by Professor John Halfman.(1) Hintz and Relyea. A review of the species, community, and ecosystem impacts of road salinization in fresh waters,Freshwater Biology. February 2019.In 2024, CLWA citizen scientists used a YSI ProPlus Probe to measure water temperature, pH, specificconductance (chloride) and dissolved oxygen. From June to October, measurements were taken at eight in-lake sites and 24 tributary creeks.What we LearnedIn-lake Specific conductance (SC) and chloride concentration didn’t vary much amongst 7 deep-water sites(range 421-431 µS/cm), and there was little variation between the surface and 10 meters depth. In contrast,there was wide variation of SC and chloride amongst the various creeks, most were higher than the lake,some much higher than the lake and a few less than the lake. After a heavy rain, during high flow there wasdilution of specific conductance and chloride.Below are the creeks listed in order of 2024 average SC. The creek category is based on the chlorideconcentration relative to 2024 lake average.

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17Our 2025 Sample PlanIn 2025, we will sample 4 deep-water sites, measure at least todepth of 15 meters, and takemeasurements at the end of eachmonth.We plan to measure eachcreek once per month and asmany creeks as possible within 2days of heavy rainfall.In additionto SC and chloride, we will beparticularly interested inchlorophyll in the lake, and nitrate& ammonium, in the creeks.Photos of Joel Pasternack demonstrating how to use YSI DSS probe for CLWAvolunteers, staff, and intern. Photo on right, Joel performing chemical analysison water samples collected from creeks with LaMotte chloride titration kit.Locations in-lakeDeep water (4 locations)Canandaigua Water TreatmentPlantOff Fair Oaks (between Deep Run & Pelican Point)Off Black PointSouth End (Woodville)Shallow water (2 locations)Outlet (at north end)West River/Naples Creekconfluence (south end)Near shore (7 locations)Nibawauka BeachCrystal BeachCottage CityVine Valley beachYacht ClubOnanda Park beachWalton PointTributary Creeks (22 locations)FallbrookThorndaleDeep Run4560 Lake Drive4590 Lake DriveGage GullyVine Valley (mouth)Vine Valley (Dinehart)Clark GullyWest River (bridge on Sunnyside Rd)Conklin GullyNaples Creek at 245Tannery CreekJoseph’s Mark Creek (combined Reservoir & Eelpot)Grimes CreekCooks Point CreekSeneca Point CreekBarnes Gully CreekMenteth CreekTichenor Pt creekSucker Brook (at boat launch)Sucker Brook (at West Av)2024 SC and Chloride concentration in creeks.In parenthesis is the number of samples.

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18We have since performed several follow-up studies. In 2022, we mentored a SUNY Brockport undergraduate researcher, Robbie Sullivan, and showed thatfoam usually contains elevated levels of microcystins compared to typical lake water. As the toxins wereprimarily associated with intact algal cells, we think the foam entraps remnants of HABs as it movestowards shore.We also began a collaboration with Drs. Philippa Rickard and Ryan Pereira of the Lyell Centre at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, two experts in the surface chemistry of natural waters.Last summer, they visited NY and joined us for a week of research on Canandaigua Lake. In addition tocollecting more water and foam samples, we used a piece of equipment called a “Garrett screen” to samplethe lake’s surface microlayer, which is the uppermost 1mm of the water’s surface and is where foamoriginates from when air is entrained. With access to an advanced technique at the Lyell Centre calledliquid chromatography – organic carbon detection – organic nitrogen detection (LC-OCD-OND), we foundthat biopolymers are enriched over 50 times in foam compared to normal lake water, and this enrichmentreduces the surface tension of the water and allows foam to form. This is consistent with our previouswork, as polysaccharides, such as those that Microcystis release, are a type of biopolymer. However, thedata also showed that other compounds may be important, and more work is needed to understand thechemical mixtures that create stable foam, which will allow us to determine why some lakes that get HABssee foam and others don’t. This dataset also showed that there is a lot of ammonium in foam, the mostbio-available form of Nitrogen (N), which is found in much lower concentrations in the lake. Clearly, theproduction of foam and its relationship to nutrient cycling and HABs in the lake is complex.Updates on Global Aquatic Research LLCCanandaigua Lake Foam ResearchGlobal Aquatic Research LLC partnered with CLWA from 2019-2020to investigate the source of surface foam on Canandaigua Lake.The project was helped greatly by citizen scientists who collectedsamples and reported foam sightings using an online foamreporting tool that has now had 236 submissions and continues toprovide invaluable data on the process and timing of foamformation. During the initial project, we found material in the foammost likely originates from the phytoplankton community, and wefound high quantities of polysaccharides, or long chains of sugars,that may be derived from Microcystis blooms.By Richard Smith and Stella Woodard, PhDsIn addition to our research related to foam formation, we havebegun studying levels of human-produced contaminants in lakefoam, which has been an issue in other lake systems. In 2023,with funding from Freshwater Future, we again partnered withCLWA to measure per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS),or “forever chemicals,” in Canandaigua Lake foam.Concentrations of total PFAS were consistently elevated (~70x)in water from foam samples compared to lake water samples.Building on this work, we partnered with Dr. Yuxin Wang atBinghamton University and recently received funding from theNYS Water Resources Institute at Cornell to expand the foamreporting tool that we developed with CLWA and collect morePFAS samples in 4 other Finger Lakes: Owasco, Keuka,Skaneateles and Seneca. This speaks to the importance of ourprevious work with CLWA and volunteers to the broader FingerLakes region, and the results from other lakes will be importantto put our data from Canandaigua Lake into context. Pleasesubmit foam reports throughout the 2025 season when you seesignificant mid-lake streaks or shoreline accumulation – we willcontinue to monitor them and appreciate all the work that youdo! Hope to see you on the lake this summer.

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THE LAKE REPORTER10OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR GIFTS MADE IN LOVING MEMORY OF:OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR GIFTS MADE IN LOVING MEMORY OF:DR. ROBERT PIERSONDR. ROBERT PIERSONJOAN & CLARK KURTZJOAN & CLARK KURTZNORENE & GEORGE SEMMENSNORENE & GEORGE SEMMENSLARRY & SUE FORDLARRY & SUE FORDMICHAEL R. KENTMICHAEL R. KENTRICHARD & BARBARA KENTRICHARD & BARBARA KENTRANDY WEBERRANDY WEBERJOHN & SUSAN LEWISJOHN & SUSAN LEWISDR. & MRS.ROBERT M. PRICEDR. & MRS.ROBERT M. PRICEPATRICIA GENOVESEPATRICIA GENOVESEDON LIDDIARDDON LIDDIARDJOEL & DEBRA PASTERNACKJOEL & DEBRA PASTERNACKJIM & JANE HOLDENJIM & JANE HOLDENCAROLYN ROTHMAN & STEVE HOLDENCAROLYN ROTHMAN & STEVE HOLDENLIAM KENNEDYLIAM KENNEDYPATRICIA NAVASPATRICIA NAVASSENSENIG’SSENSENIG’SRICHARD WARDWELLRICHARD WARDWELLTERRY DRYERTERRY DRYERMICHELE DRYERMICHELE DRYERMARJORIE W. DEMALLIEMARJORIE W. DEMALLIERICHARD DEMALLIERICHARD DEMALLIESUSAN HARTWELLSUSAN HARTWELLSANDRA HARTWELLSANDRA HARTWELLSARAH HARTWELLSARAH HARTWELLLAKE DOG KEA CROFTONLAKE DOG KEA CROFTONJULIE & DAVID WEINSTEINJULIE & DAVID WEINSTEINSTEVE HAMLINSTEVE HAMLINBARBARA HAMLINBARBARA HAMLINHARRY VOSSCATHY VOSSTHE FOLLOWINGGIFTS WERE MADEIN HONOR OF:COLLEEN WILMOTMARY MORAN LINEHANBROOKE & GARY PALUMBORITA & VICTOR PALUMBOPhoto by Dave Ducharme2025 CLWA MEMBERSHIP FORMINTERESTS/SKILLS TO SHARE:Make checks payable to:Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association144 Mill Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424Or renew online via credit card at canandaigualakeassoc.orgTax ID # is: 16-1071349MEMBER NAME(S)EMAILSMAILING ADDRESSPHONE:We respect your privacy and preferences; visit canandaigualakeassoc.org/about/privacy-policy. If you havequestions about your membership, please call 585.394.5030 or email info@canandaigualakeassoc.org.YOURSUPPORTLEVEL$50-299 Lake Guardian$300-999 Lake PartnerOther Amount ________________I would like this gift to be anonymous.$1,000 +Lake Leader$5,000 + Lake Champion$10,000 + Lake Legacy CircleThis gift is in honor/in memory of__________________________________MAIL EMAILBUSINESS NAMEGIFT MEMBERSHIPSBUSINESSADDRESS:NAME:EMAIL:ADDRESS:RECEIPT PREFERENCEYES NO19RICK HERMANRICK HERMANKIMBERLI & VIC CHANCEKIMBERLI & VIC CHANCE

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Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDCanandaigua,NYPermit No.40 CLWA MISSION To inspire the entire watershedcommunity to become stewards ofCanandaigua Lake througheducation, scientific research, andadvocating sound public policy. Byengaging all stakeholders, westrive to preserve, protect, andrestore the lake and its watershedfor current and futuregenerations.BOARD OF DIRECTORSOfficers: Susan Martenson, President Lynn Klotz, Past-President Martin Lasher, Secretary andTreasurer Board Members:Neill Atkins, Katrina Busch, Dee Crofton, Douglas Merrill, Joel Pasternack, Karen White, Casey Wood RESOURCE PERSONNELEmily DeBolt, Executive DirectorLindsey Ayers, Program ManagerWatershed Educators: Lindsey AyersLynn OcorrKathy ConezioCLWA144 Mill StreetCanandaigua, NY14424STAY CONNECTED Phone: (585) 394-5030Email: info@canandaigualakeassoc.orgWebsite: canandaigualakeassoc.orgFront cover photo by Emily DeBoltBack cover photo by Jason CernisOur Annual Photo & Video Contest is Open. Enter Today!Voting is Open. Entry Period Closes August 15 and winners are announced by August 29.