State of the lake and interim management plan

State of the lake and interim management plan, Lake Huntington, Sullivan County, NY

Zachary R. Diehl

Biology Department, State University of New York College at Oneonta, NY 13820

Executive summary

Background

As part of the Lake Management graduate program at the State University of New York at Oneonta, a preliminary investigation was conducted into the ecological and limnological status of Lake Huntington from September to November 2018. This work included a technical report describing various characteristics of Lake Huntington and its watershed, and in turn provides some management alternatives for the Lake Huntington Lake Association (LHLA) in the form of an interim lake management plan.

Preliminary stakeholder input

This work was guided by input from a small group of stakeholders within the LHLA that was used to identify sampling priorities and insights from lake users. Among these, excessive algal blooms, human health, recreational quality, and increased nutrient inputs were identified as immediate concerns. Some stakeholders of Lake Huntington also expressed interest in the current status of the fishery, including fish assemblages, population dynamics, and status of popular game fishes (e.g., walleye). Finally, there was interest in gaining knowledge about the physical and chemical attributes of the lake.

Water quality

Water quality parameters were sampled in the water column three times during the fall of 2018, starting in September. Most water quality parameters were within optimal ranges to sustain aquatic life. Water temperatures varied significantly from top to bottom for two out of three depth profiles. Due to the depth of Lake Huntington summer and winter temperature stratification is as to be expected. A rapid use in oxygen was noticed at approximately 4 meters in depth during the first two depth profiles. The lower portions of the water column in Lake Huntington were anoxic (depleted of oxygen) during the first two sampling. Lake Huntington is strongly stratified throughout summer months allowing no atmospheric contact with the hypolimnion. An anoxic hypolimnion will allow phosphorus bound in sediments to be released into the overlying water column. This combined with increased nutrient inputs from the watershed indicate that frequent and prolonged algal blooms are expected to continue, until the situation is addressed.

Watershed and in-lake nutrients

Nutrient concentrations (phosphorus, nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite) were sampled at various inflows into the lake, the outflow, and throughout the water column. Total phosphorus and total nitrogen were elevated in two wetlands that flow into Lake Huntington, indicating that these two wetlands may contribute a significant amount of nutrients into the lake. Increased levels of total phosphorus and total nitrogen were also observed from tributaries on the eastern shore. Together these inputs coupled could be related to increased frequency of algal blooms in recent years.

Concentrations of nutrients, particularly phosphorus, were high throughout the water column. Concentrations increased with depth during both depth profiles, which is indicative of internal loading.

Aquatic macrophytes

An aquatic plant study of Lake Huntington was done on 15 September 2018, using the Point Intercept Rake Toss Relative Abundance Method (PIRTRAM) to enumerate relative abundance of aquatic macrophytes in Lake Huntington. Overall Robbins’ pondweed was the most abundant aquatic macrophyte in the lake. With the exception of three sites, Robbin’s pondweed made up 100% of the collected vegetation. Robbins’ pondweed made up 86% of the relative abundance of aquatic vegetation in Lake Huntington and yellow water lily made up the remaining 14%.

Recreational fisheries

Based on various surveys from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the fishery in Lake Huntington appears to provide a nice balance between opportunities for catching large fish such as large and smallmouth bass, and walleye, and a variety of small panfishes such as black crappie, yellow perch, and pumpkinseed. Lake Huntington is stocked annually with approximately 1,800 brown trout. Surveys of Lake Huntington (2006, 2018) indicate high mortality rates of brown trout. Based on a recent survey walleye appear to be a prolific predator in Lake Huntington growing to “memorable” lengths. The recent 2018 sampling data indicates a “top-heavy” fish community dominated by large predators, indicative of an unfished fishery.

Interim management summary

Limnological findings from fall 2018 were fairly consistent with historical findings. Lake Huntington appears to lose oxygen throughout most of the water column early in the year, promoting internal loading. This coupled with external nutrient inputs from the watershed is likely contributing to excessive and prolonged algal blooms. During the 2018 aquatic macrophyte survey Robbins’ pondweed was the most dominant plant observed. Studies will continue on Lake Huntington to assess limnological changes within the lake throughout the year.

A survey of the zooplankton community indicated low densities of large bodied cladocerans at the time of sampling. The fishery of Lake Huntington provides opportunities to catch numerous smaller fish and ample chances to catch larger fish.

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