Chautauqua Lake Management - Chautauqua Institution

On The Grounds /
Chautauqua Lake
Management

Chautauqua Institution’s Strategic Plan (2010-2018)

The lived place at Chautauqua is an important component of the Chautauqua experience. This generation of Chautauquans is the steward of a national treasure designated as both a National Historic District and a National Historic Landmark. We must continue the obligations of that stewardship through developing, designing, and recognizing that we are a changing community, one with intangible emotional assets. In do doing we are charged with seeking the highest expressions of design, functionality and environmental sustainability in a diverse and complex environment.

We will respond to our environmental responsibilities and provide exemplary leadership through the development and implementation of specific action plans in the areas of:

Storm water management

Support for the Chautauqua Lake Management Plan
Tree preservation and replacement
Preservation and maintenance of landscaped and wild open space
We will embrace future opportunities to achieve environmental excellence
We will continue to improve our conservation of energy and recycling of waste composting and the use of energy efficient and recyclable products

Chautauqua is committed to practicing responsible environmental stewardship and sustainability in the management of its property and as a member of the broader Chautauqua Lake Watershed community.

Current stewardship practices include recycling, composting, tree management and planting, purchase of electric trams and bio-diesel buses, Green Design standards and rewards, an energy efficiency audit and upgrades to Institution facilities, wildlife habitat preservation, and use of recycled and recyclable products.

Of particular importance is the Institution’s commitment to protecting the health of Chautauqua Lake, which in 2003 was listed by New York State as “impaired waters” under the requirements of the U.S. Clean Water Act. Nutrients are the principal cause of the impairment. Storm water delivers nutrients into the lake either as phosphorus or as nitrogen contained within the chemistry of the storm water or as attachments to sediment that flows along with the storm water.

Chautauqua Institution is in a unique position to control our community’s impact on the lake. The Institution controls 100 percent of the stormwater runoff from its land without having to manage water problems presented by others.

With that in mind, Chautauqua Institution has identified several efforts that must be undertaken to prevent the further deterioration of the health of Chautauqua Lake.

About the Lake
Current Challenges
Actions Required
Stormwater Management
Additional Resources

About Chautauqua Lake

Chautauqua Lake, at 1,308 feet above sea level, is one of the highest navigable waters in North America. It offers exceptional fishing for walleye, bass, muskellunge and several species of panfish. Located in the southeast corner of Chautauqua County, Chautauqua Lake is about 17.5 miles long and has a surface area of 13,156 acres.

The lake is divided into two basins of nearly equal size by Bemus Point. The north basin of Chautauqua Lake averages 25 feet deep, with a maximum depth of 75 feet. The south basin is considerably shallower, with an average depth of 11 feet and a maximum depth of 19 feet.

The water from the lake drains to the south, emptying first into the Chadakoin River in Jamestown, New York before traveling east into the Conewango Creek. The creek goes south, entering the Allegheny River in Warren, Pa. and the Ohio River in Pittsburgh and drains into the Mississippi River.

The Chautauqua Lake Watershed has likely been inhabited for 10,000-12,000 years. The first significant impacts to the lake and watershed, however, did not occur until the 19th century when deforestation and overfishing were at their peak. Warner Dam was built in 1919 and is currently used to partially regulate lake levels. Chautauqua Lake has a long history of water quality monitoring. The lake was first sampled by the New York State Conservation Department as early as 1937.

According to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, 90 percent of Chautauqua Lake’s shore is now developed.

Information from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website

Click here to learn more about fishing on Chautauqua Lake.

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Current Challenges/Conditions

Chautauqua Lake is designated a Class A lake, meaning it is used for drinking water and contact recreation. Over two decades, the lake has experienced degraded water quality that has reduced the lake’s recreational and aesthetic value. The top three stressors to lakes are lack of natural lakeshore habitat, the physical complexity of the shoreline, and nutrient loading.

In 2003, Chautauqua Lake was placed on the list of impaired waters for excess phosphorous by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation under the Clean Water Act. Too much phosphorus can result in nuisance weed growth and algal blooms, which can damage the ecology and aesthetics of a lake, as well as the economic well-being of the surrounding drainage basin community.

Impaired designation requires the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TDML), which specifies the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards.

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Green algae versus blue-green algae Algae are microscopic green plants caused by too many nutrients. What is commonly referred to as blue green algae is cyanobacteria, which releases biotoxins that can pose a health risk to people and animals when they are exposed to them in large enough quantities.

Click here to download a PDF with more information on Blue-Green Algae.

The Chautauqua County New York Department of Planning and Economic Development, in partnership with the Chautauqua Lake Management Commission, oversaw development of the Chautauqua Watershed Management Plan, completed in 2010. The plan outlines recommendations for ways that landowners, visitors and municipalities can reduce the flow of water, sediment and nutrients from the watershed to the lake.

Click here to learn more about the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan

Taking Action

With that in mind, Chautauqua Institution has identified several efforts that must be undertaken to prevent the further deterioration of the health of Chautauqua Lake:

Drainage Management Plan

Chautauqua Institution has implemented the first steps of a comprehensive Drainage Management Plan that addresses stormwater flow throughout the grounds. This is the first comprehensive action taken by a lakeside community on Chautauqua Lake. The plan is also supported by two grants awarded by New York state totaling $696,000.

Click here to learn more.

Shoreline management
Updated: April 11, 2013

The management of the shoreline (between the water and Lake Drive) is a critical step in addressing stormwater runoff into Chautauqua Lake. A study led by landscape architect Dean Gowen (Fletcher Music Hall Rain Garden) was conducted during the 2012 Season to develop a Sustainable Shoreline Action Plan. The study analyzes the impact of runoff and shoreline management practices that might be implemented to diminish erosion and reduce nutrient runoff through several measures, including the addition of native vegetation along the lake shoreline. The Sustainable Shoreline Action Plan was presented to the Institution's board of trustees at its February 2013 retreat. The Institution is currently developing a plan for how to implement such measures along with an estimate of project costs. Public presentations regarding shoreline management and its impact on the grounds will continue.

Click here to read about the shoreline management study and preliminary plans for implementation during the 2013 Season. (Article from the spring issue of Pillars, published by the Chautauqua Foundation.)

Click here to read more about Gowen's work.

Lake Maintenance
Updated: March 2013

As over-abundant plant growth will likely continue on Chautauqua Lake, shoreline maintenance will always be needed. Despite the Chautauqua Lake Association’s efforts to keep near-shore plant growth under control, recent funding cuts prevent the organization from continuing such activity. As it did during the 2012 Season, Chautauqua Institution has again contracted with Chautauqua Lake Association for its services three days a week during the 2013 Season to harvest weeds and maintain the shoreline. Harvesting will occur on an as-needed basis, depending on growth patterns in Chautauqua Lake. Weeds that are harvested will be transported to Chautauqua Institution’s Potter Road facility for composting and use by Gardens and Landscaping staff.

Wastewater management

The TDML will require the Chautauqua Utility District Wastewater Treatment Plant to reduce its contribution of total phosphorous to Chautauqua Lake by 83 percent. Last upgraded in 1985, the plant can currently remove 50 percent of phosphorous that enters the plant. A major update is required to meet the TDML requirement, increase capacity and improve the disinfection process. A public vote in August to approve these plant upgrades is anticipated.

Click here to learn more about the Chautauqua Utility District

Management of Near Shoreline
Tree Canopy Enhancement
Property owner land management mindset
Septic systems management
Public education and the active involvement of lake communities

Chautauqua Institution will work with regional partners to create an understanding of lake conditions and infrastructure challenges and identify lake-related issues.

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Resources

Chautauquan Daily articles on Chautauqua Lake:

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