Fourth Meeting of
The Saratoga Lake Watershed
Advisory Committee

Growth, Development and Economic Issues in the
Saratoga Lake Watershed

Saratoga Lake Watershed Advisory Committee

November 2, 2000 Meeting Notes

Attending: R. Kirker, B. Birge, D. Ward, J. Frank, B&B Thomas, M. Jacknowitz, L. Jastoboski, R. Linden, R. Gorham, G. Locke, L. Taylor, B. MacMillan, R. Pascucci, J. Bartow, J. Sutherland, R. Melaner, K. Sklenar, J. Hamilton,S. Baily, B. Hebner, S. Ropitzky, M. Valentine, B. Lupo, A. Mackay, A. Winroth, J. Finn, T. Field, R. Hoffman, C. Morrison, E. Tokarchuk, C. Allen, T. Clothier, D. Long.

1.    The status of the Watershed Management Plan was discussed with Committee members.  Presently, work is concentrating on land use patterns and their potential impact on the water quality of the streams and other watercourses throughout the watershed.  The complete water quality story cannot yet be told due to data that is not yet available but is expected over the next few months.  A report on the SONAR Herbicide Treatment Program will be released in December.  In addition, a report on the success of the introductions of weevils into Saratoga Lake will be available the first of February.

2.    The following discussion represents summaries of reports that were given at the meeting.

What are the changes in water quality since 1980?

Secchi Depth Measurements

1932 – 4.25 Meters

1972 – 1.00 Meters

1982 – 2.00 Meters

1993 – 2.75 Meters

2000 – 3.00 Meters

The following competing forces may interfere with continued water quality improvement in Saratoga Lake: 

q       Continued milfoil growth and expansion

q     Zebra mussels which feed on algae causing increase in water clarity

q       Potential diversion of lake water for municipal supply

q       Conversion of camps to year-round homes

q       New development in the watershed 

The watershed community, as a whole, needs to decide what level of water quality it is willing to live with and how much it is willing to contribute towards the improvement of the water quality of Saratoga Lake.

What is the relationship between land use development and water quality?

Trends in watershed population

q       Saratoga County the third fastest growing county in NYS for twenty years.

§         20% increase over 20 years (17,684 people)

§         Highest increase in watershed numbers occurred in Malta (4929), Milton (2971), Wilton (2804), Greenfield (2202) & Saratoga Springs (1809).

§         Year-round vs seasonal swell

Land use changes since 1980

q       Shifts in land use types

§         More forests; Loss of agricultural lands; Doubled urbanized areas; Residential about the same.

§         49 farms to about 35 presently

§         Growth & development patterns

q       Density increases are particularly significant in Malta, Wilton & Milton.

§         Building permits

q       Highest over last eight years: Greenfield, Malta, Saratoga Springs, Wilton.

§         Subdivision activity

What techniques work to improve nonpoint source pollution?

§         Good site planning

§         Limits to clearing and grading activities

§         Consideration of natural drainage areas and patterns for stormwater management.  Control small areas instead of whole parcel.

§         Employ best management practices for vegetative and structural control of on site erosion and sediment.

§         Design of the most effective erosion & sediment control plan.

How much of these techniques are at work in the watershed right now?

q       9 of the 13 communities are in some phase of developing a new comprehensive plan.  Good opportunity for effective technical assistance.

q       Most of the communities presently address erosion and stormwater in some limited way either in the zoning or subdivision ordinances.  Lack of consistency and implementation.  Many remain as guidelines rather than standards.

q       Communities are now and in the future looking for guidance on developing adequate standards related to the protection of natural resources.  Best management practices.

3.      The Committee broke out into 3 working groups to discuss and stipulate water quality and land use issues, goals and objectives. These discussions will be used to direct the recommendations of the Watershed Plan.

Watershed Water Quality Goals and Objectives

What information should direct our goals and objectives be regarding general water quality in Saratoga Lake and its tributaries?

q       Request City of Saratoga Springs to contribute fiscal resources towards implementation of recommendations in the Watershed Plan.

q       Consider the potential positive impact regarding the export of nutrients out of the watershed (to Mechanicville) due to the potential drawing of water from the lake for water supply.

q       The Committee should direct its attention to stormwater issues since point sources appear to be under control.

q       Review DEC’s newly promulgated stormwater regulations to see how they may apply.  Note construction best management practices.

q       Determine boundaries of deep aquifers and determine whether they recharge Saratoga Lake.

q       Address the long-term impact of on-site individual wastewater systems.

q       Obtain water quality testing equipment that communities can share.

q       Locate stormwater discharge sites from existing subdivisions.

q       Locate state highway stormwater discharge areas from DEC.

q       Locate and digitize culverts, drainage features and other stormwater management devices.

q       Review standards for roads in subdivisions.

q       Concentrate on solutions to lessen the impact from winter runoff.

q       Utilize DOT list of upcoming projects to plan for stormwater and erosion control upgrades.

q       Construct new hydrologic gauging station back on the lower the Kayaderosseras Creek.

q       Evaluate the impact of zebra muscles on water quality in Saratoga Lake.

q       Prepare maps of towns showing streams leading to Kayaderosseras Creek and Saratoga Lake.

Watershed Land Use Goals and Objectives

What techniques are presently working to improve water quality in the watershed?

How will future land use changes impact water quality in the watershed?

What land use techniques can be employed by watershed communities to reduce water quality impacts and improve water resources in general?

q       Support the comprehensive-planning efforts going on in nine of the watershed communities.

q       Create a set of graphics that will explain the history of land use changes in the watershed and future anticipated changes.

q       Review natural resource protection standards from individual ordinances of the watershed communities.  Request input regarding what techniques are most practical, effective and affordable.

q       Create model set of standards that address natural resource protection.  Present ideas to planning committees for their consideration to be included in comprehensive plans.

q       Name a full-time lake advocate circuit rider to provide outreach to town planning boards.

4.      Meetings will be scheduled with the various comprehensive planning committee chairman to find how watershed effort can be most effective to communities.

5.     The LA Group will write a model set of standards for watershed protection that will be made available to communities who are in the process of rewriting ordinances.

6.      The second newsletter (Land To Lake Perspectives) is to be published in December.