Truesdale Lake

February 1, 2024
by rob
2 Comments

Notice of Consent 2024 – Annual Notice Sent to Riparian Homeowners

These annual notices were sent via email to all association homeowners as required by New York State law. They are a continuation of our annual lake management program, including treatment, dating back over 50 years undertaken when we engaged Pond & Lake Connection as our new lake manager.

Date of Notice: 24 Jan 2024

Dear Riparian Property Owner:

To control the excessive growth of various aquatic weeds, at Truesdale Lake, The Pond Connection proposes to conduct an application of the aquatic herbicide/algaecide Cutrine Ultra, Green Clean Pro and Nautique. A copy of these labels can be found at http://www.thepondconnection.com. We anticipate the treatment to occur throughout the summer, only when necessary and will proceed only after the riparian owners obtains a permit for the treatment from the NYSDEC.

This pesticide application will only occur if sufficient aquatic vegetation is present to warrant treatment and under favorable weather conditions. Prior notification of the exact dates of treatment can be provided by contacting The Pond Connection as listed below.

As an affected riparian owner/user, you have the right to consent or object to the restrictions of water use resulting from the proposed treatment. The water use restrictions associated with use of the above pesticides are below:

Swimming and bathing are prohibited for: No Restrictions
Fishing and/or fish consumption is prohibited for: No Restrictions
Livestock watering is prohibited for: No Restrictions
Irrigation or spraying of agricultural crops is prohibited for: No Restrictions
Use of water for human consumption is prohibited till: Cutrine Ultra/Nautique: 200ppb, Green Clean: 50ppb Use of water for domestic purposes is prohibited till: Cutrine Ultra/Nautique: 200ppb, Green Clean: 50ppb,

Human consumption and domestic purposes restriction refers to the water body being used as your primary and sole use of water for drinking and culinary purpose. Potable water use is not incidental contact with the water such as swallowing a mouthful of water while swimming.

You have twenty-one (21) days to respond to this notice. If you wish to object to the proposed treatment(s), please file a written document stating your objection to the proposed treatment and the water use restrictions resulting from the treatment.

Send your comments to the Bureau of Pesticide Management listed below:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 3
Bureau of Pesticide Management
21 South Putt Corners Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561

If you wish further information about the treatment, or wish information on the exact dates of the pesticide application, please contact the following person:

The Pond and Lake Connection, 1112 Federal Road, Brookfield, CT
Name of Contact Person: James Gorman
Telephone Number: 845-798-9383 Email: james@thepondandlake.com

If you do not respond to this notice, your lack of response will be considered consent to the proposed treatment. If you have any questions on the permitting process, please contact the Department representative listed above.

Pond & Lake Connection fanboat on Lake Truesdale.

January 6, 2024
by rob
Comments Off on Lake New Year’s Resolutions 2024

Lake New Year’s Resolutions 2024

Some Lake Stewardship Resolutions for the new year:

I will join and volunteer with my lake association and make my voice heard and my energy felt during this coming year.
If I do work on my house or property I will get proper wetlands permits, building permits, and other needed permits for the safety of my family and the health of the lake.
I will get my septic tank pumped and inspected. If the tank baffles are missing or damaged, I’ll have them replaced. (Wind River, formerly Kaiser-Battistone offers 15% discount for lake area residents – but you have to tell them about the discount!) Regular septic pumping and maintenance is prudent for homeowners and for the lake health.
I will “overseed” my lawn rather than spread fertilizer or pesticides. I’ll tell my lawn service – or myself – to cut my grass high and leave the clippings on the lawn. If I think fertilizer is needed, I’ll use phosphate-free fertilizer since it’s the law. I will also tell my lawn care company that it is illegal in Westchester County to use phosphate based fertilizer unless extensive testing has been done on the soil – and even then only on a limited basis and never within 20 feet of the lake.
If I live on the lake, I’ll plant a “buffer” of native plants to slow the flow of rainwater or stormwater (and the pollutants and nutrients it carries) into the lake. (More info from Penn State.) I’ll also pull up some invasive plants and plant some native ones.
I’ll pick up after my pets — and for the love of all that’s neighborly — I will throw their poop into MY OWN trash.
This year I’ll make sure no oil or gas from my mower or car spills on the ground or into the lake.
If I take coolers, sand toys, or other beach or boat items to another waterbody, I’ll make sure that they are free of weeds and shells before bringing them back here so I don’t transport invasive plants and animals.
If I visit the association beaches and boat launch properties, I will leave them in better condition than when I arrived. That includes putting all beach toys away and removing trash.
If I fish on the lake, I will clean up my fishing tackle, monofilament, and any hooks that get snared. I will get my Truesdale Resident Fishing Tag and display it when I fish on the lake. I will not fish in areas where fishing is prohibited (all beaches and the dam/spillway near the siphons). I will not leave fishing equipment, debris, or garbage around or in the lake. It does not disappear and it kills birds, turtles, and other wildlife.
If I haven’t done so already, this is the year I’ll take a safe boating course.
I will make sure my Truesdale Lake boat sticker is still affixed to all of my boats. If any have come off I will replace them. If I have new or unregistered boats I will register them and get a sticker. This applies for boats stored on private lakefronts as well as the boat launch properties.
For when the lake is frozen if I have a ladder I will keep it close by the lake in case an ice rescue is needed.
I’ll start or use a compost pile (away from the lake shore, wet areas, or streams).
If it’s icy, I’ll minimize my use of salt by using kitty litter or sand where I can.
I’ll learn more about my lake’s history, health, plants, and animals this year.
I will send photos I take around the lake to us here (lake@truesdalelake.com) or tag them #truesdalelake on our Instagram page so everyone can enjoy!
I will try out sailing in the Truesdale Sunfish Fleet #27 this spring and summer. (Sunfish are available to borrow from lake residents if you’d like to give it a try – contact us ahead of the Sunday races and we can figure it out.)

Happy 2024 to all!

Thanks to Janet Andersen and others for these timely resolutions, add yours below in the comments.

December 13, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on 2023 Lake Drawdown Update #3

2023 Lake Drawdown Update #3

We received 1.66 inches of rain during the Sunday through Monday morning storm (Dec 10-11).

As expected, the lake rose 9 inches from that storm with all three siphons flowing well.

Today, Tuesday 12 DEC, the lake level is 12.5 inches below the spillway ramp.

Here is the gauge with one foot of exposed lakebed in the background.

I raked weeds and leaves and swept the spillway ramp.

This is what one foot below the spillway ramp looks like.

While I was there, landscaper Victor Flores and his crew were clearing brush from both embankments of the dam.

They finished at 10 am and went over to the boatyard to work on it.

I unsealed the control tower hatch and opened the lid for inspection.

Here is the control tower with the shaved north embankment looking east.

I’ll be here at the lake until 1:30 and available on my cell after that, should the inspectors have any questions I can answer.

-Scot

December 2, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on 2023 Lake Drawdown Update #2

2023 Lake Drawdown Update #2

Today, December 2nd, the lake level is 15 inches (1.25 feet) below the spillway ramp:

2 NOV: The siphons were installed and started on schedule, but problems were quickly evident when they all shut down – remaining dormant for two weeks while repairs could take place.

13 NOV: The west 12″ siphon was repaired and restarted. It was flowing well. The lake level was 3″ above the spillway ramp.

17 NOV: The center 12″ siphon was lengthened and restarted. The two 12″ siphons were flowing well. The lake level was at the spillway ramp, so drawdown officially began on this date.

21 NOV: Received 1.41 inches of rain – the first appreciable rain in three dry weeks with only 0.53″ of rain. The lake level was 7″ below the spillway ramp.

26 NOV: Received 1.24 inches of rain. The lake level was 9″ below the spillway ramp.

27 NOV: The east 6″ siphon was repaired and restarted. All three siphons were flowing well. If this siphon shuts down early, it too will need to be lengthened so the discharge elbow rests on the lakebed in order to provide the maximum vertical distance and pressure differential.

30 NOV: All siphons were flowing. The total rainfall for November was 3.20 inches. This is below average. (The 30-year PRISM average for November is 3.90 inches.)

Rainfall averages during drawdown months:

November 29, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on 2023 Lake Drawdown Update #1

2023 Lake Drawdown Update #1

From Scot Evans:

Lucille Munz took my hand-drawn siphon design and converted it to AutoCAD. The design and the changes made are attached here as a pdf.

TruesdaleLake-UpdatedSiphonSection-V2a Download

James Gorman made many of these changes without having the new diagram and he has made several field modifications, which are currently working. So, I added “Notes” in paragraphs 4. and 5. in the upper left frame to accommodate the modifications made by James. See Notes wording I used “… at P&LC discretion.”

James extended the horizontal segments and built an ingenious support frame while turning the intake segments downward at 90° and this is working so far.

He also extended the discharge segment to the center 12” siphon as requested and he may extend the east side 6” siphon if it shuts down early. (Extension down to the river bed increases the vertical elevation differential between the intake port and the discharge base.)

All three siphons are now flowing and the lake level is 10 inches below the spillway ramp. I’ll send out another drawdown report to the Boards on DEC 1st.

Thank you Lucille and James for all of these progressive improvements!

[For more information about the lake drawdown, check the Lake Drawdown page]

November 28, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on Caroling at the TLPOA Beach – Dec 16

Caroling at the TLPOA Beach – Dec 16

Holiday Caroling at the beach on Gilbert Street, Saturday Dec. 16 from 5:45-7:30pm

Gather at the Dam/Bridge on Indian Lane and carol down Gilbert Street to a warm fire, hot cocoa, and Santa on the beach!

RSVP to Marissa.Carrio@gmail.com so the organizers have an idea of how many people are coming!

October 30, 2023
by rob
Comments Off on Lake Winter Drawdown 2023-24

Lake Winter Drawdown 2023-24

Hello Neighbors,

As a part of our lake management initiative, we will commence the lake drawdown next week. Over the coming weeks, you can anticipate a gradual decrease in the lake’s water level by approximately 3 to 4 feet. This drawdown serves several essential purposes, with the primary one being the exposure of the lakebed during the winter (frost) season to prevent or control aquatic vegetation growth.

Additionally, this operation provides us with an ideal opportunity to conduct maintenance and restoration work on our beaches, boat launches, and riparian properties.

We extend our gratitude to our dedicated lake management team for their efforts!

More information about past Truesdale Lake Drawdown efforts.

October 29, 2023
by rob
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