Truesdale Lake

January 6, 2022
by rob
Comments Off on First Ice of 2022

First Ice of 2022

January 6th we woke up to our lake completely covered in ice. This was one of the latest times if not the latest in the past 25 years and probably much longer.

Please click on this overhead 360Âº view of the lake and explore by zooming in and out an panning around.

https://truesdalelake .com/2022-Panorama/

January 5, 2022
by rob
Comments Off on Lake New Year’s Resolutions for 2022

Lake New Year’s Resolutions for 2022

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.
I will getÂ 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 fertilizerÂ since it’s the law. I will also tell my lawn care company that it is illegal in Westchester County to use phosphate based fertilizerÂ 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 iceÂ 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, andÂ 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 2022 to all!

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

December 4, 2021
by rob
Comments Off on Update on TEA Boat Launch Property at Corner of Lake Shore Drive and Gilbert Street

Update on TEA Boat Launch Property at Corner of Lake Shore Drive and Gilbert Street

In September, a request from Lewisboro highway superintendent Peter Ripperger about cutting down dead ash trees near power lines on the TEA’s boat launch property (1.5 acres) at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and Gilbert Street started a multi-phase TEA project that will be ongoing for several years.

Phase 1 (complete):

Dangerous tree cutting. 18 dead ash trees were cut and cleared in September 2021.

Phase 2 (complete):

Clean up debris remaining from the tree clearing including vines, stumps, broken branches, and barberry plants destroyed by the heavy work of the tree cutting in phase 1. Phase 2 scoped out November 2021 and work was completed December 2021.

Phase 3 (2 years, Winter 2021-Spring 2023):

Goals: 1.) Convert the newly cleared area into a native plant pollinator pathway. 2.) Repair fencing, gates, and locks to boat launch entrances. 3.) Install private property, boat launch permission, and resident fishing tag requirement signage on all gateways.

Native pollinator/plant pathway establishment requires solarization of the cleared area to kill the persistent invasive species currently established on the property (barberry, privet, wild rose, burning bush, Norway maples, others) without the use of chemicals. Without solarization, the invasive species will return in the spring and a perfect opportunity to reclaim native planting areas to a section of the property in flux due to the tree work and ground disturbance will be lost.

The property has several watercourses that will carry any chemicals used directly into the lake. This is something we (and everyone around the lake) should avoid doing at all costs since it damages our most precious natural resource and the animals, plants, and insects that reside here with us.

Steps in Phase 3 include:

Take inventory of plants currently present on site.
Consult local native plant experts.
Purchase tarps and other ground coverings. Place around disturbed area to solarize invasives (kills without chemicals). This process takes two years and it will look ugly.
Lewisboro Garden Club experts recommended placing water bars or rocks near the pipe at the corner of Gilbert and Lake Shore to direct and slow the velocity of the water and limit erosion.
Repair and reinstall split rail fencing along the property line/roads edge.
Install fence gates, lockable latches, and private property signage at the two boat launch entrances.
Speak with town wetland consultant about permits needed for planting and fencing work.

Phase 4 (Spring 2024):

Replanting disturbed and newly solarized area.

Replanting can include native plants such as blueberries, viburnum, dogwoods, river birches, and others as deemed appropriate and practical.
Helpful links:
- https://ct.audubon.org/15-great-deer-resistant-native-plants
- http://warren.cce.cornell.edu/gardening-landscape/deer-resistant-plants
Focus will be on replanting native species that are beneficial to insects, birds, and animals native to the region.

Phase 5 (starting in 2023, ongoing):

Expand invasive plant control beyond the current disturbed area at the corner of Lake Shore and Gilbert Streets.
Cut back the invasive plants and repeat Phase 3 and Phase 4 over time to reclaim the land cover.
Replace over time with native species that are beneficial to the native plant, animal, and insect ecosystem.
Observe which native species are needed and thrive best. Adjust as needed for success.

This long-term project will help our lake maintain a healthier balance and attract a larger diversity of native species over time.

We are not “clear-cutting” this area. We are not creating a “park” either. We envision a vibrant, healthy, green area that will provide ground cover to this unique undeveloped riparian property on Truesdale Lake. It is the largest mostly undeveloped property on the lake and it provides some of the best cover for nesting birds, small mammals, and amphibians in our very busy recreational lake.

Note: The project phases and outline is subject to change as time, budget, goals, and permits require.

If you are interested in helping out, please reach out to tea@truesdalelake.com. If you have expertise you’d like to offer, we welcome your input.

-TEA

Property between phase 1 and phase 2 (October 2021)

December 3, 2021
by rob
Comments Off on Holiday Caroling and Fundraiser

Holiday Caroling and Fundraiser

Join us for a Holiday Caroling Night at the TLPOA Beach! December 19th @ 6 PM

Part of the evening will be a Luminary Fundraiser to supportÂ Animal Nation!

In the spirit of the Holiday Season, we would like to continue the charitable component to our Caroling Night!

Help us decorate the streets of our neighborhood for Caroling Night while spreading light and love (and vital support) to animals in need.Â Â

Every luminary set purchased is a donation toÂ Animal Nation.

We are asking for a $5 minimum donation for a set of 10 paper bags and candles. That covers our cost and gives $2 to AnimalÂ Nation.Â Each set includes an even number of paper bags and tea lights – 10 is enough to add some light along the street, while 40 would extend to your neighbors’ and likely up to your door too!Â If you are able, please consider donating more and 100% of every additional dollar will go to theirÂ Sanctuary!

All luminary sets will be dropped off at your home on December 18th.Â Please have your luminaries lit along the street near yourÂ home by sundown on December 19th.Â Then grab your cocoa and enjoy a twinkly walk to the beach for our annual caroling night!!

The evening event will begin at 6 PM at the Indian Lane Dam and make its way down Gilbert Street to the beach for Caroling where a few fire pits, a guest musician, goody bags and a visit from Santa will greet the group.

Please use the form below to place your order.Â Â All orders must be received by Noon on December 11th!Â

TLPOA Charitable Fundraiser – Luminary Order Form

We look forward to a wonderful evening and supporting a local organization!
TLPOA Social Committee

Note: Lake residents from all Truesdale associations are welcome to participate. Thank you TLPOA members for always making this a welcoming event every year! 🙂

October 25, 2021
by rob
Comments Off on Weir Board Removal for Winter 2021-22

Weir Board Removal for Winter 2021-22

Announced to the TLPOA email list yesterday. Since this affects all lakefront property owners, we are announcing it here as well:

“To prevent flooding from this week’s impending storms, we are removing the weir board from the dam tomorrow, October 25th.

Over the coming days, the lake will reach its winter level, where it will stay until spring.”

There will be no siphon drawdown for this winter. The Truesdale Lake Management Committee in conjunction with our lake management company, Pond & Lake Connection, believes the drawdown program achieves best results when it is used in alternate years.

The Truesdale Lake Dam spillway shown from underneath the road. The weir board is in place in this photo and will be removed Oct 25, 2021. This will lower the lake level to the height of the spillway. The weir board is 14″ tall so the lake level will lower approximately 14″ from the summer height. This height will vary constantly based on rainfall, outflow, and evaporation.

Update: Later in the day Oct 25 – weir board has been removed and water flows rapidly over the spillway.

September 28, 2021
by rob
Comments Off on Hurricane Ida Post-Storm Report

Hurricane Ida Post-Storm Report

Ida was the second major hurricane of 2021 that affected the NY Metro area and dumped a lot of rain in South Salem. It was the second hurricane in a 10 day span. This report was compiled by lake resident Scot Evans.

A great deal of moisture and energy was fed into Hurricane IDA before it struck Grand Isle, LA. It maintained its Category 4 status well after heading inland past New Orleans.

By the time it hit us, it had been downgraded to a “depression” and “remnant” only because of its organization and sustained wind intensity.

But, it still had plenty of low pressure circulation to suck in moisture from the Atlantic. Here are brief descriptions of the tropical divisions:

Remnant Low: a class of post-tropical cyclone that no longer possesses the convective organization required of a tropical cyclone and has maximum sustained winds of less than 34 knots.
Tropical Depression: a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds of 33 knots or less.
Tropical Storm: a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds ranging from 34 to 63 knots.
Hurricane: a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds of 64 knots (74 MPH) or greater.

Five inches of rain was dumped over Truesdale Lake in a mere eight-hour period. We received a total of 5.55 inches from this storm.

Central Park in Manhattan reports rainfall every hour and another rainfall rate record was shattered the week after a record was set with HENRI. During IDA, 3.14 inches fell in one hour from 8:51 to 9:51 pm.

The inflow from our vast watershed caused some wild white water rapids in Boway Stream. The white water rapids over the dam’s spillway was spectacular. The water under the white caps was brown with soil erosion.

The lake quickly rose to 21″ over the summer weir board in the primary spillway causing 3″ of water to flow over the secondary spillway of the dam.

Lakewalls and lawns were submerged.

There was likely some basement flooding in the homes around the lake as well.

Ant Island became submerged and the wind blew down three large trees at the north end as the island’s north peninsula simply folded up.

This exposed the root system of these three trees.

For the artists out there, the exposed roots would make for an intricate and fascinating painting.

The trees did not break, so they will continue to grow and survive in their new horizontal mode.

The impoundment water pressure pressing on the south embankment of the dam was massive, but our 100 year-old structure continued to hold its integrity. The prime question remains: How long will our dam hold without receiving the overdue repairs and the reconstruction it needs?

These videos show the impressive volume and force of white and brown water flowing through our spillway training walls into the Waccabuc River inlet.

September 2, 2021
by rob
Comments Off on Earmark request for the Truesdale Lake Dam and Bridge

Earmark request for the Truesdale Lake Dam and Bridge

This letter was sent August 26, 2021 from Scot Evans (lake resident) to U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney’s office.

FROM: SCOT EVANS, TRUESDALE LAKE DAM REPAIR & RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

TO: ERNEST KLEPEIS, DISTRICT DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF U.S. REPRESENTATIVE SEAN PATRICK MALONEY (NY-18)
123 GRAND STREET, 2ND FLOOR | NEWBURGH, NY 12550

Dear Mr. Klepeis,

Thank you and Representative Maloney for taking my August 25th call to discuss our critical project in the Town of Lewisboro. We request that the Truesdale Lake 100-year-old dam, north and south embankments, bridge, spillway, control tower, sluice gate and low water outlet be earmarked as a priority for repair and reconstruction and that we be placed in the queue for infrastructure funding when applicable or available.

Truesdale Lake (https://truesdalelake.com/about/) is 82.3 acres in area, one mile long and 3/8 mile across at its widest point and contains about 100 million gallons of water during its summer level. The watershed, mostly east of the lake from Ridgefield’s West Mountain down to Pumping Station Swamp, is huge. The watershed to lake ratio is 28.7 to 1. The average annual rainfall that drains into the lake is 1.6 billion gallons or 4 million gallons per day. The lake turns over (hydraulic residence time) 16.2 times per year or once every 22 days. The water traveling over the spillway (small blue spike below at the “beak”) enters the Waccabuc River and flows into the Cross River Reservoir. The dam is the flat horn on the far left side of both bathymetry shots below:

Truesdale Lake Map, contour by ELS NOV 2017 with 3 ft drawdown exposure.PNG

The dam, built c. 1920, is in bad shape. NYS DEC regulates and inspects our dam. The last DEC inspection occurred twelve years ago on 6/18/2009 and is attached. The training walls around the primary spillway are cratered and undermined from years of flowing water erosion. The embankments, rip rap and geotextile fabric have deteriorated. The south embankment is heavily eroded and no longer has a smooth angle down to the river. The low water outlet is blocked. The 14-foot control tower is flooded and the submerged sluice gate and hand wheel are inoperable.

Control Towers for all dams must remain sealed and dry. This photo shows the flooded control tower with the submerged sluice gate control wheel 14 feet down the tower shaft:

The shot below shows the partially submerged tower chamber when I entered it with a compressed air tank to insure I had breathable air down there. The water level in the flooded tower and chamber matches the lake’s water level, and this shot was taken in the winter when we drew the lake down to three feet below the spillway deck (to compact the lakebed and expose the weed tubers to subfreezing temperatures).

These diagrams show the 250-foot-long dam, road, bridge, primary and secondary spillways and some of the color-coded remediations recommended to repair structures and reinforce the embankments:

This photo shows the siphons we installed since we cannot open the low water outlet to protect the dam before severe rainfall events or to draw the lake down in the winter.

The shot above shows the intake sections of two 12″ and one 6″ diameter siphons with the road and bridge over them.

The shot below shows the discharge sections of these siphons into the river at the base of the spillway under the bridge.

This photo below shows the top of the control tower and the eroded irregular south embankment section after cutting down invasive vegetation, bushes and trees. Roots and water have infiltrated the embankments.

This photo shows the access hatch at the top of the control tower, looking down the flooded shaft, with my reflection in the water below:

The homes downstream from the dam will take the following route to the Cross River Reservoir in the event they are carried away by 100 million gallons of water should the dam suffer a failure:

Truesdale Lake to Cross River Reservoir route.jpg

There are two primary associations that maintain this lake. The Truesdale Lake Property Owners Association (TLPOA) owns the dam and controls the northern half of the lake where homes are on a community well. The Truesdale Estates Association (TEA) owns the lakebed and islands and controls the southern half of the lake where homes operate their own individual wells. The Lewisboro Police Department and the South Salem Fire District are very interested in staying up to date with the structural integrity of the dam. And finally, the Lewisboro Highway Department maintains the road and guard rails over the bridge and dam. If the dam suffers a breach, these last three entities will need to be involved.

The following people are copied with this request:

Nicholas Fiegoli, TLPOA President
Robert Cummings, TEA President
Allison Settineri, TLPOA Vice President
Howard Citron, TEA Vice President
John Gusmano, Chairman, Lake Management Committee
David Alfano, Chief, Lewisboro Police Department
Michael Lombardi, Fire Commissioner, South Salem Fire District
Peter Ripperger, Superintendent, Lewisboro Highway Department

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Scot Evans

August 29, 2021
by rob
Comments Off on Sunfish Near End-of-Summer Report

Sunfish Near End-of-Summer Report

Sunfish Fleet #27 is going strong on Lake Truesdale. We have six active sailors in our 2021 fleet. This is down a bit from our banner year in 2020 when we saw a covid-surge in sailing and many other activities on the lake.

Results for the current season can be found here.

Jonathan leads the 2021 series so far. Skip is hot on his heels. Rob and Ira are battling for the bronze medal. Paul and Kevin have to notch a few more races to challenge for any hardware in 2021.

Due to some windless Sundays, vacations, and Hurricane Henri, we have only 11 of the expected 18 races completed. Our sailors today voted to extend the season through September Sundays to get some more races in for the season. The Presidents Cup will be moved to Columbus Day weekend in October

If you are a Lake Truesdale resident and want to come out and race but are worried you are too much of a beginner — or not keen on sailing in boat traffic — we’ve got you covered. Beginners get a 2 minute head start and lots of friendly coaching during the race, especially if the wind is light or moderate. In addition, our regular sailors are always willing to come out on a Saturday or before the races on Sunday to give some lessons in sailing and racing. If you don’t have a boat we have boats to lend so you can get a feel for the wind.

Let us know your interest – email lake@truesdalelake.com – and we will get in touch.

August 29, 2021
by rob
Comments Off on Hurricane Henri Post-Storm Report

Hurricane Henri Post-Storm Report

by Scot Evans

Truesdale Lake received a total rainfall of 2.91″ and Twin Lakes received 3.12″ during the 35 hours of precipitation from Tropical Depression HENRI. Offshore, it was a CAT 1 Hurricane, downgraded to a Tropical Storm as it entered the pass between Montauk and Block Island and downgraded again to a Tropical Depression during its westward progress to Newburgh.

The radar image below shows the reason that NJ and NYC received so much rain and flooding. This leading west band dumped huge amounts of rain on them and never affected us.

With the three inches of rain we received, the lake rose rapidly and at its peak, was flowing 7″ over the new custom-made one piece weir board between the training walls of the primary spillway under the bridge. (The lake was 15″ below the level when it would start to flow over the secondary spillway, which is the lowest part of the road where the boatyard meets the water.)

Here was the lake level after Hurricane FLOYD hit New York in SEP 1999.

The water level was about 8″ above the top of the lake wall and was flowing over the secondary spillway.
(If you have photos of water flowing over the secondary spillway, please send them for our archive.)

For comparison, here is the same view of the lake level after Tropical Depression HENRI departed – heading east to Cape Cod.

The lake level was 11″ below the top of the lake wall at its peak inflow at about 8am this morning:

Note that FLOYD was a CAT 4 Hurricane, just 2 MPH short of becoming the highest rating on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Here it was at its peak intensity near the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Here are 2 of my 3 precip reports (1st day had just .01″ since storm had just arrived before I took the reading):

Here’s the rainfall comparison with the Three Lakes Region:

And finally, I opened up the Control Tower lid and confirmed that the lake level matched the water level inside the flooded shaft above the low level outlet sluice gate. I pulled some mugwart and closed the lid hoping to repair and rebuild our dam with the $10 million grant we’ll receive one day.