Onota Lake Long-Range Management Plan Spring 2004 Prepared For: The City of Pittsfield Prepared By: Berkshire Regional Planning Commission 1 Fenn Street, Suite 201 Pittsfield, MA 01201 Lake Onota Preservation Association, Inc. PO Box 2884 Pittsfield, MA 01202 Onota Lake Long-Range Management Plan Spring 2004 City of Pittsfield Onota Lake Long Range Management Project Project conducted from July 2002 to June 2004 Prepared by Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and Lake Onota Preservation Association Prepared for the City of Pittsfield Funding Provided by the Berkshire Environmental Fund June 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary....................................................................................................................2 Chapter 1 - Onota Lake and its Watershed...............................................................................4 Rainfall & Climate....................................................................................................................4 Topography & Soils ................................................................................................................4 Land use...................................................................................................................................5 Macrophytes ............................................................................................................................7 Natural Heritage and Endangered Species...........................................................................7 Wetland Ecosystems ..............................................................................................................7 Water Quality ...........................................................................................................................7 Water Quality Monitoring........................................................................................................9 Sediment Accumulation .........................................................................................................9 Nutrient Budget .......................................................................................................................9 Chapter 2 – Lake Planning & Management Efforts................................................................12 Existing Documents and Plans............................................................................................13 Existing Recommendations for Lake Management ...........................................................15 Requirements under NPDES Phase II .................................................................................32 Chapter 3 - Jurisdictions & Authorities ..................................................................................36 City of Pittsfield .....................................................................................................................36 Lake Onota Preservation Association, Incorporated (LOPA) ...........................................37 Other Jurisdictions and Authorities ....................................................................................38 Chapter 4 - Development of the Onota Lake Management Plan...........................................39 Problems and Concerns .......................................................................................................39 Chapter 5 - Management Goals, Objectives & Recommended Actions...............................44 Chapter 6 - Summary of the Vision for Onota Lake...............................................................49 Five Year Action Plan............................................................................................................50 Executive Summary Onota Lake is a 617-acre lake located entirely within the City of Pittsfield. Many recreational opportunities are provided by the lake and are enjoyed by area residents as well as those visiting the Berkshires. However, like many area lakes, Onota Lake is threatened. While these problems are not unusual or atypical they do require attention. The Onota Lake Management Plan has been generated by the Lake Onota Preservation Association Incorporated (LOPA) and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) with the City of Pittsfield. Funding for the development of the lake management plan was provided by the Berkshire Environmental Fund (BEF) through a Community Improvement Grant to the City of Pittsfield. The intent of the management plan is to serve as a guideline for lake management decisions in future years as the City of Pittsfield attempts to maintain the aesthetic and recreational attributes of this magnificent natural and economic resource. This plan provides background information on the lake and its watershed, a brief review of past and current lake preservation initiatives, a review of previous lake management recommendations, and a brief description of local authorities and “stakeholders”. BRPC, LOPA and the City of Pittsfield facilitated a Technical Advisory Group to: a) identify the problems and concerns experienced by lake users; b) explore alternative feasible management approaches c) develop management goals and objectives; and d) draft a proposed five year action plan to present to the City of Pittsfield Administration and City Council. The Technical Advisory Group was composed of volunteers and of people from agencies and municipalities, who were familiar with Onota Lake as well as technical and regulatory matters. Special thanks are due to the active members of the Technical Advisory Group Bob Race, Tom Armstrong, Dorothy Mara, Dick Laureyns, Jane Winn, Dennis Reagan, Jim McGrath, and Tom Matuszko. The Technical Advisory Group provided an assurance that the management plan stayed on track and was technically credible. The Technical Advisory Group met to develop the lake management plan and to discuss management goals and objectives. Finally, the short range and long range management objectives were identified and the proposed five year action plan was developed. The Technical Advisory Group considered a wide-range of problems and concerns. They did not limit their considerations to strictly water quality concerns, but rather identified concerns relative to the aesthetics, environmental quality and overall condition of the lake, both presently and projecting into the future. These problems and concerns form the basis for the development of management goals and objectives, which in turn form the basis for specific recommended management actions. The Technical Advisory Group then prioritized each of the identified problems and concerns. Identified problems and concerns included nuisance aquatic plants, drawdown/management of water level, watershed management, education and outreach, and recreation and regulations. Chapter 1 - Onota Lake and its Watershed Onota Lake is a 617-acre lake located entirely within the City of Pittsfield, (See Map 1). The watershed of Onota Lake is approximately 6,345 acres in area. Onota Lake is often described as “two lakes in one” because of the minimal water exchange between the north and south basins due to the old roadway that marked to north end of the original lake prior to the building of the dam. The outlet of Onota Lake, Onota Brook, flows southeast entering the West Branch of the Housatonic River, in Pittsfield. (Souza et al., 1991) The Housatonic River Basin 1997/1998 Water Quality Assessment Report classified Onota Lake as mesotrophic. (DEP, 1998) Onota Lake is listed on the Massachusetts Year 2004 Draft Integrated List of Impaired Waters as being impaired by exotic species (EOEA, 2004). At the present time, the water quality at Onota Lake appears to be appropriate to its uses. However, the excessive growth of exotic aquatic plants threatens recreational options and other current uses of the lake. Onota Lake’s eutrophication can be attributed to watershed urbanization and subsequent increases in sediment and nutrient loading. The most all-encompassing cause of Onota Lake’s problems are a result of excessive sediment and nutrient loading. Non-point source pollution, including erosion must be controlled. (Souza et al., 1991) Like any watershed, the Onota Lake watershed is vulnerable to the impacts of the land use patterns. The potential for accelerated sedimentation, the removal of vegetation filters and the increased pollutant loading of waterways that is associated with changing landscapes threatens the present conditions of Onota Lake. Future development within the lake’s watershed could substantially accelerate the lake’s eutrophication process. (Souza et al., 1991) Rainfall & Climate Precipitation is typically evenly distributed throughout the year and averages about 46 inches (117 cm) annually. The average monthly precipitation varies from a low of 2.7 inches (6.9 cm) in October to a high of 4.3 inches (10.9cm) in April. Much of the winter precipitation falls as snow, which averages about 75 inches (190.5cm) annually. The local climate is characterized as humid with temperatures ranging in the North Temperate Zone, with a 46 degree Fahrenheit average. (Souza et al., 1991) Topography & Soils Onota Lake is located in the Upper Housatonic River Basin, which is divided into a three-part physiographic system: the valley of the Housatonic River, which includes the main stem and its two major tributaries, the East and West branches. Elevations within the Upper Housatonic River Basin range from 2,625 feet (800m) above sea level at Brodie Mountain to 951 feet (290m) at Pittsfield. Onota Lake