2011 Lake Survey: Blue Mountain, Eagle and Utowanna Lakes, all connecting channels and large tributaries and outflows

Submitted By:

Aquatic Invasive Management, LLC

6047 Sentinel Rd.

Lake Placid, NY 12946

www.milfoilremoval.com

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Work Conducted

On Monday, September 19th, AIM began conducting a full littoral zone survey of Utowanna, Eagle and Blue Mountain Lakes. In a littoral zone survey all lake bottom capable of supporting plant growth is visually observed by a combination of scuba divers and surface spotters. In these three lakes, the typical “drop-off” or point beyond which there is no plant growth was roughly 15 feet. Therefore the inspected littoral zone on all three lakes consisted of all lake-bottom shallower than 15 feet.

The crew for the survey consisted of two divers and one surface boater. The initial plan was to scuba survey, or conduct an underwater inspection of, the main shorelines on all three lakes and surface survey the connecting channels and tributaries. A surface survey is essentially an above water inspection of the entire littoral zone and can only be conducted with the right conditions such as flat, calm water and good sunlight. It is only effective in shallow areas where 100% of the lake bottom and its plant growth are clearly visible from the surface. Below is an example of a surface survey.

We started our inspection on the Western tip of Utowanna Lake next to the mouth of the channel leading back to the . Our divers conducted a scuba survey of the entire littoral zone of Utowanna Lake. Since we found ourselves ahead of schedule we decided to conduct a scuba survey from the Marion River Dam to Utowanna. We thought that this area would be a likely location for Variable Leaf milfoil to show up due to its presence in the Marion. We collected some samples (Sample 1) of a milfoil in the locations shown on the map on Page 5.

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We field identified the sample as Farwell’s Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum farwellii). The key features that led to the field identification were the tell-tale bumpy ridges on the fruits located in the leaf axils. A photograph of the sample is shown on Page 4. The milfoil is a native plant and not a concern. It is fortunate that the survey was conducted late in the growing season when the plant produces its fruiting bodies which were the key to effective identification.

We conducted surface surveys of the connecting channel between Utowanna and Eagle Lakes as well as the Loon Brooke inflow on Utowanna . We then conducted a scuba survey of Eagle Lake where we found Sample 2 (photograph on Page 4), what appeared to be some sort of sponge species. We had not seen or identified this particular specimen in any other work and felt it would be worth further investigation. Other than this one sample we found nothing on Eagle Lake other than a healthy, sparse and native plant community.

We surface surveyed the connecting channel between Eagle and Blue Mountain lakes and then commenced our full scuba survey of the lake’s littoral zone. We collected Sample 3 (photograph on Page 4), a species of freshwater clam which had similarities to the invasive Asian clam. For both the sponge and clam samples we called in the help of Steve Ressler of Innerspace Diving who is a scientific diver working with Darrin Freshwater on the Lake George Asian Clam project. He confirmed that the sponge was a native species often found on docks. He also confirmed that the clams were native “Pea” clams that are quite common but rarely reported. The locations of both samples are shown on Map 2 on Page 6.

Summary

We completed our full scuba survey of Blue Mountain Lake right on schedule and despite collecting some interesting samples found no invasive aquatic species. We feel that all three lakes in the Eckford Chain are in excellent condition but with the usual risks of infestation common to Adirondack lakes. It is our recommendation that special attention be paid to the Marion River end of . The shallow channel will present invasive growth such as Variable Leaf Milfoil quickly if it enters the water- body. Surface surveys of this area and of the Chain should continue as an effective way to monitor and report any potential infestation.

The Blue Mountain Lake boat launch and other points where watercraft enter the lake are potential vectors for an introduction of invasives. With the continued presence of a Watershed Steward and of volunteers to educate boaters and visually inspect trailers and boats, the risk can be controlled.

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Sample 1: Farwell’s Water-Milfoil, Myriophyllum farwellii

Sample 2: Freshwater sponge

Sample 3: Pea Clams

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Map 1: Sample 1 Locations (Farwell’s Water-Milfoil)

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Map 2: Samples 2 (Freshwater sponge) and 3 (Pea clam) Locations

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