Page 1 KLA Newsletter

Newsletter CELEBRATING 50 YEARS March 2006

LAKE LEVEL MANAGEMENT by Bill Oben

he variability of Keuka’s level developed by the U.S. has long been a concern, da- Army Corps of engi- T ting back to early settlement of neers. Using the curve, the surrounding region. Residents Stuck lowers the lake along the lake struggled through fre- level in the fall and win- quent flooding brought by rain and ter in preparation for the the annual spring snow melt, while spring melt, rain and commercial ventures built along the run-off. Ideally, the lake Keuka Outlet coped with an unde- reaches a low of 712 pendable volume of water required feet above sea level on to power their mill wheels. Early on, March 1 and a high of the need was recognized to provide 714.6 feet in May. a mechanism for dampening the ef- Federal funds are pay- fects on lake level resulting from the ing $369,800 for the variability of Mother Nature. Dams project and the eight were installed in the Outlet at various municipalities surround- locations in an attempt to exercise The Keuka Outlet Gates in Penn Yan and ing Keuka Lake are dividing the re- the Main Street bridge some degree of control. However, maining cost of $123,000 among these provided only modest capabil- themselves. ity to regulate lake level. The modern Work on the new gates began on Newsletter Highlights gate system we now depend so heavily upon for flood control was July 20. A.L.Blades Construction Co. Lake Level Management………... 1 installed in stages over the past forty is in charge of the project and antici- President’s Report ……………... 2 years, largely through the advocacy pates completion in 3 to 4 months.” Former KLA Directors & Officers.. 3 of the KLA. The following article ap- Calendar & Website………... 4 New Members……………………. 4 peared in the Fall 1991 issue of the The Keuka Lake Outlet Compact Did You Know? …………...... 4 KLA newsletter, and describes the (KLOC), composed of a representative A Quiet Time ...... 5 long-awaited construction of the high from each of the eight municipalities State of the Lake-Part 1…………. 6 -capacity discharge gates: around the lake, is responsible to Watershed: Eggleston’s Glen...... 7 “The Keuka Lake outlet gates, which managing the level of Keuka Lake. Bill Update: Docks & Moorings……… 8 help to control the level of the lake, Weber, Supervisor of the Town of Keuka Shoreline Views………….. 8 Book Review...... 8 are in the process of being replaced Pulteney, currently chairs this commis- KWIC Policy Changes…………... 9 with aluminum gates with steel guid- sion. The KLOC contracts with the Hiking the Finger Lakes………... 9 erails and motorized shafts. The Penn Yan Department of Public Works KYC Junior Sailing………………. 9 wooden Birkett Mills gate dates back to maintain and manage the gate sys- Red Cross Blood Drives………… 9 to 1929. Installed in 1966, the An- tem. Ed Balsley, Director of Public Critter Corner…………………...… 10 drews gates, which are directly un- Works, adjusts the gate settings ac- Membership Committee...... 11 der the Mail Street bridge, are steel. cording to the plan provided by the New Business Members……….... 11 Business Member Directory…..… 11 Engineering studies from 1984-1987 Army Corps of engineers. The control curves have been modified slightly Advertising Info………………..… 12 determined another set of gates was KLA Office Info………… …………12 needed. The new gates will allow up over the years, and continue to pro- Member Application Form ...... 12 to 1,000 cubic feet of water per sec- vide an excellent guide for lake level Order Forms ………….……...... 13 ond to pass through the gates. The management. Keuka Events Calendar ……...... 13 present gates have a 500 cubic feet KLA Directors & Officers.……...... 13 per second discharge capacity fol- Lake Level Chart ……………...... 14 lows a curve for projected lake levels

March 2006 Page 2

KLA UPDATE: Report on Association Activities by President Bill Oben

This year, KLA is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of our I’m delighted to report that KLA membership is approach- founding. In 1956, prompted in part by flooding that dam- ing 1600. As a reminder, our membership year now runs aged property along the lake shore that year, a small group from May 1 – April 30. Our 2006 membership renewal of lake property owners formed an organization “to associ- process will get underway in April, and we hope you will ate together the persons owning, or having an interest in, continue your support by returning your membership re- property bounded in part by Keuka Lake for their mutual newal promptly (and encouraging friends and neighbors benefit…”. Incorporated initially as Keuka Lake Shore who may not be members to join with us). Property Owners, Inc. (KLSPO), the organization was in- formally referred to as the Keuka Lake Association. (Our name was officially changed to the Keuka Lake Associa- Bill tion in 1990, thereby adopting a name which recognizes the broader range of our membership throughout the wa- tershed.)

During these past 50 years, KLA has championed numer- ous projects in line with our mission “to Protect the Quality of Keuka Lake”. These initiatives have led to the installa- tion of additional flood control gates (see article within newsletter), adoption of upland zoning, formation of the Keuka Lake Watershed District which resulted in the for- mation of KWIC [Keuka Watershed Improvement Cooper- ative] and implementation of uniform wastewater manage- ment regulations, an on-going water quality monitoring pro- gram, and enhanced boater education. Additionally, KLA has provided an oversight role for situations arising within the watershed which could potentially damage the lake.

Throughout its history, the KLA has been guided by a dedi- cated group of Directors and Officers who have invested countless volunteer hours on behalf of the Association. (See following list of former Directors & Officers). We sa- lute them for their foresight in recognizing the need to ad- dress the many problems which have been confronted, and the progress that has been made on so many fronts.

KWIC has announced that it will no longer be able to offer design support for new or replacement septic systems. This change is being made to provide sufficient time for the Watershed Manager to coordinate the overall inspection program for wastewater treatment systems. KWIC is available to assist residents with selection of alter- native sources for this design service. (See Paul Bauter’s article within.)

Progress continues to be made by the inter-municipal com- Photo by Steve Knapp mittee working to develop a Uniform Docking and Moor- ing law for Keuka Lake. (See Bob Worden’s article). We The “Big Falls” at Eggleston’s Glen in February. appreciate the input you’ve provided on this subject. (See related article on page 7.)

The Communications Committee is planning a major up- grade of the KLA website (www.keukalakeassoc.org) in the coming months. A new edition of the Keuka Lake Calendar is also being prepared.

Page 3 KLA Newsletter

Former Directors & Officers of the Keuka Lake Association

Robert C. Albee* Perry W. Johnson, Jr. Walter W. Scott Fuller J. Allen James Keeler Bob Seurkamp John T. Andrews John E. Kelley Robert F. Shay Jr. John T. Andrews, Jr. John W. Kelley Guy S. Shoemaker Franklin Aulls David Kennedy J. Raymond Shoemaker** John W. Bailey Jeff Kennedy Garth A. Shoemaker* Sue Bair Everitt Kiff Robert B. Shuart Ralph Baker Bob Kinney Kenneth L. Shull Helen Jane Bartron Kasey Klingensmith Hugh M. Slawson, Jr. George N. Blanchard* Frederick S. Kriger Don A. Smith Ken Blumenstock John R. Kuhl, Jr. Spaulding A. Smith Robert Canfield John M. Kuller Richard D Smith Helen Canfield Ray Lane William Smith F. Rudolph Carlson Suzette Lepper Freeman H. Smith Paul Carney Dick Liebe John E. Stein Tom Carroll Michael Linehan Paul Sturdevant Phil Chase Marion Louden Kenneth Taft Jean Chase Don Lovejoy Lawrence Tallman Jack Clancy Don Manges Arthur Terwilliger Don Clements Peter Manikas Alice S. Thiese* Harry C. Cohn Charles Mashewske Dick Trotta Jerry Denton Doug McCabe Robert Turissini Tom Dickinson James McCabe E. Stewart Underhill Jr.* Clarence O. Drake George F. McGough Vincent Valicenti Nancy Drum Don McGuire John Vine G. Merlin Drumm Paul C. McMaster Robert G. Vyverberg Kenneth R. Dunham Katherine Meade Herman H. Jack Farmer Jack Miller Wayne W. Wagner Jack Feeney William L. Nesbitt Dr. Alexander Wahlig J. Peter Fennell William H. Ness William A. Weber Suzanne Fenner Francis K. Norman* William S. Weeks Kathy Ferron Tom Noteware Leland Welker John C. Fink Walter W. Oakley William P. White Gary Frasier Jean O'Neil Mary Anne Whitmore Dick Frey John O'Neill Gustave Wiedeman* Dave Fuller Marty Opelt Ed Wightman Eugene Gilson Priscilla Osswald Leland Williams George F. Gleason Harold J. Palmer Ephrain K. Willoughby Rick Gordon Dale Pederson Samuel K. Wolcott J. Lawrence Green James E. Personius* Pam Yunis Michael Hanna Robert B. Peterson Ed Zemanick Judy Hart Edward L. Phillips Harvey Haynes Robert Pinckney * Founding Director Gary Hickernel Gladys Pitbladdo **Honorary Founding Chairman Mrs. W. Holcomb James E. Poland William D. Holcomb Fred Porter F. Philip Hunt George Pratt NOTE: The foregoing list of former Directors & Officers was gleaned from Franklyn Hutchings George W. Pratt* a search of our archives. Please Joanna L. James Phay B. Rutan Herman Jimerson advise us of anyone who was Ann Sandroski inadvertently omitted. Perry Johnson Kenneth L. Schull March 2006 Page 4

To Be Published in June: WELCOME to the following new The 2006-07 KLA Website KLA members: “KLAeidoscope of Makeover Keuka” Calendar Mark & Jill Barden A committee is now working on a major overhaul of the KLA Christian & Heather Carlson Preparations are now underway for the Richard & Gale Galusha website. The makeover will in- publication of our second edition of the clude a new, fresh and more Dan & Lisa Mutschler Hayes KLAeidoscope of Keuka photo and colorful design, more popular Sarah & Murray Hestley event calendar. and updated content, and a Warren & Marion Houston broadened scope. Thomas Howitt III Our 2005-2006 edition, which came out Ray & Anne Leinen in July of last year, was a tremendous If you have suggestions regard- Marty & Dan Marino success, with over 1000 copies sold. ing the website please email Frank & Sally Midgley them to the KLA office so they This year we sponsored a photo con- Justine B. Miller can be forwarded to the com- test, to encourage members to submit Mark H. Mitchell mittee. photos for cash prizes and to to pro- Pete & Cece Wasson Peterson vide a wider selection of images to Special and continuing thanks Don Schnapp choose from for inclusion in the calen- go to Vince Domeraski who has Ken & Debi Smith dar. A jury is now reviewing the over kept the website going for a Michael & Debbie Smith 200 photos that were submitted. Three long time now, and will continue Scott & Roxanna Smith top prize winners will be announced in to provide critical programming Mary & John Sothoron the next edition of the newsletter. and updating support. Deborah & Harry Rubin Douglas & Stephanie Stewart The calendar will include an expanded - Steve Knapp Phil & Susan Sweet section of discount coupons from 30 Communications Committee area businesses. Look for the calendar Peter & Moira Szilagyi at area stores and wineries in early Barbara Van Dine June. Christian & Aimee Cox Wasson Peggy Jane Wasson Many thanks to the Calendar Commit- William Wasson tee: Nancy Feinstein, Marsha Senges, and Steve Knapp. Additions to 2005 KLA Did You Know….. Member Roster:

Ash & Rose Cutler How much Lower is Carol & Joe Peworchik Southward down the West Branch in Keuka Lake than: Winter - Photo by M. McTaggart Size Feet Owasco Lake...... 52 Skaneateles Lake...... 122 Cazenovia Lake...... 182 Dundee Village...... 236 Waneta-Lamoka Lakes...... 39 Jerusalem Pinnacle...... 572 Bluff Point Summit...... 707 Ocean...... 718

How much higher Keuka Lake is than:

Site Feet Canandaigua Lake...... 50 Lake Erie...... 153 Seneca Lake...... 271 Cayuga Lake...... 331 Lake Ontario...... 487

Page 5 KLA Newsletter

Reprinted with permission of the Times Union of Albany, N.Y. reason only kids might understand, stuck his face in the wa- Copyright 2006. Original copyright 1993. ter. A trout immediately bit his nose. Harry, understandably startled, fell back into the boat and dragged the trout in with A QUIET TIME him. He was a major local celebrity for the rest of his days.

By Dan Lynch Jemima Wilkinson was famous, too, but she worked at it. A Times Union few hundred years ago, she billed herself as the "Universal Publick Friend" and convinced a good many people that she ALBANY, N.Y. -- By the time you read this, I'll be on vacation had a special relationship with God. Pretty soon she had a and, quite frankly, monumentally unconcerned over whether cult following that numbered into the hundreds and maybe you're reading this or not. into the thousands.

That's the way I am about vacation. When I work, I work. Her big mistake was bragging that she could walk across the When I vacation, I don't work. I don't even think about work. lake. When several thousand people showed up to watch her In fact, I don't think about anything. For however long I'm make good her boast, she informed them that she could ac- away from the Salt Mines -- my pet name for the Times Un- complish this amazing feat only if everybody present had ion -- I let my mind go blank, not unlike the mind of your typi- absolute, unwavering faith that God would let her do it. It was cal broadcast journalist. crucial, she told the crowd, that no one have the slightest doubt. This vacation will be spent in the modest but heavily mort- gaged little cottage I built a few years ago on a secluded Everybody swore they had absolute faith that she could walk mountainside in the Finger Lakes. It's about 4 1/2 hours from across the lake. Jemima then told them that since everybody here, and there's no television. Instead, there's a weekly knew she could do it, it really wasn't necessary for her go to newspaper that runs wonderful police stories -- things like, all that trouble. She went home instead. The cult got consid- "Sam Snurd, 66, of Route 14A was charged with Driving erably smaller after that. While Impaired after colliding with a Holstein cow owned by so-and-so ... " The most important person who ever lived along the lake was Glenn Hammond Curtiss, a hotshot motorcycle racer in There's also a terrific local radio station that plays an intri- the early years of the century who came up with a plan for a guing format. They broadcast the music of the last 50 years. flying machine. The Junebug, the seaplane he built, took off This means you get Whitney Houston followed by Bing Cros- from the lake's surface and flew beautifully. by followed by Stevie Wonder followed by somebody inquir- ing about the price of that doggie in the window. The only problem was that a few days earlier a pair of broth- ers named Wilbur and Orville Wright had gotten their own The station has three disc jockeys, one of them the station flying machine aloft at Kitty Hawk. Curtiss and the Wright owner, and they do the voiceovers on all the local commer- brothers were bitter rivals until World War I broke out and the cials as well. I'm talking about commercials like, "Be sure to federal government forced them to merge their companies drop by Captain Yogi's for some fresh seafood. After all, sev- into Curtiss-Wright Aircraft. en days without fish makes one weak." The place is a lot calmer these days -- no experimental The cottage sits high on the side of a low, rolling mountain flights of flying machines, no cults and, as far as I know, no- overlooking a big lake. I learned to swim in that lake. At 14, I body catching fish with their noses. There's really not much swam across it, about a mile. I threatened not long ago to do excitement around the lake any more. the same thing to celebrate my 50th birthday in three years. My wife hasn't stopped laughing yet. Which is just the way I like it on vacation.

The little village where we buy food, beer and other essen- tials is home to about 5,000 people, roughly a quarter of the county's population. The village has three grocery stores, eight eateries, a hardware store, three bookstores and six bars all within a few blocks of one another. Everybody is friendly. The last time I was there I saw a guy walking down the street wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with this message: "Nothing's wrong with my damn attitude." He must have been from out of town.

Keuka Lake has an interesting history. A bit more than a cen- tury ago, a little boy named Harry Morse caught a fish in Keuka's waters by employing an unusual angling technique. Harry was out in a boat when he leaned over and, for some March 2006 Page 6

The “State of the Lake” — Part 1 By Peter Landre, Cornell Cooperative Extension

The Summer of ‘05: Keuka Lake Chlorophyll a Results Warm and Sunny Days….and “Foaming”

5

The summer of 2005 seems like a long time ago at this 4.5 point, but do you remember how beautiful, warm and sun- 4 ny it was? While we are setting records now for the num- 3.5 ber of cloudy days and warm weather in January (the 3 warmest since 1935), the summer of 2005 was noteworthy in terms of the number of warm and sunny days we experi- 2.5 enced. The lake, in terms of water quality, also showed 2 some interesting turns, particularly in August and Septem- Chlorophyll(ppb) a 1.5 ber when we started to see the extensive “foaming” on the 1 lake. 0.5

0 More Evidence of Zebra Mussel Decline 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Average And an “Algae Bloom”

For the year overall, water clarity averaged 5.5 meters and total phosphorus levels were 8 parts per billion (ppb), con- Keuka Lake Phosphorus Trends sistent with a reduced zebra mussel presence in the lake. Chlorophyll a levels (a measure of algae concentration) 14 were about 2 parts per billion, about half the long-term av- 12 erage and indicative of the continued zebra mussel filtra-

tion influence in the lake. 10 Examining the monthly data more closely, the first half of the year water clarity averaged about 7 meters and the 8 phosphorus levels were between 4-5 ppb. Starting in July, 6 however, phosphorus levels started to rise to 8 ppb and by August, the deep water sites averaged 12.9 and 11.6 ppb 4 in August and September respectively. Algae levels rose TotalPhosphorusConcentration (ppb) to 3.6 and 7.3 ppb in these months, indicating an “algae 2 bloom” was in progress. With more floating algae in the water column, water clarity decreased to 4.5 meters. 0 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

What happened in the middle of the summer to cause Foaming Probably The Result of this increase in nutrients and algae production? Zebra Mussel Die-Off

Was it from runoff? Was it more people at the lake using By many accounts, the extensive foaming on the lake start- their septic systems? Could the warmer water and sun- shine play a role? Or, did those zebra mussels have some- ed to appear in August. The foam streaks and piles were present all around the lake when the wind kicked up. The thing to do with it? And, what about all that white foam on heaviest foaming lasted several months and was very simi- the lake, how did that fit in? lar to the event on Canandaigua Lake a few years ago. The foaming episode on Canandaigua was attributed to a Since there was virtually no runoff during the summer, run- massive die off of zebra mussels and we believe the same off was not the cause. Septics are always a likely suspect, was the case on Keuka. The decomposition chemicals however, bacteria levels were measured to be quite low from the dead zebra mussels act as a surfactant in the lake during this period. The warm and sunny weather certainly and cause the foaming when combined with wave action. could have been part of the cause, as algae production is greatly enhance during a very warm and sunny summer. Together, these two factors seem likely to have caused the Mat growth algae was reported to be extensive in the lake increase in phosphorus, the subsequent algae bloom and and when this algae started to die off, the decomposition the decline in water clarity during August and September. could have significantly contributed to the nutrient levels By November, nutrient levels were back down to 5.5 ppb, and the subsequent algae blooms in the water column. algae levels were down to 1.5 ppb and water clarity levels were back up to 5.5 meters and the foam was less noticea- ble compared to earlier months.

Page 7 KLA Newsletter

A New Regular Feature: The Watershed: KEUKA’S GULLIES & STREAMS

Introducing “Eggleston’s Gully” by Steve Knapp

Take a plane ride over Keuka Lake and you will realize at book Waterfalls and Gorges of the Finger Lakes, by Derek once that Eggleston’s Glen is the most spectacular gully Doeffinger. Writes Doeffinger: “What is most remarkable entering anywhere into the lake. Named for the Eggleston about this glen are the large boulders in the stream…. family who lived at its base and owned much of it in the ….these large boulders are called erratics. The glacier car- 1860’s, it begins in a small stream just west of the Old Bath ried them here…” (p. 26). Eggleston’s is a case study in Road and just North of Knapp Road in the Town of Barring- both “deep time” and glacial geology. When standing at the ton. (Just a few hundred yards to the East, the Keuka wa- base of the cliff above the magnificent bank of crushed tershed ends and the Seneca watershed begins). A sec- shale (“talus”) at the base of the falls, writes the author, “If ondary feed begins further south and west near the Keuka the rock next to your ear is three hundred million years old, Vista Road (also off the Bath Road). Within a mile or so the then that beside your toes is likely ten million years older.” main stream, aided by its secondary feeder to the south, The shale in Eggleston’s is “hardened mud and silt, depos- deepens into a spectacular gully 200 or so feet deep and ited millions of years ago be an ancient river along an an- nearly a quarter mile across. Just before the southern feed- cient seashore.” (p. 96). er enters the main creek bed, its stream drops down a beautiful 60 foot cascade known to the locals as the “Little Another fascinating feature of the glen is the spectacular, Falls.” Within another mile or so the main stream carves flat shale walls in and along the creek bed below the falls, and meanders through a beautiful, narrow 40 or so yard which appear as though they were sliced by a knife. In fact, long gorge, only a couple of feet wide in places, and about they were created by “joints,” fissures in the shale caused 50 feet tall. Shortly it levels off on a flat bed of sandstone by continental collisions millions of years ago. And then before dropping off a precipice 110 feet tall…...the spec- there is the foundation of the partially built trestle of the old tacular “Big Falls” (see photo on page 2). Corning, Bath and Sodus Bay railroad, still visible about a quarter of a mile up the creek from Rt. 54. The railroad Surrounding the falls is a massive cliff 200 or so feet tall, went bankrupt, partly because of the challenge and ex- shaped by frost eating away at the brittle shale. During the pense of crossing the gully in the 1870’s. famous flood of 1935, we are told that the water wall was 40 feet high as it plunged over the falls...creating a roar Truly, like the beautiful lake she nourishes daily, Eg- that could be heard for miles around. gleston’s Glen is one of Keuka’s most valuable treasures, to be preserved if not revered. It is currently under the lov- Following its drop over the falls, the stream flows through ing stewardship of the Yunis and Knapp families. a creek bed littered with VW Beetle-sized boul- ders…….spectacular “erratics”, dumped off by the glacier over 10,000 years ago. After crossing under Route 54, it empties into the lake at Camp Arey, creating the larg- est delta anywhere on Keuka Lake.

Native Americans undoubtedly climbed the steep trail, still navigated by the strong hearted, from the creek bed below the falls up along the beautiful northside cliffs to a ”humpback” atop the 200 ft. cliff sur- rounding the falls. As a teenager, Willie Knapp, whose family still owns much of the land above the falls, found a flint skinning knife along this cliff face…..just where a Seneca hunter left it hundreds of years ago.

There are two photos (on pages 26 and 96) of Eggleston’s Glen in the Eggleston’s Gully and its Delta at Camp Arey

March 2006 Page 8

BOOK REVIEW UPDATE: UNIFORM DOCKS & MOORING LAW Chuck McCausland Bob Worden

Son Rise 1937-1959 The process leading to the adoption of a uniform docks and moorings By Gus Tillman law for Keuka Lake is continuing through its anticipated steps. The Inter

-municipal Docks and Moorings Committee has completed a revised This book chronicles the life of a draft of the law which is available for viewing on the KLA website. More- boy growing up during the Depres- over, this committee, with a lot of help from Jerry Saxton, Town of sion in the Finger Lakes Region of Pulteney rep and KLA board member, has completed a draft of the New York. While he was born SEQR form (state environmental review form). In December, the Town Robert Tillman, since there were of Urbana passed a resolution of their intent to be the “lead agency” for four Roberts in his third grade at this process and their attorney has sent a “Lead Agency Designation his Hammondsport school, he be- Request” to the other seven municipalities and involved agencies asking came Gus. He was a very bright for their approval of Urbana being lead agency. Assuming a positive student, having been tutored by his conscientious sister, and had al- response from the other municipalities, the next step will be for the other ready accomplished the “new” towns and villages to have “official” hearings for the proposed law and schoolwork presented to him by his SEQR. Then, any final edits can be made and municipal approvals ob- teachers. This situation did not tained. How long will this take? These things seem to always take a bit make for a happy schoolroom or longer than expected, but the Committee expects hearings to occur in teacher. Living outside of Ham- the late Spring or early Summer, consistent with requests from some mondsport, on a small farm, and people to give the snow birds a chance to return. There is still plenty of later in the village, Gus Tillman time for citizens to express support or ask questions of their town and relates the activities on the farm village officials. and in a small town during that era. The book is full of his zany friends who created a panorama of won- Keuka Shoreline Views derful and zany experiences. The majority of his activities are cen- tered on the Village of Hammond- sport, Keuka Lake and the sur- rounding woods and hillsides. The book takes him through his years at SUNY Albany. In later life, Gus became an ecologist and worked for the New York Botanical Gar- dens, US Agency for International Development and the United Na- tions. He lived in Africa and in South America along the way. He retired in 1999 in Varskog, New York, not far from Hammondsport.

The book was published in 2001 by Var Skog Press, Rock Stream, New York. It is available at local booksellers. The Shoreline at Keuka Village Check out WANTED: KEUKA PHOTOS FROM THE 50’s and 60’s our website: As part of our 50th anniversary celebration we want to pub- www.keukalakeassoc.org  Latest Keuka News lish photos which indicate changes the Lake and its shoreline have gone through since the founding of KLA in 1956. If you  Docks & Moorings Update have “Then and Now” photos that you think would be of  Current Lake Level interest to our readers please send them to us. We hope to  Photo Gallery show some in a slide show at our annual meeting in July.  Other Lake Related Info Page 9 KLA Newsletter

Keuka Watershed Improvement Cooperative (KWIC) Policy Changes Regarding Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Construction Permits and Design By Paul Bauter, KWIC Watershed Manager -536-0917). The core of the KWIC water quality improvement program is the periodic inspection of wastewater treatment systems. Evaluation of soil absorption characteristics and the review/ In order to provide adequate time for the KWIC Watershed approval of wastewater system design are recognized by Manager to coordinate this inspection program, the KWIC the KWIC Board of directors as being of primary im- Board of Directors at their January 23, 2006 meeting voted portance for onsite wastewater treatment system construc- to change the policy regarding the design of Onsite tion. The KWIC watershed manager will witness all soil Wastewater Treatment Systems. Previously, KWIC had investigations for the design of onsite wastewater treat- offered a design service for new and replacement systems. ment systems, both new and replacement, and will review/ In June, 2005 it became necessary to discontinue this ser- approve all onsite wastewater treatment system construc- vice for new systems, in the interest of focusing more at- tion permits. tention on the inspection program. This action failed to produce the necessary reduction of workload, and KWIC The current fee schedule payable to KWIC shall remain the has now decided to discontinue design service for replace- same: onsite wastewater treatment system construction ment systems as well. Residents requiring such service will permits ($75), site evaluation and design review ($75), now need to contract directly with qualified engineering repair permits and permit renewals ($30). Contact your firms. A list of professional engineers and onsite town watershed inspector to determine inspection fees for wastewater installers is available from the KWIC office (315 septic tank replacement and real property transfer.

HIKES on the KEUKA YACHT CLUB’S JUNIOR SAILING PROGRAM – 63 YEARS OF FINGER LAKES TRAIL TEACHING CHILDREN TO LOVE THE LAKE If you are interested in joining a Keuka Yacht Club’s Junior Sailing Program is one of the oldest in the United group of people that hike on the trail States. Founded during WWII by Art Wilder, Phil Hunt, Irv Spear, and Mon- on Tuesday mornings from April roe Evans, KYC today continues the philosophy that sailing is an excellent 4th to June 19th, please call Tom way for children to learn self-reliance, self-esteem, and sportsmanship. and Donna Noteware at 607-868- 4614 for more information. It is OK if Today, KYC’s Jr. Sailing Program is a U.S. Sailing approved program (U.S. you cannot come every week. We Sailing is the agency governing sailing and yacht racing in the United States, would like to have you with us when including the Olympics.) Our Head Instructor is a U.S. Sailing Level One you can. Certified Instructor. We believe that sailing should be good education, a source of personal satisfaction, and fun. We use Sunfish and Laser boats. As a service to the American Red Cross the KLA is publishing the There are four two-week sessions, from 9 am-12 noon, Monday - Thursday. dates for Local Blood Drives: Classes are small - only twelve students per class. This year’s class dates are: Penn Yan Session 1: June 26 – July 7 (no class on July 4th) First Presbyterian Church Session 2: July 10 – July 20 211 Main St. Session 3: July 24 – August 3 4/11/06 - 12-6 PM Session 4: August 7 – August 17 Branchport Branchport School Tuition: KYC members: $185; additional students of same household: $150 3369 Guyanoga Rd. Non-members: $215; additional students of same household: $170 (Future Locations TBA) 3/16/06, 5/18/06 - 1:30-6:30 PM Private lessons and Adult Sailing lessons are also available. Hammondsport Keuka Yacht Club was founded in 1872 and has a long and interest- Hammondsport Fire Dept. ing history. We are a friendly, family oriented club and welcome new mem- 8251 State Rte. 54 bers, whether sailors, power-boaters or social. We hope to see you this sum- 3/23/06, 5/25/06 - 12-6 PM

mer! Jr. Sailing Contact: Debbie Koop, 315-595-2523; Brookside- Dundee [email protected]; KYC Membership Contact: Peter Gamba: 315-595-8899. Dundee Fire Dept. Our website is: www.keukayc.org 12 Union Street March 2006 Page 10

CRITTER CORNER WHITHER THE SMELT? by Dave deCalesta

by lake trout) smelt numbers plummeted in Keuka Lake in the 1990’s. Larger creeks had runs, including Cold Brook (Hammondsport) and Guyanoga Creek (Branchport). Now, it seems no one knows where, or if, they still run. If you know of any smelt runs, please let us know. And if you catch any, terrific recipes are available at this website: http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/fish/ smelt02.html. When we began to vacation on Keuka Lake in the late 1960’s, my father-in-law used a strange net (looked like small cyclone-fence mesh formed into a round, collapsible dip-net) to dip dozens of small, sil- FRIED SMELTS (Printed from COOKS.COM) very fish that ran up the creek next to his home on the lake. He said they ran only at night, and only for about 3 weeks in April. He froze them immediately in water in quart milk cartons, and later fried them up – they were delicious. Since moving to the lake 3 years ago, I’ve often thought about my father-in-law and those smelt, and where and how to catch them. 2 lbs. cleaned smelts 2 eggs, beaten A little research turned up that the fish, called rain- 1 c. bread crumbs bow smelt, freshwater smelt, or ice fish (so named be- 1/2 c. all-purpose flour cause they produce anti-freeze in their bodies to sur- 1 tbsp. parsley vive in very cold waters) were not native to Keuka 1 tbsp. Romano cheese Lake. Rather, they are a coastal saltwater fish that 1 clove garlic (chopped fine) runs up freshwater streams to spawn. Introduced into 1/4 c. vegetable oil the Great Lakes in the 1930’s, smelt did just fine in freshwater, reaching Keuka Lake in the early 1960’s. Rinse fish in cold water. Drain; set aside. In a large bowl Smelt fry (the young fish) first eat zooplankton combine bread crumbs, flour, parsley, cheese, garlic and (small, single-celled animal life that floats in lakes), salt. Mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl beat eggs; set aside. then graduate to small insects, freshwater shrimp, lar- val forms of zebra mussels and other smaller fish, pro- In a large skillet add oil and heat. Using a fork dip smelts into gressively eating larger fish as they get larger, and beaten egg, then into bread crumbs. Coat fish completely. reaching a maximum length of about 6-8 inches. Place fish into heated oil in skillet and cook until golden brown. Serve immediately. Smelt were first acclaimed as food for lake trout, bass, and perch. Then people discovered how good these little fish tasted, and began to fish for them, either dip-netting in spring, or fishing through the ice with small hooks baited with pieces of fish or worms. Smelt run up streams when water temperature reaches 40- 45o F, starting in April. Smelt may be dipped in a net not exceeding 14 inches in diameter anytime, sunset to sunset – the limit is 9 quarts. They should be frozen immediately, as they go bad quickly. Excited about the prospects of catching and eating smelt, I began to inquire of local bait shops and fishery professionals just where to go to dip smelt. The an- swers were not encouraging. For some reason (some blame the zebra mussel for eating too much zooplankton, others blame predation Page 11 KLA Newsletter

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: The KLA urges you to support the following New Business Member Solicitation KLA BUSINESS MEMBERS:

ACCOUNTING/BANKING MARINE SERVICES/SUPPLIES The KLA Membership would Community Bank, N.A. - PY Basin Park Marina like to welcome our newest J. Carey & Co., CPA’s Jake's Boat Livery twenty business members of Morgan Marine ARTS North End Marina the Keuka Lake Association Keuka Studios - Artistic Iron Work who responded to our business The Village Gallery - Hammondsport MEDICAL SERVICES membership drive in December Dr. Gregory L. Schultz – 2005 and the Kaleidoscope of BUILDING/PLUMBING/ Keuka Family Dentistry ELEC. SUPPLIES Henderson’s Drug Store Keuka calendar survey in Janu- Branchport Hardware ary 2006. This brings our total Carey’s Farm & Home Centers NURSERY number of business tier mem- Knapp & Schlappi Lumber Co., Inc. Jud’s Stone House Nursery Penn Yan Plumbing & Heating bers to seventy-five. We grate- Ribble's Septic Service REAL ESTATE SALES/RENTALS fully acknowledge their support The Corning Bldg./Bath Bldg. Co. Century 21 Sbarra & Wells and encourage all of our mem- Vine City Supply, Inc. Curbeau Realty bers to patronize these busi- Finger Lakes Getaways Inc, BOOKS/OFFICE SUPPLIES Finger Lakes Realty nesses. Longs’ Cards & Books John & Linda Vang – Century 21 L L Millennium Properties CONSTRUCTION/ARCHITECTURE/ Lake Living.info Bill Feinstein PAINTING ReMax Eastview- Mr. Jay Benesh Connect-A-Service, Inc. Rental Plus D. A. Alderman Construction Vince DiLaura – Exit Realty Pro D.J. Builders & Remodelers, Inc. Service WELCOME Design Works Architecture Grapes Lakes Painting RESTAURANTS To the following new Lakeside Kitchen Design Angel's Family Restaurant Mike’s Hammer Esperanza Mansion business tier members: R & R Docks Keuka Maid Dinner Boat Ron Williams Consulting & The Switzerland Inn Branchport Hardware Construction Valley Inn Veley Enterprises Carey’s Farm & Home Centers RECREATIONAL SERVICES Camp Good Days & FOOD SERVICES Camp Good Days & Special Times Taste of Elegance, Personal Chef Finger Lakes DJ Service Special Times services ( formerly Chez le Keuka Yacht Club Community Bank, N.A. - PY Boulanger– Dundee Lakeside Country Club Finger Lakes DJ Service Morgan's Grocery P&C Foods – Penn Yan WINERIES Henderson’s Drug Store, Inc. Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars J. Carey & Co., CPA’s FURNISHINGS Heron Hill Vineyards, Inc. Coles Furniture & Floor Fashions Hunt Country Vineyards- Jud’s Stone House Nursery Art & Joyce Hunt Keuka College GIFTS/CLOTHING Keuka Overlook Wine Cellars Keuka Overlook Wine Cellars Browsers Keuka Springs Vineyards- Cinnamon Stick Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Wiltberger Keuka Yacht Club The Loomis Barn & Country Shops McGregor Vineyard Winery- Lakeside Country Club John McGregor INSURANCE Lakeside Kitchen Design Beaumont & Stork, Inc OTHER Longs’ Cards & Books Furman Kendall – Doug Miles Agency American Red Cross Blood Services- Loomis Barn & Country Shops Christopher J. Hoffman LIQUOR/WINE Branchport/Keuka Park Fire Department Mike’s Hammer Landmark Wines & Spirits Camp Arey, Inc. Penn Yan Plumbing & Heating Jim & Robin Hoagland LODGING Keuka College R & R Docks Best Western Vineyard Inn & Suites Mrs. Thomas Hereford Ron Williams Consulting & The Fox Inn Seneca Seals Construction, Inc. Yates County Soil & Water

Valley Inn, Inc. March 2006 Page 12

MEMBERSHIP AND KLA OFFICE INFORMATION

KEUKA LAKE ASSOCIATION OFFICE MEMBER APPLICATION The KLA office is located at 90 Pulten- Yes, I want to join the Keuka Lake Association! ey Street in Hammondsport, just off the southwest corner of the square. The office will be open on Tuesdays NEW RENEWAL (See membership expiration date and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 On your address label.) PM. Please stop in if you are in the village. You can contact the office ei- ther by phone: 866-369-3781, local 607 NAME______-569-3781 (answering machine at-

tached) or e-mail: [email protected]. MAILING ADDRESS ______Margo G. McTaggart, CITY, STATE, ZIP ______KLA Administrative Assistant

PHONE NUMBER ______

E-MAIL ADDRESS ______

KEUKA ADDRESS______ADVERTISING IN THE KLA NEWSLETTER CITY, STATE, ZIP ______The advertising section of the KLA KEUKA PHONE ______newsletter is provided as a service to KLA members. Any advertisers Dates I wish to receive mailings at KEUKA address: must be members of the KLA. The From ___/___ to ___/___ month/day 16 ads are restricted to 1/4 page, to fit into a 3 3/4 by 4 3/4 rectangle. It MEMBERSHIP TIER (Check one) METHOD OF PAYMENT (Check one) is the responsibility of the advertiser to contact the KLA office with a re- Basic $30 Check quest for ad space in an upcoming issue. The deadline for the June Partner – $50 Visa issue is May 1st and will be accept- Sponsor – $100 MasterCard ed in the order submitted. However, in an attempt to present an interest- Patron – $150 Amex ing diversity of ads, the KLA editorial staff reserves the right to limit the Guardian – $250 & more Discover number of any specific type of ad in any given issue. KLA also reserves Business – $50 the right to decline acceptance of an ad deemed inappropriate for the publication. Ad cost for each issue is Card number: ______$50. Thank you to all of the KLA business members who have adver- Expiration Date: __/__/__ tised with us .

Mail application and payment to: Keuka Lake Association, P.O. Box 415, Hammondsport, NY 14840 KLA MEMBERSHIP PROCESS April - Dues renewal notices mailed. Are your neighbors members of the KLA? June - Dues reminder cards mailed to those who have not renewed. Whether they live on the lake or anywhere within the watershed, September - Last newsletter for those who they have an interest in the future health and viability of Keuka have not renewed. Check the expiration date on your address label. Lake. Why not ask them if they are members...and encourage January - Membership for new members them to join? Why not give a KLA membership as a gift? who join after Jan 1 will be extended through the next membership year. Page 13 KLA Newsletter

KLA ORDER FORM

DOCK PLATES are 6" x 15", painted reflective white, featuring KLA logo & “Member” distinction.

NAME: ______Dock Plate (excluding #s) - $23 including S&H*

ADDRESS: ______Numbers - $.50 each

______Fill in your desired numbers here:

Please make checks payable to the Keuka Lake Association and send completed order to PO Box 415, Hammondsport, NY 14840. * $20 if purchased at the KLA Office, plus $.50 for each number

____ License Plate Holders - $8.00 (Incl. S&H) (Available in local stores for $5.00) ____ Two KLA decals - no charge

____ KLA Directory - $10 (Includes S&H)

KLA DIRECTORS & OFFICERS KEUKA CALENDAR

President Bill Oben Barrington Tom Murrin MARCH President- Bob Worden Bebette Yunis Lucky Leprechaun Chase elect Keuka Lake Wine Trail.....3/18-19 Polar Bear Plunge - The Switz...3/25 Treasurer Jim Stork Jerusalem Jim Stork APRIL Secretary Lucy Knapp Marsha Senges Murder Mystery Tour At-Large Art Hunt Milo Bill Laffin Keuka Lake Wine Trail...... 4/8-9 Community Luncheon Series Steve Knapp Bob Corcoran Keuka College...... 3/20 Chuck Pulteney Mike Gabrielli McCausland MAY Keuka In Bloom John Webster Jerry Saxton Keuka Lake Wine Trail....5/20-21 Mike Doyle Urbana Dick Honeyman Antique Show & Sale Penn Yan Grange Hall...... 5/27 Trafford Doherty Pete Robbins Fly-In Breakfast - Dundee; Parades: Wayne Bill Feinstein Dundee, Penn Yan...... 5/29

Ex-Officio Ken Blumenstock Dave deCalesta KEUKA LAKE LEVEL GUIDE

Non-Profit Keuka Lake Association, Inc. Organization P.O. Box 415 US Postage Paid Hammondsport, NY 14840 Hammondsport, NY Permit #10

YOUR MARCH KLA NEWSLETTER HAS ARRIVED!