Ongoing Special Studies

Data:

• Ischua Creek Water Quality Data: August 28th, 2025 (PDF)
• Ischua Creek Water Quality Data: September 8th, 2025 (PDF)
• Ischua Creek Water Quality Data: September 17th, 2025 (PDF)
• Ischua Creek Water Quality Data: September 23rd, 2025 (PDF)
• Ischua Creek Water Quality Data: October 2nd, 2025 (PDF)
• Ischua Creek Water Quality Data: October 6th, 2025 (PDF)
• Ischua Creek Water Quality Data: October 8th, 2025 (PDF)
• Ischua Creek Water Quality Data: October 10th, 2025 (PDF)
• Ischua Creek Water Quality Data: November 3rd, 2025 (PDF)
• Ischua Creek In Situ Data (PDF)
• Ischua Creek Flow Data (PDF)

DEC investigated the growth of Leptomitus lactus, commonly called water mold or sewer fungus, in the Deer River in St. Lawrence County. In addition to conducting regular inspections of permitted facilities in the area, DEC’s investigation included field observations, data collection, and water quality analysis of the Deer River near the hamlet of North Lawrence. DEC also reviewed environmental conditions, known and permitted discharges to the river, and investigated the potential for previously unknown discharges.

The investigation identified the presence of Leptomitus lactus starting at the North Country Dairy outfall. The water quality data from the Deer River showed high total phosphorus, orthophosphate, total nitrogen, and ammonia in the impacted stretch of water. DEC’s data also indicates that North Country Dairy’s discharge is the primary contributor of these constituents in the Deer River.

Ongoing Efforts

On June 28, 2024, DEC issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to North Country Dairy for contributing to the violation of State water quality standards. In addition to the enforcement action, DEC undertook a detailed technical review of North Country Dairy’s wastewater and treatment technologies.

On July 16, 2024, DEC issued an additional NOV to North Country Dairy, citing the facility for discharge of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in excess of the daily maximum and monthly average limits as stated in the State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) prescribed permit.  North Country Dairy properly reported the exceedance on their monthly Discharge Monitoring Report. 

On September 3-4, 2024, DEC conducted a second sampling event in the Deer River.

On December 17, 2024, DEC issued a final Consent Order with North Country Dairy to address the violations from the June 28, 2024, and July 18, 2024, NOVs. In the Consent Order, North Country Dairy agreed to perform an evaluation of the facility’s Wastewater Treatment System (WWTS), provide recommendations for and implement short-term measures to address the water quality concerns detailed in the Order, and submit to the DEC an Engineering Report summarizing the review and proposing long-term changes to the WWTS along with an implementation schedule.  

On January 28, 2025, DEC issued an NOV to North Country Dairy, citing the facility for discharge of BOD in excess of the monthly average limits for the month of November and December 2024, as stated in the SPDES prescribed permit.  North Country Dairy properly reported the exceedance on their monthly Discharge Monitoring Report. 

On February 7, 2025, DEC received a revised WWTS Analysis Report and Engineering Report Workplan.  Both documents were originally submitted by North Country Dairy on December 20, 2025, as required by the Consent Order and subject to DEC review.

On February 12, 2025, DEC accepted the revised February 7, 2025, WWTS Analysis Report and approved the revised February 7, 2025, Engineering Report Workplan.

On March 7, 2025, DEC issued an NOV to North Country Dairy, citing the facility for discharge of BOD in excess of the monthly average limits for the month of January 2025, as stated in the SPDES prescribed permit.  North Country Dairy properly reported the exceedance on their monthly Discharge Monitoring Report.

On April 7, 2025, DEC issued an NOV to North Country Dairy, citing the facility for discharge of BOD in excess of the monthly average limits for the month of February 2025, as stated in the SPDES prescribed permit.  North Country Dairy properly reported the exceedance on their monthly Discharge Monitoring Report. 

On April 29, 2025, DEC issued an NOV to North Country Dairy, citing the facility for discharge of BOD in excess of the monthly average limits for the month of March 2025, as stated in the SPDES prescribed permit.  North Country Dairy properly reported the exceedance on their monthly Discharge Monitoring Report.

On May 29, 2025, DEC issued an NOV to North Country Dairy, citing the facility for discharge of BOD in excess of the monthly average limits for the month of April 2025, as stated in the SPDES prescribed permit.  North Country Dairy properly reported the exceedance on their monthly Discharge Monitoring Report.

On May 30, 2025, a power loss at North County Dairy resulted in the wastewater holding tank overflowing, which North Country Dairy reported on May 30, 2025, immediately addressed, and followed up with additional information on June 5, 2025. 

On June 3, 4, and 9, 2025, DEC conducted additional sampling events in the Deer River.

On June 13, 2025, DEC received an Engineering Report from North Country Dairy as required by the Consent Order.

On June 18, 2025, DEC issued a new DRAFT SPDES Permit to North Country Dairy with an accompanying Fact Sheet to be published for public comment.

On June 18, 2025, DEC published a Notice of a Complete Application for a new SPDES permit in the Environmental Notice Bulletin, advising the public of the opportunity to comment on the draft SPDES permit.

On June 26, 2025, North Country Dairy began sludge removal operations for Lagoon 1A.

On July 1, 2025, A Notice of a Complete Application for a new SPDES permit was published in the Watertown Daily Times, advising the public of the opportunity to comment on the draft SPDES permit. 

On July 4, 2025, A Notice of a Complete Application for a new SPDES permit was published in North Country Now advising the public of the opportunity to comment on the draft SPDES permit. 

On July 28, 2025, as required, North Country Dairy self-reported that North Country Dairy had violated its permit and exceeded its single-day limit for ammonia on June 24, 2025. 

On July 29, 2025, DEC issued comments on the June 13, 2025, Engineering Report to North Country Dairy.

On July 31, 2025, DEC issued an NOV to North Country Dairy, citing the facility for discharge of Ammonia in excess of the daily maximum limit, as stated in the SPDES prescribed permit.  North Country Dairy properly reported the exceedance on their monthly Discharge Monitoring Report. 

On October 15, 2025, DEC sent a Notice of Intent to Modify with the accompanying draft SPDES permit and draft fact sheet to North Country Dairy.

On October 15, 2025, DEC published a notice of a proposed modification of North Country Dairy’s SPDES permit in the Environmental Notice Bulletin, advising the public of the opportunity to comment on the Notice of Intent to Modify.

On October 17, 2025, a notice of the DEC’s intent to modify the North Country Dairy SPDES permit was published in the Watertown Daily Times, advising the public of the opportunity to comment.

On October 17 and 18, 2025, a notice of the DEC’s intent to modify the North Country Dairy SPDES permit was published in North Country This Week (multiple locations) advising the public of the opportunity to comment.

As background, DEC may issue an NOV to notify an entity of alleged violations and/or seek a response and require corrective actions. After the issuance of any NOV, there is the potential for future enforcement action, which may result in penalties. DEC does not comment on the specifics of pending enforcement matters.

DEC is committed to requiring facilities across the state to fully comply with permit conditions and to ensuring permits are adequate to achieve water quality standards in receiving waterbodies to protect public health and the environment. DEC continues to monitor North Country Dairy for compliance with all applicable laws, policies, and regulations; and will evaluate the necessity for additional enforcement steps.

Relevant Investigation Information

• North Country Dairy Notice of Intent to Modify (PDF)
• North County Dairy DRAFT SPDES Permit (PDF)
• North County Dairy DRAFT SPDES Permit Fact Sheet (PDF)
• North Country Dairy SPDES Permit (PDF)
• Deer River Water Quality Data June 2024 (PDF)
• Deer River Water Quality Data September 2024 (PDF)
• Deer River Water Quality Data June 2025 (PDF)
• Deer River Water Quality Data September 9th, 2025 (PDF)
• Deer River Water Quality Data Septemeber 10th, 2025 (PDF). (This PDF also includes data from the Tuxedo/WeWah Tributary Assessment)
• Data for North Country Dairy
• Data for North Lawrence and Nicholville Sewage Treatment Plant
• Historical Discharge Data

General Health and Safety Recommendations

There are no bathing beaches regulated by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) located on the Deer River. DEC reminds the public to followDOH’sadvice when choosing to swim outside of a regulated beach:

• Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites are in all waters. These microorganisms may come from combined sewer overflows (CSOs), faulty septic systems, and animal waste. After heavy rains, levels of fecal contamination can be higher in waters. Assume that all waters have fecal contamination even if you can’t see it.
• Avoid cloudy, discolored, or foamy water, and areas with a paint-like appearance, surface scums, mats, oily sheens, and dense aquatic plants. These are safety hazards and may indicate poor water quality.
• Open waters, such as lakes, rivers and oceans have currents, rocks, and uneven surfaces, which may be unfamiliar and pose hazards to swimmers.
• Take extra precautions near any dams or large watercraft because they can create undertows and dangerous currents. Never cross safety wires and other water hazard markers when recreating near dams.

Anglers

Deer River is a tributary of the St. Regis River. Anglers should follow the advice for the St. Regis River when planning a fish meal from the Deer River.

For those concerned about eating fish from the Deer River, DEC recommends DOH’s Good Sanitary Practices. These tips provide information on how to reduce exposure to fish pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, parasites). Tips to avoid fish pathogens:

• Keep your hands away from your mouth, eyes, ears, and nose while fishing and cover open wounds to avoid contact with the water. This reduces the chances of getting sick from microorganisms that can enter your body through these pathways.
• Wash your hands after fishing, especially before eating, and shower if you have had contact with the water.
• Keep harvested fish cold;
• Wear protective gloves when skinning and trimming;
• Wash hands and surfaces when preparing fish, and keeping raw foods separate; and
• Cook fish and shellfish thoroughly before eating.

Anglers can also consider catch and release fishing. Anglers should review the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide before heading out on the water.

How You Can Help

DEC encourages the public to continue reporting complaints related to the Deer River investigation to the Region 6 office.

Complaints can be submitted to Nance Arquiett, Region 6 Public Information Officer (PIO) by phone 315-229-2233, through email [email protected] with subject line Deer River Investigation, or by mail to:

190 Outer Main Street Suite 103
Potsdam NY, 13676
Attn: Nance Arquiett.

Reports can also be submitted by downloading and filling out the complaint forms (PDFs).

Observation Complaint (PDF)  |  Odor Complaint (PDF)