Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP)
The Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) is a volunteer lake monitoring program directed by DEC staff in collaboration with the NYS Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA). The program was adapted from successful volunteer monitoring programs in Vermont, Maine, Minnesota, and Illinois and is one of the longest running, continuous, volunteer monitoring programs in the nation. Through this program, relationships between lake associations, academic and private research institutions, and municipal, county and state entities are built statewide.
Why do we have CSLAP?
CSLAP was established in 1985 (PDF) by DEC and NYSFOLA to pursue the program's three primary objectives:
- Collect representative data for lakes throughout NYS
- Identify lake issues and changes in water quality
- To empower local stakeholders with contextualized water quality data for the protection/restoration of their lake and greater watershed.
The state Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), the legislation that established DEC and authorizes most of the programs and activities of DEC, was amended in 1988 to authorize CSLAP. The ECL 17-0305 legislation provided permanence to the program and ensured that the lake monitoring program would continue.
Who participates in CSLAP?
The participants in the CSLAP program are diverse and spread throughout NYS. Participating lake associations include some combination of lake shore land owners, lake users, and/or county/municipal partnerships. They collect information from public and private lakes ranging in size from small ponds to large lakes. CSLAP is committed to expanding participation to better support lake communities statewide and particularly those that include our potential environmental justice areas and disadvantaged communities. For more information on how to participate in CSLAP, email [email protected] or [email protected].
Data Collection
During the summer months, volunteers record lake information on field data sheets and collect water samples at the deepest part of the lake for lab analysis. A comprehensive list of sampling parameters is given in the Lake Parameters table below.
Data collected by CSLAP contribute to management efforts at the state and local level. At the state level they contribute to water quality criteria development, clean water plans, and federal 305(b) and 303(d) reporting. Data are made publicly available on the DEC Info-Locator and are used directly by lake associations, town and county governments, not-for-profits, and other state agencies.
Regular lake monitoring keeps track of existing problems, detects threats to lakes before they become a problem, and helps to evaluate lake condition patterns throughout NYS. Lake residents and trained volunteers are in a position to observe lake changes and compare them to baseline conditions. In addition to the parameters described below, CSLAP participants help with the early discovery of harmful invasive species and harmful algal blooms.
Lake Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Parameter | Importance |
| Water Temperature (°C) | Water temperature affects the growth of plants and animals, the amount of oxygen in the water, and the length of the recreation season. |
| Water Clarity (m) | Water clarity is determined with a secchi disk to measure how far down into the water column you can see. |
| Conductivity (µmho/cm) | Conductivity measurers the amount of dissolved and suspended materials in the water, including salts and organic material. Conductivity may be related to geology or land use practices. |
| pH | pH means water acidity. A pH value between 6 and 9 supports most types of plant and animal life. |
| Color (true) (platinum color units) | Water color is affected by organic matter (decaying plants). The color of water can affect water clarity and impact plant growth by limiting the amount of sunlight that can pass through the water. |
| Phosphorus (total, mg/l) | Phosphorus is an important nutrient for the growth of aquatic plants and animals in lakes. Too much phosphorus can harm aquatic life, water supplies, and recreational uses. |
| Nitrogen (nitrate, ammonia, and total, mg/l) | Nitrogen is also an important nutrient for the growth of aquatic plants and animals in lakes. Too much nitrogen can harm aquatic life, water supplies and recreational uses. |
| Chlorophyll a (µg/l) | Chlorophyll a is the primary pigment in green plants and estimates the amount of algae in a lake. The amount of chlorophyll a may be influenced by phosphorus and can affect the water clarity. |
| Calcium (mg/l) | Calcium is an important nutrient for most aquatic organisms and is required for mussel shell growth. Calcium enters lakes through natural limestone deposits. Calcium concentration is related to lake conductivity and improves the lake's buffering capacity to acid rain. |
| Use Perception Surveys | Four question survey on the Field Observations Form that capture the user's observations of the quality of the lake for recreational use. |
What does NYSFOLA do?
NYSFOLA is a non-profit group of lake associations, individual citizens, park districts, lake managers, environmental organizations, and consultants dedicated to the preservation and restoration of NYS lakes and watersheds.
The goals and objectives of NYSFOLA are to protect the water resources of New York through public outreach, education, sharing information, and partnerships. NYSFOLA was founded in 1983 to address water quality concerns and invasive species issues for concerned lake associations. The organization expanded following the launch of CSLAP and the program continues to be an important part of their mission.
NYSFOLA is involved in many activities in lake communities, and:
- Provides annual training for CSLAP volunteers,
- Hosts an annual lake management conference for government, academic, and lake managers,
- Organizes regional conferences to focus on local topics,
- Promotes educational projects and distributes Diet for a Small Lake
- Participates in advisory groups, and
- Represents NYS Lake Associations as an affiliate of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS).
Diet for a Small Lake
NYSFOLA and DEC published Diet for a Small Lake: The Expanded Guide to NYS Lake and Watershed Management in 2009. The book is the result of several years of collaboration on lake management issues and replaces the first edition of the book published in 1990.
Diet for a Small Lake is an introduction to understanding and managing NYS lakes and provides guidance to lakeshore residents, local officials, and agencies interested in water resources. The publication contains information about the ecology, monitoring, and management of lakes and watersheds throughout NYS, drawing from the vast experience of many state lake management experts.
This publication is available in both paperback and hardcover from NYSFOLA at 1-800-796-3652.
You may download the entire book (PDF) or individual sections as listed below.
- Introduction - Table of Contents, Preface, About NYSFOLA, Introduction (PDF)
- Chapter 1 - Lake Ecology: Getting Your Feet Wet (PDF)
- Chapter 2 - Lake Montauk to Lake Erie: 7,850 NYS Lakes (PDF)
- Chapter 3 - Lake Problems: Acid Rain to Zebra Mussels (PDF)
- Chapter 4 - Problem Diagnosis: Seeing Beyond the Symptoms (PDF)
- Chapter 5 - Fisheries Management: Matching Expectations and Reality (PDF)
- Chapter 6 - Aquatic Plants: Not Just Weeds (PDF)
- Chapter 7 - Algae and Other Undesirables: Getting Rid of Yuck (PDF)
- Chapter 8 - User Conflicts: Learning to Share (PDF)
- Chapter 9 - Watershed Management: The Big Picture (PDF)
- Chapter 10 - Legal Framework: It Helps to Know the Rules (PDF)
- Chapter 11 - Management Plan Development: Putting the Pieces Together (PDF)
- Chapter 12 - Implementation and Evaluation: Don't Stop Now (PDF)
- Appendices - Appendices & Index of Terms (PDF)
