President of Save Our Sodus Dave McDowell discusses pressing issues for SOS:
– Water Level in Lake Ontario and Plan 2014
– East Breakwall separating Lake Ontario from Sodus Bay repair status
– Water quality in Sodus Bay

President of Save Our Sodus Dave McDowell discusses pressing issues for SOS:
– Water Level in Lake Ontario and Plan 2014
– East Breakwall separating Lake Ontario from Sodus Bay repair status
– Water quality in Sodus Bay
The Nature Conservancy
Prepared by: Kim Lodge, Jordan Pares-Kane, Gregg Sargis; Condensed by Dave Scudder
Background – Sodus Creek East and West
The
Southern Sodus Wetland of the Lakeshore Marsh Wildlife Management
Area, a 6,179-acre complex, is one of only a few remaining coastal
wetland complexes in the Lake Ontario basin. This wetland provides
significant wildlife habitat, helps mitigate flooding and reduces
nutrient inputs to Sodus Bay, as well as provides numerous
recreational opportunities. The wetlands are critically important
spawning areas for recreationally significant fish species. The
wetlands also remain a regionally important waterfowl and marsh
nesting bird concentration area.
Wildlife
that inhabit these coastal wetlands depend on a diverse system, where
dominant plants such as cattails are interspersed with open water
areas, maintained by natural fluctuations in water levels and the
habitat shaping activities of muskrats and beaver. Restoration
projects in these coastal marsh habitats have been and will continue
to be the focus for enhancing wetland function and condition for a
suite of fish and bird species.
In
2016, The Nature Conservancy partnered with the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), the Wayne County
Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Save Our Sodus (SOS),
SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), and the Finger Lakes –
Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (FL-PRISM) to
increase access to critical fish spawning and bird nesting habitat
significantly degraded by cattail dominance. This was accomplished
through the construction of backwater potholes, making stream channel
improvements, and conducting invasive species management and control.
During March of 2018, construction began by using a specialized marsh
sensitive excavator to construct at least 2 acres of backwater
potholes, with deep water portions constructed to prevent the
reestablishment of cattails (Figure 1); 11 out of the 14 proposed
potholes are currently complete.
In
the summers of 2017 and 2018, response monitoring projects were
carried out to assess the success of the restoration in meeting
project objectives and to compare data before and after construction.
Data collection included fish, bird, and vegetation surveys, water
quality, local culvert assessments to determine their usability for
fish passage, and mapping the sizes of each constructed pothole.
In
the end, over 115 acres of coastal wetlands were estimated to be
restored and enhanced, by reconnecting access from the bay to spring
fish spawning sites, and nesting and feeding areas for waterfowl and
marsh nesting birds.
Culvert Assessment:
In 2018, we conducted an assessment of 13 culverts within the Sodus Bay watershed following protocol provided by the Great Lakes Road Stream Crossing Inventory, which included gathering data on culvert type, length, height, etc. In terms of accessibility, as fish are attempting to travel upstream, culverts should not be raised more than 1 ft in height. At some locations, we found that the outlet flowed over a waterfall or raised culvert so fish may not be able to make it to upstream breeding areas.
Invasive Species Removal:
The
main invasive species of focus was the water chestnut, a rooted
submerged aquatic plant, which grows quickly, forms dense mats, and
outcompetes native species. Water chestnut impedes boat travel and
recreation activity, and prevents sunlight from reaching other
aquatic vegetation. As part of our partnership with NYS DEC, SWCD,
and FL-PRISM, we organized a number of volunteer events throughout
the summers of 2017 and 2018 to remove water chestnut from the
Southern Sodus Bay marsh area.
Observations/Lessons Learned
The
majority of the pike caught in 2018 was in the In Between pothole.
This pothole had a number of small pockets along the cattail borders
which may have provided good spaces for pike to lay their eggs in a
slightly protected area. This may be good to note for future pothole
construction or amending other existing areas; cutting out small
portions of cattail benefit pike during spawning.
Since
pike are moderate to weak swimmers, it is important to note that the
culverts we investigated that are connected to Sodus Bay, East Bay,
and Port Bay appear to have sufficient water depths and low flow
velocities necessary for pike passage through them.
The
efforts to remove and control water chestnut is also an important
project to continue. It may be beneficial to start organizing pulls
in both June and July, because by the end of July the plants were
already fully mature and their seeds released.
Looking forward, we intend to complete the original wetland design by completing potholes 11 and 12 and adding 4 new potholes . We are also working with the NYS DEC to construct additional potholes northeast of the wetland area, across from Le Roy Island. See the graphic below.
If you live or have business around Sodus Bay, on the waterfront OR NOT, we know that you understand the importance of having our beautiful Sodus Bay clean, free of harmful invaders, be it fish, vegetation, and even some human visitors. Your your ability to enjoy the bay and the property and business values around the bay are directly affected by the conditions of the bay.
We also know that you do try to do your best to keep the Bay clean and your property protected in a way that doesn’t damage the bay.
This Sodus Bay Waterfront Owners’ Guide was put together to remind you of different practices, some are obvious, others aren’t, that you can do to keep our Bay clean, and the shorelines protected.
Please download it to your device, read, and apply the recommendations. If you think of someone else that might benefit of the suggestions in this guide, please share.
Thank you so much for doing your part.
Small hinges swing big doors.
Small efforts by everyone around the Bay make a Big Difference!
Please click on the image below to download the guide:
Watch the video below where SOS President Dave McDowell answers all of those questions.
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In this video President of Save Our Sodus Dave McDowell summarizes SOS’ activities, accomplishments, and challenges that require attention, and effort.
Thank you to all our supporters! Your financial support allows us to do more to keep Sodus Bay clean and the waters from rising (that last part is a forward-looking statement)
Progress on a joint project with the Nature Conservancy to restore the wetland in Sodus Creek. The Planning and the Permitting for that project is now complete. We expect the construction schedule to be announced later this fall.
Save Our Sodus successfully advocated to use the spoils from dredging Sodus Bay Channel to be placed along Crescent Beach
SOS continued to participate in the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program and collected water samples in Sodus Bay to monitor water quality. The samples were collected from several locations around the Bay every week. Results were shared with our supporters on our site and through social media. All equipment has been operational.
Blue-Green Algae monitoring was conducted as well, and SOS was happy to report that most of the weeks the level of toxic blue-green algae blooms was non-detect. A couple of weeks when we had low levels of blooms near some tributaries, we alerted residents on steps to prevent getting poisoned.
We conducted E-Coli testing since the danger was higher of E-Coli bacteria growth from some not-fully-treated sewage due to the flood in the spring.
Updated September 15, 2017
We got plenty of it flushed from the flooded lawns, in addition to the rain-caused run-offs
We had some, but as the summer is “still young”, and we will be getting lots of both
The jury is out on that one, but the No Wake zone in the bay prevents the water from being stirred by boaters (and disrupting the algae growth)
Greg Boyer, a biochemistry professor at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, and his team have been monitoring water quality in Sodus Bay for a few years. This recent report card gives you a quick summary of state of Blue-Green Algae on Sodus Bay.
We will be sharing the new reports as they become available.
A couple of reasons Blue-Green Algal Toxins are down. One is the windy weather we had recently, which allowed to stir up the bay, and the second – the temperature was below 80F, for the most part.
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Even though a lot of measures were taken over the years to reduce the flow of nutrients from farmlands to Sodus Bay watershed, the higher-than-normal rainfall in the spring and early summer of 2017 washed a lot of nutrients from the lawns and farms into the Bay, making it conducive to algal blooms.
Blue-green algal toxins level in Sodus Bay now registers at a LOW level, UP from non-detect.
The situation is always worse around the tributaries and in stagnant places around the bay.
If you or your business is on the waterfront, installing and continuously running a submerged aeration systems (bubblers) helps prevent accumulation of nutrients that could lead to excessive algae growth.
Aerators increase diffused oxygen in the water, which in turn supports and encourages the growth of beneficial aerobic bacteria. This beneficial bacteria break down organic matter and consume excess nutrients and that helps to balance and improve water quality and reduce algae blooms. The benefits of aeration are higher at night, so running your aeration continuously is highly recommended.
The benefits of aeration are higher at night, so running your aeration continuously is highly recommended.
The Good News – We aren’t on a Harmful Algal Blooms list yet.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (the DEC) keeps a list of water bodies that have registered Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Sodus Bay is not on that list.
Wayne County Health Department contact person (as listed on the DEC site, not verified by SOS) is Diane M. Devlin,
(315) 946-5749 ddevlin@co.wayne.ny.us Wayne County Public Health Service 1519 Nye Road, Suite 200 Lyons, NY 14489
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Water chestnuts are one of the invasive species on Sodus Bay. They grow rapidly and can out-compete native aquatic vegetation. When they are allowed to grow, they can form impenetrable floating mats of vegetation. These mats not only create a hazard for boaters but also can severely limit light penetration into the water and reduce or eliminate the growth of native aquatic plants beneath the canopy. The reduced plant growth combined with the decomposition of the water chestnut plants (which die back each year) can result in reduced levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, impact other aquatic organisms, and potentially lead to fish kills.
Since 2012 (and before) Wayne County Soil and Water District, the Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM), Save Our Sodus and other organizations have been pulling available resources (harvesters and operators), as well as canoe and kayak crews and volunteers for hand-pull harvesting of Water Chestnuts. That approach led to noticeable improvements and a noticeable reduction of Water Chestnuts in the Bay.
Usually, harvesting took place in late July – early August. Last year volunteers participated in 2 harvesting operations on July 23 and July 30th around Emerald Point of the Second Creek, Clark Creek and South of the Bay Bridge.
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Volunteers Hank and Mary Stuart unloaded a pile of water chestnuts to a seaweed harvesting machine near Second Creek. July 23, 2016.
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Blue-green Algae on Sodus Bay
Blue-green Algae on Sodus Bay
Blue-Green Algae on Sodus Bay, NY
Blue-Green Algae on Sodus Bay, NY
Invasive Species of Sodus Bay: Water Chestnuts
Invasive Species of Sodus Bay: Water Chestnuts
European Water chestnuts , invasive species of Sodus Bay
The fruit of the European water chestnut, Trapa natans.
Hydrilla - sketch
Hydrilla Leaf-Whorls
Hydrilla-infested pond
Hydrilla
Senator Pamela A. Helming (R,C,I-Canandaigua) stands with members of the Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance following the group’s Monday, July 17, 2017 meeting at the Finger Lakes Institute in Geneva. As well as listening to reports about the efforts of the FLRWA and its individual lake associations around the Finger Lakes region, Senator Helming had the opportunity to address the work that she is doing to protect bodies of water and drinking water sources around the region.
The Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance (FLRWA) represents the interests and concerns of residents around nine of New York State’s Finger Lakes, with member organizations from Honeoye, Seneca, Otisco, Canandaigua, Conesus, Keuka, Cayuga, Owasco, and Skaneateles lakes. Save Our Sodus, the New York State Federation of Lake Associations, the City of Rochester’s Water and Lighting Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension Yates County, and the Finger Lakes Institute are Partners of FLRWA and do not have a vote in its decisions.
SOS representatives attend many educational events hosted by FLRWA, enjoy access to academic and other resources of the Alliance and coordinate interactions with politicians when the joint effort is beneficial to both organizations and its constituents.