...help sustain the life of the lake for the enjoyment of the Lake Kitchawan community

 

what we do

  • LKCC works on behalf of the entire lake community to address lake and lagoon issues.  Our group is not affiliated with any of the neighborhood associations around the lake, some of which impose dues, and which handle neighborhood issues like road repair. Contributions to LKCC are voluntary; expenses for weed mitigation and other remediation programs are covered through fundraising. 

  • To date LKCC has raised funds from the community to restore balance to the marine environment and get control of weeds such as Eurasian Milfoil, lily pads and pondweed, which threaten lakes throughout the country.  Additionally, we are working to mitigate problems from septic systems and storm water runoff as well as to address damage from nuisance animal species.

  • We coordinate with local and state government bodies on permitting of treatments.

  • We hold an annual LKCC Members Meeting to provide a review of the year's achievements and discuss plans for the following year.

  • LKCC has contracted with The Pond and Lake Connection of Brookfield, CT for professional services that encompass monitoring lake water quality in the spring, summer and fall; recommending appropriate treatments for problem areas; applying government-sanctioned treatments; and notifying lakeside residents of upcoming treatments. The company is certified in six states, including New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and is staffed by licensed and experienced aquatic specialists.

  • In 2022, LKCC contracted with Northeast Aquatic Research (NEAR), a professional limnological research and lake management company to provide an additional analysis of lake conditions.

 

A TEN-YEAR RECORD OF LKCC ACTION

 
MBY18.JPG
MBY37.JPG
PRDucks2.JPG

Highlights

2007    Our first project was to write and receive a $25,000 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for a comprehensive watershed study to determine the cause of observed weed problems. The remaining cost of the Study -$35,000- was raised by LKCC.

2010    Fundraising newsletter distributed to community; funds raised to undertake the Study’s top recommended treatments to eradicate invasive Eurasian milfoil. Biomass clogging lake outflow was addressed as well.

2011-2012    Fund raising began for hydro raking recommended by the Study.

2013-2014    Hydro raking undertaken in certain areas.

2015    First year of a three-year treatment program to clear milfoil, pondweed and other invasives to further clear and restore outflow and open water conditions.

2016    Second year of treatment the lake system shows much improvement in water quality,  milfoil is close to being controlled; lily pads need more work but show improvement. Swans, turtles, ducks and blue herons seen in greater numbers.

2017   Third year of three-year treatment; at year’s end, planned assessment will focus on how to maintain and build upon previous efforts.