Applying Stream Buffer Science to the Lake George Watershed Lake George Stream Corridor Management Stakeholder Meeting

Applying Stream Buffer Science to the Lake George Watershed

• Lake George Stream Corridor Management Stakeholder Meeting

• May 28, 2008

Unique Considerations in the Lake George Watershed

• Lake George as a Resource

• Streams of the Lake George Watershed

• Regulatory Environment

• Growth/ Land Use

• Key Decisions

Lake George is an Exceptional Resource

Value of the Lake to the Community

• Fishing

• Unfiltered Water Supply

• Tourism

• Water Clarity/ Recreation

Streams of Lake George

• Lake George has 132 streams in its 230- square mile watershed.

• These streams are primarily very small, high quality, forested tributaries.

• Annually, 56% of the water budget is carried to the lake as surface runoff through streams *

Water Quality Concerns in the Lake

• Lake and its tributaries impaired for sediment (New York State DEC)

• South Basin is mesotrophic, affected by development in this portion of the watershed.

Most Streams “Not Impacted” or “Slightly Impacted” for macroinvertebrates

• Most Streams “Not Impacted” or “Slightly Impacted” for macroinvertebrates

• Impacted streams downstream of developed areas

• Some stream show water quality differences between downstream and upstream locations

Existing Buffers of Lake George - I

Existing Buffers of Lake George - III

Existing Buffers of Lake George - IV

Some Water Quality Concerns in the Streams of Lake George

• Some Impaired Streams*

• Finkle Brook
• Foster Brook
• East Brook
• West Brook
• Prospect Mountain Brook
• English Brook
• Huddle Brook
• Indian Brook
• Hague Brook
• * Source: New York State Draft 303 (d) List of 2008

Land Use in the Lake George Watershed

• Large amount of the watershed is state-owned

• Much of the land is zoned very low density

• Specific areas selected for more intense development

Regulatory Authority in the Lake George Watershed

• Towns and Villages

• Lake George Park Commission

• Adirondack Park Agency

• New York State DEC

• Federal Agencies

Major Goals for Lake George Stream Buffers

• Temperature

• Water quality (phosphorus)

• Sediment (filtering and erosion prevention)

• Habitat

Key Technical Decisions

• Streams to include

• Buffer width

• How to measure the width

• Management within the buffer

• Stream crossings

• Waivers/ exceptions

Decision 1: What is a Stream?

• Base stream layer from SWCD mapping

• Should other streams be added?

• Different treatment of perennial versus intermittent streams?

• On-site stream identification?

• Other criteria for non-mapped streams?

Decision 2: Buffer Widths

• 20’ to 200’ typical buffer widths

• Lake George primarily has fairly small (1st and 2nd order streams)

• Extremely high quality resource

Decision 3: Vary Widths?

• Perennial versus intermittent

• Large versus small streams

• Expand buffer to include:

• Floodplains
• Habitat areas
• Wetlands
• Steep slopes

Decision 4: How to Measure the Buffer

• Stream Centerline

• Edge of Stream?

• High Water Mark?

• Other?

Decision 5: Management Within the Buffer

• Mature vegetation throughout

• Mix of managed and mature vegetation

• Setback from structures only?

• Three-zone buffer?

Decision 6: Stream Crossings

• How many should be allowed per stream mile?

• Design criteria

• Other considerations?

Decision 7: Exceptions or Waivers?

• Small lots

• Previously developed areas

• Stormwater practices

Plan for the Rest of the Day

• Break (about 15 minutes)

• Technical questions

• Comments/ feedback for buffer regulations

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