New testing technology gives DLA new insights into Duane Lake water

The Duane Lake watershed, more or less

For decades the “gold standard” of water testing has been the search for coliform bacteria, or, more specifically Escherichia coli, more commonly called E. coli. If these bacteria are found in a water supply, according to standards adopted by the New York State Department of Health, the water is unacceptable, too risky to drink.

It was and still is a useful test for protecting public health. But it tells us nothing useful about where these bacteria come from since all mammals excrete coliform bacteria. Are they from cows? Deer? Geese? Chipmunks? Or humans? Coliform analysis doesn’t differentiate.

So then, where do you go to block such bacteria from entering the water if you don’t even know where it comes from?

Now, the same technology that gives us crime-scene DNA testing can identify the species that put poop into water. And it’s an affordable test. Added to that is the new ability to find caffeine in a lake or stream. That, too, is an affordable test.

For the past few years the Duane Lake Association has been investing your dues dollars in these tests.

What have we learned? 

Something of interest in the news...

For lake residents, snowbirds, and those looking for real time weather alerts in Albany/Schenectady/Schoharie county or elsewhere in NYS, you may be interested in this new NYS Emergency and Weather Alert system.  Follow this link for more information:  Emergency and Weather Alerts | Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The quick setup instructions are below, however for full details and to learn about the types or incidents and/or severity that prompts a text message, see the website link above.

Bear sightings around Duane Lake

There have been two sightings of a black bear in the neighborhood this weekend.  So far, the reports are sightings along south shore properties.  If you have a birdfeeder out, especially sunflower seeds, you might want to put it away for the summer.

A turtle story in this weeks local news...

A story from the local news was passed along from a local subscriber of The Daily Gazette and is very timely as we enter turtle egg season.  

If you are a subscriber of The Daily Gazette you can follow this link to the original story or read the repost below.

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A little turtle from southeastern USA: How did it get into Duane Lake?

Out for a spring afternoon walk around Duane Lake today (May 12th), I happened across this little (one inch in diameter) turtle trying to cross the pavement. I thought I'd help it make the journey before somebody's SUV tires crushed it.

I thought it odd; snapping turtle eggs don't hatch until mid June. And it didn't look quite like a snapping turtle, anyway. So I brought it home for a comparison to turtles I might find in various online identification guides.

I didn't find anything quite like it in the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation guide.

So I Googled "baby turtles with yellow bellies."

Bingo. There it was: a red-eared slider turtle. Never heard of it? Neither had I. And I can't say I had ever seen one before, either in Duane Lake or anywhere else. Maybe I just never paid attention until it crossed the road in front of me. But its markings were unmistakable.
It turns out it's the species of turtle most often sold in pet shops. I probably had one those many decades ago when I was a kid.

According to Wikipedia, it's on some list of the 100 most invasive species in the world, allegedly because it outcompetes native turtles for habitat and food.
I don't support the idea of dumping turtles or goldfish into our lake, but you're here. Welcome to Duane Lake, I say. We're all invasive species to one degree or another. But that's a topic for another day.

-- Alan Knight

2025 NYSFOLA annual conference report

Thank you to Alan Knight and Dirk Felton for attending the 2025 New York State Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA) annual two day conference held at the Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center in Lake George, NY, May 2nd and 3rd.  See below for each participants summary of the day.

Report from the NYSFOLA annual conference

The NY State Federation of Lake Associations holds a two-day educational conference every spring at Lake George. Topics range from lake management problems and solutions to “lessons learned” about operating a lake association. Pretty much, it’s a sharing of research findings, ideas, and experience—all in all, a very informative collection of presentations.

Alan Knight attended six presentations on Friday, May 2nd, and Dirk Felton attended the next day. Here are the take-home points from the sessions they attended.