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Eco-logue is published bimonthly by the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club * Join the Rochester Group by Printing out our Brochure & sending it to us.
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Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, a Watershed Conservation Issue? Should we preserve the special protection both lakes have had over the years now that they are at risk because of developmental pressures and city debts? Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, Watershed Conservation Issue Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, the minor or “little finger” lakes, are in the western side of the Finger Lakes region. They are currently water supply sources for the city of Rochester, NY, some 29 miles to the north. In 1876, a foreword thinking administration of city government purchased the lakes and surrounding hillsides (watershed) of these lakes for the purpose of securing clean drinking water for the residents. The City owns about 7000 acres of land. The City went about systematically demolishing the summer cottages and hotels that dotted the shores “After treatment in the filtration plant, the (drinking) water flows by gravity for a total distance of 29 miles through the conduit system and Rush Reservoir to the Highland and Cobbs Hill reservoirs within city limits”. It also makes the water supply less vulnerable to electric power outages. “Even though the lakes’ water quality is very good, State regulations require that this surface water be filtered. In 1993, the City built a state of the art treatment plant that is capable of supplying 48 million gallons per day. Fine particles suspended in the water which cause turbidity or cloudiness are removed because they may interfere with the disinfection process.“ (from Rochester City website: http://www.ci.rochester.ny.us/index.cfm?id=390.) Hemlock Lake Water Treatment plant is sized to provide “flow capacity " of 48 million gallons per day (mgd) of treated drinking water (used one day only), not to exceed 37 mgd for 12 month period. Rochester consumes 23 mgd. Historic usage was higher a consumption before the loss of manufacturing jobs in the Rochester and water conservation by city residents. By contract, the Hemlock treatment plant also supplies wholesale water to Livingston and Ontario Counties (2005 -1.4mgd) and MCWA (a minimum of 13 mgd on an annual basis). In addition, 7.6 mgd of water is designated as “unbilled water uses” (fire-fighting, leaks, main flushing and testing, under registering meters, etc.). Monroe County Water Authority also supplies water from Lake Ontario to the city when drought conditions limit withdrawal from Hemlock Lake. [Corrections to text on 4-13-07, after correspondence with Richard Metzger, Monroe Country Water Authority]. The two lakes now (2006-07) are facing development pressures and the City has debts that could be alleviated by the sale of the plant or sale of trees from the wooded hillsides. Sierra Club, under the leadership of Rochester Regional Group, has lobbied for no logging which put a hold on the sale of lumber from the hillsides which contain some old growth hemlock trees. Renewal of water sharing agreement with Monroe County Water Authority may change the parameters by which it is run. The Nature Conservancy has recognized the importance of protecting land adjacent to the lakes. TNC owns 2% of the land and hopes to acquire 2500 more acres Recreational use of Hemlock and Canadice Lake is regulated by the City of Rochester Water Department. Fishing and boating are allowed with restrictions to size of the craft and the size of engine with permit only. The lakes and surrounding woodlands provide habitat for many birds, including pileated woodpeckers and bald eagles. No swimming or bathing is allowed. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/reg8/lakes/hemlock.html * Please let us know what you think about this issue by posting your comments to our Speaking Out Forum.
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