Geology topics

Research about Owasco Lake

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Owasco Lake.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2026

Integration of multiple methodologies as an indicator of cyanotoxin occurrence in Owasco Lake, New York

Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) pose environmental and public health risks in lakes with highly variable cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin distributions. We compared results from 3 independent monitoring programs to characterize spatiotemporal patterns in the stratified, mesotrophic Owasco Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in New York. Biweekly open-water samples collected at multiple depths in 2019 and 2020 were analyzed for phytoplankton community composition, chlorophyll a , cyanotoxins, and cyanotoxin synthetase gene targets. These data were examined alongside shoreline reports and microcystin measurements from 2 public water supply intakes. Open-water cyanobacterial biovolume was generally low but increased sharply during late summer Microcystis -dominated events. Microcystin was the only cyanotoxin detected and occurred infrequently; detections at drinking water intakes coincided with or followed open-water and shoreline bloom reports. The mcyE gene target was detected weeks before microscopy or cyanotoxin analyses indicated cyanoHAB development and persisted later. Relations among cyanobacterial biovolume, chlorophyll a , gene targets, and cyanotoxins were generally weak (the relations explained small proportions of the variability in the response variables), indicating ephemeral bloom dynamics and low overall biomass. Comparison across programs revealed a consistent sequence: early mcyE detection, shoreline bloom reports, open-water increases in cyanobacteria, sparse microcystin detections, and then detections at drinking water intakes. These findings demonstrate how genetic, chemical, and visual approaches can be combined across depths and monitoring entities. Routine genetic analyses in open water may provide early indications of toxigenic potential, support tiered monitoring frameworks, and inform management of recreational and drinking water risks in large lakes.

New York↗

USGS2010

Habitat selection and spawning success of walleye in a tributary to Owasco Lake, New York

Walleyes Sander vitreus are stocked into Owasco Lake, New York, to provide a sport fishery, but the population must be sustained by annual hatchery supplementation despite the presence of appropriate habitat. Therefore, we evaluated walleye spawning success in Dutch Hollow Brook, a tributary of Owasco Lake, to determine whether early survival limited recruitment. Spawning success during spring 2006 and 2007 was evaluated by estimating egg densities from samples collected in the lower 725 m of the stream. Environmental variables were also recorded to characterize the selected spawning habitat. Drift nets were set downstream of the spawning section to assess egg survival and larval drift. We estimated that 162,596 larvae hatched in 2006. For 2007, we estimated that 360,026 eggs were deposited, with a hatch of 127,500 larvae and hatching success of 35.4%. Egg density was significantly correlated to percent cover, substrate type, and depth : velocity ratio. Two sections had significantly higher egg deposition than other areas. Adult spawning walleyes selected shallow, slow habitats with some cover and gravel substrate in the accessible reaches of Dutch Hollow Brook. Our results show that walleyes found suitable spawning habitat in Dutch Hollow Brook and that egg and larval development does not appear to limit natural reproduction.

New York↗

USGS2010

Thiamine status and culture of rainbow smelt ( Osmerus mordax ) from Owasco Lake, New York

In 2005, 2008, and 2009, eggs were collected for analysis of total thiamine fiom 2, 58, and 30 gravid rainbow smelt ( Osmerus mordax ) captured in Edgewater Creek, Owasco Lake, New York, respectively. Mean egg thiamine concentrations (nmollg i standard error) in 2005, 2008, and 2009 were 6.0 ± 1.8, 13.3 ± 0.5, and 14.9 ± 0.2, respectively. Eggs from three more females in 2009 were manually spawned, fertilized, and incubated in the laboratory until they hatched on day 11. The mean thiamine concentration in these eggs was 2.7 ± 0.3 nmol/g. To detect possible thiamine deficiency, on day 12 larvae from each female were divided into two groups and immersed in either static culture water alone or the same water with 5,000 mg/L thiamine for 6 hrs, after which they were held as six individual groups and fed twice daily starting on day 23 until all control larvae had died on day 29. Thiamine treatment significantly ( P <0.00l) increased survival of unfed larvae between days 15 and 18 and fed larvae between days 24 and 29 ( P <0.05). While most smelt captured in 2008 and 2009 contained adequate egg thiamine, some produced eggs low in thiamine, resulting in increased mortality of their fry, which was reduced by treatment with thiamine.

New York↗