Hydrilla Alert!

Sunday, October 2, 2011.

I can't believe it's been SO long since I last posted on this blog.  Lots of adventures to share but I must begin with some news of major concern to those of us who love the Finger Lakes Region. 

Hydrilla, a highly invasive water plant, has been found growing in numerous locations in the Cayuga Lake Inlet and Cascadilla Creek in Ithaca, NY.  DEC and NYS officials are warning that something must be done immediately or the plant could render the inlet and southern end of Cayuga Lake toxic within three years.  The Ithaca Journal has written several articles about this scourge of the water and the Fall Creek listserv has had some correspondence as well. Thanks to Kathy Luz Herrera for her Fall Creek Listserv post offering a link to an article on the Cornell Cooperative Extension Website re: hydrilla:   http://ccetompkins.org/environment/invasive-species/fighting-hydrilla#hydrillataskforce

I live one half block from Cascadilla Creek - my closest kayak access point to the lake.  All boaters have been asked to refrain from activity in the creek and the inlet.  Fortunately, my partner and I have not put into the creek at all this season and we will honor the call to stop boating in the area immediately -- and thereby not risk spreading the plant species.  I encourage all others to do the same.

However, I am quite concerned about the folks whose livelihoods depend on the recreational use of the waters at the southern end of Cayuga Lake.  Puddle Dockers marked the final day of their season today.  This little canoe/kayak business rents and sells these small boats and offers classes as well.  They are located, for now, at 704 1/2 W. Buffalo Street on the inlet, next to one of my favorite local restaurants, Corks and More.  Time will tell if this business will be able to continue to operate from this prime location on the water.

So too, what will become of one of our main attractions, MV Columbia cruises on the lake?  The proprietor of Corks and More also runs Cayuga Lake Cruises, a business that draws many tourists and locals alike throughout the boating season.  Leaving from the pier at 708 West Buffalo Street, the usual route for an MV Columbia cruise runs from the inlet and up to the Ithaca Yacht Club on the west side, with a return trip back along the east side of the lake.  Senior Week at Cornell won't be the same if these cruises aren't offered in May 2012 and beyond.  Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Last I heard, officials are waiting for approval to use an herbicide that will kill the plants -- but not the roots.  A stop-gap measure for the time being but at least it's something.  Make no mistake, hydrilla cannot be permitted to spread in the Finger Lakes.  Let's hope the best and brightest minds can come up with an ecologically sound solution as soon as possible.  CCat @ 7:47pm on 10.2.11.