Honeoye Lake Nutrient Inactivant Pilot Study

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is conducting a pilot project to control phosphorous in  Honeoye Lake  in the town of Richmond, Ontario County. Phosphorous is a critical nutrient, but excess concentrations can result in poor water quality.

DEC is studying potential management actions to control internal lake phosphorus loading from sediments on the floor of the lake. Honeoye Lake is a valued recreational asset, but it is currently impaired due to high phosphorus concentrations, mostly coming from within the lake itself. High phosphorous concentrations can create water quality issues such as reduced water clarity, low dissolved oxygen, fish die-offs, and may lead to harmful or toxic algal blooms (HABs).

In the fall of 2022 a contractor hired by DEC applied aluminum sulfate (alum), a nutrient inactivant, to the deepest portions of Honeoye Lake in an effort to trap phosphorus in the sediments, preventing it from being dispersed in the water column where it can harm water quality. Monitoring of the lake will continue for the foreseeable future.

For additional details, please read the  project announcement .

*Data below is subject to quality assurance evaluation. Please contact honeoyealum2022@dec.ny.gov for additional information or concerns.