A Management Strategy for Oneida Lake and its ... - CNY RPDB Home

flict-of-use issue between homeowners,
boaters, and other user groups.
Lack of Boating Courtesy: Boating
courtesy issues can pose problems between
fellow boaters and PWC users, motorized
watercraft and non-motorized paddlers/
sailboats, as well as between boaters and other
user groups. Typical examples of a lack of
courtesy between lake users include watercraft
speeding past other boats that are at anchor,
adrift, or moored. (Because New York State
limits vessel speed to 5 mph when within 100
feet of the shore, a dock, pier, raft, float, or
anchored boat, it is also against regulation).
This kind of behavior can disturb fishing
activities, and also creates strong wakes that
may overpower smaller watercrafts. Courtesy
for other boaters and lake users is an important
component in a multiple-use recreation
situation and the disrespect of others in regard
to speed, noise, right-of-way rules, and
launching can result in tension and aggravation
that takes away from lake enjoyment.
Fishing Derby on Oneida Lake (Photo: Saltman)
Navigation Issues: Oneida Lake boaters
face a number of navigation issues that can
cause problems or inconvenience. Misplaced
buoys can misinform users about necessary
speeds, directions, or danger. Seasonal water
levels are an issue of concern for many boat
users and are also associated with lake bottom
damage and shoreline erosion. Navigation
issues also arise when storms cause downed
trees, logs or debris limit or block routes and
access ramps. The cutting of submerged
aquatic vegetation by watercraft propellers can
result in dense mats of weeds washing into
bays or along shorelines. Thick vegetative
mats can also impede watercraft mobility and
clog propellers.
Water Quality Impacts: The water
quality of the lake can be negatively impacted
by boat activity. Fuel loss and small spills
from boats create only minor problems since
slicks quickly volatize into the air. While fuel
spills may not significantly degrade water
quality, they can however, decrease people’s
enjoyment of the lake and impair the swimming
value of affected areas. Similarly, litter
and trash in the water and along the shores
decreases the aesthetic value of the lake and
can change the type of recreational experiences
people have. Discharge of boat wastewater
and sewage is not permitted and can
contribute to lake pollution. Bank erosion is a
source of sediment pollution that increases the
turbidity of lake water and can be amplified
by the wave action caused by boat wake.
High speeds too close to shore can result in
waves that damage shorelines, sea walls and
lead to long-term property loss. Personal
watercraft also allow traffic in shallow areas
of water that were previously unutilized.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association
has documented increasing trends in both
the number of recreational boats owned, and
also in the average watercraft horsepower.
Water turbidity can be exaggerated with speed
as bottom sediments are stirred up and resuspended
by the scouring action of propellers.
The average recreational watercraft has a
minimal influence on the lakebed in depths
greater than 6-8 feet. PWC have the least
impacts in waters greater than 3 feet deep.
The greatest turbulence associated with boat
wake was recorded at the ‘near plane’ operating
speeds. Therefore, the greatest damage by
Chapter 3: Priority Areas page 75