The Cupsaw Environmental Committee works hard to make Cupsaw the best lake it can be. Here are just some of the efforts this group has undertaken:

1. Goose Management-
   1. Kayak chases early in the morning to discourage geese
   2. Goose patrol to clean up after the occasional goose visitor in Spring
   3. Solar powered blinker light at lanes to discourage bedding down at night
   4. Back up USDA contract for removal, as a last resort. (Hasn’t been needed)
2. Weed Management-
   1. Herbicide treatments in April and May
   2. “Weed rope” beyond the 3rd dock to catch dying weeds
   3. Canoe pick up of floating weeds around weed ropes and lanes
   4. Herbicide booster in June in shallow areas
3. Algae Management-
   1. Aeration system to reduce internal phosphorus release
   2. Alum treatments in May and June to drop out nutrients (2016 & 2017)
   3. Canoe pick up of floating filamentous algae in swim areas
   4. Introduction of beneficial bacteria (June 2017)
   5. Copper Sulphate treatments in July and August as necessary
4. Watershed Management
   1. Rain Garden (by Boy Scouts) near Volleyball court to slow erosion from courts
   2. Encouragement to pump septics regularly
   3. Encouragement to use lawn fertilizer sparingly
5. Water Circulation
   1. Ensuring paddle wheel operation which is key to beach water quality
   2. Use of water movers near lanes and in deep cove areas
6. Lake Testing and logging
   1. Weekly State testing for coliform count (always way below criteria)
   2. Monthly testing for algae presence by our aeration company
   3. Periodic testing by our own committee in our own lab
   4. Near daily testing and logging Secchi depth, temp, and goose sightings
   5. Four years of data logging to verify results of lake treatment measures
7. Meetings and Outreach
   1. Monthly Environmental Committee Meetings
   2. Meetings with Erskine and Skyline environmental committees every other month
   3. Participation at NJ Coalition of Lake Assn’s meetings (4 times annually)
   4. Member of board of directors of NJ Coalition of Lake Assn’s

As a result of these efforts:

1. Our State testing of beach water is regularly <10 for coliform, <200 is the requirement
2. Our Secchi disk clarity has been improving year to year for 4 years
3. Our lake swimmers and sailors have had fewer weeds to contend with
4. We no longer contend with goose droppings on our beach

However, we can’t get too confident; we are dealing with nature. It is a lake, we will have weeds and algae, but we need to keep up with our best efforts.