Limnological Studies Of Sodus Bay And Its Tributaries

Abstract

In response to public concern created by an abundance of nuisance weeds (i. e. macrophytes) wi thin the three embayments of Wayne County (Sodus, East and Port Bays), the Aquatic Vegetation Control Program was created in 1987 to develop long-term management strategies for the Bays. The program is administered jointly by the Wayne County Planning Board and the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District. The Soil and Water Conservation District recognized early that management of the bay ecosystem would require the development of a data base presently not available. Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District Toward this end, the contracted with SUNY Brockport to collect and analyze limnological data from Sodus Bay and its tributaries. In a separate study, the Community College of the Finger Lakes investigated macrophyte distribution and composition within the Bay. The general objectives of this study were: 1 . To characterize the environmental status and water quality of Sodus Bay during summer conditions; 2. To determine the nutrient and pollutant content of macrophytes in Sodus Bay, Port Bay and East Bay; 3. To conduct selected sediment analyses on Sodus Bay at the mouth of each tributary; 4 . To monitor weekly the five streams entering Sodus Bay for selected chemical parameters from April to June; and 5. To develop nutrient loads for each stream for April to June.