Didymo Found in Delaware River
October 04, 2007
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the presence of the invasive algae didymo in two additional fishing water bodies in New York State.
Samples taken by DEC have confirmed that didymo is present in the East Branch of the Delaware River. In addition, based on samples taken near the Route 191 bridge in Hancock, Delaware County, didymo is suspected to be present on the West Branch of the Delaware River as well. These are the latest recorded incidents of this aquatic nuisance species – also called “rock snot” – in New York State. Early this summer, didymo’s presence was confirmed in a section of the Batten Kill in Washington County.
The Delaware tailwaters are one of the premier trout fisheries on the East Coast, and are a popular destination for large numbers of anglers. The discovery of didymo in these waters is particularly troubling given their proximity to other famous trout streams, notably the Beaver Kill and Willowemoc Creek, and the tendency of anglers to fish multiple streams over the course of a day or weekend. The microscopic algae – an invasive species to New York – can survive for many days in cool, damp conditions. Porous materials such as neoprene waders and felt soles used by wading anglers are prime suspects in the spread of didymo among streams.
Didymo cells can produce large amounts of stalk material that forms thick mats on stream bottoms. The appearance of these mats has been compared to brown shag carpet, fiberglass insulation, or tissue paper. During blooms these mats may completely cover long stretches of stream beds and persist for months. The stalk material produced by didymo is slow to break down and may persist for up to two months following its peak growth. These mats alter stream conditions, choking out many of the organisms that live on the stream bottom, potentially causing a ripple effect up the food chain affecting trout and other fish.
Didymo has historically been limited to cold, nutrient-poor, northern waters, but in recent decades has been expanding its range and its tolerance to warmer and more productive streams. Once introduced to an area, didymo can rapidly spread to nearby streams. Anglers, kayakers, canoeists, boaters and jet skiers can all unknowingly spread didymo by transporting the cells on boats and other gear. There are currently no known methods for controlling or eradicating didymo once it infests a water body.
For more information about didymo, including decontamination procedures, visit this link.
News
Posted: December 13, 2007 by wrp_admin
WRP wins VT Tree Steward Award
WRP wins VT Tree Steward Award
December 13, 2007
The White River Partnership has been selected as the 2007 Volunteer Group recipient of the Vermont Tree Steward Award. Mary Russ received the award on behalf of the Partnership on December 12 at the State House. Hartford project partners, including the Hartford Conservation Commission, the Hartford Tree Board, the Hartford Department of Parks anad Recreation, and the Partnership’s Down Stream Team, were on hand to support the Partnership and to receive congratulations from Governor Douglas and ANR Secretary Crombie.
The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Council, an advisory group to the Urban and Community Forestry Program of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, sponsors this award. The Volunteer Group Award goes to an organization, team or ad/hoc group who, through their volunteer efforts, has shown outstanding dedication and commitment in introducing or sustaining an urban and community forestry project within their community. The Hartford Conservation Commission and Tree Board made the nomination to recognize the Partnership’s tremendous work planting riparian areas in Hartford and throughout the White River watershed.
Since 2005, the Partnership has been working with the Town of Hartford to restore riparian buffers at the 3 public parks in Hartford: Lyman Point Park, Watson Park, and Clifford Park. In 2005, the WRP helped organize a River Day for Hartford Middle School students, which culminated in the first tree planting at Lyman Point Park. Since then, dozens of local students and community members have helped plant over 400 trees at the 3 parks. Next year, the WRP will plant additional trees at Lyman Point Park and will work with the Town of Hartford to erect educational signs about the benefits of riparian buffers at all 3 parks.
Posted: November 5, 2007 by wrp_admin
2007 Sami Izzo Award
2007 Sami Izzo Award
November 05, 2007
In 2007, the WRP presented the Sami Izzo Award to Jon Bouton. The award is given to an individual in recognition of his or her significant contributions to the WRP and our community. Sami Izzo was a tireless, committed, and enthusiastic supporter of the WRP. She was the first chair of the Down Stream Team and served on the Executive, Steering, and Outreach committees of the WRP Board of Directors. She not only contributed her thoughts, but also energized us with her can-do attitude that helped us see that doing more was possible. Most importantly she made the work of those committees more fun.
Jon has contributed to the WRP as a loyal supporter, partner, advocate, and active volunteer for the past decade. As the Windsor County Forester, Jon has been involved with the WRP since its inception. As a volunteer, Jon has led education events, monitored water quality, ferried water quality samples from White River to South Royalton, and coordinated the Forestry Work Group. Jon actively seeks new connections for the WRP – with Marsh-Billings, State and Private Forestry, UVM, Vermont’s Tree Steward Program, and others. More importantly, Jon adds to the WRP community through his dedication, time, energy, humor and insight.
According to former Executive Director, Annie Bourdon, “Jon always brought his professional expertise and knowledge to this diverse group, but what he demonstrated most were his respect for its members, his passion for the watershed and its forests, and his commitment to the WRP’s roots as a community-based and consensus-driven organization. He never flaunted his knowledge but rather facilitated and encouraged community participation in every form, embracing everyone’s diverse opinions.” Thank you, Jon, and congratulations!
Posted: October 4, 2007 by wrp_admin
Didymo Found in Delaware River
Didymo Found in Delaware River
October 04, 2007
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the presence of the invasive algae didymo in two additional fishing water bodies in New York State.
Samples taken by DEC have confirmed that didymo is present in the East Branch of the Delaware River. In addition, based on samples taken near the Route 191 bridge in Hancock, Delaware County, didymo is suspected to be present on the West Branch of the Delaware River as well. These are the latest recorded incidents of this aquatic nuisance species – also called “rock snot” – in New York State. Early this summer, didymo’s presence was confirmed in a section of the Batten Kill in Washington County.
The Delaware tailwaters are one of the premier trout fisheries on the East Coast, and are a popular destination for large numbers of anglers. The discovery of didymo in these waters is particularly troubling given their proximity to other famous trout streams, notably the Beaver Kill and Willowemoc Creek, and the tendency of anglers to fish multiple streams over the course of a day or weekend. The microscopic algae – an invasive species to New York – can survive for many days in cool, damp conditions. Porous materials such as neoprene waders and felt soles used by wading anglers are prime suspects in the spread of didymo among streams.
Didymo cells can produce large amounts of stalk material that forms thick mats on stream bottoms. The appearance of these mats has been compared to brown shag carpet, fiberglass insulation, or tissue paper. During blooms these mats may completely cover long stretches of stream beds and persist for months. The stalk material produced by didymo is slow to break down and may persist for up to two months following its peak growth. These mats alter stream conditions, choking out many of the organisms that live on the stream bottom, potentially causing a ripple effect up the food chain affecting trout and other fish.
Didymo has historically been limited to cold, nutrient-poor, northern waters, but in recent decades has been expanding its range and its tolerance to warmer and more productive streams. Once introduced to an area, didymo can rapidly spread to nearby streams. Anglers, kayakers, canoeists, boaters and jet skiers can all unknowingly spread didymo by transporting the cells on boats and other gear. There are currently no known methods for controlling or eradicating didymo once it infests a water body.
For more information about didymo, including decontamination procedures, visit this link.