Update March 30, 2021

IT'S WORKING!

Howdy Folks,

Just added a few pictures   on the website showing the new overflow spillway working.

2020 Dam Project Part 2 |   DeRuyter Lake Association

Scroll down to the end.

The Reservoir is or very   close to crest elevation of 1279.8 feet above sea level. Through the years,   the spillway has settled slightly so it is not completely level. It is about   2-3 inches higher on the west side compared to the east. Therefore water will   start to go over the east side of the spillway while not actually at full   crest.

The state considers crest   when flow is over the full surface of the spillway. For all practicality, we   are at crest or just below.

All snow pack is gone in   the hills. Welcome to New York. The current forecast calls for a possibility   of 10 inches of snow in a couple of days. Fortunately it is not expected to   stick around long because it will warm up the following few days.

Won’t be long- Stay safe   and see all real soon. JA 

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Update March 7, 2021

Howdy Folks, hope everyone is safe and well. I just updated the website on the water level with a few pictures, courtesy of Angelo Costantini, of the Low Level Works. 2020 Dam Project Part 2 | DeRuyter Lake Association  Scroll to the bottom of page to last 3 photos.

Just in case folks notice water release at the low level works, the Canal Corp. has been trying to build an information database on the new valve house operation and flows. So you may notice if you happen to look at the lower outflow channel, flows from the stilling well into the outlet channel.

Since mid January, the CC has been making some gate adjustments based on the water level. They are checking ice and taking snow pack measurements including moisture content. As of the last week of Feb, there was about 4 inches of water in the snow pack which is quite a bit which will aid filling the Reservoir.

Currently, we are approximately 1.3 feet below crest and the ice is fairly thick so there shouldn’t be a problem of cresting this year. The CC has been able to hold this level with gate adjustments the past few weeks while they get some data on how the Reservoir responds to gate openings, weather, temperatures, ice, and snow pack. We probably won’t be able to count on this type monitoring in future years due time and staffing issues.

There is an expected warm up projected for the upcoming week that should start melting/reducing the snow pack, possibly quickly. This should bring the water level and ice cover up fairly quickly. Of course this will depend on length of thaw, any type of rain and how long the warmer temperatures last. 

So as a reminder, if anyone still has a dock, boat, raft, or boat lift below the crest/high water mark, they should be removed immediately. As the water rises, and the ice mass begins to float, and then we get a windy day, once this mass starts moving, it will not stop. It will crush/destroy anything in its wake until the ice softens and reduces in size.

Hopefully it won’t be too long until we will hear the sounds of lawn mowers in place of snow blowers.

Stay safe and hope to see all soon. TLA/ja

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November 7, 2020

Hello folks.

Just a quick update on   the Dam Project completion.

Added a few final   pictures of the completed overflow spillway with the new decorative safety   fencing installed.

https://deruyterlakeassociation.org/2020-dam-project-part-2

It’s been a long project   but ultimately a successful one that will insure DeRuyter Reservoir is around   for another 150 years.

Clearly with the   regional drought that started in March of 2020 after the minimal snow melt   and that continues to this day, many folks were not able to enjoy full usage   with the level remaining down three feet throughout the summer. In the long   run though it was a well worth project.

I would like to send a   commendation letter to all those involved from the Governor’s Office, the   Canal Corporation and its “parent” the NY Power Authority Leadership for   authorizing, designing, engineering and construction of this project for a   job well done. We would like to continue the great rapport that has been   established with the Canal Corporation the past couple of decades.

This should be the final   update considering most of the project is completed. There is some flow   monitoring equipment that needs to be installed and calibrated but the actual   system is now operational.

I will update this site   when new information comes in and perhaps after taking a break may redo some   aspects, correct errors, grammar, spelling and add more pictures when time   permits.

Hopefully folks have   found the information and progress updates useful. I have tried to provide   the information and pictures as accurate as possible in chronological order   without rambling or being to specific and can be used as a historical   document for future generations use.

So check the website   occasionally for updates and hope everyone has a safe winter and will see you   all on a hopefully full Reservoir next summer.

Jim Adsitt

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Update 10/18/20

Hello Folks,

Just a quick update.

First I made a big mistake in the last update where I thanked Bob Alter at camp 277 for the use of his ramp to allow folks to use to launch their boats. 

The fact is the ramp is owned by the Goggins/Holmes Family at camp 279 next door to Bob. So it was their ramp that they allowed folks to use.

So apologies to the Goggins/Holmes family for the over sight and thank you for your generosity. And thanks to Bob Alter for helping folks launch and putting up with the traffic.

Dam update-

The spillway safety fencing is being installed and that should complete most of the project. I will hopefully add new photos to the website when completed. 

 Thanks also to Donald Schmidt for the use of the aerial photo used at the top of this update and use on the website. Thanks Don for the photos and great drone videos. 

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10-5-20 Update

Howdy Folks,

Just a quick Update on a few items.

We have been requested to inform any folks with boats left in the water that Bob Alter's ramp that he graciously allowed folks to use to launch this summer will be shutdown on October 13, 2020. People will not be able to access the ramp after that date.

Well September was no different than the summer. Almost no rain. The Reservoir level as of today is down 3 feet 2 inches.

The Dam project is coming to a close. I have updated the web site with a few new pictures. The main item left will be installing the decorative safety railings around the overflow spillway sometime this month and that should complete the project. The State and Contractors did a fabulous job and we are lucky DeRuyter Dam Repair was chosen first as no one knows what money will be available in future years.

As many know, the Dam Road is now open and detours are no longer needed.

Updates for this project will be done less frequently. Hope to have at least one more once the overflow railing is installed. Throughout the winter, given time, I'll add more pictures and explanations and keep folks informed with any messages from the Officers of the Lake Association.

Stay safe!

https://deruyterlakeassociation.org/2020-dam-project-part-2

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Dam Update September 16, 2020

Just a quick update.

Still no rain. The level is at 3 feet, 2 inches below crest and evaporating with the cool evenings.

As many know, the Dam Rd is being paved. According to the Engineer, the Dam Road as of today is scheduled to be open by the end of the month.

The road can't open until the guardrails have been installed obviously for liability. The company is located toward New York City and they are now tentatively scheduled to be here around September 30, 2020 and it may take two days to complete. If anything changes on this schedule we'll update you with another email.

Jim A

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Message From the Vice President

 9-5-20

Sunday brings one of our great traditions at DeRuyter Lake, the annual Burning of the Lake. Please wait for the Dam to be lit first before you light your flare, which should be approximately 8:15 – 8:30 p.m.

Your flare is included in your annual dues payment. If you have paid your dues and you have not yet received your flare, please contact your Area Captain. If you have not paid your dues, please do so and your Area Captain can supply you a flare.

Have a safe and healthy weekend!

The TLA

Chuck Beeler

Director – Public Relations

D: 315-413-4346 M: 315-374-4759

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Message From President -  Sept 2, 2020

Poof, it’s Labor Day!

As we come to an end of another summer, so different than we are all use to, we hope this finds you all well. It has been one of hottest and driest summers ever, and we have survived the low water level!

Work has still been going forward to keep DeRuyter Lake, the special place we all enjoy.

At this time, I would like to personally thank Jim Adsitt, for the continual work he has done during the Dam project. He has been on this project and Dam issues for years. We are in the final stages of this huge project, and we are so fortunate to have this behind us!

I have been able to continue CSLAP (Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program) water sampling, as our data becomes available, it will be posted on the website. No heavy run offs – No blooms?? This will be interesting for future data. The Foundation (TLPF) is working on sampling some of the bigger inlets this year. Our data together will hopefully, come into play for grant funding.

We have not forgotten the Island Project! Next year, we can jump into that early. We’ll be looking for helpers, as plans develop to move forward.

Another issue we will address early is the traffic speed along the lake. TLA had signs made, sent letters to the Troopers, had the 55 mph sign on the west side, moved to the north side of the Dam. My goal is to visit the Troopers and see if we can get something worked out about having them parked at spots along the road at times.

Thanks to the Area Captains! Little different handing things out this year but seem to have gone smooth. Remember, to please pay your dues if you have not yet. These monies are what we need to survive.

As we approach the closing of summer with our traditional Burning of the Lake, please wait for the Dam to be lit first. Approximately 8:15 – 8:30 pm on Sunday night.

Our Best Wishes to You and hope All are Healthy, Happy and Safe.

The TLA

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Dam Update 8-31-2020

Hello Folks,

Just a quick update. The Officers are working on a letter for members that will be emailed and put on the website in the near future.

Dam Update-

All main work is completed. The old covered outlet channel from the old gate house to the new Low Level Outlet Channel and the old gate house has been filled to the surface with sand and covered with the newly painted cover. Also the old (original pipes) from the old gate house into the Reservoir have been grouted.

The rain this past weekend caused some small washout of the new soil and seeding where the Low Level Works was completed. This week it will be smoothed out and reseeded around the Low Level Works.

The major work to be started this week is HOPEFULLY is repaving the Dam Rd. based on weather and repairing the sub base. Where the large heavy equipment worked along the dam, some minor damage occurred to the base under the pavement. This is not unusual considering the size of the project and the amount of heavy equipment used. So the contractor has to do what is called “boxing” where in certain spots they will dig down to the sub base, add a small amount of fill and then cover with a new pavement base coat. Then the new top coat across the whole dam will occur including reinstalling all the guard rails. The hope/desire is to complete this week or next and then the Dam Road can be opened for normal use. This pavement schedule is ONLY one possibility. Weather, supplies and equipment are a consideration.

As all know, we receive a couple of storms this past weekend which brought the level up about 3 inches so as of today; we are down 2.8 feet below crest. We are still in a draught - https://www.localsyr.com/weather/drought-monitor-no-improvements-from-this-week/ but any amount of rain is helpful. Needless to say, the Canal Department won’t have a problem getting us down to the three foot below crest level unless we have a very wet fall.

Something to keep in mind for the future. Without starting a debate, it would be wise to remember when a discussion about letting the Reservoir down FIVE feet rather than the normal three feet what can happen when there is a lower amount of snow pack and virtually a dry spring/summer. The Reservoir doesn’t refill and we have the situation we had this summer where most folks couldn’t even launch a boat. It’s no longer a theory but a fact we all witnessed this year.

Remaining work is some minor electrical and calibration of the flow monitor instrumentation. And the new architectural fencing for the overflow spillway is scheduled to arrive and be installed this October.

Happy Labor Day!

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Notice From President Sherlock - 8-14-20

The privately funded fireworks display will be held Sunday, September 6, 2020 after the “burning of the lake”. Donations to help off-set the costs of the fireworks can be dropped off at the General Store.

Please wait until the Dam is lit before lighting your flare. Those unable to see the dam should wait until they see the East Side or the South/Boat House area lit first.

Dam Update

The lower spillway grouting has been delayed at least a week due to concrete availability. Concrete is in high demand and hard to get.

The approval for the decorative/safety fencing along the overflow spillway was received. This will be about 4 feet high wrought iron fencing.

There will be revetment/stone added to the water side of the overflow spillway to add some protection for the spillway.

Dam Project Update - 7-31-20

Hello Folks,

Just an update on a few items-

The new signs pictured at the top of this update have been installed by Robert Dwyer and Kathy Sherlock.

Due to the Corona Virus Restrictions all summer events are cancelled including swimming/skiing competitions with the exception of burning of the lake scheduled for Sunday Evening, September 6, 2020 at dark. Please wait until the dam is lit first.

As many know, the DeRuyter Fire Department’s main fund raising activity is the DeRuyter Fair. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions the Fair has been cancelled. Therefore, for those that would like to send a personal donation to the Fire Department, make checks out to-

DeRuyter Fire Department

PO Box 278

DeRuyter, New York 13052

OR - Donations may be dropped off to Sandy Wilcox, Fire Department Treasurer at the Countryside Hardware.

Dam Project Update- 

Most earth work is completed, the buttresses have been seeded. There is some minor plumbing work in the valve houses, some electrical work and some decommissioning/abandoning of the old Valve House and channel has started and expected to take a few weeks. The Dam Rd. is still scheduled for paving 

The new siphon system is now operational and the old gates have been closed. The original pipes going into the Reservoir at the base of the dam approximately 55 feet down will be abandoned and filled in. The Old Valve House will also be abandoned and filled and the top/roof will be reinstalled. Demolition of the old covered channel will be completed and revetment/stone will be placed in the remaining open channel and at the outlet of the Lower Valve House Energy Dissipater.

Water level-

We are still experiencing a draught in the area. We have received a couple of storms that brought some rain which brought the water level up painfully slow to where we are currently down 2 feet 7 inches below crest. 

I will be adding some more pictures of the dam project on the website in the next few days. 

 July 10, 2020 DeRuyter Lake Association Update

Hello Folks,

President Kathy Sherlock requested this notice of caution be sent out.

For those people that have a boat in the water, beware that we are still down 2.9 feet so there are some old tree stumps on the south end that are not very deep. These can cause damage to boats/motors. A couple have been marked with a buoy by Mark Andrako so use caution not just near these buoys but all over the Reservoir for submerged obstructions.

Dam Update-

The State will be switching over from the old gates to using the new siphon system to continue the water flow into Limestone Creek per New York DEC requirements today. And then abandoning of the original drawdown system will commence. There is some electrical work started.

July 1, 2020

Hello Folks,

Just a quick update on a few issues. There will be no meeting July 11th due to restrictions on meetings of no more than 25 people. The Officers will watch the situation and look for a way or venue to hold a meeting. Zoom, webinar, big field etc. will be looked into or restrictions may change. We will keep you posted through the website. 

Updated the web site – www.deruyterlakeassociation.org

Had to add a Part 2 for the 2020 Dam Project. The site allows for only so many sections per page so I had to continue the 2020 Dam Project onto another new “page”. Added a few more pictures with explanations. 

Dam Project Update - Most fill is completed so what you see now is what will be there. There will be some truck traffic to bring in fill for the old valve house and channel, mainly sand, and revetment stone for the outfall for the new lower valve house, and filling the upper half of the old channel up to the old valve house. Once completed it is expected to put up guard rails and pave the Dam Rd. sometime in August.

Siphon Pipes have been tested and the system is close to being operational. Once it is operational the abandoning of the upper half of the old uncovered channel and the covered channel up to and including the old valve house and the original outflow pipes into the Reservoir will be completed. The cover of the old valve house has been removed to go to a paint shop for cleaning, repainting and will be returned and installed. 

Still doing some works on the lower valve house and its outfall. Rebar is in for the Weir box chamber for the 7 flow monitoring weir boxes. These will monitor the flows from the underground collection pipe system installed. 

The abandonment of the old diversion channel and valve house south of the Reservoir will be completed. This mainly will be filling in a 40 foot berm to prevent any flow from the larger watershed, middle branch of the Tioughnioga, from being diverted into the Reservoir including its potential high nutrient load. The old gate house will remain and be abandoned.

The Reservoir water level is still approximately 3 feet below crest as all are aware. Unfortunately the region is experiencing drought conditions. Storms have gone to the east or west of us but very few have hit our area for any extended periods of time. Further, you may notice that we are evaporating water now that the temperature is up. While it can be seen in the mornings by the “fog” coming from the surface, this evaporation is occurring 24 hours per day.

I was told by someone years ago that we can evaporate a quarter of an inch or more per day. I have no actual study or science but it does conform to normal drops based on prior year readings.

Having said that, this is a glass half full/half empty scenario, no pun intended. While this “drought” was extremely helpful since the start of the 10 foot drop last September allowing the contractor to complete the serious part of low level work and bringing in much of the stabilizing fill for the east and west buttresses, they were able to start bringing up the Reservoir almost two months ahead of schedule the first week of January. 

By March of 2020 most of the snow pack was gone and the level recovered to approximately 5 foot below crest. Since then we did not get the normal spring rains which would have brought the level up to normal. So we are where we are. Who knows, a couple weeks of a good continuous drenching or some large thunderstorms or even a wayward early hurricane remnant could get us up substantially for half a summer’s use. 

While draught conditions can be temporal and spatial especially with the climate variations we are seeing, so to can rain events. Someday when time permits I may gather some memories of folks involved in the “Great East Side Washout” back in the 80’s as I recall and put them on the website. We had severe flooding conditions on the north end of the Reservoir while it was sunny on the south end for much of the afternoon. It was like a cloud burst that stop over Brown’s Field because it was the East/West Softball Game.

Channel 9 has a current Drought Monitor for the state that provides some comparison throughout the State.  

https://www.localsyr.com/weather/drought-monitor-abnormally-dry-conditions-expanded-to-finger-lakes/

So remember, the July 11, 2020 annual meeting has been canceled. We will keep members advised through the website if and when a meeting can be held.

Stay Safe 

June 15, 2020

Howdy Folks - Just a quick update. 

Look for an email and notice on the website once it has been determined how, where and when our “4th of July” Lake Association meeting can or will be held. The Officers are hard at work coming up with alternatives that will meet the corona virus restrictions if possible.

Website update-

Added two more pics of the siphon pipes being installed into the Reservoir from the waterside compliments of Jerry Rice, Warning Buoys at the Spillway and the middle of the dam where the siphon pipes are below the surface, work on the roofs of both valve houses and transfer pipes installed and covered. 

Much of the concrete and earth moving work has been completed or near completion.

Scheduled - Once the Siphon Pipe system is tested and operational, decommissioning of the 3 original pipes installed in 1863 will include grouting from the entrance through the dam and ending in the original valve house. The valves trains in the valve house installed in the 1989-91 upgrades will be removed and the original pipes grouted, the valve house space will be filled mainly with sand with 2 level/clean out pipes installed and the metal roof will be put in place after painting.

The original outlet channel from the current (old) valve house to where it opens to the atmosphere will be filled in including the decaying concrete structure underground. This original channel will be decommissioned down to where the new valve house exit enters the channel where new revetment stone will be placed to reduce scour and act as an energy dissipater. 

Flow monitoring and piezometer equipment will be installed and calibrated. Seeding and paving of the dam road and reinstallation of guard rails will be completed.  Now we need some rain! 

As we all know, we have received minimal amount of rain. .041 measured about 2 weeks ago and this week’s forecast is for dry no rain. The radar showed two separate rain events going to the North West and south east of DeRuyter. This pattern of just missing us is a lot like last year’s rain. We are currently still hovering at the 3 foot below crest level.

  Date- 6-2-20 - Update to   the website – www.deruyterlakeassociation.org 

 Hopefully, everyone received an email from President Kathy Sherlock regarding   the summer events cancellation, working on alternative for the 4th of July   meeting, the School is out due to the Corona Virus restrictions, etc. A copy   of this email is under the Home Page. Just scroll down to view it. We may be   setting up and area for the Officers documents/communications should it be   desired. This will take some time and effort depending on their desire.

Added more photos of   completed spillway, buttresses, and new under water rock hazard, and crane   installation of the 22 inch siphon pipe. These are under the header Lake   Projects and then 2020 Dam Project. Pictures are below any text so you need   to scroll down. We have over a 100 pictures of the 2019 and 2020 dam project.

Uploaded the 2019 CSLAP   Report which can be found under the Water Quality header and then click on   the CSLAP Reports.

As many of you know, the   Reservoir refilling has been painfully slow as noted back in mid March when   the snow pack was gone. And then a very dry April and May has not helped. 

 Friday May 29 we received a storm of 1.16 inches of rain brought us up to the   3 foot below crest level. Unfortunately the majority went to the east and   west of the Reservoir. But every little bit helps. 

 As of June 2, 2020 the level is 2.9 feet below crest. Hope for some big rain   storms.

Updated Canal Corp.   Electronic Level Gage link which changed for DeRuyter Reservoir. It is under   the What’s New header and then click on Water Level 

 Below is the link to the State Gage Site.

https://cloud.xylem.com/hydrosphere/public-sites/OWA_591AE68AAC5D43868391A008E752B7E4?customerId=OWA_591AE68AAC5D43868391A008E752B7E4&siteId=5180C734

You have two options- Click   on Table View Header and you will see levels in tabular form with the level   listed under Master Stage column. Or if you wish to see the readings in chart   form click on Chart View, then under the “Parameters” click “Master Stage”   box and you will see the level readings charted. You can adjust the time of   the reading charted under the Duration tab.

Please note these readings   will “bounce” around due to issues with the satellite uplink, reading every   15 minutes, drift in the electronics and the bubbler system, wave action,   etc. Bill and Sue Orzell still operate a state staff gage which is more   stable and accurate. I will upload historical readings from the old website   when time permits.

Check back on the website   occasionally because we’ll be adding more pictures and content as time goes   on.