173
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF OUTDOOR RECREATION
Lake Central Region Ann Arbor, Michigan
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nnsyivania
prepared for:
^ederal Water Pollution Control Administration
Great Lakes Region, Chicago, Illinois
by:
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
Lake Central Region
Ann Arbor,
TATES 06f>ARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Street
60604
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF OUTDOOR RECREATION
LAKE CENTRAL REGION
3853 RESEARCH PARK DRIVE
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48104
May 25, 1967
H. W. Poston, Regional Director
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
Great Lakes Region
33 East Congress Parkway
Chicago, Illinois 60605
Dear Mr. Poston:
Enclosed is a, report on the outdoor recreational aspects of the Lake Ontario
Basin. It has been prepared under the basic authorization contained in Public
Law 88-29, 88th Congress, enacted May 28, 1963, and in response to your
request for our participation in the Great Lakes-Illinois River Basins Project,
Historically, one of the major uses of water in the Lake Ontario Basin has
been for recreation. The basin is well endowed with the natural resources
required to meet the recreational demands placed upon it. However, waters
of poor or low quality have had a deleterious effect upoa recreational activ-
ities. An analysis of the influence of poor water quality upon swimming was
made to establish an indication of the value to recreation of pollution control.
It is estimated that control of pollution in presently affected areas would in-
crease swimming annually by nearly three million activity occasions. Since
future demand for swimming and other water-dependent recreation activities
will increase significantly, it is evident that improved water quality in the
Lake Ontario Basin is of critical importance for public enjoyment of these
activities.
Recreation planning, acquisition, and development programs in New York
State are well underway. The State's Pure Waters Program is just being
implemented. Continuation of our partnership with the State is the key to
success in achieving our objective of good quality water adequate for the
basin's needs now and in the future. We appreciate the opportunity to
participate in this study and trust that the attached document will manifest
continued action toward this objective.
Sincerely yours,
•^ 4
Roman H. Koenings
Regional Director
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FOREWORD
A Presidential Challenge
This moment marks a very proud beginning for the United States of America.
Today, we proclaim our refusal to be strangled by the wastes of civiliza-
tion. Today} we begin to be masters of our environment.
But we must act, and swiftly. The hour is late, the damage is large.
The clear, fresh waters that were our national heritage have become dump-
ing grounds for garbage and filth. They poison our fish, they breed
disease, they despoil our landscapes.
No one has a right to use America's rivers and America's waterways that
belong to all the people as a sewer. The banks of a river may belong to
one man or one industry or one state, but the waters which flow between
those banks should belong to all the people.
There is no excuse for a river flowing red with blood from slaughter-
houses. There is no excuse for paper mills pouring tons of sulphuric
acid into the lakes and the streams of the people of this country. There
is no excuse—and we should call a spade a spade—for chemical companies
and oil refineries using our major rivers as pipelines for toxic wastes.
There is no excuse for communities to use peoples ' rivers as a dump for
their raw sewage.
This sort of carelessness and selfishness simply ought to be stopped; and
more, it just must be reversed. And we are going to reverse it.
The ultimate victory of reclaiming this portion of our national heritage
really rests in the hands of all the people of America, not just the
Government here in Washington.
President Lyndon B. Johnson on
signing the Water Quality Act of 1965
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Syllabus
No other basin in the Great Lakes system has the range and variety of natural and
recreation resources as the Lake Ontario Basin. Its topography, climate, and
developed facilities provide a diversity of opportunities for all types of recreation
activities. The basin has a relatively abundant supply of water, boasting some
331,520 acres of inland lakes and 28,000 miles of rivers and streams. Nearly
five percent of the total land area is utilized for recreation.
The Lake Ontario Basin is an extremely popular tourist mecca attracting annually
an estimated 2 1/4 million vacationists. These persons bolster the basin's economy
by spending an estimated $142 million on recreational travel.
Two million people inhabit the basin with over one-half residing in the Rochester
arid Syracuse Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas. By the year 2020 the basin's
population is expected to double. Approximately 65 percent of the developed acreage
needed to meet the existing demand for outdoor recreation is presently available
for public use in the basin. When privately owned and operated recreation facilities
are considered in addition to public areas, the existing unsatisfied demand is further
lessened. Nevertheless, the gap remains substantial since overuse of swimming,
picnicking, camping, and marina facilities occurs at public recreation areas. The
current need for additional developed recreation areas is particularly acute in the
Oswego Subbasin and in the Small Streams Tributary Subbasin. Day-use facilities,
especially for swimming and picnicking, are needed near the metropolitan areas.
The annual demand for camping and marina facilities greatly exceeds the existing
supply throughout the basin.
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Although the basin is endowed with the natural resources required to meet present
and future needs, waters of poor or low quality have had a deleterious effect upon
water-dependent recreational activities. Indicators at public recreation areas sub-
stantiating this viewpoint are high bacteria counts, large masses of algae and aquat-
ic plants, mass die-off of fish and water turbidity problems—all of which have re-
sulted in decisions of responsible officials to ban swimming at some public beaches.
Nearly 2.3 million swimming activity occasions are lost annually because of poor
water quality at public bathing beaches.
The most notable causes of pollution affecting recreational waters in the Lake
Ontario Basin are poorly treated effluents from municipal sewage systems and
industrial plants. Other significant sources of pollution are overflows from com-
bined sewer systems, runoff from urban and rural areas, and wastes from com-
mercial vessels. Many homes and cottages located on the shoreline of inland
waters of the basin have inadequate sewage treatment facilities. Seepage from
septic tanks and, in some instances, direct discharge of effluent into recreational
waters contribute to overfertilization which promotes nuisance aquatic growths.
Pleasure boats cause water quality problems in marinas and protected areas
which result from the discharge of sewage and dumping of garbage. In addition,
littering has degraded the esthetic quality of the recreation resource landscape.
The basin has an excellent highway system which places day-use and overnight
recreation facilities within easy driving distance for the majority of its residents.
Increased population and income coupled with more leisure time will create in-
creasing pressure on recreation facilities. At the same time, the presence of
low quality water at several park and recreation areas denies the recreationist an
opportunity to pursue his desire for a pleasant recreational outing. Pollution
abatement is a primary and pressing need throughout the basin. To meet these
needs, a coordinated, continuous planning and development effort by all agencies
engaged in the provision of recreation facilities for the public is necessary.
Planning efforts must develop means of meeting the following goals: (1) acquisition
and development of adequate recreation facilities within reasonable distances of
those who would use them, (2) water pollution abatement at existing recreation
areas and prevention of further contamination of recreational waters and (3) im-
plementation of land use controls and planned development of lands within and
adjacent to recreation areas in order to enhance the recreational setting.
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Within the past two years, a number of Federal and New York State action programs
have been implemented to achieve high quality water-oriented recreation facilities
for all citizens. The principal programs in this Federal- State partnership are noted.
Federal New York State
Land & Water Conservation Fund Act Recreation Bond Issue Programs ($100
of 1965 million for acquisition and $400 mil-
Federal Water Quality Act of 1965 lion for development)
(amended the original Federal Water Pure Waters Program ($1. 7 billion for
Pollution Control Act of 1956) water quality improvement)
Clean Waters Restoration Act of 1966
These action programs are now being implemented. Their relative degree of
success will be measured by improved water-oriented recreation facilities and
will ultimately be gauged by the satisfaction of the users of those areas.
To meet the basin's needs for high quality, water-oriented outdoor recreation, the
following recommendations must be considered:
1. Priority should be given to the development of water-dependent recreation facil-
ities in and near the SMSA's of the Oswego Subbasin, the Genesee Subbasin, and the
Small Streams Tributary Subbasin.
2. All governmental agencies, industries, and private organizations utilizing recre-
ational water resources should develop and implement pollution prevention and abate-
ment programs.
3. Direct measures in controlling pollution at its source rather than dilution methods
should be stressed in effectively improving the quality of recreational waters.
4. Existing pollution control programs should be accelerated to reduce the eutrophi-
cation process of inland lakes, thereby improving the esthetic quality values of
recreation.
5. Watershed management and soil conservation practices need to be intensified and
extended as a means of reducing soil erosion, preventing sedimentation, and increas-
ing the recreational potential of the basin's water resources.
6. Communities bordering the basin's inland lakes should be encouraged to establish
uniform watershed rules and regulations prohibiting pollution of the lake's waters.
There are impressive forces and resources committed to the objective of high quality
recreational waters for the Lake Ontario Basin. Continued and improved cooperation
between and among Federal, state and local governments is essential to achieving
this common goal.
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Table of Contents
FOREWORD i
SYLLABUS ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
Index of Tables viii
Index of Plates x
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION
Authorization 1- 1
Purpose 1- 1
Scope 1- 1
Background 1-2
Definitions 1-3
Acknowledgments 1- 5
Chapter 2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Physical 2-1
Location 2-1
Climate 2-2
The Land 2-4
The Water 2-7
Land Use 2-10
Socio-Economic Factors 2-16
Resident Population 2-16
Income 2-16
Leisure Time 2-20
Mobility 2-20
Demographic Characteristics 2-22
Vacationing Population 2-26
Economic Importance of Recreational Travel 2-27
Advertising 2-27
Chapters. DEMAND
Recreation Market Area 3-1
Methodology 3- 1
Influencing Factors 3-2
Socio-Economic 3-2
Opportunity ' 3- 2
Quality of Facilities 3- 3
Present Demand 3- 3
Future Demand 3-5
Zone Demands 3-7
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Table of Contents (con.)
Chapter 4. SUPPLY
Present Recreation Use of the Basin's Resources
Genesee Subbasin
Oswego Subbasin
Black Subbasin
St. Lawrence Subbasin
Small Streams Tributary
Water-Dependent Activities
Swimming
Boating
Fishing
Water-skiing
Canoeing
Sailing
Water-Enhanced Activities
Picnicking
Camping
Sightseeing
Nature Walks
Hiking
Hunting
Winter Sports
Proposed and Potential Recreation Areas
4- 1
4- 8
4- 9
4-11
4-11
4-12
4-12
4-14
4-17
4-20
4-20
4-21
4-23
4-24
4-24
4-24
4-25
4-26
4-26
4-26
4-27
4-29
Chapter 5. NEEDS
General
Present Needs
Future Needs
5- 1
5- 1
5- 4
Chapters. WATER QUALITY INFLUENCES
General Situation
Water Quality Influences on Swimming
Lake Ontario Shoreline—Rochester Area
Cayuga Lake—City of Ithaca
Seneca Lake—City of Geneva
Oneida Lake—Verona Beach State Park
Onondaga Lake
Water Quality Influences on Boating and Associated Activities
Water Quality Influences on Fishing
Water Quality Influences on Water-Enhanced Activities
Other Adverse Effects of Poor Water Quality
Water Quality Impairment
Tangible Losses to Recreation
Swimming
Boating
6- 1
6- 3
6- 4
6- 8
6-12
6-12
6-13
6-14
6-16
6-16
6-18
6-21
6-22
6-22
6-26
VI
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Table of Contents (con.)
age
Chapter 7. OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN
Appraisal of Recreation Potentials 7- 1
Establishment of Objectives 7- 2
Supplemental Considerations 7- 4
Location of Recreation Facilities 7- 4
Resource Management Decisions 7- 4
Social Controls 7- 5
Limitation of International Boundary 7- 6
Action Programs 7- 6
Federal Programs 7- 7
State Programs 7- 9
Chapter 8. CONCLUSIONS
Chapter 9. RECOMMENDATIONS
APPENDIXES
A. BASIN DATA
B. STUDY METHODOLOGY
C. INVENTORY OF EXISTING RECREATION AREAS
D. REFERENCES
E. VIEWS OF OTHER INTERESTS
Vll
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Index of Tables
Table
No. Page
2-1 The Lake Ontario Basin 2- 2
2-2 Basin Components 2- 2
2-3 Land Use in the Lake Ontario Basin 2-11
2-4 Present and Projected Population in Lake Ontario Basin 2-18
2-5 Comparison of U.S.-Basin Automobiles Per Capita (1960) and
Interstate Miles (1965) 2-21
2-6 Present and Future Urban-Rural Relationship 2-24
2-7 Present and Future Age Distribution 2-25
2-8 Comparison of U.S.-Basin Levels of Educational Attainment, (1960) 2-26
2-9 Amount of Expenditures for Recreation Travel 2-27
3-1 Summary of Water-Oriented Recreation Demand 3- 3
3-2 Projected Summer Outdoor Recreation Demand 3- 7
3-3 Summary of Zone Demands, (1960) 3-7
4-1 Comparison of Swimming Participation to Total Gate Attendance by
General Weather Condition of Hamlin Beach State Park 4-16
viii
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Index of Tables (con.)
Table
No.
5-1 Present Requirements for Developed Recreation Acreage 5- 2
5-2 Future Requirements for Developed Recreation Acreage 5- 4
6-1 Coliform Densities 1965 and 1966 Rochester Area Beaches 6- 6
6-2 Average Nitrogen--Phosphate Concentrations in the Finger Lakes,
(1965) 6-19
6-3 Projected Attendance at Onondaga Lake Park for Swimming and Sun-
Bathing Provided that Improved Water Quality Conditions Existed 6-24
6-4 Influence of Water Quality on Swimming at Public Beaches in the
Lake Ontario Basin. (1965) 6-25
7_1 Probability of Attainment of Future Requirements for Developed
Recreational Acreage 7- 2
A-l Basic County Data A- 1
A-2 County Inventory of Natural and Artificial Inland Lakes A- 2
A-3 Supply Summary A- 3
A-4 Private Campgrounds A- 4
A-5 Private Group Camps A-4
A-6 Public Boating Facilities A- 5
A-7 Farm Ponds A- 6
A-8 Canoe Trails A- 7
A-9 New York State Public Ski Centers A-8
B-l Demand for Selected Water-Oriented Outdoor Recreational
Activities, Day and Overnight or Weekend Sector B- 2
B-2 Demand for Selected Water-Oriented Outdoor Recreational
Activities, Vacation Sector B- 4
B-3 Expected Summer (June, July, August) Participation in Selected
Water-Oriented Activities in 2000 and 2020 B- 5
B-4 Existing Developed Acreages B- 6
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Index of Plates
Plate
No. Page
2- 1 Reference Map 2- 1
2- 2 Ski Resorts and Mean Annual Snowfall 2- 3
2- 3 Shoreline Recreation Climate 2- 4
2- 4 Land Form and Shore Types 2- 5
2-5 Drainage 2-9
2- 6 Agricultural Land Use 2-12
2- 7 "Genesee Gorge" 2-14
2- 8 Population Distribution by County (1960) 2-17
2-9 Comparison of Land Area and Population by Zone 2-19
2-10 Interstate Highway System 2-21
2-11 Present and Future Distribution of Industrial Occupation Groups 2-23
3- 1 Present Estimated Demand by Activities 3- 4
3-2 Present Estimated Demand for Winter Activities 3-5
3- 3 Future Estimated Summer Demand 3- 6
4- 1 Existing Federal and State Recreation Areas 4- 2
4- 2 Existing Local Recreation Areas 4- 3
4- 3 Supply of Recreation Lands 4- 4
4- 4 Private Campgrounds 4- 6
4- 5 Private Group Camps 4- 7
4- 6 Water Polo at Kenan YMCA Camp 4-13
4- 7 Aerial View of Verona Beach State Park 4-15
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Index of Plates (con.)
Plate
No.
4- 8 Public Boating Facilities 4-17
4- 9 Private Marina Facility at Dresden 4-18
4-10 "Houseboat" 4-19
4-11 Aqua Festival 4-20
4-12 "Farm Pond" 4-21
4-13 Canoe Trails 4-22
4-14 Sailing on Skaneateles Lake 4-24
4-15 State Park Camping Use and Supply Relationships-Thousand
Islands Region 4-25
4-16 Winter Sports Scenes 4-28
6- 1 Classification of Surface Waters 6- 2
6- 2 Disregard for Pollution Claims at Ontario Beach Park 6- 7
6- 3 Webster Beach Officially Closed 6- 7
6- 4 Rochester Area Beaches and Air-Water Current Patterns 6- 8
6- 5 Lifeguards Cleaning Beach of Cladophora 6- 9
6- 6 Beach Attendance at Stewart Park, 1956-64 6-10
6- 7 Past and Present Scenes at Stewart Park Waterfront 6-11
6- 8 Sign--"Warning! Bathing Prohibited" 6-12
6- 9 Esthetic Depravation—Landscape Degradation—Property
Devaluation 6-17
6-10 Severe Algal Problem at Point Breeze 6-20
6-11 Location of Recreational Waters Impaired by Low Quality 6-23
6-12 Private Marina Closed from Siltation 6-27
B- 1 Market Area Demand Flow Chart Facing B-l
xi
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Chapter 1
Introduction
AUTHORIZATION
"Water-Oriented Outdoor Recreation in the Lake Ontario Basin" was prepared
by the Lake Central Region, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, Department of the
Interior, at the request of Mr. William Q. Kehr, Project Director, Great Lakes-
Illinois River Basins Project, Great Lakes Region, Federal Water Pollution
Control Administration*, Department of the Interior, by letter of July 15, 1963.
The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation made the study under basic authorization con-
tained in Public Law 88-29, 88th Congress, enacted May 28, 1963.
PURPOSE
This report serves as an appendix to the Lake Ontario portion of the Great
Lakes-Illinois River Basins Comprehensive Study conducted by the Federal
Water Pollution Control Administration. The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation's
contribution to this comprehensive project is to plan and to coordinate in the
development and use of the basin's natural resources in such a fashion that the
quantity and quality of outdoor recreation can be optimized. More specifically,
the purpose of this study is to: (1) inventory existing recreation resources of
the basin, (2) identify proposed and potential recreation areas, (3) determine
use pressures on existing facilities and the demand for additional developments,
(4) discuss water quality influences on present and future outdoor recreation use,
(5) establish objectives for meeting outdoor recreation needs within the basin,
and (6) recommend action and/or programs to increase present and future re-
source capabilities for satisfying recreation requirements. The accomplishment
of these objectives will emphasize deficiencies in available recreation oppor-
tunities and will provide a framework for the development and improvement of
the basin's recreation resources.
SCOPE
This report considers water-oriented outdoor recreation within the United States
portion of the Lake Ontario Basin. Also, this study includes consideration of
^Formerly the Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
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certain winter recreational activities. For reporting purposes the basin com-
prises five subbasins or zones: (1) Genesee River Basin, (2) Oswego River Basin,
(3) Black River Basin, (4) St. Lawrence River Basin, and (5) Small Streams
Tributary to Lake Ontario. A reference map delineating the study area is on
Page 2-2.
An inventory of recreation areas administered by the Federal Government, the
various state agencies, and county governments is herein contained, It is based
on information contained in the New York State recreation plan and on data com-
piled for the Nationwide Plan being prepared by the Bureau. Emphasis is placed
on recreation areas such as public beaches, large marinas on Lake Ontario, camp-
grounds, ski resorts, and group camps. Since the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service will prepare a report on fishing and hunting, this report doeis not attempt
an intensive evaluation of these activities. No attempt is made to evaluate urban
recreation facilities such as swimming pools, golf courses, day camps, children's
playgrounds, amusement parks, and city parks that do not provide facilities for
camping or water-oriented recreation. An estimation is made of present use.
Projected use is estimated by considering existing, proposed, and potential area
development and their capacity to satisfy a projected demand. Certain areas where
low water quality has had significant impact in limiting recreation use are discussed.
After the needs (in terms of resource requirements) of the basin have been deter-
mined, objectives are formulated, and action mechanisms to implement the objec-
tives are suggested. The views of cooperating agencies have been considered in
recommending programs or actions to be taken to improve the basin's water recre-
ation opportunities.
BACKGROUND
The Great Lakes-Illinois River Basins Project of the Public Health Service was
organized in late 1960 after authorization by the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act, Section 2(a), Public Law 86-660. There are three points in the Act pertinent
to this study: (1) the development of comprehensive water control programs is
mandatory under the Act; (2) the Act recognizes the primary responsibility of the
states in the field of water pollution control and directs that the comprehensive
studies be carried out in cooperation with the states and with other agencies,
Federal and local; and (3) the Act requires that in the development of such com-
prehensive programs due regard shall be given to the improvements necessary to
conserve such waters for, among other things, recreation.
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Early in 1962 the National Park Service was invited to participate as a cooper-
ating agency in the comprehensive study. They initiated the study on the Illinois
River Basin. During the latter part of 1963, their responsibilities for the project
were relinquished to the newly formed Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. The Illinois
River Basin study was then completed by the Northeast Regional Office of the
Bureau. Because of regional boundary adjustments, responsibility for the project
was transferred to the Lake Central Region. The study of the Lake Michigan
Basin was completed in October 1965, while the study of the Lake Erie Basin was
completed in August 1966.
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions are applied to outdoor recreation terminology in this
report.
ACTIVITY OCCASION - The participation by one person in one outdoor recreational
activity during all or any part of one day. Thus, one person participating in
several activities during a day could account for several activity occasions.
DAY-USE ZONE - Within a 40-mile radius of the central city of a SMSA.
EFFECTIVE POPULATION - That portion of the total population of the recreation
market area which would seek recreation opportunity in the basin.
IMPROVED WATER QUALITY - Water which has been recovered through pollution
prevention and abatement measures to the point where its chemical and physical
characteristics and esthetic appearance are pleasing to the senses of sight,
smell, taste, and touch. In addition, such waters must also have been improved
biologically to a condition that permits them to meet criteria for whole body
contact water recreation activities.
LATENT DEMAND - That recreation demand inherent in the population but not
reflected in the use of existing facilities; additional participation could be
expected to occur if adequate facilities are made available.
LOW WATER DATUM - A plane of reference which elevations in feet above the
mean water level at Father Point, Quebec, are given on navigation charts of
the Great Lakes system. The elevations on International Great Lakes Datum
(1955) of the low water datum lake levels are: Lake Superior-600.0 feet, Lake
Michigan and Huron-576.8 feet, Lake Erie-568.6 feet, and Lake Ontario-242.8
feet.
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OUTDOOR RECREATION - Leisure time activities which utilize outdoor recreation
resources and facilities (176)*.
OUTDOOR RECREATION RESOURCES - Land and water resources capable of
providing outdoor recreation opportunity (176).
PARTICIPATION RATE - The number of occasions within a given time during
which individuals participate in the various outdoor recreational activities as
set forth in the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission (ORRRC)
Study Report No. 19e
RECREATION DAY - A visit by one individual to a recreation development or area
for recreation purposes during a reasonable portion or all of a 24-hour period.
It is assumed that the average person participates in 2.5 activities during an
average visit to a recreational area. Therefore, 2.5 activity occasions equal
one recreation day.
RECREATION DEMAND - The expression of people's interest in outdoor recreation
opportunities.
RECREATION FACILITIES - Developed structures or conveniences for specific
outdoor recreation activities in a designated area (176).
RECREATION MARKET AREA - The zone of project influence from which 80 per-
cent or more of the people are drawn on one day outings and/or weekend (over-
night) trips (182).
RECREATION NEEDS - The difference between demand and supply expressed in
terms of resource requirements.
RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS - Acres of land and water required to satisfy the
recreation needs of the study area's population.
RECREATION RESOURCE AREAS - Those geographic areas having favorable physi-
cal features and land use patterns to accommodate extensive recreation develop-
ment and use (176).
RECREATION SUPPLY - The resources and facilities capable of providing outdoor
recreation opportunities.
RESIDENT POPULATION - That population residing within a prescribed geographic
area
* Numbers in parentheses refer to References in Appendix D.
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WATER-ORIENTED ACTIVITY - An all-inclusive term embracing water-depend-
ent, water-enhanced, and any other outdoor recreation activities in which
water augments the recreation experience.
WATER POLLUTION - The addition of any material or any change in quality or
character of a body of water which interferes with, lessens, or destroys a
desired use.
WEEKEND-USE ZONE - The area between two circles with 40-mile and 125-mile
radii having a common center point with the day-use zone.
STANDARD METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA - A county or group of contiguous
counties which contain at least one city of 50,000 inhabitants or more, or "twin
cities" with a combined population of at least 50,000. In addition to the county,
or counties, containing such a city or cities, contiguous counties are included in
a SMSA if, according to certain criteria, they are essentially metropolitan in
character and are socially and economically integrated with the central city (152).
For a detailed description refer to the definition reported in U.S. Bureau of the
Census publications.
VACATION FARM - A private farm where urbanites may spend a vacation in a rural
setting. The cash income derived from the vacationers is important since it
supplements the farm income.
VACATION-USE ZONE - Areas beyond the weekend-use zone (125 miles).
WATER-DEPENDENT ACTIVITY - A recreational activity which could not be carried
out without the use of a body of water.
WATER-ENHANCED ACTIVITY - A recreational activity which is enhanced by the
presence of a body of water but can be carried out in the absence of water.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As required by the Bureau's Organic Act, the Lake Central Regional Office has
worked closely with state, local, and other Federal agencies in the preparation
of this report. The compilation of information, statistical data, etc. , would not
have been possible without the full cooperation of governmental agencies, univer-
sities, quasi-public organizations, and private groups. A special thanks is ex-
tended to all those who loaned photographs, whether or not they appeared in the
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final report. Although many people with agencies and organizations named below
gave willingly of their time to answer questions and to provide requested informa-
tion for this report, they are too numerous to acknowledge individually; however,
their efforts are gratefully appreciated.
FEDERAL
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Soil Conservation Service
U.S. Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers
U.S. Department of Commerce
Weather Bureau
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Commercial Fisheries
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
STATE
New York
Department of Commerce
Travel Bureau
Department of Conservation
Division of Conservation Education
Division of Lands and Forests
Division of Motor Boats
Division of Parks
Central New York State Parks Commission
Finger Lakes State Parks Commission
Genesee State Park Commission
Niagara Frontier State Park Commission
Thousand Islands State Park Commission
Division of Water Resources
Department of Health
Department of Public Works
Division of Highway Planning
Division of Operation and Maintenance
Pennsylvania
Department of Forests and Waters
INTER-STATE
Great Lakes Commission
LOCAL
City of Ithaca Youth Bureau
Monroe County Department of Parks
Monroe County Planning Council
Onondaga County Department of Public Works
Division of Parks and Conservation
Wayne County Park Commission
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QUASI-PUBLIC
Lockport YMCA, Inc.
PRIVATE
Finger Lakes Association, Inc.
Fingerlakes Houseboat Vacations
Geneva Times
Keuka Lake Shore Property Owners, Inc.
Onondaga Lake Scientific Council
Outboard Boating Club of America
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Rochester Times-Union
Syracuse Herald-Journal
UNIVERSITIES
Cornell
Agricultural Extension Service
Department of Agricultural Economics
Department of Conservation
Department of Rural Sociology
Water Resources Center
Syracuse
College of Forestry
Department of Civil Engineering
Water Research Institute
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Chapter 2
General Description
PHYSICAL
Location. The Lake Ontario Basin study area comprises the lake proper, the
drainage area to the lake and the St. Lawrence River drainage area. Except for
96 square miles in Potter County, Pennsylvania, the entire drainage area of
16,200 square miles is in the State of New York. One-third of New York State
is within the Lake Ontario watershed. Following the long axis of the lake, the
study area which includes only that portion of the lake and watershed within the
United States is approximately 250 miles in length and 136 miles at its widest
point (93,188). The location and extent of the study area is graphically illustra-
ted on Plate No. 2-1. (See also Table No. 2-1 and Table No. A-l, Appendix A.)
Plate No. 2-1
- ZONE
ft CITY
LAKE
ONTARIO
'CHESTER
BUFFALO
I ^SYRACUSE 1 ' X
\ ONTARIO
f LVIkGSTON|J
WYOMI'MS i i
A
TOMPK!WS
~f1
^
TIOGA j
CHEMUMQ 1
_l_|_ _.NE*_ YORK _ _ L /
ER / ' PENNSYLVANIA — ! —
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
REFERENCE MAP
2-1
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Table No. 2-1
THE LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
(United States portion)
Total Basin Land and Water Area 19,800 square miles
Lake Area 3,600 square miles
Land Area 16,200 square miles
Source: 146,188
In this study the Lake Ontario Basin has been divided iato five zones correspond-
ing to the major subbasins of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence drainage area. They
are delineated on Plate No. 2-1 and listed in the following table.
Table No. 2-2
BASIN COMPONENTS
Area (square miles)
Zone Subbasin Land Inland Lake Total
I Genesee 2,457 22 2,479
2 Oswego 4,833 289 5,122
3 Black 1,870 46 1,916
4 St. Lawrence 3,747 153 3,900
5 Small Streams Tributary 2,775 8 2,783
Total Basin 15,682 518 16,200
Source: 21, 188
Climate. The climate of the Lake Ontario Basin is Humid Continental-Microther-
mal (Marine). The combination of three factors determine its climattic character:
(1) the presence of large bodies of water, Lakes Erie and Ontario, (2) the exist-
ence of relatively high mountains in and adjacent to the eastern reaches of the
basin, and (3) the westerly direction of the prevailing winds. Prevailing winds
are from west to east in the summer and from southwest to northeast in the winter.
These winds as they pass over the lake absorb considerable moisture which is
deposited as orographic precipitation upon encountering the high land masses of
the Tug Hill plateau and the Adirondack Mountains.
The mean annual precipitation ranges from 32 inches along the lake&hore to 52
inches in the eastern portion of the basin. In winter much of this precipitation is
in the form of snow, accounting for the 64-inch annual average reported along the
2-2
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shoreline and 128 inches of snow which accumulates in the northeastern portion
of the basin (Plate No. 2-2). Although winter temperatures range as low as -55
degrees Fahrenheit (°F.) in the Adirondack region, temperatures in most areas
are less severe. The mean daily January temperatures range from 17° F. in the
Upper St. Lawrence Valley to 25° F. along the western Lake Ontario shoreline
(157). Large accumulations of snow coupled with favorable climatic and physical
features tend to make the basin a popular winter sports area. Public ski centers
are abundant and well distributed throughout the entire basin. (Table A-9)
A climatic feature which makes the basin desirable for summer recreation is
the cool, pleasant temperatures. The mean daily July temperature ranges from
78° F. to 84° F. and rarely does the temperature exceed 100° F. The number
of frost-free days vary from 160-200 along the lake shore to 120-160 in the inter-
ior. Wind velocity has a distinct bearing upon participation in recreational boat-
ing. Although the wind velocity of the basin averages about 10 miles per hour
(mph), velocities as high as 73 mph have been recorded (157).
During the period 1963-65, small craft warnings were
in effect somewhere on Lake Ontario all or
Plate No. 2-2
ZONE
SKI RESORT
MEAN ANNUAL SNOWFALL (INCHES!
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
PUBLIC SKI RESORTS AND
MEAN ANNUAL SNOWFALL
2-3
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parts of 17 days per month during the boating season, May-October (155). Accord-
ing to the Lake Ontario Shoreline Recreation Climate graph appearing in ORRRC
Study Report No. 4, there are, on an average, 23 days annually when wind veloc-
ities exceed 30 mph during the boating season (Plate No. 2-3). Approximately
seven days are foggy during this six month period. Ice usually begins to form on
the lake by mid-December and lasts until the first of May (108, 157).
The Land.
Geology. Like all of the Great Lakes Basins, the Lake Ontario Basin is the
result of Pleistocene glaciation which largely shaped its present topDgraphy. The
basin's land area is divided into four regions: (1) the Lake Plains, (2) the Glaci-
ated Plateau, (3) the Tug Hill, and (4) the Adirondack Mountain (25). Reference
is made to Plate No. 2-4.
Plate No. 2-3
SHORELINE RECREATION CLIMATE
AIR TEMPERATURE
LIMITING PHYSICAL FACTORS
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
•
\
X
X,
\
\
\
•
J
/
/
S
S
s
F
G
S
F
G
P
S
F
G
P
S
F
G
P
S
F
0
P
S
F
G
P
S
F
P
S
F
G
P
S
F
G
P
S
F
8
P
S
F
G
P
S
F
G
•""
^
—
IMHV
-
—
=
==—
_
i i i I i i i i i
20 30 40 50 60
TEMPERATURE (F°)
>- MEAN DAILY AIR TEMPERATURE
70
80 0
6 6 IO 12 14
MEAN NUMBER OF DAYS
P - PRECIPITATION (ALL TYPES) F-FOG
G -WINDS OVER 30MPH S-SNOW
2-4
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Plate No. 2-4
LEGEND
1 ZONE
SHORE TYPE
CD SAND
[15] ROCK
LAND FORMS
j' j ADIRONDACK PLATEAU
^| APPALACHA1N PLATEAU
^| TUG HILL PLATEAU
| | LAKE PLAINS
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
LAND FORM AND SHORE TYPES
The Lake Plaine is a slender band ranging from five miles at its narrowest point
to a maximum width of nearly 30 miles. This region is flat to rolling and dissected
by numerous short streams that flow north into Lake Ontario. Most of the soils,
a combination of sedimentary deposits and limestone mixed with glacial till, are
productive agriculturally. Along the St. Lawrence River the soils are less pro-
ductive because of the rocky and swampy character of the land (134).
The Glaciated Plateau, with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,500 feet above mean
sea level (a.m. s.L), covers the southwestern portion of the basin and includes
most of the Genesee and Oswego Subbasins. A broad, rolling topography is char-
acteristic of this region with most of the valleys oriented in a north-south direc-
tion. Several of these valleys contain lakes while others are deep narrow gorges.
Except in the valleys where some limited farming occurs, the soils are generally
poor (134).
2-5
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The Tug Hill Plateau is a unique landscape located between the southeastern end
of Lake Ontario and the Adirondack Mountain Region. Approximately 66 million
acres are included in this nearly circular highland plateau. Elevations vary
from 500 to 2,100 feet a.m.s.l. The terrain is flat to rolling with frequent
swamps occurring on a portion of the area which has impervious subsoil. Surface
soils are composed of glacial till and are very stony (134).
The Adirondack Plateau Region comprises a group of nearly conical mountain
peaks located in the eastern portion of the basin and is the source of many
streams that flow to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Elevations
range from 100 feet a.m.s.l. to a maximum of 4,600 feet at Mt. Santanoni. The
metamorphic and igneous rock formations of the region are some of the oldest
in the world. Although glacial action took place in this region, some of the moun-
tain peaks were high enough to escape its ravages. The soils of the region are-ari
acid, infertile mixture of sand and stone. Their utility is further limited by mas-
sive outcroppings of bedrock which are evident throughout the region (134).
Flora and Fauna. The flora of the Lake Ontario Basin is varied, particu-
larly its trees. A beech-maple timber type prevails throughout with many vari-
eties of conifers intermixed. In the Adirondack Region red spruce and balsam
fir are found. White pine, hemlock, and northern white cedar are also found in
this region as well as in the Tug Hill area (134).
Of special interest to botanists and nature enthusiasts are the wild yellow lotus
beds of Sodus Bay in Wayne County. This is the only known occurrence of yellow
lotus as a wild plant in New York State (43).
The wildlife of the Lake Ontario Basin is a significant recreation resource. Aside
from its recreational value for hunting, which will be treated in the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service report on the basin, it has tremendous esthetic appeal.
In addition, the wildlife has had a decided economic influence on rural land values
over much of the basin as is evidenced by the number of abandoned farms acquired
by individuals and groups for hunting. The basin is especially noted for its large
deer population. Waterfowl frequent ponds along the Lake Ontario shore and are
found at marshes and wetlands in the interior of the basin. Many species of small
game, such as rabbit, raccoon, pheasant, and squirrel, are common to the area.
2-6
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The basin's many inland lakes, particularly the Finger Lakes, have long been
popular for angling. Principal game species found in its aquatic areas include:
muskellunge, northern pike, large and small mouth bass, walleyed pike, land
locked salmon, and lake, brook, and rainbow trout.
The Water.
Lake Ontario. As the most easterly and smallest of the five Great Lakes,
Lake Ontario receives the major portion of its inflow from the Niagara River.
The lake is oval in shape with a major axis of about 200 miles. Its surface is
approximately 245 feet above mean sea level. The lake is relatively deep near
the United States shore with depths of 40 to 100 feet occurring about a mile from
the shore. Maximum depth recorded is 802 feet; the average depth is 283 feet.
On the United States side are six small islands located near Sackets Harbor on
the eastern end of the lake (146, 188).
Seiches occur on Lake Ontario but not to the extent or amplitude found in relative-
ly shallow Lake Erie. Also, lunar tides occur on the Great Lakes, and since
their magnitude is only 1 1/2 to 3 inches, they are less prominent than seiches.
Both seiches and lunar tides are insignificant from a recreational standpoint on
Lake Ontario.
Seasonal fluctuations in the Lake Ontario water levels averaged 2.26 feet annually
during the ten year period, 1956-65 (147). The low period normally falls in the
winter months, November-February, while the high water period occurs during
May-July. The lake's inflow is controlled partially by the hydro developments on
the Niagara River. The Iroquois Dam located on the upper St. Lawrence River
serves to control the outflow from Lake Ontario and, thus, regulate its water
level. Plan 1958-D, developed by the International St. Lawrence River Board of
Control in 1963, indicates the water levels of Lake Ontario will be maintained
between elevations 242. 8 Low Water Datum (LWD) and 246. 8 LWD during the
navigation season. Long term fluctuations resulting in high or low water cycles
are caused by variations in precipitation over extended periods of time. These
fluctuations have a pronounced effect on recreational use of the lake. The lake
is presently recovering from a low cycle which fell below LWD during the latter
part of 1964 and early 1965. During low periods marinas and other boating
facilities are often inoperable because water levels are too low to permit boat
2-7
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traffic. During 1951-52 many recreation facilities, especially those on private
lands, were damaged extensively by high water.
The Shoreline. The United States shoreline of Lake Ontario (including
islands) between the Niagara River and the Iroquois Dam on the St. Lawrence
River is about 726 miles in length. The southern shore is extremely regular
with few natural embayments. The shoreline consists principally of eroded
clay and silt bluffs, but from Braddock Bay eastward there are occasional
ponds or bays. These bays have sandbar barriers across their moubhs which
render them ineffective as recreational boat harbors. The U. S. Army Corps
of Engineers has improved several bays by dredging and by installing groins.
Sand beaches are narrow and infrequent west of Oswego; however, there are
good beaches at Fair Haven and Hamlin Beach State Parks and at Ontario Beach
in Rochester. East of Oswego, excellent sand beaches are common up to Hender-
son Harbor. From Henderson Harbor northward to the head of the St. Lawrence
River, the shore is low and rocky, precluding extensive beach use (Plate No. 2-4).
One of the more striking shore formations lies east of Sodus Bay where the ero-
sion of drumlins has created topography resembling what one might expect to
encounter on the moon. The Thousand Island Region at the head of the St. Law-
rence River cuts through an area of glaciated crystalline rocks forming an isth-
mus between the ancient Laurentian Highlands of Canada and the Adirondacks of
New York. The "granite knob" country, though low in relief, has a jumbled
topography that gives the countryside a picturesque appearance exemplified by
the St. Lawrence River flowing through the Thousand Islands (194).
Rivers. The Lake Ontario Basin contains three major rivers: the Genesee,
Oswego, and Black. There are also many smaller tributaries which form a belt,
ranging from 8 to Similes in width, around the southeastern and eastern shores
of the lake (Plate No. 2-5). The basin contains approximately 28,000 miles of
rivers and streams (204). In this report the St. Lawrence River is considered
as part of the Ontario Basin, but from a technical standpoint the reverse is true,
viz., Lake Ontario is tributary to the St. Lawrence River. Important tributaries
to the St. Lawrence River are the Oswegatchie, Raquette, and Grass Rivers
which originate in the Adirondacks.
2-8
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Plate No. 2-5
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
DRAINAGE
The principal uses of the basin's rivers are domestic and industrial water
supply, transportation, power development, and recreation. To varying de-
grees, all subbasins supply water for domestic and industrial use. The Oswego,
Seneca, Oneida, and Clyde Rivers have been canalized for barge traffic and are
part of the New York State Barge Canal System. Power generation facilities
have been extensively developed in the Black River Basin, along the St. Law-
rence River, and on the lower Niagara River. The St. Lawrence Seaway, which
ties the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, is a major transportation artery
serving the shipping interests of Canada and the United States (188).
2-9
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Several rivers in the basin have natural features which are extremely attractive
from a recreational standpoint. The rapids of the Niagara, the gorge of the
Genesee, and the Falls on Taughannock Creek are examples. Taughannock Falls,
a 215-foot cataract, is the highest straight-drop falls east of the Rocky Mountains
(27). Most of the rivers rise in the forested interior and run clear and cold in
their initial stages. All of the rivers in the basin have scenic quality.
Inland Lakes. The Lake Ontario Basin is well endowed with natural lakes.
Glaciation, erosion, and surface upheaval have given rise to the spectacular
Finger Lakes which occupy a series of nearly parallel troughs in the southwestern
portion of the Oswego Subbasin. Of the Finger Lakes, Seneca and Cayuga are the
largest, each having approximately 66 square miles of water surface. Oneida
Lake, also in the Oswego Subbasin, is the largest lake in the basin and covers
80 square miles. The inventory of natural and artificial lakes in Appendix A
(Table No. A-2) reveals that the average inland lake of the basin is 435 acres in
size.
Barge Canal System. The New York State Barge Canal is an inland water-
way system connecting several major drainage basins in the State. It permits
travel through portions of the Oswego and Genesee Subbasins as well as Lake
Ontario. There are 57 concrete locks in the system with electrically operated
gates. Twenty of the locks are in the 230-mile portion of the system which lies
within the basin. A twelve-foot channel depth is maintained throughout most of
the canal. Although the system was originally constructed for commerical pur-
poses, only 82 commerical barge permits were issued in 1965 ,while at the same
time 10,026 permits were issued for recreational boat use of the locks (94, 96,
188).
Land Use.
Urban. Table No. 2-3 indicates that 12 percent of the basin is devoted
to urban and other nonagricultural uses. Each year more land is being removed
from agricultural production. Conklin (18) reports that farm acreage in New York
State has declined at the rate of 250,000 acres per year from 1950 to 1960. Sub-
divisions are springing up around the metropolitan centers of the basin. Urbani-
zation in the Lake Ontario Basin is concentrated primarily in ten designated SMSA
counties.
2-10
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Table No. 2-3
LAND USE IN THE LAKE ONTABIO BASIN
Acres Square Miles Percentage
of Basin
[cultural
Cropland
Pasture
Forest
Other
otal
id Lake Area
3,089,920
1,171,200
4,033,280
456,320
8,750,720
331,520
4,828
1,830
6,302
718
13,073
518
29.8
11.3
38.9
4.4,
84.4
3.2
Urban & Other Non-
Agricultural
Total 10,368,000 16,200 100.0
Source: 70, 134, 142, 151
Agricultural. The vast amount of land in agriculture gives the Lake
Ontario Basin a decidedly rural setting, however, as noted earlier, agriculture is
giving way to other land uses. Farm output in New York State has increased by
one-third since 1900, while the land devoted to commercial farming has declined
by 50 percent in the same period. Consequently, eleven million acres have been
made available for such purposes as urban uses, reforestation, and outdoor re-
creation (18).
Dairying, in combination with other types of farming, is the predominant agri-
cultural activity in the basin. In the western half of the basin, fruit and vegetable
production is also very important. In the spring the orchards in bloom present
a colorful spectacle. These are located for the most part in a belt about 30 miles
wide along the south shore of Lake Ontario where they are influenced by the
climatic benefits of the lake. Agricultural land use within the basin is illustrated
on Plate No. 2-6. The pastoral setting, which predominates throughout the basin
provides a change of pace for touring urbanites.
Forest land, which has been included under the general heading of "Agricultural"
in Table No. 2-3, accounts for nearly one-half of the land allocated to agriculture
2-11
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Plate No. 2-6
LEGEND
^JH DAIRY, GRAIN
^H DAIRY, FRUIT, GENERAL
1^ FRUIT
|TT'I| FORESTRY
| | VEGETABLE, DAIRY
gSSS DAIRY, FRUIT
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
AGRICULTURAL LAND USE
Source: 124
and for over one-third of the basin's total land mass. That portion of the land
which is forested varies from about 20 percent in the Genesee and Oswego Sub-
basins to nearly 100 percent in the Adirondack Region. Much of the forest land
in the Adirondack Region is in the state-owned Adirondack Forest Preserve.
Outside this region, most of the forest land is privately owned, although there
are scattered state-and county-owned forests. These exist principally in the
southern and eastern portions of the basin. The Forest Service administers
about 13,000 acres of forest and range land in the Oswego Subbasin. This area,
the Hector Land Use Area, is open to the public for recreational purposes.
2-12
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Recreational. The basin boasts more than one-quarter million acres of
public parks, forest, wildlife, and other recreation areas. In addition, thousands
of acres of privately owned land are used for recreation. These include resorts,
cottages, private clubs, marinas, ski lodges, and group camps. Many submargin-
al farms have been converted to "rural retreats" and are used during vacations,
fishing and hunting seasons, and, as some urbanites have said, "just to get away
from the hustle and bustle of city life". (18).
Genesee Subbasin. The land and water resources of the Genesee
Subbasin offer a variety of features important for recreation. The Genesee River,
one of the longest rivers in New York, is a major recreation attraction. It offers
a number of scenic features including the Genesee Gorge, often referred to as the
"Grand Canyon of the East". The Gorge, located near the center of the subbasin,
is over 17 miles long ana nearly 600 feet deep. Within a section of the gorge are
a series of waterfalls, the highest being 107 feet. The walls of the gorge, the
meandering course of the rushing river, the waterfalls, and the forested slopes
present a dramatic geological story and comprise one of the outstanding scenic
and recreation areas in the subbasin (68). See Plate No. 2-7.
The inland lakes of the Genesee Subbasin are scenically attractive, offer good
fishing, and are popular vacation resort areas. Those adaptable to extensive
aquatic recreation include Lakes Honeoye, Canadice, Hemlock, and Conesus,
often collectively called the "Little Finger Lakes". The Bergen Swamp in the
vicinity of Black Creek is especially noted for its unique botanical features.
Approximately 500 acres are presently being preserved by the Bergen Swamp
Preservation Society (68).
The rural landscape of the Genesee Subbasin also offers considerable scenic
appeal to the tourist. The headwaters and the central part of the subbasin are
mountainous and contain some of the highest elevations in western New York. At
one location the elevation reaches 2,548 feet a.m.s.l. State forests comprise
approximately 10,000 acres of scenic land in the central portion of the subbasin
where excellent year-round recreational opportunities can be enjoyed.
Oswego Subbasin. The Oswego Subbasin ranks high among the vaca-
tion areas of New York State and its resources have high scenic and recreational
quality. The Finger Lakes including Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka,
2-13
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X
Plate No. 2-7
"fieneaee Gorge" at Letohworth State Park shotting
a vertical drop of nearly 600 feet. (Photo by
New York State Department of Commerce)
2-14
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and Canandaigua, are the most interesting natural features of the subbasin.
These lakes are of glacial origin and offer examples of interesting geology.
The larger Seneca and Cayuga Lakes are about equal in size, ranging from 36
to 40 miles in length and averaging 3 miles in width. Lake Owasco, the small-
est of the group, is approximately 14 miles long.
Several state parks in this subbasin are noted for their glens and cascades.
Watkins Glen and Taughannock Falls are the most outstanding examples where
deep stream gorges reach depths of 200-500 feet.
There are extensive marshlands within the Oswego Subbasin which are valuable
as waterfowl habitat. A portion of the Montezuma Swamp near Cayuga Lake
and Cicero Swamp along Oneida Lake is managed as a wildlife refuge (67).
Black Subbasin. Wilderness features are characteristic of the
Black Subbasin. Nearly one-half of the subbasin is within the Adirondack
Forest Preserve which comprises much of the rugged mountain and forest
terrain in New York. With the exception of the small farms along the Black
River Valley, most of the subbasin is heavily forested. Parts of the Adiron-
dack Mountains reach elevations above 3,000 feet and extend into the eastern
portions of the subbasin. Little Moose Mountain is the highest peak with
an elevation of 3,630 feet. Tributary to the Black River is an extensive sys-
tem of rivers, streams, and lakes which are noted as excellent fishing and
canoeing waters. The Fulton Chain of Lakes, in particular, is one of the
most popular summer vacation areas in the Adirondack region. Several
streams have gorges and waterfalls with considerable esthetic appeal, in-
cluding Whetstone Gulf and Roaring Creek located west of the Black River
in the Tug Hill plateau (66).
St. Lawrence Subbasin. The headwaters, lakes, marshes, and
streams of the three main tributary rivers to the St. Lawrence River are
located in the northern and western sections of the Adirondack Mountain
Region. The three main rivers in the subbasin include the Oswegatchie,
Grass, and Raquette. These rivers drain numerous lakes and ponds whose
mountain setting, good water quality, well-forested shoreline,and abundant
wildlife are valuable as recreation resources.
2-15
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Small Streams Tributary Subbasin. The principal recreation feature
of the Small Streams Tributary Subbasin is the 315-mile Lake Ontario shoreline
with its beaches, bluffs, sand dunes, inlets, and bays. A significant recrea-
tional asset to the subbasin is the abundance of small upland game, waterfowl,
and deer. The rolling, wooded northeastern sector of the subbasin is valued
for its game and excellent trout fishing in the Salmon River. Most of the ter-
rain west of Oswego is relatively flat and extensively farmed. In general, the
inland portions of this subbasin have limited scenic appeal. However, the
large fruit orchards present a colorful spectacle during the blossom period
in the spring (69).
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
Resident Population. In 1960 the resident population of the Lake Ontario Basin
was 2.0 million (Table No. A-l, Appendix A). The relative distribution of
the basin's population shows that most of the populated counties (greater than
50,000) are lake-oriented while nearly every county with a population less than
50,000 lies on the fringe of the basin (Plate No. 2-8).
There are four SMSA's located entirely or partially within the basin. Rochester
and Syracuse, the two SMSA's located entirely within the basin, comprise 64
percent of the basin's population. The SMSA's of Buffalo and Utica-Rome are
partly in the basin and provide an additional 7 percent of the basin's population.
This means that 71 percent of the population resides within the ten designated
SMSA counties. Although the urbanized areas within the SMSA's contain less
than 2 percent of the total land area of the basin, they account for 43 percent
of the basin population.
Three counties within the basin lost population during the period 1940 to 1950,
and from 1950 to 1960 a decline occurred in two counties. Of the 29 counties
partially or totally within the basin, only Potter County, Pennsylvania, has
exhibited a continual decrease in population since 1940. Two-thirds of the
counties gained population at an increasing rate in the 1950-60 decade.
2-16
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Plate No. 2-8
LEGEND
^H 500,000 AND OVER
^11 250,000-500,000
|Hi 100,000-250,000
f^- "] 50,000 - 100,000
| | UNDER 50,000
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
Source: 152, 153, U4
2-17
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Table No. 2-4 shows the present and projected population of the Lake Ontario
Basin. The basin's population is expected to increase 44 percent by 1990 and
to nearly double by the year 2020, Three subbasins, Genesee, Oswego, and
Small Streams Tributary, will double their 1960 population within the 60-year
period. A population gain of 39 percent is expected from 1960 to 2020 for the
St. Lawrence Subbasin while the population of the Black Subbasin will probably
remain stable.
Table No. 2-4
PRESENT AND PROJECTED POPULATION
OF THE LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
(in thousands)
Subfaasin 1960 1990 2020
Genesee 658 940 1,350
Oswego 872 1,240 1,830
Black 74 74 74
St. Lawrence 127 150 178
Small Streams Tributary 250 447 527
Total 1,981 2,851 3,959
Source: 187, Table A-l.
Zone 2 (Oswego Subbasin) is the largest subbasin in size and the most populous
in the basin. By 2020 the population of this subbasin is expected to approach
the 1960 population for the entire basin. The next largest subbasin (St. Lawrence
or Zone 4) contains only six percent of the basin's inhabitants. Although this
subbasin's population is expected to increase 39 percent during the next 60
years, it will contain a relatively lower percent of the basin's projected popula-
tion in 2020 when compared to other subbasins. Zones 1, 3, and 5 (Genesee,
Black, and Small Streams Tributary, respectively) are nearly equal in land area;
however, they vary significantly in resident population. Zone 1, which comprises
15 percent of the basin's land mass, accounts for one-third of the population.
Thirteen percent of the basin's inhabitants reside in Zone 5 which constitutes
2-18
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2,783 square miles or 17 percent of the total basin area. The Black Subbasin
(Zone 3) is the smallest of the five zones with only 12 percent of the basin's land
area, and it presently contains 74,000 people or approximately 4 percent of the
basin's population. Since this subbasin's population is expected to remain static
during the 1960-2020 period, the population percentage will drop to 2 percent of
the basin total by 2020 (Plate No. 2-9).
Income. Income greatly influences the degree to which people participate in
outdoor recreation activities. "Outdoor Recreation for America" (107) states
Plate No. 2-9
COMPARISON OF LAND AREA AND POPULATION
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
LAND AREA
ZONE 4
I960 POPULATION
2020 POPULATION
2-19
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". . . participation tends to go up as income does. " Per capita income quadrupled
nationally during the 1940-60 period. In 1960 it was $2,217, $2,778, and $2,386
for the Nation, the State of New York, and the Lake Ontario Basin, respectively.
Monroe County had the highest per capita income ($2,868) in the basin in 1960,
while Lewis County, located in the Black River Subbasin, reported the lowest
income per capita of $1,720. ORRRC Report No. 23 (112) predicts a national
per capita income of $2,941 for 1976 and $4,104 for the year 2000. If a similar
trend occurs in the basin, it will continue to exhibit a higher income rate than the
Nation.
Leisure Time. In 1959-60 a National study was made to determine the use of
leisure time. Of all leisure time activities stated by each respondent, outdoor
recreation activities were mentioned one-sixth of the time. Insufficient time
was listed as limiting recreational participation by those questioned more than
three times as often as income (111). Clawson (15) estimates that outdoor recre-
ation occupies about 7 percent of our leisure time. The amount of leisure time
available in the future will largely be determined by labor-management decisions
which at best are difficult to anticipate. By 1976 it is estimated that the standard
workweek will average 36 hours for the industrial work force as compared to 39
hours in 1960. And by 2000 the average workweek may decline to 32.hours (107).
Mobility. At present, automobile travel heavily dominates the travel scene in
this country, including travel for outdoor recreational pursuits. Our national
automobile transportation system consists of nearly 60 million passenger cars,
3.6 million miles of roadways, numerous service facilities and accommodations
for travelers, special public administrative and regulatory agencies, and suppor-
ting production and distribution facilities (112).
The national system of interstate and defense highways was approximately half
completed at the end of 1965 with 20,500 miles open to traffic. Of this total, 310
miles of interstate highways are presently open to traffic in the Lake Ontario
Basin. In addition to the existing thruways, the New York State Highway Depart-
ment is planning to construct a major thruway roughly paralleling present State
Route 17 along the southern tier of counties (Plate No. 2-10).
From Table No. 2-5, the Lake Ontario Basin has 1.1 percent of the nation's
people as well as the nation's automobiles. The basin presently contains 1.5
2-20
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Table No, 2-5
COMPARISON OF U.S.-BASIN AUTOMOBILES PER CAPITA (1960)
AND INTERSTATE MILES (1965)
Lake Ontario % of
United States Basin. Nation
Population
Number of Automobiles
Automobiles Per Capita
Completed Interstate Miles
Source; 49, 152
179,323,175 1,980,550 1.1
58,268,031 653,582 1.1
0.32 0.33
20,500 310 1.5
Plate No. 2-10
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
INTERSTATE HIGHWAY
SYSTEM
2-21
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percent of the completed national interstate highway mileage. Per capita auto-
mobile ownership in the basin is nearly equal to the national rate. Hamilton
County has the highest automobile per capita ownership rate with 0.60 cars per
person. Six counties (Niagara, Monroe, Tompkins, Onondaga, Oneida, and St.
Lawrence) share the lowest per capita rate of 0.31 automobiles per person.
Nationally, air travel is rapidly becoming an important mode of transportation.
In 1964 the number of air passengers was more than 81 million, an increase of
14. 5 percent over 1963 (49). It is predicted that air transportation will account
for more than one-half of all trips over 500 miles in 1976. The SMSA's of the
basin have well-developed airport facilities which are served by trunk and feeder
airlines. The increasing ease and economy of air travel will tend to attract tour-
ists and vacationists into the basin.
Demographic Characteristics.
Occupation. Occupations of the basin's inhabitants provide an indication of
their propensity to participate in outdoor recreation. For instance, ORRRC
Study Report No. 19 lists participation rates for various outdoor recreation pur-
suits by industrial occupation groups. The graphical representation on page 2-23
shows the present and future distribution of these groups for the basin.
Presently, the manufacturing segment leads the other occupational groups, but by
the year 2000 it will relinquish its lead to the services group. Trade and sales
and government sectors will make gains at the expense of the agriculture and
other categories by 2000. Even though the manufacturing sector will decline rel-
atively in size, it is estimated that income and leisure (in terms of a shorter
work week) will continue to accrue to its members at a high level during the next
four decades; therefore, participation in recreational activities will remain high
for this group. According to "Outdoor Recreation for America", the trade and sales
group ranks above the average in outdoor recreation participation, a.nd it appears
this trend will continue to the year 2000. The expected increase in the size of the
services sector, especially the subgroup of professional and technical personnel,
indicates that the average income of employees in this sector will rise, thereby
increasing the significance of this group in total recrea.tion demand. Because of
long hours and the nature of the work, the agricultural worker has little time and/or
2-22
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PRESENT AND FUTURE DISTRIBUTION OF INDUSTRIAL
OCCUPATION GROUPS
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
Source: 73, 112
30
20
10
31%
21%
16%
14%
9%
I960
9%
30
20
10
28%
26%
18%
15%
8%
1976
5%
30
20
10
24%
30%
21%
6%
2000
2%
Manufacturing Services Trade 8 Sales Government Agriculture Other*
Plate No. 2-11
*Includes mining, construction, entertainment & recreation,
transportation, communication, utilities, finance, insurance
and real estate.
2-23
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interest for additional outdoor activity--thus making a small contribution to the
total demand for outdoor recreation. Government and other categories will exhib-
it gradual increases in income and leisure. These two groups will, at the same
time, parallel closely the average in pursuit of outdoor recreation (107).
Urban-Rural Ratio. For comparative purposes, the urban-rural ratio provides
an index of spatial location as well as an indicator of expected recreation activity
by a given population. The ORRRC Studies (107, 110) reveal that urban people
are more active in outdoor recreation pursuits than rural people. Furthermore,
suburbanites participate more actively than do persons from the central city. As
indicated in the preceding section, rural farm folk have the lowest participation
rates. Table No. 2-6 gives an insight into the urban-rural relationship.
Table No. 2-6
PRESENT AND FUTURE URBAN-RURAL RELATIONSHIP
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
1960 2000
Population 1,980,550 3,294,000
Percent Urban 63 71
Percent Rural 37 29
Percent Rural Farm* 7 5
*Rural farm is also included in rural sector.
Source: 7 ,112, 187 .
The basin's population is expected to increase 1.67 times by the year 2000. Dur-
ing this period the rural sector will experience an 8 percent drop in the propor-
tion of the total basin's population although it will gain people in absolute terms.
Likewise, the rural farm segment will gain residents but lose in proportion of
population to the urban sector. In 1960 Monroe County had the highest urban-
rural ratio (8 to 1) of all counties in the basin. On the other hand, Hamilton
County, situated in the heart of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, has no population
classified as urban.*
*According to the Bureau of the Census definition for "urban place," an area must contain
2,500 inhabitants or more. Hamilton County has no incorporated or unincwrporated place
this size in the basin.
2-24
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Age. Assuming other factors are equal, age has a significant influence on
participation in certain outdoor recreation activities. Older people tend to en-
gage in less outdoor activity than younger persons. This is particularly notice-
able in such active pursuits as water skiing, hiking, camping, etc. (107). The
Lake Ontario Basin has a median age of 30.2 years as compared to the national
median of 29.5 years (73). The table below shows the present and future distri-
bution of age groups in the basin.
The 15-34 age group is the most active in outdoor recreation pursuits (110). As
Table No. 2-7 shows, this group will increase in proportion to the total popula-
tion while the next older category will decline. This shift can be attributed to
(1) the advancement of individuals in the two younger groups into the middle aged
group and (2) a large increase in population for the next 20 years.
Table No. 2-7
PRESENT AND FUTURE AGE DISTRIBUTION
LAKE ONTARIO BASM
Age Group 1860 2000
Under 15 31% 31%
15-34 25% 30%
35-64 34% 29%
65-and over 10% 10%
Source: 112, 153.
Education. Education affects participation in outdoor recreational pursuits
in much the same way as income, i.e., the higher the educational attainment, the
greater the participation tends to be. This is particularly true in the case of
swimming, playing games, sightseeing, and walking and driving for pleasure (107).
Table No. 2-8 indicates that the number of adults completing one or more years
of college in the'basin is somewhat below the national level. According to more
recent evidence, a change in this relationship may be occurring. In the past five
years, the full-time college student enrollment at state'institutions in New York
has more than doubled. The State University of New York system has 58 colleges
and centers distributed throughout the State. Sixteen of these units are located
in the basin. The enrollment at these 16 state colleges and centers, from an
2-25
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Table No. 2-8
COMPARISON OF U.S.-BASIN
LEVELS OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT-1960
(persons 25 years and over)
United States Lake Ontario Basin
Median School Years Completed 10.6 10.6
Percent completed one or more
years of college 16.5 15.0
Source: 73, 152
approximate 13,000 students in 1960, will climb to an estimated 46,000 by 1970
(23). This jump in enrollment indicates an increase of 252 percent in a 10-year
period. If this forecast materializes, the future level of educational attainment
for the Lake Ontario Basin will in all probability exceed that of the nation. Con-
sequently, this tremendous collegiate educational thrust will have a direct impact
upon the demand for outdoor recreational facilities in ttie basin. *
Vacationing Population. An estimated 2 1/4 million vacationists come to the
Lake Ontario Basin annually for the main purpose of outdoor recreation (derived
in Appendix B). This approximation includes all vacationists who spent 4-30 days
in the basin.
These vacationists spend an average of $63 per person while in the basin. Their
average length of stay is 6.4 days and the average size of their party is 3. 7 per-
sons. The typical tourist:
• probably lives in New York State or one of the nearby states.
• makes his vacation visit in June, July, or August, although he shows interest
in the fall months.
• patronizes hotels and motels in his travels but is just as likely to stay with a
friend or relative.
• drives the family car on his vacation trip (76b).
Another segment of the vacationing recreation population to be considered is the
summer resident. Unpublished data supplied by the New York State Travel Bureau
indicate that in 1960, there were 37,500 seasonal vacation homes in the basin (76c).
* Assuming those who obtain collegiate training stay in the basin or if they move upon com-
pletion of their schooling return to the basin for vacations.
2-26
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The largest concentration of these homes is in the counties along Lake Ontario
itself. Jefferson County has over 5,600 seasonal vacation homes while St. Law-
rence, Wayne, Ontario, Oswego, and Cayuga counties have 2,000 or more homes.
Most of the summer resident home owners have cottages or cabins adjacent to
bodies of water.
Economic Importance of Recreation Travel. An attempt has been made to assess
the significance of recreation travel upon the economy of the basin. As Table
No. 2-9 shows, approximately 273 million dollars are spent annually by recrea-
tionists in the Lake Ontario Basin. Of this total, an estimated $142 million is
spent for recreational travel by vacationists. Using Rathmell's pattern of dollar
sales distribution (124), an estimate of recreation travel spending was derived
for the three groups. Permanent residents are considered to be those who active-
ly participate in outdoor recreation activities overnight and on weekends. Summer
residents could also be permanent residents of the basin as well, but these two
groups were categorized to obtain an indication of the economic impact that recrea-
tion plays in the basin's economy.
Table No. 2-9
AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURES FOR RECREATION TRAVEL
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN-1960
Source of Recreation
Expenditures
Permanent Residents
Summer Residents
Vacationists
Group Size
(thousands)
1,981
225
2,251
Percent of
Dollar Sales
38
10
52
Amount of Expenditures
(millions ol dollars)
104
27
142*
Total 4,457 100 273
*Obtalned as follows: 2 1/4 million times $63 (average amount vacationist spends
on vacation) equals $142 million. The other two figures in the last column are
based as a proportion to the 52:142 ratio.
Source: 76b, 76c, 124
Advertising. Aside from personal knowledge and recommendations of friends
and relatives, the typical traveler makes his decision about vacations through
various advertising media. An indispensable requisite for the production of
increased travel revenue for any area is an effective advertising and promotional
program. In New York State this responsibility rests with the Travel Bureau, a
state agency in the Department of Commerce.
2-27
-------
New York is the most popular vacation state in the nation and commands 11 percent
of the domestic travel business (56). Through the cooperation of the state's region-
al tourist associations, chambers of commerce, industry, and the tourist and resort
people themselves, New York State has been a leader in the travel promotion field.
Over a million copies of "New York State Vacationlands," the annual tourist publi-
cation prepared by the Travel Bureau, were disseminated in 1965. Seventy-two
percent of the people who requested this publication actually spent vacation time
in New York State (76b). "New York State Vacationlands" and regional pamphlets
such as "Finger Lakes Travel Guide" are instrumental in promoting the Lake
Ontario Basin as a vacation mecca.
2-28
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Chapter 3
Demand
RECREATION MARKET AREA
By definition the recreation market area is that area from which approximately
80 percent of the people are drawn on one-day outings or weekend (overnight)
trips to the program area under consideration. In terms of the Lake Ontario
Basin, a modified recreation market area was adopted because much of the area
that normally would be considered in the recreation market area was included in
the recently completed Lake Erie Basin report (184). Since many additional areas
would need to be considered, valuable time and space would be spent in duplicating
this report at the expense of basin area evaluation. Hence, the existing and po-
tential water recreation resources in the belt around the basin were not considered.
However, in developing the modified recreation market area, the influence of
people outside of the basin on recreation demand within it was considered. This
outside influence was represented through calculation of the influence on the recre-
ation demand of SMSA populations within a. 125-mile radius of the basin.
METHODOLOGY
Recreation demand is an expression of total participation in general outdoor re-
creation activities that could be expected if adequate opportunities were available.
Demand, therefore, comprises two components: (1) the expressed demand repre-
sented by use of existing facilities and (2) the latent or unexpressed demand which
is inherent in a population but not reflected in the use of existing facilities. Gen-
erally speaking, use records are inadequate or unreliable for many of the recre-
ation facilities operated by local units of government. Latent demand, on the
other hand, is not directly measurable because of its dependence on the individual
desires of people. Consequently, indirect methods have been used for the meas-
urement of present and future demand (176).
In the analysis of the recreational demand in the basin, it was found that the ORRRC
studies presented the most applicable information. The methodology employed in
determining demand is described in Appendix B. This method utilized participa-
tion rates which facilitate estimating the number of occasions a person will par-
ticipate in various activities during a year. Since participation is at its peak for
3-1
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most water-oriented activities during the summer, activity occasions were deter-
mined for the three-month summer period as well. The demand placed on the re-
creational resources of the basin was evaluated for the modified recreation mar-
ket area and for the vacation sector.
Outdoor recreation activities considered in this report include:
Water-Dependent Water-Enhanced Winter Sports
Swimming
Fishing
Boating
Water-skiing
Canoeing
Sailing
Camping
Picnicking
Sightseeing
Nature Walks
Hiking
Hunting
Ice Skating
Snow Skiing
Sledding
These activities are obviously not all the recreational activities engjaged in, but
they represent those considered most important in association with water and
water quality. In the case of winter sports, the three listed activities were se-
lected for their expected expansion and probable effect upon headwater areas.
INFLUENCING FACTORS
Socio-Economic. The present and future demand for outdoor recreation opportun-
ities is dependent upon a number of continually changing socio-economic factors.
Carlson, et al., (13) indicate seven factors that may influence future recreation
demands, namely: (a) automation and new sources of power, (b) increased leisure,
(c) increased income, (d) greater health and longevity, (e) a higher standard of
living, (f) greater mobility, (g) population changes.
As presented in the preceding chapter, the basic socio-economic factors considered
in the recreation demand analysis are population, income, leisure, and mobility.
Individually, these factors contribute substantially to the total dema.nd picture,
but when viewed collectively, there exists an interrelationship of dynamic.propor-
tions. Other factors supplement these socio-economic characteristics, but the
extent to which each directly affects the demand for outdoor recreation depends
largely upon the influences exhibited by each resource area.
Opportunity. If the opportunity for participation in a selected activity is available,
people will tend to participate more than they would otherwise. When opportunity
to participate in any of the selected activities exists to some extent somewhere in
the basin, the opportunity factor is represented by a time-distance element which
is discussed in the demand methodology in Appendix B,
3-2
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Quality of Facilities. Closely allied with the opportunity factor is the quality of
the available facilities. Results of a survey discussed in ORRRC Study Report
No. 20 infer that participation in most activities tends to increase in proportion
to the quality of the supporting facilities. In some instances, this relationship
is weakened when the recreational pressures become so great that relatively
poor quality facilities receive heavy use.
PRESENT DEMAND
Table No. 3-1 shows that there are over 87 million activity occasions of demand
within the Lake Ontario Basin. Of this annual recreation demand computed for
base year 1960, approximately 72 percent was devoted to summer recreation activ-
ities . Water-dependent activities comprise nearly 43 percent of the yearly demand
total and slightly over one-half of the total summer demand.
The figures shown below are a consolidation of the demand estimates for the mod-
ified recreation market area and for the vacation sector. See Table Nos. B-l and
B-2 in Appendix B for a detailed breakdown by activity and by sector. Annual and
summer demand by outdoor recreation activities is graphically portrayed in Plate
No. 3-1 and Plate No. 3-2.
Table No. 3-1
SUMMARY OF WATER-ORIENTED RECREATION DEMAND
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN, 1960
Annual Summer Summer as
Activity Occasions Activity Occasions a Percent of
Activity Type (1.000) (1.000) Annual
Water-dependent 37,339 32,221 86
Water-enhanced 45,085 30,918 68
Winter sports 5,294 n. a. * --
Total Water-Oriented 87,718 63,139 72
* Not applicable.
Assuming the average person participates in 2. 5 activities during an average
visit to a recreational area, demand was converted from activity occasions to
recreation days. The total water-oriented demand in the Lake Ontario Basin
for 1960 would be:
Summer 25,255,600 recreation days
Annual 35,087,200 recreation days
3-3
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—18
WATER ENHANCED >'
— 16
-14
SWIMMING FISHING SAILING
WATER
BOATING SKIING CANOEING
SIGHTSEEING
PICKNICKING
NATURE
WALKS
CAMPING
HUNTING HIKING
Source: Table B-l
Plate No. 3-1
Present Estimated Demand
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
II ANNUAL
^m SUMMER
3-4
-------
FUTURE DEMAND
Demand for recreational activities within the basin has been projected to the year
2020. Using ORRRC Study Report No. 26 as a source for future demand projec-
tions, it was necessary to extend data for the years 1976 and 2000 to obtain pro-
jected demand figures for the year 2020. Both "with" and "without" opportunity
projections were calculated in order to present a range of probable activity occasions
for water-oriented activities (see Table No. B-3, Appendix B). "With" opportunity
(as defined in ORRRC Study Report No. 26) assumes an improvement from 1960
quality and quantity of facilities on a per capita basis, while "without" opportunity
assumes a continuation of 1960 quality and quantity of facilities. These terms
are applied nationwide and are relevant to the specific quality and quantity of
facilities offered by public agencies within the basin. The use of these terms
offers an opportunity to present
Platp Nr> ^-?
a range in projecting recreation LC ^u' ° *
demand.
Based on the information shown
in Table No. B-3, it is antici-
pated that the summer demand
for outdoor recreation activities
will increase 3. 09 and 4.14 times
by 2000 and 2020, respectively,
providing there will be a contin-
uation of 1960 quality and quan-
tity of facilities.
If an improvement in present
conditions occur, the three-
month demand will increase
3. 84 times by 2000 and 5. 28
times by the year 2020. See
Plate No. 3-3 for a graphical
presentation of the expected
summer demand by activities.
SLEDDING SKIING SKATING
Present Estimated Demand
Source: Table B-l
The following table shows projected demand for the Lake Ontario Basin.
3-5
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SWIMMING
BOATING
WATER
SKIING
FISHING
CANOEING
SIGHTSEEING
PICNICKING
CAMPING
HIKING
HUNTING
I
Activity Occosions 0
(Millions)
1 1
20 40
Future Estimated
n 1 t _ T-\ 1
1
6O
Summer Demand
| 1 2020
?nno
i
8O
Plate No. 3-3
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
I960
3-6
-------
Table No. 3-2
PROJECTED SUMMER OUTDOOR RECREATION DEMAND
Activity Occasions (millions) Index of Change
Without With Without With
Year
1960
2000
Opportunity
34
106
142
Opportunity Opportunity
34
132
181
100
309
414
Opportunity
100
384
528
Source: Table No. B-3, Appendix B.
ZONE DEMANDS
An attempt was made to disaggregate the basin demand for outdoor recreation
activities into the five subbasins. A method similar to that used for finding the
basin demand was utilized; viz, an income index was derived in order to gain an
estimate of the propensity for participation in the respective zones. State park
attendance figures as well as the number of seasonal homes in each subbasin
were also used in determining the demand for each zone. An explanation of this
procedure is found in Appendix B. The results of the zone calculations are
shown in the table below.
Table No. 3-3
SUMMARY OF ZONE DEMANDS, 1960
(activity occasions - thousands)
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Market
Area Demand
12,341
24,094
1,763
3,526
17, 042
Vacation
Demand
5,211
11,436
1,882
4,198
6.225
Total
Demand
17,552
35,530
3,645
7,724
23.267
Percent
of Basin
20
41
4
9
26
Totals
58,766*
28,952**
87,718
100
* Total of Column 4, Table No. B-l.
**Total of Column 3, Table No, B-2.
3-7
-------
Chapter 4
Supply
PRESENT RECREATION USE OF THE BASIN'S RESOURCES
In Chapter 2, the recreation resource base of the Lake Ontario Basin was discussed
for each subbasin. The mix of many factors—cool summers, beautiful inland
lakes, sand beaches, inland water courses, glens and waterfalls, mountains and
forests, and interesting flora and fauna—enhances the physical environment and
makes the basin a popular summer vacationland. Also, the amount of snowfall
and varied topography combine to create an inviting winter setting for skiing and
tobogganing.
The majority of the basin's population must rely upon public parks and recreation
areas for satisfaction of its recreational needs. The primary restriction on the
use of the public resources is one of limited access. Many cottage owners, private
club members, and quasi-public organizations have provided their own facilities
near or adjacent to bodies of water. Generally, this group does not exert as great
a pressure on public areas as does the general public.
There are 183 designated public outdoor recreation areas in the basin with 25 per-
cent yet to be developed. The largest portion (37 of 46 areas) of the undeveloped
public areas are administered by the New York State Division of Lands and Forests
and Division of Fish and Game. Privately owned and managed facilities designed
for public use such as campgrounds, group camps, and vacation farms number
approximately 175. Although these private outdoor recreation enterprises are
nearly as great in number as the public areas, they comprise only 4 percent of
the total outdoor recreation land area of the basin. The inventory reveals that 86
percent of the recreational lands of the basin are administered by four New York
State agencies. Relatively minor in terms of total acreage administered are Fed-
eral and local agencies which manage 6 percent and 4 percent of the recreation
land, respectively. However, most of the local recreation areas are strategically
located county parks that serve the pressing day-use needs of the cities and towns
of the basin. A detailed inventory of the recreation supply appears in Appendix C
while Plates No. 4-1 and 4-2 illustrate the general location of the public areas.
4-1
-------
Plate No. 4-1
LEGEND
• FEDERAL RECREATION AREA
A STATE RECREATION AREA
A ADIRONDACK FOREST CAMPSITE
" ZONE
/^*«
r "^" '"•"
_ - -Jj
FOREST_ _- -L - -~ I X
v--r.- .• , /iv
'•-• i xA^/j
P R E S EJ! V E X*"57 —J
* A -- f™ r\
?\ *i ^ \
> I*"A' S^
i^ i* V'
LAKE: ONTARIO BASIN
EXISTING FEDERAL AND STATE
RECREATION AREAS
Note: See Appendix C for area identification.
4-2
-------
Plate No. 4-2
LEGEND
• LOCAL RECREATION AREA
T\
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
EXISTING LOCAL RECREATION
AREAS
Note: See Appendix C for area identification.
4-3
-------
Table No. A-3 in Appendix A contains a statistical summary of the supply of
outdoor recreation areas in the basin by zone and administrative level. A zone
allocation of all the basin's recreation land is also graphically portrayed in
Plate No. 4-3. With the exception of Zones 2 and 4, the distribution of recrea-
tion resource land is fairly equitable.
As indicated in Table No. A-3, there exists over 365,000 acres of land and water
available to the general public for recreation in the 358 areas considered. Seventy-
nine percent of these areas provide water-dependent facilities. It must be realized
that the total land area under consideration is not all available for general recrea-
tional use. Much of it has been left untouched for the purpose of providing buffer
Plate No. 4-3
SUPPLY OF RECREATION LANDS IN LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
(365,542 ACRES)
FEDERAL
LOCAL
PRIVATE
SUPPLY OF RECREATION LANDS
BY ZONE
SUPPLY OF RECREATION LANDS
BY ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL
4-4
-------
zones and for the provision of activities that are by nature extensive in their use
and enjoyment. Where consistent with recreation use objectives, this is definitely
a recommended practice.
Where public resources and facilities are limited, the private sector contributes
significantly to the total supply of outdoor recreation resources. Insufficient data
makes it impossible to evaluate specifically the private sector's effect on the
basin's total outdoor recreational picture. Nevertheless, private recreation facil-
ities open for public use were inventoried and analyzed. The segment of the pri-
vate sector most difficult to assess comprises such private developments as cot-
tages, clubs, resorts, hotels, motels, and marinas. Needless to say, in localities
where public resources are limited, the importance of the private sector is sub-
stantially greater.
Of the 175 private recreation areas considered, 91 percent provided water-dependent
activities. The remaining 16 areas are private campgrounds located near state
parks which have water-dependent activities or are adjacent to the basin's inter-
state highways and thruways.
Improper management, lack of advertisement, and often inability to secure suffi-
cient funds for capital investments serve to diminish the attractiveness of private
recreation development. As a result, the situation increases competition for
space in developed public areas. Despite its problems, the private sector will,
without doubt, remain an important asset in providing outdoor recreation oppor-
tunities. With the extremely diversified interests of the general public, special-
ized pursuits are many. Oftentimes, the provision of marinas, winter sports
areas, and outdoor amusement facilities is not considered to be in the realm of
the public sector, and it is, therefore, highly advantageous that the private sector
be encouraged to provide the desired facility.
The National Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, in cooperation
with the Soil Conservation Service, has recently completed a detailed inventory
of private recreation enterprises. Table Nos. A-4 and A-5 in Appendix A were
in part derived from this data. Plate No. 4-4 and Plate No. 4-5 show the distri-
bution of private campgrounds and of organizational group camps.
4-5
-------
Plate No. 4-4
LEGEND
• PRIVATE CAMPGROIND
ZONE
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS
(LESS CAMPS FOR TRAILERS ONLY)
Source: 6, 7, 9t 71, 72
4-6
-------
/*»
.»
/
LEGEND
4 PRIVATE GROUP CAMP
X VACATION FARM
ZONE
I TAR I°
)<~^-—-•
L
' *
i
*r* *»i*, £
U ** <
<—
• 1
V
!;
Source: 3, 4, 2£, ff2,
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
PRIVATE GROUP CAMPS
(LESS DAY CAMPS)
4-7
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Genesee Subbasin. Most of the public and private recreation developments are
found in the lower and central portions of the Genesee Subbasin. Public recreation
developments in particular are of good quality and are extremely popular. The
expenditures of people using the recreation facilities provide a major source of
income to the inhabitants of many small communities in Wyoming, Livingston, and
Ontario Counties.
Fifty-six areas, totalling 43,392 acres, are available for public recreation use in
this subbasin. State-owned properties constitute 70 percent of the recreation lands
of the subbasin while Federal, private, and local areas comprise 15 percent, 10
percent, and 5 percent, respectively.
There are four state parks in the Genesee Subbasin. Letchworth State Park, named
for W. P. Letchworth who devoted a large part of his life to preserving the natural
features of the 17-mile Genesee Gorge, is one of the outstanding scenic areas in
the New York State Park System (68). Visitor attendance in 1966 exceeded 700,000—
more than double the 1948 visitation figure (81). Other state parks in this subbasin
are Stony Brook State Park, Silver Lake State Park, and Cuba State Park. Their
combined attendance reached nearly 210,000 visitors in 1965. Stony Brook, a
scenic 554-acre state park near Dansville in the east central part of the subbasin,
has had a 62 percent increase in visitation during the 1950-65 period. Silver Lake
and Cuba State Parks are being developed and, as such, have very limited accom-
modations. The remaining state areas are Multiple Use Areas (MUA), State Re-
forestation Areas (SRA), Game Management Areas (GMA), and boat launching sites —
most of which have little or no developed facilities. However, these areas provide
opportunities for extensive recreation experiences, including hunting, fishing, hiking,
and nature study.
Primarily serving the urban day-use needs of the Rochester SMSA is the Monroe
County Department of Parks. Of the thirteen park areas comprising the system,
five are located within the Genesee Subbasin. The other eight parks are located
in the drainage basins of the Small Streams Tributary (Zone 5) to Lake Ontario.
Three of the five county parks in the subbasin have water-dependent activities;
one county park, Oatka Creek, is undeveloped. Total visitation in 1963 to the four
developed parks exceeded 2.2 million.
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Private enterprise has developed a variety of recreation facilities and accommo-
dations for tourists and vacationists, including group camps, campgrounds, resort
hotels and motels, vacation homes, and tourist homes. The shorelines of the
"Little Finger Lakes" are largely taken up with these various private develop-
ments, particularly summer cottages. Twenty-eight private campgrounds with
an average of 75 sites per camp are available for use in this subbasin; twenty-two
of these areas possess water-dependent activities which enhance the camping
experience. Group camps, such as those of Boy Scouts of America, number nine,
all of which have water-dependent activities. The total capacity of these camps
is 893 persons.
Oswego Subbasin. The Finger Lakes provide an unexcelled resource base for 130
public and private recreation establishments in the Oswego Subbasin. The Finger
Lakes have been the destination of vacationists for many years, and considerable
recreational activity takes place around and on these lakes each summer. Recre-
ation in general is a major influence in the economy of the subbasin in that ex-
penditures in connection with recreation by vacationists, tourists, and sportsmen
constitute the principal source of revenue for a number of towns and communities
(67).
Nearly 121,000 acres of land and water have been preserved and developed for
public recreation purposes. These include 101,506 acres in 33 state areas; 6,164
acres in 14 county parks; and a Federally-owned land use area totaling 13,267
acres. The recreation acreage in public ownership compared with the total area
of the subbasin is less than 4 percent. When the population of the subbasin (872,000
in 1960) is considered in relation to the total public recreation acreage, there are
about 139 acres of recreation land for each 1,000 residents. However, only 15
of these 139 acres have been developed.
The 15 state parks in the subbasin are listed in Appendix C along with their acre-
age, facilities, and visitor attendance for 1965. In general, the parks are well
developed and maintained, offering a variety of facilities for day, weekend, and
vacation use. Annual visitation to the subbasin's state parks was nearly 2 1/4
million in 1965, representing a 63 percent increase since 1950. Green Lakes, a
925-acre state park situated on the eastern outskirts of the Syracuse Metropolitan
Area, had the highest 1965 visitation figure (508,368) of the state parks in Zone 2.
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The other 18 state areas consist primarily of undeveloped lands and waters admin-
istered as game management areas, state reforestation areas, multiple use areas,
and boat launching sites. In terms of acreage, these underdeveloped and undevel-
oped areas constitute 92 percent of the state recreation lands for the subbasin.
Hector Land Use Area, a 13,237-acre tract of land with many small streams and
creeks, is the only Federal recreation area in this subbasin. The Forest Service
manages the area under its multiple use policy. In 1965 an estimated 23,000 visits
were made to this area which is developed for fishing and camping.
Onondaga County, which includes the city of Syracuse, has a well developed county
park system. Its six developed parks cater primarily to day-use activities, al-
though limited camping exists at two of the parks. Nearly 1.2 million visits were
made to these areas in 1963. Four additional county parks with a total of 1,124
acres have been acquired but are presently undeveloped. In addition to the Onondaga
County parks, four other subbasin county parks exist in Ontario, Cayuga, Oswego,
and Madison Counties. Each of these parks primarily serves the day-use needs of
the local citizens (100).
A variety of private establishments and accommodations for the tourist and vaca-
tionist exist in the Oswego Subbasin. Private summer homes and camps dot the
shorelines of the Finger Lakes, while hotels, motels, cabins, cottages, tourist
homes, and related establishments are distributed generally throughout the sub-
basin. Marinas and private yacht clubs are found along the lakeshores, and most
of the hotels, motels , and tourist homes with lake frontage have bathing beaches
for the use of their guests (67). Roseland Park at the northern end of Canandaigua
Lake is the largest commercial amusement park in the Finger Lakes area. Many
of the resort towns of the subbasin offer summer theaters, lake cruises, annual
pageants, and celebrations. Of the 36 private campgrounds in the subbasin, 30 have
facilities for water-dependent activities. These 36 areas total 2,318 acres of land
with an average capacity of 48 sites per campground. Twenty-eight group camps,
ranging in variety from 4-H club camps to those especially designed for use by
handicapped children, average 47 acres per camp and have a combined capacity of
3,290 persons at any one time.
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Black Subbasin. The 25 developed recreation areas of the Black Subbasin are
used for a variety of activities including fishing, hunting, camping, mountain
climbing, and winter sports. Most of the summer recreational use takes place
in the vicinity of the Fulton Chain of Lakes within the Adirondack Park. Here,
also, are nine campsites—five developed and four not--in Lewis, Herkimer, and
Hamilton Counties. Old Forge, the principal resort town in the subbasin, is
located in this area. Four boat launching sites, a game management area, and a
state reforestation area comprise 85,287 acres or98 percent of the zone's total
recreation acreage. The remaining supply (2%) is allocated to the private sector,
which includes seven private campgrounds and eight group camps yielding 1,603
acres for private use. These 15 private areas have a total one-time capacity of
1,408 persons. There are no Federal or local recreation areas in this subbasin.
Also, this is the only zone of the basin without a state park.
St. Lawrence Subbasin. The green-thatched archipelago known as the Thousand
Islands provides a focal point for aquatic sports at eleven scenic state parks.
Besides these eleven parks, Robert Moses State Park near Massena accounts for
the twelve state parks of this subbasin. In 1965 Robert Moses State Park with
approximately 185,000 visitors received the highest attendance of all public re-
creation areas in the subbasin. Aside from the picturesque state parks of the St.
Lawrence Subbasin there are twelve public campsites and seven public boat launch-
ing sites located on inland streams, rivers, and lakes. Even though state'lands
of Zone 3 (Black Subbasin) exceed those of Zone 4 (St. Lawrence Subbasin) by
threefold, the latter attracted eleven times more visitors in 1965.
Cranberry Lake, Tupper Lake, Harrisville, Long Lake, and Alexandria Bay are
major resort centers where private and commercial recreation developments
prosper (65). Fifteen private campgrounds with an average capacity of 44 sites
have been developed on 2,123 acres of land. Also,five private group camps and a
vacation farm contribute to the recreation resource base of this subbasin. Most
of the estimated 2,242 private vacation homes of the subbasin are situated on the
many islands and along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, as well as on privately
owned lands within the Adirondack Park. Individual owners often rent their vaca-
tion homes to others during portions of the summer season.
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Small Streams Tributary Subbasin. Lake Ontario, with its sand beaches, bluffs,
marshy inlets, and bays, is the outstanding natural attraction of this subbasin. The
lake is within easy driving distance of the urban centers of northern and western
New York, and its shoreline recreation facilities are popular throughout the summer
recreation season as is evidenced by attendance at the subbasin's 17 state parks.
The entire 1965 attendance for these parks exceeded 1.6 million, second only to
Zone 2 (Oswego Subbasin) in total visits to state parks. Five state parks—Ft.
Niagara, Hamlin Beach, Fair Haven Beach, Selkirk Shores, and Westcott Beach—
contributed 75 percent of the subbasin's state park attendance. Of the 27 state
recreation areas in the subbasin, 22 support water-dependent activities. Only
three remain undeveloped.
In 1963 the six developed Monroe County Parks in this subbasin : (a) contained 3,700
acres of land and water, (b) supported water-dependent recreation activities, and
(c) accommodated approximately 4.5 million visitors. Other county parks in
this subbasin are in Niagara, Wayne, Oswego, and Jefferson Counties.
A wide range of private and commercial recreation facilities exist along Lake
Ontario's shoreline. Motels and tourist homes are numerous in towns along the
lakeshore and on principal traveled routes. Some of the towns, such as Sodus
Point, Olcott, and Fair Haven, have developed into summer resorts with nearly
their entire economy based upon recreation. There are 25 private campgrounds,
10 group camps, and 3 vacation farms in Zone 5. All of these private areas, which
can accommodate an estimated 3,500 recreationists at any one time, support
water-dependent sports. See Plate No. 4-6.
WATER-DEPENDENT ACTIVITIES
Water is available for recreation in all the subbasins. The major cities (over
10,000 population) of the basin are located on Lake Ontario, inland lakes, rivers,
or the Barge Canal. Thus, the basin's water resources are generally well dis-
tributed with respect to centers oj: population.
It will require effort, time, and money to solve the serious problems that limit
the supply of water for recreation. These problems can be grouped into three
general categories: (a) water quality, (b) conflicting uses, and (c) accessibility.
Water quality is as important as the amount of surface acres, miles of shoreline,
or location. This particular aspect of water recreation is presented in Chapter 6,
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Plate No. 4-6
Water polo at Kenan YMCA Camp. Lake Ontario
•is one hundred yards north of this pool.
(Photo courtesy Loakport YMCA, Inc.)
The demand for water for many other purposes—water supply, industry, irrigation,
power generation, flood control, and navigation—is rising. Only with the most
careful planning and full recognition of the values of each use will it be possible
to achieve an adequate supply of water for recreation. This function is entrusted
to the New York State Water Resources Commission which is currently preparing
a statewide comprehensive water resources development program.
While the basin's inland waters are publicly owned, the adjacent land frequently
is not. This fact creates problems of public access which must be solved before
much of the total supply of water can be considered as a part of the effective supply
of recreation resources. Further discussion of this point is taken up in Chapter 5.
To a lesser degree, other factors affecting the physical use of water-based recre-
ation areas are weather conditions, lake fluctuation, transportation, and admission
and/or user fees. Climatic influences upon the recreation use of the basin are an-
alyzed in Chapter 2. Lake fluctuation or unregulated water levels are periodically
4-13
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responsible for lakeshore property damage. Extremely high water levels would
preclude the use of beaches as well as cause extensive damage to lakefront facilities
such as cottages, piers, boat houses, and lifts. Conversely, low water levels create
shallow water problems requiring the dredging of harbors and marinas before water-
craft can be used.
For many people residing in the central city of the basin's SMSA's transportation to
water-dependent recreational developments in a nonurban environment is difficult.
These people usually rely upon public travel accommodations since many of them,
for economic reasons, do not own automobiles. State Park admission and user fees
could also be a financial problem for large families in low income classes.
Swimming. Swimming and sun bathing are enjoyed throughout the Lake Ontario
Basin in both natural and developed areas. Within the basin 46 areas offer the
opportunity for swimming at public beaches. Thirteeaof these are located on the.
Lake Ontario shore and ten along the St. Lawrence River. Developed beaches along
Lake Ontario and inland lakes are heavily used during the summer season (Plate
No. 4-7). Estimates show that the basin's public beaches provide about 4.6 million
activity occasions of swimming annually.
ORRRC Report No. 4 indicates that there are 35 miles of natural sand beach on
Lake Ontario. It is estimated these beaches have a potential annual capacity of 18.5
million activity occasions of swimming per year. The physical cha.racter of beaches
and other swimming areas varies greatly throughout the basin. Some are extensive
areas of high quality sand, such as the eastern Lake Ontario shoreline, while others
are narrow gravel or small rock beaches similar to those along the lake in Niagara
and Orleans Counties.
An analysis of 1964 attendance data for Hamlin Beach State Park (81) indicates that
the number of persons swimming correlates closely to the weather. The table on page
4-16 summarizes this data and reveals that swimming participation increases as
the temperature rises. Also, it is noted that 52 percent of this state park's patrons
participated in swimming.
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Plate No. 4-7
An aerial view of the bathing facilities at Verona
Beach State Park on a typical summer Sunday. (Photo
courtesy Central New York State Parks Commission)
A review of statistical data for Verona Beach State Park (80) disclosed that approx-
imately 60 percent of the 1964 total park attendance used the beach facility on Oneida
Lake. In 1965 the Thousand Islands State Park Commission distributed a question-
naire to campers in all their parks. Results of the survey revealed that 75 percent
of the campers would not stay in the Commission's parks unless swimming facilities
were provided (83).
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Table No. 4-1
COMPARISON OF SWIMMING PARTICIPATION TO TOTAL GATE
ATTENDANCE BY GENERAL WEATHER CONDITION AT
HAMLIN BEACH STATE PARK, LAKE ONTARIO BASIN (June-August 1964)
General Weather Condition
Average Daily
Temperature Class
Cool-mild (less than
80° F)
Warm (80°-89° F)
Hot (more than 90° F)
Totals
Source; 81
No. of
Days
43
35
14
92
Attendance
Persons
Swimming
23,537
50,979
35,787
110,303
Total
Park
59,821
93,473
59,630
212,924
Percent
Swimming
39
54
60
52
Note: Rain was reported on 13 separate days during the period, June-
August, 1964. On these 13 occasions about 41 percent of the total gate
attendance used this public Lake Ontario shoreline beach. Temperature
departure from the normal mean for June, July, and August was -1.1,
2.2, and -3.5 degrees, respectively (156). Thus, the 1964 summer in
the vicinity of Hamlin Beach was about 2.4 degrees below the expected
seasonal average.
Besides the 46 aforementioned public beaches, there are public swimming pools a.t
6 state parks and 2 county parks. These combined facilities provided an estimated
two million annual activity days of swimming in 1965. Unlike natural beaches,
swimming pools are not subject to erosion, sedimentation, and adverse effects of
storms. However, most swimming pools are unable to offer such amenities as
sun bathing, playing in the sand, and exploring the shoreline, amenities which nor-
mally are available at a beach. A comparison of the relative cost of providing a
unit of swimming activity at a natural beach area as opposed to providing a unit
of swimming at a pool was made in the Lake Erie report. On the aver age,construc-
tion costs are eighty dollars more per unit of daily swimming capacity at a pool
than at a natural beach (184).
Beach erosion is a significant problem at some of the natural areas along the Lake
Ontario shore. The U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers,completed a series of beach
erosion control studies in 1955 for Hamlin Beach State Park, Fair Haven Beach
State Park, and Selkirk Shores State Park. The beaches at these parks are
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scheduled for rehabilitation by dredging and construction of groins to prevent
future erosion and inundation. The project at Selkirk Shores State Park is about
49 percent complete, but no completion date has been established. Work has yet
to be initiated on the projects at Fair Haven Beach and Hamlin Beach State Parks;
however, advance planning for the Hamlin Beach project will start in 1967.
Boating. The Lake Ontario Basin offers the recreational boater a variety of water
resources unexcelled in any of the other Great Lakes Basins. As shown on Plate
No. 4-8, the key centers of boating activity are along Lake Ontario, the St.
Lawrence River, and the Finger Lakes. A listing of these areas and sites appears
in Appendix A, Table No. A-6. Approximately 3,100 recreational watercraft can be
Plate No. 4-8
LEGEND
A STATE BOAT LAUNCHING SITE
• COUNTY BOAT LAUNCHING SITE
• RECREATION HARBOR
ZONE
-- ~1
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
1 PUBLIC BOATING FACILITIES
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accommodated at nine U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers? designed and constructed
recreational harbors along the lake shoreline. In addition, public boat launching
facilities exist at 65 state-owned locations throughout the basin. Most of the basin's
private marinas and attendant facilities are situated in the Finger Lakes area and
along the St. Lawrence River (Plate No. 4-9).
The New York State Barge Canal—commonly known as the "Grand Canal'1-- and
its connecting waterways afford boating enthusiasts a safe, scenic route to many
natural and historic sites. The Division of Motor Boats in the New York State
Conservation Department has prepared a two volume cruising guide for the Canal.
Plate No. 4-9
Marina facilities at Dresden on Seneca Lake providing
basic services for recreational boating., (Photo
courtesy New York Department of Commerce, Travel Bureau)
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The houseboat affords the vacationing family on oppor-
tunity to see the basin's natural scenic features via
water. (Photo courtesy Fingerlakes Houseboat Vacations)
Also, the Department of Public Works, Division of Operation and Maintenance dis-
tributes free pamphlets regarding pleasure boating on the inland waterway. Boating
on the Barge Canal has increased tremendously in popularity in the last ten years,
as illustrated by the fact that twice the number of pleasure watercraft use the Barge
Canal now as compared to 1956 (94).
Vacationing by houseboat has grown rapidly in the past five years. This mode of
boating allows the vacationing family to extensively traverse the basin's scenic
water routes and to experience a close relationship with the natural features of the
basin. Private houseboat rental agencies are centered in the Finger Lakes area
and in the Thousand Islands area. The Barge Canal and Lake Ontario provide con-
necting routes of travel between these two recreation resource areas (Plate No. 4-10).
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Other activities associated with boat-
ing, such as water-skiing, sightsee-
ing, scuba diving, and bow fishing,
are frequently engaged in throughout
the basin. Boating is also an impor-
tant spectator sport, drawing large
numbers of people at events such as
the Seneca Falls Aqua Festival and
the Intercollegiate Rowing Regatta
(Plate No. 4-11).
Fishing. Next to swimming, fishing
is the most popular form of water-
dependent activity. This report will
not attempt an evaluation of fishing
activity, either sport or commercial,
since reports being prepared by the
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wild-
life and the Bureau of Commercial
Fisheries will cover this topic. How-
ever, mention will be made of water
access sites since these areas are
used for activities other than fishing.
As previously indicated on Plate No. 4-8 and in Table No. A-6, public access is
provided at 65 state-owned boat launching sites. Access is also possible at public
waterfront facilities such as piers, seawalls, and breakwaters along Lake Ontario.
Private water for fishing is largely centered around the small farm pond. Over
7,900 farm ponds, averaging one-half acre in size, are scattered throughout the
basin. Table No. A-7 in Appendix A shows the approximate number and size of
farm ponds by county. See Plate No. 4-12.
Water-skiing. Water-skiing is one of the fastest growing water-dependent outdoor
recreation activities, and it is especially popular with the young adult age group.
Water-skiers are likely to be found on any body of water large enough to permit
maneuvering of boats and skiers. The greatest concentration of water-skiing in the
basin occurs on the Finger Lakes; however, water-skiers also utilize Lake Ontario
and the St. Lawrence River but to a lesser degree.
Spectators at the Annual Seneca
Falls Aqua Festival. (Photo courtesy
Finger Lakes Associationt Inc.)
Plate No. 4-11
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Canoeing. Historically, the canoe was designed and was used by the North Amer-
ican Indian as a means of transportation throughout the vast network of inland
waters in the Great Lakes Basin. The Indians brought the canoe to a high stage
of development when they constructed a craft so light that it could be carried by
one man and yet so strong and buoyant that it could transport a considerable load.
Over the years the canoe was perfected by the white man. Today, most commer-
cial canoes are manufactured of aluminum or fiberglass.
Canoeing is a special type of boating activity that is limited only by the skill and
imagination of the participant. Although canoeing is pursued predominantly by
the adolescent and young adult age groups, even a sexagenarian might be an active
canoeist. The primary factors that make this activity an unusual and attractive
sport have been stated by Burmeister (11):
Canoeing provides esthetic satisfaction through intimacy with nature. . .
physical satisfaction through boating techniques that permit the enthusi-
ast to challenge one of nature's forces. . .mental satisfaction through
meeting the challenge and by exercising a normal degree of aggression
without being subjected to the criticism of civilized society. . .
This Ontario County farm pond offers opportunities
•for fishing and other recreation activities,
(Photo courtesy Soil Conservation Service—No. NY-W32-6)
Plate No. 4-12
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Nearly 1,000 miles of designated canoe routes exist in the Lake Ontario Basin
(Table A-8, Appendix A). Plate No. 4-13 illustrates that most of these routes
or trails are located in the northeastern section of the basin. The most popular
Adirondack canoe trail extends from Old Forge in Herkimer County, at the foot
of the Fulton Chain of Lakes, through various lakes and the upper reaches of the
Raquette River to Tupper Lake (41). In addition to the trails on Plate No. 4-13,
many miles of water travel are available in the basin for canoeing such as the
Barge Canal, the Finger Lakes, and Lake Ontario; however, these bodies of water
generally fail to provide either the esthetic or physical characteristics necessary
to create an enjoyable canoeing outing.
Plate No. 4-13
Source: II, 41, 128
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
CANOE TRAILS
4-22
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Plate No. 4-14
Sailboats ply the waters at Skaneateles Lake. After a trip around the
world, William H. Seward, Secretary of State under President Lincoln,
called Skaneateles Lake "the most beautiful body of water in the world."
(27) (Photo courtesy Syracuse Herald-JournaI)
Sailing. Sailing is a particularly popular activity on the Finger Lakes ( Plate No.
4-14). Lake Ontario and sections of the St. Lawrence Riverway are also used ex-
tensively for sailing. Most of the yacht clubs in the Finger Lakes area hold sail-
boat races periodically.
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WATER-ENHANCED ACTIVITIES
Most recreational activities
are more enjoyable in beaut-
iful, natural surroundings.
The following activities could
be pursued virtually anywhere;
however, their popularity is
definitely enhanced by the
presence of water.
Picnicking. "Outdoor Recreation for America" stated that picnicking is the most
preferred activity for a day's outing. Perhaps it is popular because it involves
little expense other than travel costs and requires a minimum of equipment and
ability. Also, participation is not limited to any age group. This family outdoor
activity is provided at 70 percent of the developed public recreation areas of the
basin. Since picnicking is principally a day-use activity, those public parks located
near the basin's population centers supply the majority of picnic use. Two recre-
ation areas experiencing heavy picnic use are Ellison Park of the Monroe County
Park System and Green Lakes State Park located in the Syracuse SMSA. Appendix
C indicates those areas providing public picnicking facilities in the Lake Ontario
Basin.
Camping. Nationally, camping is growin'g by leaps and bounds, and the popularity
of this activity is increasing rapidly every year in the basin as well. This growth
can be attributed to (a) the desire of Americans to travel as fast, as far, and as
cheaply as possible for vacations and weekend outings, (b) innovations in camping
gear and equipment and in the automotive industry, and (c) well-developed camp-
grounds .
Plate No. 4-15 illustrates the relationship between the use and supply of tent and
trailer campsites at 15 public state parks in the Thousand Islands region. From
4-24
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this graphical illustration, it may be concluded that: (1) during all three seasons
the instant camping capacity was exceeded at least one-third of the time; (2) with
the exception of July 4th holiday outings, the peak use period is from July 20 to
August 9; and (3) the development of 180 additional campsites in 1964 and 170
campsites in 1965 has kept pace with the growth of camping.*
Over 40 percent of the developed state recreation areas listed in Appendix C have
tent and/or trailer camping facilities available while less than one-seventh of the
local public recreation areas inventoried provided camping facilities. At the pri-
vate level 111 campgrounds with an average size of 98 acres per campground have
a total capacity of 6,482 tent and/or trailer sites (Table No. A-4, Appendix A).
Plate No. 4-15
STATE PARK CAMPING USE AND SUPPLY RELATIONSHIPS
I THOUSAND ISLANDS RES10N
Sightseeing. Sightseeing is an extremely popular activity within the basin. The
many highways and roads throughout the basin afford opportunity for participation.
Forty-five roadside rest areas are located
in the project area with the Oswego Subbasin
containing nearly half the total. The Lake
Ontario State Parkway is intensively used
for sightseeing, particularly on weekends.
By 1970 this 20-mile parkway is to be ex-
tended along the lakeshore from its present
western terminal point at Hamlin Beach
State Park to Lakeside Beach State Park
in Orleans County. Future plans call for
the further extension of this parkway to
Fort Niagara State Park at the northwestern
tip of Niagara County linking it with the
proposed Robert Moses State Parkway which
will originate at the North Grand Island
Bridge. Since commercial traffic will be
banned, driving for pleasure as well as
sightseeing will be an enjoyable experience
* During the 1966 summer, personnel at Letchworth State Park conducted a camping survey.
An analysis of the data indicates that 40 percent of the camper days spent by recreationists
at that park originated from outside the state.
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along this scenic route permitting uninterrupted scenic travel from the heart of
the Buffalo SMSA to the northern city limits of Rochester.
Nature Walks. Nature walking is greatly enhanced by the presence of specific
facilities such as trails and guided or self-guided tours. Since nature walking is
chiefly an esthetic experience, the accent must be placed upon quality. Nine state
parks within the basin provide nature trails for participation by all age groups.
The metropolitan county park systems in Monroe and Onondaga Counties have sev-
eral miles of nature trails.
Hiking. Designated hiking trails exist at 17 of the 47 developed state parks in the
basin. Hiking trails are also provided at three recreation areas by the Onondaga
County park system, and in Monroe County two county parks have designated hiking
trails. In addition to these public facilities, many miles of hiking territory are
available for exploration on state reforestation areas, game management areas,
and multiple use areas. Several quasi-public organizations such as Boy Scouts,
Girl Scouts, 4-H, etc., have provided their own system of hiking trails at their
respective group camps. The Finger Lakes Trail Conference, a group of private
hiking clubs in central New York State, are planning and constructing a continuous
trail system across the southern portion of the Lake Ontario Basin. When completed,
the 650-mile system will connect with the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail and the 250-
mile Bruce Trail of Canada (28).
Hunting. Public hunting in the Lake Ontario Basin is generally confined to the state's
game management areas, state reforestation areas, wetlands, and multiple use
areas. Limited hunting is provided on state park lands. For example, deer hunting
is permitted in selected areas of Letchworth State Park when the deer population
becomes excessive, and duck hunting is allowable at Braddock Bay State Park near
Rochester. In both instances, hunting is limited by the number of special permits
issued and by the size of the hunting area. Private hunting clubs rent sizable acre-
ages of rural land from farmers for exclusive hunting privileges. As previously
stated in Chapter 1, this report will not evaluate the basin's hunting facilities since
the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife will investigate this activity and report
its findings.
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WINTER SPORTS
Ever since skiing became a popular sport in this country, New York State has been
a leading winter sports area (74). Some of the state's best skiing facilities are
located in the basin. Reference is again made to Plate No. 3-2 where public ski
centers are shown in relation to mean annual snowfall. Table No. A-9 in Appendix
A lists 47 slopes, 59 trails, 28 lifts, and 22 tows which are available for skiing
at 17 different locations in the basin. In 1965 the Travel Bureau of the New York
State Department of Commerce completed a "Survey of Skiers' Preferences" for
the 1964-65 ski season. This study concluded that the typical skier:
• Has skied for four seasons.
• Considers himself an intermediate
• Is a member of a family in which two adults ski
• Prefers moderate slopes, a chair lift, and moderate moguls for his
day on the slopes
• Owns his ski equipment—boots, skis, and poles
• Has taken some ski lessons
• Usually patronizes a ski center's restaurant facilities, more often
for only a snack than for a meal
• Stays overnight half of the time and prefers a motel or a hotel
• Considers social activities important in selecting a ski center
• Will pay up to $6.00 for an all-day lift ticket
• Will pay up to $60.00 for a season ticket
• Considers the overall cost of skiing too high (75).
A variety of other winter sports such as ice skating, ice fishing, sledding, tobog-
ganing, and ice boat sailing and racing are pursued and enjoyed where facilities
are available and when favorable weather conditions prevail (Plate No. 4-16).
Perhaps one of the most unusual winter recreational activities is harness racing
on the ice. The following excerpt is from a picture story which appeared in the
January 28, 1963, issue of the Syracuse Her aid-Journal:
The antique sport of harness racing on the ice was revived on frozen
Cazenovia Lake yesterday. An estimated 3,700 spectators watched the
16-horse, three event program. The social-sports afternoon was
presented by the Central New York Trotting and Pacing Club for benefit
of the Cazenovia College Auxiliary (139).
4-27
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Ice boating on Honeoye Lake
Spo/tts Scenes
T-bar lift in operation
at SuG.in Ski Center
Motorcycle races an the ice at the
annual Koneoye Winter Carnival
Plate No. 4-16
4-28
All photos courtesy Finger Lakes As8ociationt Inc.
-------
PROPOSED AND POTENTIAL RECREATION AREAS
For the past six years, the State of New York has participated in an accelerated
land acquisition program financed by a $100 million bond issue. Under this pro-
gram the State has acquired more than 35,500 acres of state park land; has secured
283,000 acres of multiple use and forest recreation areas; and has assisted cities,
counties, towns, and villages in acquiring 31,000 acres of land (205). Nearly 30
percent of the newly acquired state park lands and approximately 40 percent of
those lands acquired as multiple use areas and state reforestation areas are in
the basin. The needs and goals for developing these proposed areas are presented
in the following chapter.
Specific areas offering recreational potential along the shoreline of Lake Ontario
and along the St. Lawrence River were identified by the National Park Service in
a survey conducted in 1958 (192,194). The report identified eight areas of potential
recreational value in the area under study here. The following outline presents the
name and action taken by New York to acquire the recommended area.
Name
County Acreage
Niagara Extension Niagara 648
Parkway Overlooks Orleans
Devils Nose
Chimney Bluff
Monroe
Wayne
Fairhaven Extension Cayuga
Sandy Creek Beaches Oswego-
Jefferson
Stony Point
Crooked Creek
Jefferson
821
190
150
386
2,969
Jefferson-
St. Lawrence 4,425
Action
State has acquired 248 acres which is
Four Mile Creek Annex State Park.
Proposed Lake Ontario Parkway Ex-
tension, including three overlooks,
has been completed to Kuckville.
State has acquired this tract as part
of the Lake Ontario Parkway.
State has acquired 596 acres and
development has started at Chimney
Bluffs State Park.
State has purchased 44 acres of this
suggested area.
A new state park, Southwick Beach,
is being developed. Also, sizable
fish and game management lands have
been acquired near Woodville.
1,600 No State action.
No State action.
4-29
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As a result of the increased use of the New York State Barge Canal as a recrea-
tional waterway, the State Department of Public Works plans to provide better
access to recreation facilities on the canal. At the local government level, the
Monroe County Parks Department plans to acquire areas bordering the canal while
the villages of Brockport and Fairport have designated potential lands for boating
and general recreation facilities along the canal.
The U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, is considering a system of harbors of ref-
uge which would be situated at intervals of 10 to 15 miles along the Lake Ontario
shoreline. The location of completed Corps harbor projects is shown on Plate
No. 4-8. A few of the existing harbors illustrated on this plate have been im-
proved or are being considered for improvement by the Corps. Four additional
Corps harbor projects have been authorized but are presently inactive. Another
11 harbor projects* along the lakeshore are under study, authorized for study,
or suggested for study (205). Most of these proposed facilities are part of the
State's development program for state park lands. These harbors would provide
needed boating opportunities for the basin's residents. Their construction is con-
tingent upon receipt of Congressional approval and appropriations as well as
state and local cooperation. Present legislation requires that local Interests pro-
vide up to 50 percent of the cost of Corps constructed facilities for recreational
boating.
In addition, the Corps of Engineers is currently involved in a multi-purpose study
of the Genesee River Basin aimed at determining the advisability of modification to
basin-wide plans with respect to flood control, navigation, and other related water
and land resources (150). Although the plan formulation of this basin report will
not be released until later this year, it appears that recreation will receive pref-
erential treatment at a proposed reservoir on the Genesee River immediately up-
stream from Letchworth State Park.
Under the aegis of the International Joint Commission a study is underway to in-
vestigate the effects of water levels of the Great Lakes. This study will look into
the possibilities of stabilizing the levels of all the lakes through regulation struc-
tures. Such stabilization should have a favorable effect on bathing beaches since
extreme high and low water levels would be reduced.
*Actually eight harbor proposals are along the lake shoreline and one each on the 3t. Lawrence
River and on Seneca and Cayuga Lakes.
4-30
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Two potential small watershed projects, authorized by Public Law 566, have been
proposed by the Soil Conservation Service. Both projects have Recreation featured
as one of the primary benefits. Cowaselon Creek Watershed in Madison County
will contain a 25-acre permanent lake which will be completed next year. When
developed, this facility will provide for swimming, fishing, boating, and picnicking.
The other project, Oak Orchard Watershed, will feature a 50-acre lake providing
picnicking, boating, and fishing facilities. As soon as a water level and water
distribution problem can be resolved between wildlife and agricultural interests,
the Batavia Junior Chamber of Commerce has indicated its intent to actively
support the proposed recreation development plan.
A comprehensive appraisal of potential outdoor recreation developments for Jef-
ferson County was made in 1966 by the Soil Conservation Service (22). This re-
port, "An Appraisal of Potential Outdoor Recreational Developments in Jefferson
County, New York," considered such key elements as climate, physical resources
(both land and water), wildlife, and population. In the analyzation of these factors,
multipliers were employed to evaluate the probability or likelihood of recreation
use for a potential activity for a given set of resource factors. In order to be more
meaningful to those desiring to enter the private recreation service industry, the
economics involved in developing, operating, and maintaining each type of recrea-
tional facility would add considerably to the evaluation scheme. Nevertheless,
this report employs an interesting technique in assessing the recreational potential
of various activities at the local level.
In 1963 the Federal Government initiated a broad-scale study for a nationwide
system of wild rivers. Of the 650 rivers initially screened, nine are located in
the Lake Ontario Basin. These are: the Black, Genesee, Grass, Indian, Moose,
Oak Orchard Creek, Oswegatchie, Oswegatchie-West Branch, and Raquette (161).
With the exception of the Genesee and Indian Rivers and Oak Orchard Creek,
these rivers or portions thereof lie within the Adirondack Preserve boundaries.
None of the nine rivers satisfied the initial screening criteria and were, therefore,
excluded from a more intensive study for possible inclusion in the nationwide river
system. However, all have the potential to be considered as state scenic, natural,
or wild rivers.
4-31
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Many potential recreation areas not presently included in recreation plans are
available in the basin. The resource areas briefly discussed in Chapters 2 and 4
contain most of the more desirable sites. As recreational pressures increase,
other recreation areas may be developed on lands presently considered to be of
marginal recreation value. A good example is the Robert Moses State Park near
Massena where a beautiful sand beach was created'by placing hydraulic fill along
a rocky shoreline area. Undoubtedly, all land will be more intensively developed
in the future, and a detailed review may reveal areas that would provide additional
recreation opportunity. Some areas may obtain recreational importance because
of present unforeseen circumstances. For example, areas now held by the Depart-
ment of Defense may be declared surplus and become available to state or local
agencies for recreational development.
4-32
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Chapter 5
Needs
GENERAL
The need for additional recreation facilities in the Lake Ontario Basin is manifested
by unfilled requests for campsite reservations, by long lines of cars turned away
at beaches, and by unsatisfied constituents voicing their complaints. Attendant to
this increasing pressure for more facilities is the overuse of existing facilities.
Overuse creates not only site deterioration, but also causes a lower quality recre-
ation setting for future use.
Instances of unusually heavy use occur in the picnic areas at Durand Eastman Park
in Monroe County. The heavy use and limited maintenance of this park's hiking
and bridle trails has resulted in erosion along some sections of the trails (35).
Chapter 4 revealed that the state park campgrounds in the Thousand Islands area
for one-third of the summer season exceeded their capacity. These situations
multiplied by similar circumstances substantiate the need for more developed
park and recreation areas.
PRESENT NEEDS
In general, the needs of the Lake Ontario Basin are a part of the total State needs. *
Since these needs are discussed in the New York Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor
Recreation Plan (204), they will not be elaborated here. The purpose of this chap-
ter is to evaluate the macrosituation of the basin's needs, both present and future,
for outdoor recreation. Although the five subbasins exhibit varying degrees of
needs, the translation of these needs into resource requirements is intended only
to show relative comparisons. And the problem of translating the demand-supply-
needs relationship into a quantitative evaluation limits its statistical application.
The methodology used to analyze the basin's needs is presented in Appendix B.
* With the exception of the 96 square mile section of the Genesee Subbasin which lies in
Potter County, Pennsylvania.
5-1
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The figures outlined in Table No. 5-1 show the need for developed recreational
acreage in the basin. A large deficit of developed acreage exists in Zone 2. Zones
1 and 5 have sizeable acreage deficiency but not nearly so severe as Zone 2. Zones
3 and 4 indicate minor shortages of developed recreational lands.
Table No. 5-1
PRESENT REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPED RECREATION ACREAGE
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
(Nearest 100 Acres)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Additional Deficit
Acreage Needed
(Col. 4x 1.6)**
Zone
1
2
3
4
5
Total
Needed
10,900
22,300
2,200
4,900
14.100
Present
Existing for
Public Use*
8,400
9,700
1,900
4,200
9,300
Deficit
(Col, 2-
Col. 3)
2,500
12,600
300
700
4,800
Basin 54,400 33,500 20,900 33,400
* See Table No. B-4, Appendix B.
**Determination of 1.6 factor is explained in Needs Methodology in Appendix B.
These acreages are the amounts considered necessary to support the maximum
number of people expected to use recreational facilities at any one time on a normal
summer Sunday. The acreages are based on categories of recreational areas sug-
gested by Marion Clawson, et al. , in Land for the Future. They are as follows:
(1) User-oriented areas, represented by city, county, and other local
type parks, are usually located near the user irrespective of the
quality of resources available. User-oriented areas may be com-
pared to Class I—High Density Recreation Areas as defined by
ORRRC in "Outdoor Recreation for America".
(2) Intermediate areas, represented by state and regional type parks,
utilize the best available resources within a reasonable distance of
the user. They may be compared to Class II—General Outdoor
Recreation Areas as defined by ORRRC. To some extent, inter-
mediate areas may also include the more highly developed Class ni
areas.
5-2
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(3) Resource-oriented areas, represented by National Parks and
Forests, are located in areas ot outstanding resources. Since
this category is based on location of resources and not necessar-
ily on people's needs, it is not included in this presentation. The
Adirondack Forest Preserve, an ORRRC Class V-B area, is re-
presentative of this category. Also, areas such as Taughannock
Falls, the Finger Lakes, and the Thousand Islands could con-
ceivably fall into this category except for certain factors such as
intensive private development.
The acreage presented as "Deficit" indicates the additional acreage needed in each
zone if divided equally between user-oriented and intermediate types of areas.
This approach was necessary because the classification of existing areas into the
two types is not clear-cut. An intermediate area may be user-oriented for a cer-
tain portion of the population, and both types can support essentially the same ac-
tivities.
Besides the developed acreage necessary to support the five basic activities, other
lands must be provided for the more extensive recreational uses such as hiking,
hunting, sightseeing, and nature walks as well as providing desirable buffer areas.
Additional lands have been considered in the methodology as they relate to the pre-
sent deficit of developed acreage. The developed deficit (Column 4) plus the addi-
tional deficit acreage (Column 5) equals a total deficit of 54,300 acres for the
basin. Depending upon the ability to provide these areas and considering use
pressures, the deficit figures will be subject to modification. For example, if
additional studies should show that user-oriented areas are needed in preference
to intermediate ones, the figures could be lowered somewhat, or if intermediate
areas required more attention, the figures could be raised.
On page 53 of the New York Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan,
it is stated that:
The State's most pressing needs lie in the area of development.
Although some deficiencies remain, primarily at the municipal
level, acquisition under the $100 million bond issue has resulted
in the accumulation of a substantial reservoir of recreation land
resources for the State. During the next decade, development
will demand a large part of the funds that may reasonably be ex-
pected from all possible sources, but further acquisition will be
necessary.
5-3
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This assessment of the needs situation holds true for the Lake Ontario Basin as
well. In relating the regional needs presented in the New York State recreation
plan (204) to the deficiencies shown in Table No. 5-1, the resource requirements
outline for the basin was derived as follows:
Zone Total Deficit Acreage* Principal Facilities Needed
1 6,500 Boating, camping, swimming, picnicking
2 32,700 Boating, camping, swimming, picnicking, fishing
3 800 Boating, camping, fishing
4 1,800 Boating, camping
5 12,500 Boating, camping, swimming, picnicking
* Equals total of Columns 4 plus 5 in Table No. 5-1.
FUTURE NEEDS
Table No. 5-2 estimates future developed acreage requirements for each zone and
for the Lake Ontario Basin. Future needs for the five activities (swimming, fishing,
boating, picnicking, camping) considered in the preceding section will probably
increase 120 percent by the year 2000, and by 2020 they may be expected to triple
the presently needed acreage.
Table No. 5-2
FUTURE HEQUIHEMENTS FOR DEVELOPED RECREATION ACREAGE
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN*
(Nearest 100 Acres)
Zone I960** 2020 2020
1
2
3
4
5
Basin 54,400 120,000 163,700
* See methodology in Appendix B.
** From Column 1 of Table No. 5-1.
10,900
22,300
2,200
4,900
14, 100
23,900
49 , 100
4,900
10,900
31.200
32,800
67,200
6,500
14,700
42.500
5-4
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These projections are predicted upon continued growth of the basin's population
and economy and also upon the assumption that the recreational demands exerted
upon the basin will be totally satisfied within the basin. While the demand method-
ology used makes certain allowances for nonresidents seeking recreation in the
basin, their relative importance may change by 2000 and 2020.
Perhaps greater numbers of .people will travel to the basin, increasing the demand
on the basin's recreation resources. If its potential is fully realized, the private
sector could help alleviate the future needs for public acreage. Flexibility will
be needed as future trends become more clear.
5-5
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Chapter 6
Water Quality Influences
GENERAL SITUATION
The most important factor affecting a water-dependent outdoor recreation
experience is water quality. If the quality of the water is high, the opportunities
for an enjoyable experience are enhanced. Conversely, low water quality can
greatly reduce or eliminate a resource's capacity to provide recreation oppor-
tunity. According to Print No. 24 of the Select Committee on National Water
Resources of the United States Senate (164), recreational uses of water require
high quality water, paralleling that for public water supply. However, the
limitations placed on recreation by water quality will vary depending on the
type of water-oriented activity.
The most notable causes of pollution affecting recreational waters in the Lake
Ontario Basin are poorly treated effluents from municipal sewage systems and
industrial plants. Other significant sources of pollution are overflows from com-
bined sewer systems, runoff from urban and rural areas, and wastes from com-
mercial and private vessels (186). Recreationists often contribute to the pollution
of recreation waters as well as the littering of adjacent land areas. As an example,
waste discharges from pleasure craft, unsewered cottages, and other inhabited
structures have resulted in low quality conditions at several public and private
beaches and other recreation areas.
Water quality classifications and standards have been promulgated and adopted by
the New York State Health Department for streams, lakes, rivers, reservoirs,
and other bodies of water. The classification system for fresh surface waters
ranges from Class AA to Class D with the highest use designated as water supply
for drinking. This is followed by bathing, fishing, and agricultural or industrial,
respectively. Both Class AA and Class A include public water supply use (85).
6-1
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These best use classifications are graphically presented by stream reaches in
Plate No. 6-1. The majority of the waters in the basin are classified B or C.
However, most of the inland lakes, with the exception of Onondaga, are generally
A or B. Dry weather streams and stretches of streams below sizable waste dis-
charges are generally in Class D. The State Health Department anticipates that
the special class presently designated for the lower Genesee River will be eliminated
as a result of public hearings held this year in accordance with the Water Quality
Act of 1965.
In this chapter reference is made to the term "coliform count," which is the number
of Escherichia coliform bacteria in one hundred milliliters of water.
These bacteria are most
Plate No. 6-1
LEGEND
Hi CLASSES A a AA -WATER SUPPLY
jf§ CLASS B-BATHING
IFfgl CLASS C-FISHING
[•'' ] CLASS D-AGRICULTURAL
|V ) SPECIAL CLASS
Source: 85, FVPCA, LOPO
6-2
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
CLASSIFICATION OF
SURFACE WATERS
-------
frequently associated with human fecal matter, but they are also present in soil
and animal feces. The rationale for using coliform counts to determine safe water
conditions is based on a probability theory, viz. , as the coliform count increases
so does the presence of disease causing organisms. Many studies have proven
the validity of this concept; however, there have been epidemiological occurrences
in natural bodies of water with very low coliform counts (52). The real value of
coliform counts lies in detecting changes in the quantitative bacterial composition
of a body of water. Coliform count tests are used because (1) they are relatively
easy to perform, (2) results can be obtained in a short time period, and (3) other
practical systems have not been devised to determine the presence of pathogenic
organisms in water. Even though there are some inadequacies in deciphering
harmful bacteria from coliform counts, these tests do indicate the relative safety
of water for recreational use.
WATER QUALITY INFLUENCES ON SWIMMING
To be acceptable to the public and to regulatory authorities, waters used for swim-
ming and bathing must conform to three general conditions: (1) they must be esthet-
ically enjoyable, i.e. , free from obnoxious floating or suspended substances, ob-
jectionable color, and foul odors; (2) they must contain no substances that are
toxic upon ingestion or irritating to the skin of human beings; and (3) they must be
reasonably free from pathogenic organisms (52).
New York State water quality standards for Class B waters, which indicate the
best use as bathing and other water contact sports, define the first two conditions
in general terms, i.e. , the standards are qualitative and descriptive and not
quantitative, except for pH and dissolved oxygen. The third condition mentioned,
viz. , that swimming and bathing waters be reasonably free from pathogenic organ-
isms, has been subjected to a strict and definitive bacterial standard. This stand-
ard, commonly known as Van Lare's Law, requires that the average of coliform
counts for bathing beach waters must not exceed 2,400 per 100 milliliters (ml) of
water over a. 30-day period. The law does not specify the kind of average; however,
the State Health Department has interpreted the law to mean a logarithmic average,
which gives a lower value than an arithmetic average (133). Further, the Van Lare
Law stipulates that not more than 20 percent of the counts may exceed 2,400 coli-
forms per 100 ml in a 30-day period.*
*On May 2, 1967, Governor Rockefeller signed into law an amendment to the Van Lare Law
which made a median average the official coliform average.
6-3
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Although Van Lare's Law is an accepted standard in New York, the technical
committee on the Great Lakes-Illinois River Basins Project suggests that the
coliform content of water used for bathing should not exceed 1,000 per 100 ml (185).
The most restrictive standards are those of the states of Utah and Washington which
limit the coliform content to 50 parts per 100 ml. Garber (34) has collated and
evaluated bacterial standards for bathing water from several state and municipal
agencies. He noted that coliform concentrations of acceptable bathing areas range
from 50 to 3,000 bacteria per 100 ml.
Recently the water quality at beaches situated along Lake Ontario in the Rochester
area received wide public attention through the news media. The following accounts
provide an insight into the pollution problems at Rochester as well as other recrea-
tional areas in the basin.
Lake Ontario Shoreline -- Rochester Area. In September 1965 a Monroe County
Grand Jury was appointed to investigate the circumstances, causes, and allegations
surrounding the claims of polluted recreational areas in Monroe County. On April
5, 1966 the Grand Jury released its report which stated that the Lake Ontario beaches
may be "unsightly, malodorous or otherwise undesirable, but they are safe for
swimming from a health hazard point of view (138). "
The following month the Rochester Committee for Scientific Information, a private
nonprofit citizen's group, issued a report warning of ". . . sporadic acute pollution
of area beaches this summer. A survey, made between April 22 and May 11 (1966),
disclosed human excrement, grease balls, shreds of toilet paper, and other jetsam
off the Durand Eastman Park Beach near the city's sewage treatment plan (1). "
The report further stated that "... children should not be allowed under any cir-
cumstances to come in contact with (the Genesee) river water. Boaters should ex-
ercise great care to prevent the river water from contaminating food and drink. "
During this controversy about the alleged polluted beaches in Monroe County, the
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle published findings of a professional scientific
survey group, the Harvey Research Organization, concerning water pollution and
use of county beaches. Interviewers approached Monroe County residents to ask a
representative cross-section of the adult population the question: "Last summer
(1965) many health authorities warned about the dangers of water pollution and the
health hazard it represented to swimmers. If water pollution in the Rochester area
6-4
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continues to be as serious as was reported last summer, would you be in favor
of closing all beaches in this area in order to protect public health?"
Two-thirds of the people interviewed in the poll were in favor of closing all beaches
for the 1966 summer season. Such action was favored particularly by those adults
in the 25-40 age bracket who presumably have young children that enjoy swimming.
Nevertheless, the Monroe County beaches on Lake Ontario officially opened for
the 1966 season on June 22nd despite pollution claims. During the summer, the
Monroe County Health Department obtained daily water samples at public bathing
beaches. Dr. Wendell R. Ames, Director of the Monroe County Health Depart-
ment, released coliform bacterial counts to the news media on July 29, 1966.
The report, carried by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, said:
. . .The average figures, showing coliform readings taken on an eight-day
cycle between June 14 and July 7, indicated that at Webster Park, 31. 2
percent of the counts exceeded the maximum allowable of 2,400 coliforms
per 100 milliliters of water. The percentages at other beaches were, 12.5
at Durand Eastman, 16.6 at Ontario Beach; 10.7 at Hamlin Beach and no
readings over 2,400 at Mendon Ponds Park.
The New York State Health Department began monitoring the three Lake Ontario
public beach waters on July 18, 1966. Two weeks later coliform counts for
these areas were released to the public. Under logarithmic computation, the
State's two week averages for both Ontario and Durand Eastman Beaches were
below the legal 2,400. However, the arithmetic averages for Ontario Beach and
Durand Eastman Beach during the same period were 6,290 and 2,252, respectively.
Webster Park Beach exceeded the limits by both methods of computation.
The Natural Resources and Power Subcommittee of the Committee on Government
Operations of the United States House of Representatives held a public hearing
concerning water pollution of Lake Ontario on July 22, 1966. At this hearing in
Rochester, Mr. H. W. Poston, Regional Program Director of the Great Lakes
Region, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, presented a "Statement
of Water Pollution in the Lake Ontario Basin" (186). Table 7-1 from the FWPCA
statement is shown as Table No. 6-1 on the next page. In special beach studies
conducted by FWPCA personnel during the 1965 and 1966 summers, it was found
that Rochester area beaches experienced extremely high coliform counts.
6-5
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Table No. 6-1
Beach
COLIFORM DENSITIES - 1965 AND 1966
ROCHESTER AREA BEACHES
Ontario
Year 1965 1966
No. Samples 23 34
Coliform/100 ml highest 8,400 14,000
median 1,000 220
% above 1,000/100 ml 52 27
% above 2,000/100 ml 17 21
Source: 186
Durand
1965
11
16,000
520
36
18
Eastman
1966
35
18,000
1,100
51
26
Webster
1965 1966
5
5,300 50,
180 1,
20
20
19
000
400
63
47
Amid all the publicity of pollution, people persisted in swimming and sunbathing at
these public beaches. See Plate No. 6-2. This photograph, taken by a Rochester
Times-Union staff photographer on July 24, 1966, appeared the following day in
that newspaper. Mr. Alvan R. Grant, Director of Monroe County Parks, officially
closed Webster Beach for swimming on August 1, 1966 (Plate No. 6-3). This
decision was made for the following reasons: (a) the 30-day (July 1966) logarithmic
average of coliform bacterial counts exceeded the 2,400 standard permitted by the
Van Lare Law; (b) algae growth and water turbidity were excessive and would ham-
per lifeguards in rescue activities; and (c) wind and current patternis guided sewage
from the Rochester sewage treatment plant outfall to Webster Beach. Plate No.
6-4 shows the direction of wind-current patterns and the location of the Rochester
sewage outfall in respect to Webster Beach. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
on August 2, 1966, quoted Mr. Grant as saying:
Webster Beach will be closed for public swimming for the remainder of this
season and perhaps for several more seasons until the city plant is upgraded.
A lifeguard captain will remain on duty at Webster Beach to protect facilities.
The beach itself may still be used for sunbathing. *
* Note: At the time this report was being prepared for the printer, Monroe County
officials announced that Ontario and Durand Eastman Beaches will be closed for
the 1967 summer. Although the City of Rochester has a commitment to New York
State to install adequate primary treatment works at the plant by January 1, 1969,
and adequate secondary treatment facilities by the end of 1970 (201), it may be five
to seven years before conditions can be corrected. In the meantime, Hamlin Beach
State Park, the only other Lake Ontario public beach in the Rochester metropolitan
area, will probably be subjected to heavy swimming demand in light of this situation.
6-6
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Plate No. 6-2
Seeking relief from heat, bathers show little con-
cern for publicized pollution at Ontario Beach
Park. (Photo courtesy Rochester Times-Union)
OFflCtAtLYCLOStDfO«SinMIIIK6AT
THIS TIME 12 HOOK AUGUST 1.1966
"
NO TALKING TO GUARDS
'.'-, 'aT-i - o% . °.- *,•>,, ~ s.V.^ i „ ',!<<,& :i,~? H. •
Plate No. 6-3
courtesy Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
6-7
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Plate No. 6-4
Source: 186
During the summer of 1966 as well as other recent seasons, the three Monroe
County beaches--Webster Park, Ontario, and Durand Eastman—were sporadically
plagued by the presence of decaying Cladophora, an attached form of green algae
that grows on the rocky bottom of shallow offshore waters and washes ashore peri-
odically. See Plate No. 6-5. On one particular day, Sunday, July 10, 1966,
Webster Beach was so heavily laden with Cladophora that the lifeguards spent the
entire day trying to clear the algae from the beach with pitchforks. According to
an article appearing in the July 11, 1966 issue of the Rochester Democrat and
Chronicle ". . .the stench (from the algae) was just incredible - you could not
stand to be near the beach. The lifeguards did not have to worry about swimmers
since no one dared to enter the water'."
Cayuga Lake — City of Ithaca. Swimming conditions at Stewart Park on Cayuga
Lake deteriorated appreciably during the early 1960's. On November 15, 1962, the
Ithaca Youth Bureau Advisory Council* recommended to the City's Common Council
that ". . .the Stewart Park waterfront be closed until such time as some action can
be taken to alleviate the present conditions that exist, namely:
1. The problem of extremely high cost of operating a facility that is being
used by a decreasing number of swimmers.
*The Ithaca Youth Bureau administers the city's public swimming program at Stewart Park.
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2. The problem of safety resulting from the difficulty of guarding a very
large expanse of murky water.
3. The periodic problem of a high bacterial count, resulting from unusual
circumstances such as dredging operations and sewage difficulties (44)."
The Common Council acted upon this recommendation, and the city's public swim
program was moved for the 1963 season to the Ithaca Senior High School pool.
Attendance for this season at the high school's indoor pool increased 52 percent
over the preceding year's attendance. A final attempt was made to use the Stewart
Park facility when the Ithaca Common Council agreed to move the public swim
program back to the waterfront beach for the 1964 season. The 1964 results at
the waterfront facility were disappointing:
(a) the average daily attendance was the lowest recorded in the previous
seven seasons,
(b) coliform counts from water samples taken by county health officials
often exceeded the Van Lare standard,
(c) water turbidity causing a safety hazard with respect to rescue operations
was particularly evident nearly all summer.
NEW TASK FOR LIFEGVARDS—Cleaning algae from Webster
Beach. (Photo courtesy Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
Plate No. 6-5
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The accompanying graph shows the average daily attendance trend
at Stewart Park Waterfront for the 1956-64 period. In 1963 swim-
ming was prohibited at the Stewart Park facility. The following
year the Cayuga lakefront beach again open for swimming; how-
ever, conditions necessitated reclosing the beach, and it has not
been open for public swimming the past two seasons.
Plate No. 6-6
800
BEACH ATTENDANCE AT STEWART PARK
1956-1964
A
600
400
200
1956
1957 1958 1959 I960
1961
1962 1963* 1964
* NOTE! In 1963, the beach was closed. Attendance figure used above
was for indoor swimming at Ithaca Senior High School.
Source: 44
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1955
Plate No. 6-7
Swimming in Cayuga Lake at Stewart Park uae popu-
lar during the 1350'a. Thie beaoh is no longer
in use due to water pollution. (Upper photo
courtesy Ithaoa youth Bureau; lower photo by DOR)
1965
6-11
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Plate No. 6-8
Photo by BOP
Seneca Lake -- City of Geneva. For
the past decade, the Geneva City
Beach on the north shore of Seneca
Lake has been posted intermittently
as unsafe for swimming. These
postings are made by the City Health
Department whenever water samples
show high bacteria counts. As many
as sixty "unsafe" signs are period-
ically placed along the city's shore-
line. The principal source of poor
water quality is the city's primary
sewage treatment plant discharge.
Although the end of the outfall line lies 438 feet offshore (2), the effluent emptied
into the lake after a period of precipitation is not adequately treated because the
capacity of the city's combined sewer facility for storm runoff and for sewage is
exceeded. The excess is discharged without treatment. This waste normally
persists three to five days following a period of runoff. In addition, the direction
of wind can cause variations in the intensity of pollution.
In the August 13, 1965 issue of the Geneva Times, City Health Officer, Dr.
Edgerton Deuel said: "Posting of the Geneva shoreline area does not mean swim-
ming is prohibited or absolutely forbidden, but it's more of a warning and you
swim there at your own risk. " It is not uncommon to see several hundred bathers
using the city beach on a hot summer day. But the majority of the swimming
demand in the Geneva area is satisfied at Seneca Lake State Park where annual
attendance has averaged over 80,000 for the past five years. Seneca Lake State
Park Beach, located approximately two miles east of the Geneva City Beach, has
not been plagued by high coliform counts. Favorable wind and water currents
carry the Geneva City effluent away from the State Park Beach.
Oneida Lake — Verona Beach State Park. Oneida Lake is one ot the most heavily
fertilized water bodies in the eastern United States (186). As a result, swimming
at Verona Beach State Park is far from a quality experience. Unpublished data
(80) for Verona Beach State Park discloses that the beach was plagued with algae,
seaweed, dead fish, and other debris for 70 percent of the 1964 season. A daily
log prepared by the park superintendent indicated maintenance crews had to clear
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the beach prior to its opening on 58 days during the 1964 summer season. In fact,
water quality conditions became so unsightly and malodorous on five separate days
that the park superintendent displayed a "poor swimming" sign at the park's en-
trance. On these particular days, the number of swimmers in comparison to total
gate attendance dropped nearly 20 percent over the seasonal average.
This state park was bothered by heavy infestations of midges (Chironomidae) and
mayflies (Ephemera) for 37 of 84 days during the 1964 season. The annual flight
of mayflies (locally known as eelflies) during early summer is spectacular, invol-
ving countless numbers. It is not unusual to find nearby park buildings and private
cottages blanketed with mayflies. Being weak fliers, mayflies fall in great numbers
on the lake surface and with their exuviae wash ashore to accumulate in windrows.
Fetid odors also associated with these accumulations have a depressing effect on
beach use (53, 101). The midges are similar to mosquitoes in that they irritate
recreationists by piercing the skin and sucking blood (114). Midges and mayflies
do not preclude the recreational use of the beach; but, when present in large numbers
near water areas, they create a displeasing experience for swimmers.
Onondaga Lake. Onondaga Lake is the most grossly polluted lake in the entire
basin (186). Situated on the northwest side of Syracuse, Onondaga Lake receives
effluent from municipal treatment plants serving the metropolitan Syracuse area.
Significant amounts of sewage in overflows from combined sewers also reach the
lake via Onondaga Creek and Harbor Brook. On the west shore a major chemical
industry discharges vast quantities of inorganic solids to the lake (186). These
sources of pollution are primarily responsible for the absence of swimming facilities
on this 2,560-acre lake.
Even though Onondaga Lake Park contains 430 acres which stretch for six miles
along the northern and eastern shore of the lake, swimming or wading in the lake
waters is not sanctioned or supervised by the Onondaga County Division of Parks
and Conservation (100). The demand for swimming is present, but pollution of the
lake has caused county officials to refrain from developing swimming facilities.
A century ago, the major uses of the lake included swimming and other recreation
activities. As early as the turn of the century, additive elements from municipal
sewage and chemical residues were causing the lake to age rapidly thereby seriously
degrading the bathing experience (101). Even today ". . . it is a common sight to
see children swimming in the outlet waters on summer afternoons," reports the
Onondaga Lake Scientific Council in a recent publication (102). Since its formation
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in 1965, the Council has spearheaded a campaign to clean up the lake. The degree
of cooperation by governmental agencies, industries, academic institutions, news
media, and the public on this project will prognosticate to the large extent the
final results of making Onondaga again a healthly, vibrant, recreational lake.
WATER QUALITY INFLUENCES ON BOATING
AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES
The principal criteria for water used for boating is that the water be free of ob-
jectionable color, odors, and floating or submerged solids and that the water not
cause damage to the craft (109). The technical committee of the Great Lakes-
niinois River Basins Project also suggests that the coliform content of water used
for boating should not exceed 5,000 per 100 ml (185).
As a recreational activity, boating may be divided into several categories which
involve other water-dependent activities. Such a division includes: water-skiing,
scuba diving, canoeing, sailing, fishing, hunting from a boat, and cruising for
pleasure. Since water-skiing and scuba diving involve body contact, water quality
requirements should be the same as those for bathing, Unlike swimming, water
skiing can be carried out at some distance from shore. This enables the skier
to escape the heaviest concentrations of pollution-associated material which is
usually located closer to shore. The growth of algae and other aquatic plants in
the lakes of the basin poses a particular hazard to water-skiers. la the fall of
1965 the aquatic weed situation became so intolerable for water-skiers and recre-
ationists on Seneca Lake that a select committee on weed control of the Seneca
Lake Waterways Association suggested that a weed harvester be used as an immed-
iate solution to the problem (50).
Boating is significantly affected by low quality water in the lower Niagara River.
According to Mr. Arthur B. Williams, General Manager of the Niagara-Frontier
State Park Commission, the lower Niagara River is ". . . very heavily polluted
by the City of Niagara Falls, New York, and by residents along the river who dis-
charge raw sewage directly into the river. The Niagara River below the power
plants has some of the best boating and water-skiing areas in the region if the
pollution were not so severe. This is also a factor that affects the propagation
of wildlife and fish in the river. "
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Pollution from the use of toilets on pleasure craft is negligible when compared to
industrial wastes and municipal sewage discharges. Yet, in areas of extreme
congestion such as marinas, ports, and harbors, unregulated disposal of wastes
from boats is a significant problem. Section 13 of the River and Harbor Act of
March 3, 1899, (33 USC 407) provides that it is unlawful to discharge refuse from
watercraft; however, liquid waste discharges are apparently acceptable. One of
the provisions of the Clean Water Restoration Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-753) authorizes
a watercraft pollution study. This study will investigate the extent of pollution of
all navigable waters in the United States caused by litter and sewage discharged,
dumped, or deposited from watercraft. By July 1, 1967, the Secretary of the
Interior is to report the findings and present recommendations for necessary
legislation.
A recent New York State Law states: "It is unlawful to place, throw, deposit or
discharge, or cause to be placed, thrown, deposited or discharged into waters of
the state from any watercraft, marina, or mooring any untreated sewage or litter"
(105). This law also provides that by June 1, 1968, no toilets on watercraft may
be used unless equipped with pollution control devices to prevent the discharge of
untreated human wastes into the water. Chlorinators, holding tanks, incinerators,
or other devices will satisfy this requirement, provided the device conforms with
applicable public health standards of the New York State Health Department.
A recent questionnaire survey made by the pollution committee of the National
Association of State Boating Law Administrators (63) concluded that the litter*
problem was of greater concern than the problem of sewage disposal.
The report stated:
American ingenuity being what it is, it appears that food and beverage con-
tainers are becoming more and more indestructible. Milk cartons, bever-
age cans and bottles, and other food containers are not only extremely re-
sistant to deterioration through exposure to the elements, but most of them
float, resulting in their accumulation on the beaches adjacent to heavily
used waterways. Even when the items washed up on the beach are not nec-
essarily dangerous to humans, they offend the senses because they are so
foreign to the area. Since they do not appear to naturally waste away and
since they are not capable of being eaten by fish, fowl, or wildlife, the
only way they can be removed is through human action and such is difficult,
if not impossible, when the cost of patrolling the thousands of miles of
shoreline of this nation is considered.
*Litter here implies trash, cans, garbage, wood, and other floating debris.
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To combat the litter problem on Seneca Lake, the Seneca Lake Waterways Associa-
tion distributed 24,000 litter bags last summer to boat users through marinas
serving the lake (38).
WATER QUALITY INFLUENCES ON FISHING
The influence of water quality on fishing can be seen in three general areas: (a) the
change in species composition, (b) the alteration of fisheries habitat, and (c) the
esthetic quality of the fishing experience. The more desired game fish such as
pike, trout, and muskellunge are being substantially replaced in the sportsman's
creel by lesser desired species of yellow perch, channel catfish, arid carp. The
influence of esthetics on fishing is more subtle and hard to define. Odors, littering
of the basin's shorelines, and the general knowledge that pollution is present certainly
has an effect on the quality of the fishing experience.
The insidious degradation of Onondaga Lake and its depressing influences on swim-
ming have been most evident; however, sport and commercial fishing have also been
affected significantly. In 1872 Onondaga Lake was stocked with a mixture of 11,000
salmon, trout, and bass. By 1893 increasing quantities of chemical wastes and
residues discharged directly into the lake virtually eliminated these species. In the
first annual report (1895) of the Commissioners of Fisheries, Game, and Forests of
the State of New York, it is shown that commercial fishing in Onondaga Lake had
dropped from approximately 20,000 pounds in 1884 to only 1,000 pounds in 1885
(102). An article appearing in the Syracuse Herald of January 6, 1901, described
the Onondaga Lake whitefish as ". . .one most delicious of dishes - it is now out
of existence" (101).
WATER QUALITY INFLUENCES ON WATER-ENHANCED ACTIVITIES
McKee and Wolf (52) have delineated the water quality requirements necessary for
esthetic enjoyment of water-enhanced activities. Water quality conditions that
adversely affect water-enhanced activities are visible floating, suspended, or
settled solids arising from the disposal of sewage or garbage; sludge banks; slime
infestation; heavy growths of attached plants or animals; blooms or high concentra-
tions of plankton; discoloration or excessive turbidity from sewage, industrial
wastes, or even natural sources; the evolution of dissolved gases, especially
hydrogen sulfide; visible oil or grease, including emulsions; excessive acidity or
alkalinity that leads to corrosion or delignification of boats and docks; surfactants
that foam when the water is agitated or aerated; and excessive water temperatures
6-16
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that cause high rates of evaporation and cloudiness over the water (52). Plate No.
6-9 shows the wanton blemishing of the recreation resource landscape. Acts of
this nature directly affect the esthetic enjoyment of water-enhanced activities in
the basin.
Plate No. 6-9
"The Great American calling card lines the bottom
of Big Stream Creek at a once popular swimming spot
near Glenora. The beer cans are an outward sign of
man's carelessness toward water—his most valuable
(Quote and photo courtesy Geneva Times)
resource.
ESTHETIC DEPRAVATION-LANDSCAPE DEGRADATION - PROPERTY DEVALUATION
6-17
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The lower Genesee River has deteriorated esthetically in the past decade, posses-
sing many of the symptoms mentioned in the preceding paragraph. However, reme-
dial action was initiated last summer when the city of Rochester set in motion their
community beautification plan, a major thrust of which is to improve the Genesee
River corridor. The Rochester Gas and Electric Company, who has a Federal
Power Commission application pending for installation of power and generation
facilities on the Genesee within the city, proposes to improve the existing water-
front conditions by creating two reflecting pools and by developing other scenic
features.
OTHER ADVERSE EFFECTS OF POOR WATER QUALITY
Hasler (36) has defined eutrophication as the intentional or unintentional enrichment
of water. Other sources (172, 173, 189) indicate that eutrophication is simply a
biological lake-aging process. Eutrophication becomes evident as the concentration
of nutrients increase, thereby stimulating the growth of planktonic algae. An over-
abundance of this algae results in a green murky water surface often producing un-
pleasant odors and unsightly scums. During the 1964 summer this condition pre-
vailed eleven days at Verona Beach State Park on Oneida Lake.
From a survey made by FWPCA in the summer of 1965, approximately 20 square
miles or one-fourth of the Oneida Lake surface was covered by some type of plant
growth. Records show that nuisance algae conditions have always been a problem
on the lake but not to the extent experienced in recent years. A comparison of
recent data with that of a study made in 1918 indicates that the suspended organic
matter has increased more than fivefold, and that the types of algae have changed
from the relatively harmless free diatoms to undesirable blue-greens. In the sum-
mer of 1965 nitrate concentrations ranged from 0.15 to 0.30 milligrams per liter
(mg/1) and phosphates from 0.2 to greater than 1.0 mg/1 (186).
A lake undergoes natural eutrophication as nutrients that support algal growth enter
the lake from the watershed. As the concentration of nutrients becomes greater,
the density of algal growth increases proportionally. Of the nutritive elements and
dissolved substances known to be used by algae, phosphorus and nitrogen are most
often critical (122). When these nutrients are present in unusually large quantities,
6-18
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a lake will support large populations of annually recurring algae. In a series of
studies made by C. N. Sawyer in southern Wisconsin, phosphorus was found to
be a key element in the fertilization of natural bodies of water (125, 126, 127).
In terms of their nutrient content, all of the Finger Lakes exhibit signs of eu-
trophication (158). Table No. 6-2 summarizes the average nitrogen and phosphorus
concentrations based on samples collected by the FWPCA in the summer and fall
of 1965. Nitrogen and phosphate concentrations are well above the critical require-
ments for abundant algal growths (186)*.
Table No. 6-2
AVERAGE NITBOGEN, PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATIONS
IN THE FINGER LAKES, 1965
(milligrams per liter)
T • Phosphate as PO,
Inorganic ——c 4
Lake Nitrogen Total Soluble
Otisco 0.50 0.06 0.02
Skaneateles O-?5 0-02 0.01
Owasco 0,76 0.03 0.02
Cayuga 1.04 0.04 0,02
Seneca 0.63
Keuka 0.36 0.04 0.01
Canandaigua 0.50 0,03 0.02
Scarce; 186
Municipal sewage is the principal source of the nutrient problem in the basin (186).
Since detergents are composed of 70 percent phosphorus, municipal sewage laden
with this chemical element promotes algal growth. Millions of pounds of waste
detergent pour into Lake Ontario every year (40). With each pound of soluble
phosphate (PO ) capable of growing 100,000 pounds of algae under favorable condi-
tions, the demand placed on available oxygen by algae increases tremendously (175).
Not only does this aquatic growth reproduce at an explosive rate, but it also kills
desirable water-cleansing bacteria. When algae dies, it sinks to the bottom and
releases its phosphate to grow another crop of algae (40). Past waste treatment
methods have failed to extract a large amount of the phosphates economically.
*Sawyer (126) in studies of Wisconsin lakes concluded that concentrations in excess of
0.01 mg/1 of phosphorus (0.03 ing/las total phosphate) and 0.30 mg/1 of inorganic nitro-
gen in ponds and lakes at the time of spring overturn would probably foster the production
of nuisance blooms.
6-19
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However, a breakthrough may be near as FWPCA officials are experimenting with
operational procedures at several waste treatment plants around the country pat-
terned after the results of a serendipitous discovery at a secondary sewage treat-
ment plant in San Antonio, Texas (51).
Other significant sources of the phosphorus nutrient problem in the Lake Ontario
Basin are industrial wastes, overflows from combined sewer systems, runoff from
urban and rural areas, unsewered cottages, and wastes from commercial and
private vessles (186). While owners of cottages along the shores of the basin have
in many areas been adversely affected by pollution, they have also been partially
responsible for it. Many lakeshore communities do not have collection systems
or waste treatment plants but rely upon individual septic tanks for waste disposal.
Poorly designed and overburdened systems in such areas often leak effluent into
adjacent lake water. A result of this situation can be seen on Plate No. 6-10.
Plate No. 6-10
Algal bloom t aaueed by over fertilisation, on
Orchard Creek at Point Breeze. (Photo courtesy
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration)
6-20
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Of particular note in coping with water pollution and the ensuing nutrient problem
in the Oswego Subbasin is the action taken by the communities bordering Keuka
Lake. In order to maintain excellent quality water*, the two villages and six
townships adjacent to Keuka Lake adopted in 1964 uniform watershed regulations
sponsored by the Keuka Lake Shore Property Owners, Inc. (37). This nonprofit
corporation, with over 900 members, represents approximately 36 percent of
Keuka Lake homeowners. The corporation hires a watershed inspector to enforce
lake contamination ordinances.
The results of their efforts in this pollution control program are now becoming
evident. In relation to the other lakes of the Finger Lakes group, Keuka Lake has
the lowest inorganic nitrogen concentration and ranks lowest along with Skaneateles
Lake in soluble phosphates. See Table No. 6-2. The aggressive action of the Keuka
Lake Shore Property Owners, Inc. , is playing a vital role in limiting the nutrient
problem which plagues not only the Finger Lakes but many other basin inland lakes
as well.
An interesting feature in the production of nitrogen and phosphorus is the correlation
between the presence of insects such as midges which inhabit a lake bottom as
larvae and the nutrient content of the lake. Two professional journal articles (123,
199) substantiate the belief that the heaviest midge producing lakes are those likely
to receive the most inorganic nutrients. In eutrophic bodies of water, such as
Oneida Lake, a close association can be drawn between the presence of midges and
the superabundance of algae and aquatic plant growth. The essence of this type
of nutrient problem appears to be a self-generating cycle in which midges serve as
catalysts.
WATER QUALITY IMPAIRMENT
In chapter 1 water pollution was defined as the addition of any material or any change
in quality or character of a body of water which interferes with, lessens, or destroys
a desired use. This implies that if there is no impairment of use, there is no pollu-
tion. Last summer at public hearings in Rochester and Syracuse, the FWPCA in
their report, "Statement on Water Pollution in the Lake Ontario Basin," produced
*The New York State Water Pollution Control Board has assigned Keuka Lake the "AA"
classification which requires only chlorination to make tne water satisfactory for drinking
purposes. The villages of Hammondsport and Penn Yan chlorinate the water taken from
Keuka Lake prior to human consumption; no filtration process is necessary. Many home
owners use untreated water directly from the lake.
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documentary evidence that a variety of sources have contaminated the waters of the
basin. Many of these sources have actually impaired the basin's waters for recre-
ational purposes. Plate No. 6-11 shows present degrees of impairment. These de-
grees have been divided into three categories; light, moderate, and gross. Defini-
tions of these follow:
WATERS LIGHTLY IMPAIRED are those which can support recreational activities
involving whole body contact. In some instances these waters may not be esttiet-
ically pleasing during part of the recreational season because of certain activ-
ities such as: mining, gravel washing, canning, sewage treatment, or similar
activities.
WATER MODERATELY IMPAIRED are those where recreational activities
involving whole body contact with water are prohibited. Some persons might
engage in water activities involving partial body contact, but most people
would shy away from such activity.
WATERS GROSSLY IMPAIRED are those which most people involved in water
recreational activities would shun. Such waters would be esthetically dis-
pleasing because of algae growth, dead fish, oil slicks, floating; debris, raw
sewage, or other similar conditions.
By utilizing these definitions and by assigning the impaired recreation waters of
the basin into one of three categories, the following estimates represent the number
of miles of shoreline adversely affected by low quality waters.
Lightly Impaired 914 miles
Moderately Impaired 615 miles
Grossly Impaired 116 miles
Total Impairment 1,645 miles
TANGIBLE LOSSES TO RECREATION
Swimming. Previously this chapter discussed the influence of poor water quality
on Onondaga Lake. To assess the significance of tangible losses to swimming
because of this condition, it is necessary to make three assumptions: (a) Onondaga
6-22
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Plate No. 6-11
LEGEND
^H GROSSLY IMPAIRED
| ;, ] MODERATELY IMPAIRED
| ) LIGHTLY IMPAIRED
' «i -\ N '
r- -?A-£r X '--
\ n\< <
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
LOCATION OF RECREATIONAL WATERS
IMPAIRED BY LOW QUALITY
Source : FWPCA, LOPO
Lake would be suitable for water contact activities; (b) beach facilities would be
provided for public use at the lakeside park; and (c) the 1965 attendance at Onondaga
Lake Park would have increased by 150 percent if beach facilities had been provided
for swimming and sun-bathing*.
* This estimate is based on findings from the Lake Erie Basin Report (203) and unpublished
data received from the Central State Park Commission, Genesee State Park Commission, and
Thousand Islands State Park Commission (80, 81, 83).
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Table No. 6-3
PROJECTED ATTENDANCE AT ONONDAGA LAKE PARK
FOR SWIMMING AND SUN-BATHING PROVIDED THAT
IMPROVED WATER QUALITY CONDITIONS EXISTED
(Recreation Days)
Year Beach Attendance with Improved Water Quality
1965 1,050,000
1970 1,500,000
1975 1,950,000
1980 2,400,000
1985 2,850,000
1990 3,300,000
1995 3,750,000
2000 4,200,000
Total (including intervening years) 94,250,000
Table No. 6-3 lists projected attendance at Onondaga Lake Park should an effec-
tive water pollution control and abatement program be instituted. Improved
facilities, necessary to meet future demands, were also taken into consideration
in establishing these projections. As illustrated, the total accumulative attendance
in recreation days over the 35-year period, 1965-2000, could approach 95,000,000.
Not until Lake Onondaga is safe for water-dependent activities can this potential
be realized. Hence, the projected visitation figures are actually annual loss
figures.
The Onondaga Lake Scientific Council recently estimated that 26 million dollars
would be required to reclaim the once beautiful, pristine lake (102). If a value
of one dollar* per recreation day is assigned to the projected beach attendance
shown in Table No. 6-3, by the year 1988, the gross return for swimming alone
would amortize the $26 million clean up investment, including five percent inter-
est compounded annually. Obviously, other water-dependent activities, such as
fishing and boating, because of improved water quality would reap supplemental
benefits. In addition, it would be worth thousands of dollars each year for in-
dustries to draw upon the waters of the lake. For example, Allied Chemical
Corporation spends $500,000 to condition Onondaga Lake's polluted waters each
year (102, 159).
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Based on the specific examples cited earlier in this chapter, the immediate bene-
fits of improved water quality to swimming in the basin can be estimated. The
data presented in Table No. 6-4 are based on 1965 attendance, facilities, and
conditions. This analysis reveals three cogent findings: (a) basin attendance
reached 1.2 million at public beaches where poor water quality commonly exists
(Plate No. 6-2); (b) approximately 2.3 million recreation visits to the basin's
public beaches could have been gained under improved water quality conditions;
(c) visitation to the basin's public beaches would have increased 62 percent over
the present use with improved water conditions.
Another factor for consideration is the monetary benefits recreation accrues
where there is good quality water as opposed to the losses it incurs with poor
quality water. This type of evaluation is difficult since judgments are personal
and the recreational value of water is determined by people's decisions whether
to use it or not. An arbitrary assessment of $1.00 per recreation day of swim-
ming in good quality water or of $0.50 per recreation day of swimming in poor
quality water is at best a subtle approach. However, there are significant indi-
cations that people do place a higher value on good quality water than on poor quality
Table No. 6-4
INFLUENCE OF WATER QUALITY ON SWIMMING
AT PUBLIC BEACHES IN THE LAKE ONTARIO BASIN, 1965*
(Estimated activity occasions)
1, Attendance at public beaches exhibiting poor water quality 1,160,000
2. Attendance at public beaches not exhibiting poor water quality 2,519,000
3, Total estimated visitation at the basin's public beaches 3,679?OOP
4. Increase in attendance with improved water quality 2,261,000
a. reopening of closed beaches 33,000
b. increased participation by present patrons 589,000
c. increased attendance of present nonpatrons 1,639,000
5. Annual loss without improved water quality conditions and with
enforcement** 3,421,000
6. Estimated total swimming visitation with improved water
quality*** 5,940,000
* Data were obtained from the following sources: 44, 60, 80, 81, 83, 102, 181, 184.
** Total of 1 and 4
***Total of 2 and 5
* Supplement No, 1 (169) to Senate Document No. 97 (168) of the 87th Congress provides a
range ot values ($0.50-$1.50) for general recreation activities to be used in evaluating out
door recreation benefits.
6-25
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water. But the probability of translating subjective judgments into monetary
terms is, nonetheless, remote. Conclusions that people prefer good quality water
for swimming and that economic gains accrue from the recreational use of good
quality water are supported by the following three points:
1. For the past five years the average number of swimming lessons taught at the
Monroe County public beaches, which frequently exhibit poor water quality, dropped
62 percent below the previous five-year period, 1957-61 (60).
2. In the summer of 1966 pollution at Rochester area beaches resulted in a 30 0
percent increase in swimming pool sales over the previous year's business while
the demand to join private swim clubs far exceeded capacity (119). Private pools
range in cost from $40 for a portable above-ground pool to over $10,000 for an
excavated pool. In Irondequoit, a middle-income suburb of 55,000 east of Rochester,
117 new pools were installed on private property in 1966, bringing the total to
about 1,100 pools (119) or approximately one private pool for every 50 residents..
3. Poor quality water has caused a loss in sales to businesses established in the
vicinity of recreation areas where pollution is a recognized fact. Many concession-
aires suffered financial losses when visitation to Ontario Beach (Monroe County)
dropped more than 57 percent during a period extending from the last week in
June 1966 to the first week in July. Full time employees were placed on part time
and/or part time help was layed off. Because volume of sales declined as much
as 60 percent, many establishments were forced to close one to two hours earlier (8).
Boating . Transported, eroded materials deposited a? sediment create downstream
damages to waterways and recreation facilities. Each year this deposition in
channels and in harbors represents significant social (monetary) losses in the
basin. In a few instances, sedimentation has precluded the use of water-dependent
recreational facilities. Admittedly, recreation is but one sector of the basin's
economy that suffers from sedimentation; nevertheless, financial Losses accrue
to the owner of the recreational facilities as well as the recreationist. Plate No.
6-12 shows an aerial view of a private marina in Irondequoit Bay. The facility
is no longer usable because of siltation, and would cost the marina operator approx-
imately $25,000 to dredge. Consequently, the individual boat owner (a) is denied
the use of the facility until it is dredged and (b) spends more time in travel if he
cannot locate a mooring facility closer to his residence or (c) might have to pay a
higher rental rate to the marina operator to offset the expenses from dredging.
6-26
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Plate No. 6-12
6-27
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Chapter 7
Outdoor Recreation Plan
APPRAISAL OF RECREATION POTENTIALS
From the foregoing chapters dealing with physical and socio-economic factors,
it is apparent that outdoor recreation is playing and will continue to play a leading
role in the natural resource development of the Lake Ontario Basin. The demand
for water-oriented outdoor recreation in each of the basin's five zones exceeds
the existing supply of outdoor recreation facilities.
Positive action programs have been skillfully proffered and enthusiastically im-
plemented by the state in an effort to meet the recreation needs of the basin's
residents as well as those of the remainder of its citizens. To supplement these,
a New York State coordinated program for the use of water resources was pre-
pared in June 1966. Laws, policies, and current studies relating to the state's
intra- and interstate waters were considered in formulating this program. Of
particular significance is the Pure Waters Bond Act of 1965 which initiated a 6-
year comprehensive program for the elimination of water pollution in lakes,
streams, and rivers.
In light of a current deficiency in recreational acreage requirements and consid-
ering the capacity of the basin's resource base, Table No. 7-1 presents an eval-
uation of the basin's ability to meet future needs. This assessment considers
total existing land and water resources for all levels of government; it appraises
the availability of potential areas to cope with the basin's surging unsatisfied de-
mand. Since complete information and data were unavailable, the private recre-
ation sector in toto received only superficial consideration.
Although the technique employed in this appraisal is subjective, the value judg-
ments made with respect to the demand for the various recreational activities of
each zone were considered in relation to the resource base. This provides a
measure of potential attainment without regard to political decisions from various
governmental levels. This superficial review indicates that the long range capac-
ities of Zones 1,3, and 4 can conceivably satisfy future resource requirements.
7-1
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Zone 5 is now experiencing acquisition problems and by 1976 will encounter greater
obstacles. The greatest potential of this zone lies along the Lake Ontario shoreline
which even now is dominated by private development. Of approximately 315 miles
of shoreline, about 10 percent has been or will be acquired by 1976 for public recre-
ation areas. This is still short of the recommended 15 percent which the National
Park Service, in their 1958 report (194), considered optimum to satisfy public
recreation needs.
From a recreational standpoint the Cswego Subbasin (Zone 2) has a varied and
abundant resource base; however, the historical development of the private sector,
especially in the Finger Lakes region, has somewhat limited the initiative of public
agencies in establishing recreation areas. To what degree this may be altered in
the future will depend largely upon political decisions and financial outlays. Without
a concerted and coordinated effort it appears that the task of meeting the recreation
resource requirements in Zone 2 will be the most difficult.
Table No. 7-1
PROBABILITY OF ATTAINMENT OF FUTURE
REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPED RECREATIONAL ACREAGE
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN*
(in degrees of probability)
Zone 1976 2000
1 Excellent Good
2 Fair Fair
3 Excellent Excellent
4 Excellent Excellent
5 Good Fair
*"With opportunity" factor (as defined in ORRRC Report No. 26) assumes an
improvement from 1960 quality and quantity of facilities on a per capita basis,
ESTABLISHMENT OF OBJECTIVES
To facilitate a plan of action, it is essential that objectives be established. Normally,
priorities are set forth in the procedural approach to attain these objectives. By so
doing, attention can be focused upon specific recreation resource problems which
require efficient and effective action. To enhance the basin's recreation resources,
three major problem areas require immediate attention. These areas and the
strategies for improving their existing conditions are listed in the following outline:
7-2
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1. Day-use Facilities.
a. Water pollution abatement at Rochester area beaches on Lake Ontario for
whole body contact sports*.
b. Water pollution abatement to upgrade Onondaga Lake for whole body
contact sports*.
c. Water pollution abatement at Geneva City Beach on Seneca Lake and at
Ithaca's Stewart Park on Cayuga Lake for whole body contact sports*.
d. Water pollution abatement to upgrade the lower Niagara River for partial
body contact sports*.
e. Acquisition and development of additional recreation areas (particularly
for swimming, picnicking, and boating access) to meet future needs, especially
near SMSA's and other urban areas in the basin.
2. Overnight or Weekend Facilities.
a. Water pollution abatement at Verona Beach State Park and at other state
parks where large masses of algae, mass die-off of fish, water turbidity problems,
etc., create frequent nuisance situations at beaches.
b. Acquisition and development of additional state and water-oriented recrea-
tion areas (particularly swimming, camping, boating access, and fishing) to meet
future needs.
c. Develop additional harbors of refuge along the Lake Ontario shoreline.
3. Natural Beauty Features.
a. Upgrade current segments or stretches of rivers now considered "grossly
impaired" recreationally. (See Plate No. 6-11.)
b. Implement waterfront recreation renewal programs along the lower Niagara
River, the lower Black River, and Onondaga Lake and Creek, similar to the action
initiated by the City of Rochester along the lower Genesee River.
c. Establish a State "natural or wild rivers" program to preserve the basin's
few remaining scenic, free-flowing rivers, e.g., the Black, Moose, and Oswegat-
chie Rivers.
d. Develop a system of trails along the Barge Canal towpath.
e. Develop additional roadside rest areas and scenic overlooks to accommo-
date the touring vacationist as well as the resident driving for pleasure on a Sunday
afternoon.
*These pollution abatement measures are among specific recommendations in the comprehen
sive pollution control program under development by the Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration.
7-3
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SUPPLEMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Location of Recreation Facilities. Location is an important factor in considering
the merits of a recreation area. People tend to seek the nearest area that offers
the desired facilities. This pattern may be altered if an area farther away is more
easily reached or offers some outstanding feature. An ORRRC study (111) showed
that "time" was the factor most often limiting participation in the majority of recre-
ation activities. In the same survey, 14 percent of the people interviewed said that
inadequacy of facilities was the restricting factor, with three-fourths of the com-
plaints related to distance. This indicates that if facilities could be quickly and
easily reached, there would be an increase in demand satisfaction.
Recreation resource agencies should make every attempt to locate facilities adja-
cent to desirable water resources. Activities requiring a water surface are among
the most popular in demand and are also among those experiencing the fastest
growth. Swimming is a popular activity which should be provided at every oppor-
tunity. The ORRRC study shows that swimming is significantly associated with all
other outdoor activities; this suggests that swimming facilities would enhance any
recreational area. The average attendance at the state parks in the basin which
provide swimming is over six times that of those without swimming. In the ORRRC
survey (111) a sampling of park visitors were questioned about the satisfactoriness
of their recreational experience. Though the majority expressed satisfaction, one-
fifth did express some disappointment with their visit. Their complaints centered
around the unavailability of water sport facilities.
Resource Management Decisions. Management practices need careful scrutiny.
Management greatly influences future demand satisfaction and the popularity of an
area. This factor can largely determine the future importance of the private sector.
Successful recreation area administration and management depend on skill and
training. In management, as well as in planning, more intelligent decisions can
be made if surveys are undertaken to determine the preferences of the effective
population. Such a survey was conducted by the Thousand Islands State Park Com-
mission regarding camping facilities at parks under their jurisdiction during the
1965 summer season. However, home surveys should supplement on-site surveys
to obtain less biased results regarding certain questions such as area design and
activity preferences.
7-4
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Every effort should be made to set aside unique areas for recreational use.
Whenever possible, development should include facilities for those activities
that are compatible with the primary purpose of the area. Numerous game man-
agement areas, multiple-use areas, and state reforestation areas in the basin
have very little development at present. Present development does provide an
opportunity for such compatible pursuits as fishing and wildlife observation.
Additional opportunity could be provided for activities of a passive nature such
as picnicking and still be consistent with agency objectives.
To optimize use, changes in tastes, interests, and social institutions must be
anticipated and considered as much as possible in planning programs. Future
programs must remain flexible to allow for necessary adjustments.
Social Controls. The basin's rapidly expanding development requires that lands
and waters presently available for recreation or those under consideration be
adequately protected for future recreational use. Protection is necessary not
only from competing land uses but also from incompatible uses which could di-
minish the satisfactions gained from recreational experiences. Proper employ-
ment of social controls could preserve recreational qualities and enhance scenic
values. Social controls include such land use techniques as (a) eminent domain,
(b) easements, (c) zoning, and (d) assessment policies.
In many cases, outright acquisition may be the only effective means of acquiring
essential areas and key tracts, possibly requiring the injunctive power of eminent
domain. The mere existence of the power of eminent domain, even without its
actual use, frequently facilitates negotiated purchase (107).
The easement represents acquisition of rights less than full ownership, and, as
such, it allows the resource landscape to remain in its present state of develop-
ment yet be open to the public for various uses. Easements can be used to provide
open space and buffer areas for recreation lands. Scenic easements along certain
portions of the New York Thruway have been effective in preserving the natural
beauty of the countryside. A 1965 Maryland State Law permits landowners in five
southern counties to grant scenic easements on open space in perpetuity for certain
tax credits. This type of easement arrangement would be particularly effective
along the Lake Ontario shoreline and the shores of the Finger Lakes.
7-5
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If properly administered and used in conjunction with related controls, zoning pre-
sents an effective means of controlling land use. Zoning is an important tool which
can be used to preserve areas for recreation use and at the same time permit other
compatible land use practices. The present lineal development of private homes
and cottages along the Lake Ontario shore as well as along the shores of the Finger
Lakes has prohibited public access in many areas. In the future, cluster develop-
ment should be encouraged wherever feasible along water frontage. In planning
future water impoundments, cluster developments should be considered along with
zoning and deed restrictions to ensure maximum use and benefit from lands adjacent
to water areas.
Closely related to zoning are assessment policies or taxation devices. By assessing
open land such as farmland at the value of its current use rather tha.n at its sub-
division value, this policy seeks to stem the spiral by which rising land assessment
stimulates owners to sell to subdividers, thus further raising the assessment on
the remaining open land (107).
Limitation of International Boundary. Since this report considers only the United
States portion of the Lake Ontario Basin, the relationship to the Canadian portion
of the basin was not explored. A substantial number of Canadian residents use
United States recreation facilities and vice versa. In August 1966, New York State
and the Province of Ontario adopted regulations to control the discharge of waste
by watercraft into Lake Ontario. These points indicate that the International Bound-
ary is not a physical limitation in utilizing natural resources common to the two
countries. The existence of the political boundary, however, tends to handicap
natural resource planning efforts. A similar study for the Canadian portion of the
basin would give a complete overview of water-oriented outdoor recreation in the
Lake Ontario Basin.
ACTION PROGRAMS
The range of programs available to accomplish the desired objectives set forth
earlier in this chapter for the Lake Ontario Basin is noteworthy. The availability
and subsequent use of these requisite tools for and by all levels of government will
embrace a greater concerted effort in achieving this study's primary goal—a better
quality recreation experience for all.
7-6
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Federal.
Outdoor Recreation Programs. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of
1965 authorizes 50 percent matching grants to states and their political subdivi-
sions for planning, acquisition, and development of outdoor recreation resources.
Acquisition and development assistance is available for state and local projects
which are in accord with a state's comprehensive outdoor recreation plan. This
program is administered by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation.
Anti-Pollution Programs. The Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
has the authority to provide financial assistance to states and municipalities for
the prevention, control, and abatement of water pollution through (1) grants for
sewage treatment plant construction to 30 percent of eligible project costs (if
states provide matching funds and certain other conditions are met, the Federal
share may be as much as 55 percent), and (2) grants up to 75 percent of the total
cost of facilities that will demonstrate new or improved methods for controlling
discharge of waste from storm sewers or combined storm and sanitary sewers.
To qualify, such projects must be approved by the appropriate state water pollu-
tion control agency (177).
On November 3, 1966, the Clean Waters Restoration Act was enacted. This act
provides grants to states for developing a comprehensive pollution control and
abatement plan for a basin. Also, certain portions of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act of 1965 were amended which pertained to construction grants to mu-
nicipalities for sewage treatment plants. Two studies will be made under the
provisions of this act: (I) a watercraft pollution study and (2) a study of incentive
assistance to industries (160).
Fish and Wildlife Programs. The Dingell-Johnson Program helps states to develop
facilities for sports fishing with funds derived from a 10 percent manufacturer's ex-
cise tax on fishing equipment. The Federal funds allocated from this program,
which are matched by 25 percent state funds, amounted to $184,000 for New York
State in Fiscal Year 1965 and $177,000 in Fiscal Year 1966.
Under the Pittman-Robertson Program, states receive grants for improving and
restoring wildlife habitat. The revenue for these grants is derived from the
proceeds of an 11 percent manufacturer's excise tax on sporting arms and ammu-
nition. These funds also are matched by 25 percent funds from the state. In Fiscal
7-7
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Year 1965, New York State was allocated $530,000 and in Fiscal Year 1966, $603,000.
These programs are administered by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of
Sport Fisheries and Wildlife (177).
Water Resource Development Programs. The Federal Water Projects Recreation
Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-72), establishes procedures whereby recreation can be
included as a purpose in Federal water development projects. Non-Federal public
bodies must share the cost of providing recreation lands and facilities and agree to
operate and maintain them. Examples of these projects are the potential Corps of
Engineers reservoirs in the Genesee River Basin. However, non-Federal cost
sharing and recreation administration of Federal reservoir projects are not re-
quired in all instances. The alternative is Federal administration, either as part
of a national program or with only minimum facilities for public health and safety.
Agricultural Programs. Under the provisions of Public Law 566, the Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention (Small Watershed) Act of 1954, as amended by
the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962, the Department of Agriculture may share
with state and local agencies up to half the cost of land, easements, and rights-of-
way for reservoirs and other areas to be managed by state and local sponsors for
public recreation. A small watershed must be less than 250,000 acres. Cost
sharing is also available for developing recreation facilities.
Under Section 101 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962, the Department of
Agriculture can enter into long-term agreements with farmers to convert land
regularly used for crop production into recreation projects. Title IV of the Agri-
cultural Act of 1962 permits the Farmers Home Administration to make loans to
individual farmers for development of income-producing outdoor recreation enter-
prises. The F.H.A. may also make loans to nonprofit associations up to $500,000
and insure loans up to $1 million by effecting changes Ln land use, including the
development of recreation facilities (177).
Under Title VI of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1965, the Department of Agriculture
can enter into long-term agreements with farmers to convert land regularly used
for crop production to practices or uses that will conserve soil, water, or forest
resources; to establish, protect, or conserve open spaces, natural beauty, wild-
life habitat, or recreational resources; or to prevent air or water pollution. The
Department of Agriculture is also authorized to make grants to all levels of
7-8
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government for the acquisition of cropland to preserve open spaces and natural
beauty, to develop wildlife habitats and recreational facilities, or to prevent air
or water pollution.
The Department of Agriculture cost shares with farmers to control sedimentation
of streams, lakes, and ponds, and to provide suitable habitat for wildlife.
Open Space Programs. Title VII of the Housing Act of 1961 as amended by
Title IX of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 authorizes grants up
to 50 percent of total costs to states and local public agencies for the acquisition
and development of open space lands for park, recreation, conservation, scenic,
or historic purposes in urban and suburban areas. Land to be acquired must be
undeveloped or predominantly undeveloped. Title IX of the same Act also authorizes
grants to states up to 50 percent of the cost for acquiring developed lands and
clearing them for open space purposes if available undeveloped lands are inade-
quate to meet the needs of built-up sections of cities (177).
Urban Beautification and Improvement Programs. Under Title IX of the Housing
and Urban Development Act of 1965, grants may be made to states and local public
bodies to assist in carrying out local programs of urban beautification and improve-
ment. Grants may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of activities in excess of the
normal expenditures for comparable activities. Also under Title IX, a maximum
of $50 million of the funds is authorized for grants covering up to 90 percent of
the costs of projects having special value in developing or in demonstrating new,
improved methods and materials for urban beautification and improvement.
State.
Bond Issue Programs. In 1960 New York State voters authorized a $75 million
bond issue for acquisition of park and recreation lands. Criteria for this acquisi-
tion include: lands for state or municipal parks shall consist predominantly of
open or natural lands ". . .on or near suburban areas, or suitable to serve the
needs of residents of such areas; lands for other than park use shall be suitable
for outdoor recreation, and wherever possible shall serve multiple purposes
involving the conservation and development of natural resources, including the
preservation of scenic areas, watershed protection, forestry, and reforestation."
(Laws of New York 1960, Chap. 523) (178).
7-9
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Two years later a supplemental $25 million outdoor recreation land acquisition
bond issue was ratified by New York State's voters. As a result of the $100 million
land acquisition bond program, the state has acquired more than 35,500 acres of
state park land, has assisted municipalities in acquiring 31,000 acres of land, and
secured 283,000 acres of multiple use and forest recreation areas (205).
Development of these lands was approved by the voters last November. This phase,
appropriately entitled "The Next Step," is a $400 million development program.
(Two hundred million dollars is earmarked from the bond issue program and $200
million is derived from matching Federal and municipal funds plus state appropria-
tions.) This new 10-year program emphasizes development of water-dependent
outdoor recreation facilities.
The Pure Waters Program. A 6-year comprehensive program for the reduction of
water pollution in the lakes, streams, and rivers of New York State was initiated in
1965. The objective of this $1. 7 billion pure waters program is to accelerate
water quality improvement (86). The Pure Waters Bond Act and four other acts con-
stitute the basis for an intensive program to realize the full value of the State's
water resources. Specifically, the acts:
1. authorize $1 billion in state debt for the nonlocal share of constructing public
sewage treatment facilities.
2. provide state aid of 30 percent and prefinancing of the full Federal share up to
an additional 30 percent of the cost of constructing these facilities.
3. allow under State income tax laws in the year of construction a deduction of the
total cost of waste treatment facilities constructed by private industry.
4. grant an exemption from local real property taxes for all such privately con-
structed facilities.
5. streamline and modernize the procedures for enforcing the state's anti-pollution
laws (178).
7-10
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Chapter 8
Conclusions
Considering all the essential elements affecting water-oriented outdoor recreation
in the Lake Ontario Basin, the following conclusions are offered:
1. The natural resource base provides an unexcelled variety of lands and waters
for recreational use and development.
2. The current annual recreation demand is an estimated 35 million recreation
days; by the year 2000 this amount will more than triple and by 2020 a fivefold
increase can be anticipated. Approximately one-third of the present demand can
be attributed to the vacation sector—an estimated 2 1/4 million people who spend
all or a portion of their vacation in the basin.
3. There are more than 365,000 acres of land and water available to the general
public for outdoor recreation at 358 areas in the basin. Seventy-nine percent of
these areas provide water-dependent facilities.
4. The need for publicly developed recreational acreages is particularly acute
in the Oswego Subbasin. Sizeable acreage requirements occur in the Genesee
Subbasin and in the Small Streams Tributary Subbasin. A critical shortage of
developed facilities exists for swimming, picnicking, and other day-use activities
in and near the SMSA's. Also, public campsites, marinas, and attendant harbor
facilities are especially needed along the Lake Ontario shoreline, the St. Lawrence
River, and in the Finger Lakes area.
5. New York State's $100 million land acquisition bond program and the new $400
million recreation development bond program will alleviate immeasurably the
present and future need for more recreation facilities.
6. Effluents from municipal sewage systems and industrial plants have contami-
nated portions of Lake Ontario and several inland lakes and rivers in the basin to
8-1
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the extent that some public beaches have been closed to swimming, and the poten-
tial development of other recreation areas has been reduced considerably. An
estimated 2.3 million activity occasions of swimming are lost annually because
of the presence of low quality water at public beaches in the basin. Approximately
1,600 miles of shoreline along Lake Ontario, the Barge Canal, and inland lakes
and rivers of the basin are impaired to varying degrees by low quality waters.
7. Inadequate sanitation facilities of private homes and cottages are rapidly con-
tributing to the eutrophication of the inland lakes and the overfertilization of rivers
and streams. However, the formation of a private shore property home owners
association at Keuka Lake is serving as a catalyst in combating this growing prob-
lem at that particular lake.
8. Although water quality classification and criteria for water-dependent recreation
activities have been established, regulatory agencies--particularly at the local level -
are reluctant to apply them effectively and efficiently.
9. The Pure Waters Program of New York State, enacted in 1965, provides the
foundation for renovating polluted recreation waters. The benefits of this program
could mean improved water quality for recreational uses near metropolitan areas
where the need is the greatest.
8-2
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Chapter 9
Recommendations
In considering the basin's needs for outdoor recreation opportunities and the
extent to which these needs may be met, it is recommended that:
1. Emphasis be given to (a) the acquisition of lands adjacent to the Finger Lakes
and along the Lake Ontario shoreline and the St. Lawrence River; (b) the develop-
ment of water-dependent recreation facilities in and near the SMSA's of the basin.
2. Through the leadership of the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration,
all Federal agencies which administer recreational lands and waters assess their
individual situations and adopt strong programs of pollution prevention and abate-
ment. Further, state and local governmental agencies, industry, and private
organizations utilizing recreational water resources be encouraged to develop
and to implement pollution prevention and abatement programs.
3. Direct measures to prevent and to abate pollution at its source rather than
dilution methods be stressed since they are more effective in improving the
quality of water for recreational use.
4. Existing pollution control and abatement programs be accelerated to reduce
the eutrophication of inland lakes and to alleviate the overfertilization of streams,
thereby improving the esthetic quality values of recreation.
5. Methods of preventing pollution from siltation by agricultural operations and
highway construction be thoroughly investigated. Watershed management and
soil conservation practices be intensified and extended as a means of reducing
soil erosion and increasing the recreation potential of the basin's water resources.
6. Communities bordering the basin's inland lakes be encouraged to establish
watershed regulations prohibiting pollution of the lake's waters. Nonprofit corpo-
rations, such as the Keuka Lake Shore Property Owners, Inc., which sponsor and
9-1
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enforce uniform watershed regulations and coordinate activities relative to the
use of Keuka Lake's waters, should also be encouraged.
7. Present water quality standards for water-dependent activities be strengthened
through more specific requirements for such parameters as toxic substances,
radioactive or flammable materials, oil, grease, turbidity, temperature, and
threshold odor levels.
8. An automated surveillance system be installed to monitor intensively used bathing
areas such as Rochester area beaches, Verona Beach State Park, Hamlin Beach
State Park, and Fair Haven Beach State Park for illicit discharges, accidental
spills, and other sources of pollution. At less frequented public beaches, a quick,
reliable, and inexpensive field testing kit should be devised to identify and to meas-
ure the presence of contaminants.
9. Land use controls be employed (a) to provide public access to the Finger Lakes
and along the Lake Ontario shoreline and the St. Lawrence Riverway and (b) to
protect recreational waters from pollution, particularly in and near the basin pop-
ulation centers.
10. Efforts be made through the International Joint Commission (IJC) to encourage
Canadian cooperation and coordination in carrying forth recreation water pollution
prevention and abatement programs.
11. An accelerated public information and education program be developed concerning
the role of the public in the protection of waters from pollution.
12. Further research be conducted on the many aspects of the relationship between
water-oriented outdoor recreation activities and water quality. The nature of the
effects and the extent of endemic outbreaks of infectious diseases as a result of
this contact should be thoroughly investigated.
9-2
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Appendix A
Table Number Title Page
A-l Basic County Data A-l
A-2 County Inventory of Natural
and Artificial Inland Lakes A-2
A-3 Supply Summary A-J
A-4 Private Campgrounds A-4
A-5 Private Group Camps A-4
A-6 Public Boating Facilities A-5
A-7 Farm Ponds A-6
A-8 Canoe Trails A-7
A-9 New York State Public Ski
Centers
A-£
-------
Table No. A-l
BASIC COOTTY DATA
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
Area (sq. mi.)
in in
COIOTTY County Basin
Allegany 1,048 749
Cayuga 699 699
Cheraung 412 62
Cortland 502 30
Essex 1,826 73
Franklin 1,685 268
Genesee 501 301
Hamilton 1,747 636
Herkimer 1,442 607
Jefferson 1,293 1,293
Lewis 1,293 1,269
Livingston 638 622
Madison 66l 345
Monroe 6?3 673
Niagara 533 373
Oneida 1,227 591
Onondaga 792 757
Ontario 649 638
Orleans 396 396
Oswego 968 968
Potter (Pa.) 1,090 96
St. Lawrence 2,767 2,274
Schuyler 331 209
Seneca 330 330
Steuben 1,408 221
Tompkins 491 427
Wayne 607 607
Wyoming 598 354
Yates .„„.., ,544. 332
Total 26,951 16,200
Sources! 154, 187
Population
in in
County Basin
43,978
73,942
98,706
41,113
35,300
44,742
53,994
4,267
66,370
87,835
23,249
44,053
54,635
586,387
242,269
264,401
423,028
68,070
34,159
86,118
16,483
111,239
15,044
31,984
97,691
66,164
67,989
34,793
18,614
29,226
73,942
2,729
1,222
396
7,058
21,524
1,342
2,178
87,835
22,727
43,407
38,841
586,387
81,431
46,482
420,606
68,070
34,159
86 , 118
1,651
104,167
11,737
31,984
7,287
63,335
67,989
18,249
18,471
Population Density
Per Square Mile
in in
County Basin
42
106
239
81
20
27
107
3
46
68
18
69
82
871
454
216
534
105
86
89
15
41
45
96
70
134
112
58
39
106
44
40
5
26
71
2
3
68
18
69
112
871
218
78
555
106
86
89
17
46
56
96
32
148
112
51
2,856,617 1,980,550
106
123
A-l
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Table No. A-2
COUNT! INVMTOKY OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL INLAID LAKES*
LAZE ONTARIO MSII
Surface Acres
County
Allegany
Cayuga
Chemung
Cortland
Essex
Franklin
Gene see
Hamilton
Jefferson
Lewis
Livingston
Madison
Monroe
Niagara
Oneida
Qnondaga
Ontario
Orleans
Oswego
Potter (Pa.)
St. Lawrence
Schuyler
Seneca
Steuben
Tompkins
Wayne
Wyoming
Yates
Total
No of
Lakes
1
12
0
0
13
29
1
138
8
76
5
2
9
0
17
12
4
0
25
6
197
0
5
0
1
3
2
4
162
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zor..e 5
30
44,586 128
0
0
1,392
31,841
23 0
8,126 22,833
0 2,731 1,176
98 2,412 2,209 0
10,214
1,754
169 698
0
33 1,529 0
17,218
2,339 10,894 0
0
53,213 3,C07
627
35,732
0
44,113
0 0
120
85 45
829
12,782
14,231 184,896 29,674 97,665 5,054
Basin,
30
44,714
0
0
1,392
31,841
23
30,959
3,907
4,719
10,214
1,754
867
0
1,562
17,218
13,233
0
56,220
627
35,732
0
44,113
0
120
130
829
12,782
331,520
* Note: In cases where a lake lies in two or more counties, only one
county is credited with the lake acreage, e.g., Oneida Lake lies
in Oswego and Oneida Counties; since a greater water surface area
is in Oswego County, Oneida Lake was tallied only for the county.
Sources: 21,188, 191
A-2
-------
Table No. A-3
SUPPLY SIMMAHT
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
ZONE 1
Federal
State
Local
Private
Zone 1 totals
ZONE 2
Federal
State
Local
Private
Zone 2 totals
ZONE 3
Federal
State
Local
Private
Zone 3 totals
ZONE 4
Federal
State
Local
Private
Zone 4 totals
ZONE 5
Federal
State
Local
Private
Zone 5 totals
BASIN
Federal
State
Local
Private
Basin totals
No.
Areas
1
12
6
ZL
56
I
51
14
64
130
0
15
0
15.
30
1
38
2
28
39
1
27
14
li
73
4
143
36
175
358
No. Water
Dependent
1
7
4
31
45
1
33
6
58
98
0
9
0
M
23
1
29
1
26
57
0
22
9
30
Si
3
100
20
1^9
282
No.
Undeveloped
0
4
I
0
5
0
17
4
0
21
0
5
0
0
5
0
8
0
0
8
1
3
3
0
7
1
37
8
0
46-
Total Land &
Water Acre.
6,776
30,322
2,124
4»17,p
43,392
13,237
101,506
6,164
3,634
124,541
0
85,287
0
1.603
86,890
179
25,556
20
3,215
28,970
3,200
71,863
4,560
2,126
81,749
23,392
314,534
-12,868
14,748
365,542
% of Total
Acreage
15
70
5
10
12*
10
82
5
3
34*
0
98
0
2
24*
1
88
#*
11
8*
4
88
5
JL
22*
6
86
4
4
100
* Percent of Basin Total. ** Less than one-half of one percent.
Source; Appendix C and Table No. A-4 and Table No. A-5-
A-3
-------
Table No. A-4
PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
Zone
1
2
3
4
5
No. of
Campgrounds
28
36
7
19
21
Size Approximate Total
(acres) Capacity (sites)
Basin 111 10,882
Sources: 6, 7, 9, 62, 71, 72.
2,095
1,723
363
829
1,472
6,482
No. with. Water
Dependent Activities
22
30
6
18
21
97
Table No. A-5
PRIVATE GROUP CAMPS*
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
Zone
1
2
3
4
5
Basin
lo. of
Group Camps
9
28
8
6
Size*
(acres)
60
2,976
Approximate Total No. with Water
Capacity (persons) Dependent Activities
893
3,290
1,045
704
1,50'
7,435
26
8
6
58
*Note: Since acreage figures were not always available in the
computation phase, it was assumed that the size of average
area (in acres) is 40 percent of the capacity for all group
camps. This percentage value was derived from a sample of
several group camps in which the acreages and capacities were
known.
Sources: 4, 5, 62, 97-
A-4
-------
PUBLIC BGAOTG FACILITIES
OITASIO BASIN
Table No. A-6
A. Recreational Harbors
Map No. Name
1 Wilson Harbor
2 Olcott Harbor
3 Golden Hills Harbor
4 Oak Orchard Harbor
5 Braddock Bay Harbor
6 Rochester Harbor
7 Irondequoit Bay Harbor
8 Pultneyville Harbor
9 Great Sodus Bay Harbor
10 Port Bay Harbor
11 Little Sodus Bay Harbor
12 Oswego Harbor
13 Sackets Harbor
14 Cape Vincent Harbor
15 Morristown Harbor
16 Ogdensburg Harbor
B. Boat Launching Sites
Map No. Name
1 Four Mile Ck Annex State Park
2 Golden Hills State Park
3 Lakeside Beach State Park
4 Braddock Bay State Park
5 Cuba State Park
6 Conesus Lake B/L Site
7 Honeoye Lake B/L Site
8 Canandaigua Lake B/L Site
9 Keuka Lake B/L Site
10 Seneca Lake State Park
11 Waterloo B/L Site
12 Cayuga Lake State Park
13 Sampson State Park
14 Lodi B/L Site
15 Seneca Lake B/L Site
16 Taughannock Falls State Park
17 Howland Island GMA
18 Cayuga Lake B/L Site
19 Owasco Lake B/L Site-No.
20 Owasco Lake B/L Site-So.
21 Wayne County Wetlands
22 Fair Haven Beach State Park
23 Bryden Lake MUA
24 Skaneateles Lake B/L Site-No.
25 Skaneateles Lake B/L Site-So.
26 Coles Creek Camping1 Area
27 South Shore B/L Site
28 Biree livers B/L Site
29 Godfrey's Point B/L Site
30 Oswego SRA
31 Mexico Point B/L Site
32 Henderson Harbor B/L Site
33 Westcott Beach State Park
Estimate lumber of Boats Based
350
100
40
200
500
1,000
1,500
65
600
250
400
100
100
200
Unknown
Unknown
Source; 148, 149
Fame
34 Long Point State Park
35 Stony Creek B/L Site
36 Burnham Point State Park
37 Cedar Point State Park
38 Perch liver Wetlands
39 Canoe Picnic Point State Park
40 Wellesley Island State Park
41 Grass Point State Park
42 DeWolf Point State Park
43 Mary Island State Park
44 Zeewaydin State Park
45 Kring Point State Park
46 Payne Lake B/L 'Site
47 Cedar Island State Park
48 Black Lake B/L Site
49 Jacques Cartier State Park
50 Wilson Hill B/L Site
51 Robert Moses State Park
52 Cranberry B/L Site
53 (Pupper Lake B/L Site
54 Haquette liver B/L Site
55 Forked Lake Campsite
56 Perch liver B/L Site
57 Muskellunge Creek B/L Site
58 Black Biver B/L Site
59 Whetstone Gulf Campsite
60 Stillwater Reservoir B/L Site
61 Fourth Lake Campsite
62 Onondaga Lake County Park
63 Oxbow County Park
64 Wide Waters County Park
65 Genesee Valley County Park
Sources; 78,79, 82, 204, Appendix C.
A-5
-------
Table No. A-7
FABM PONDS
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
Approximate Approximate
No. of Water Surface
COUNTY Ponds (Acres)
Allegany 870 520
Cayuga 430 110
Chemung 20 5
Cortland 10 5
Essex — —
Franklin
Genesee 310 155
Hamilton — —
Herkimer
Jefferson 60 50
Lewis 215 105 •
Livingston 485 240
Madison 360 575
Monroe 240 120
Niagara 210 105
Oneida 505 250
Onondaga 245 60
Ontario 595 300
Orleans 425 210
Oswego 535 11°
Potter (PA) 27 14
St. Lawrence 225 80
Sehuyler 250 65
Seneca 400 140
Steuben 90 45
Tompkins 260 105
Wayne 390 120
Wyoming 235 120
Yates 515 26°
Total 7,907 :
Sources: 143. 144.
A-6
-------
Table No. A-8
CANOE TRAILS
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
Approx. No. of
Map Ho. Name Ganoeable Miles*
1 Niagara River 8
2 Genesee River 153
3 Pall Greek 11
4 East Branch Fish Greek 28
5 Salmon River 19
6 St. Lawrence River 146
7 Indian River and Black Lake 65
8 Oswegatchie River 154
9 Grass River 72
10 Raquette River** 189
11 Black River 51
12 Oswegatchie River, West Branch 23
13 Moose River 13
14 South Branch Moose River 28
Total 960
* Mileages given in Column 3 were taken principally from Bunaeister's
publication.
** Includes Pulton Chain of Lakes, Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake, and
Tupper Lake canoe trails.
Sources: 11, 41•
A-7
-------
Table No. A-9
NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SKI CENTERS
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
Number of
Map No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
15
14
15
16
17
Name
St. Lawrence U. Snow Bowl-
Big Tapper
Juniper Hills
Dry Hill
Old Forge; (Maple Ridge)
Old Forge (McCauley Mt. )
Snow Ridge
Hemlock Ridge
Mystic Mountain
Toggenburg
Ninety Acres
Brumlins
Flllmore
Brantling
Bristol Mountain
Frost Ridge
Swain
Totals
Slopes:
3
0
2
3
1
2
6
1
3
5
2
2
1
4
3
3
_6
47
Trails
3
8
0
1
0
4
c:
2
7
3
0
0
2
0
4
3
il
59
Lifts
1
2
1
1
J-
2
5
0
2
3
0
i
0
i
4
0
_4
28
Tows
1
0
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
0
2
3
1
6
0
3
_0
22
Source; 74-
A-8
-------
Appendix B
Section Page
A. Methodology For Estimating Demand For
Recreational Opportunities In The Lake
Ontario Basin B-l
1. Market Area Demand B-l
2. Vacation Demand B-l
3. Future Demand B-3
4. Zones Demands B-J
B. Methodology For Estimating The Present
Acreage Development Of Recreational Lands B-6
C. Methodology For Estimating Acreage Needs B-7
1. Determining Present Resource Requirements B-7
2. Determining Future Resource Requirements B-8
-------
Plate No. B-l
MARKET AREA DEMAND FLOWCHART
PLANIMETER AREA OF IN
PLANIMETER AREA OF
FLUENCE WITHIN BASIN
FOR EACH SMSA USING
BASIN FOR EACH SMSA
RADIUS OF 125 MILES
CONVERT TO PERCENT
CONVERT -0 PERCENT
(TOTAL 40 MILE RADIUS
TOTAL 125 MILE RADIUS
PLANIMETER READING
PLANIMETF.R READING
- SMSA PLANIMETER
- SMSA P.ANIMETER
60 PERCENT OF SMSA
30 PERCENT OF SMSA
POPULATION IN BASIN
RECREATE WITHIN 40
40-125 MILE RADIUS
MILE RADIUS OF SMSA
SUBTRACT 90 PERCENT
OF SMSA POPULATION
TOTAL SMSA POPULATION
OUTDOOR RECREATION
0 PERCENT OF SMSA
ESTABLISH RATIO OF
BASIN PER CAPITA
INCOME TO REGIONAL
PE9 CAPITA INCOME
POPULATION IN BASIN
POPULATION OF LAKE
ADJUST SELECTED
ORRRC ACTIVITY RATES
BY USING INCOME RATIO
TOTAL ACTIVITY DAYS
FOR SELECTED WATER
ORIENTED OUTDOOR
-------
METHODOLOGY FOR ESTIMATING DEMAND FOR RECREATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
Market Area Demand. The first step in determining the present recreation
demand for the modified market area involved calculation of the popula-
tion on which to base estimates. The I960 population of all SMSA's in-
side the basin, as well as those within 125 miles of the basin, were
determined.
From information contained in the "California Public Outdoor Recreation
Plan" (12), ORERC Report No. 4 (108), and the "Report on the Comprehen-
sive Survey of the Water Resources of the Delaware River Basin" (195)i
it was concluded that:
a. Sixty percent of all recreation activity occurs within
40 miles of the participant's home.
b. Another thirty percent occurs between 40 and 125 miles
of the participant's home.
c. Ten percent of all use occurs at distances greater than
125 miles.
It was also assumed that 60 percent of the population of each SMSA
will recreate within a 40 mile radius from the center of the SMSA. These
participants constituted the "day use sector." Likewise, 30 percent of
the population of each SMSA was assumed to recreate between 40 and 125
miles from the center of the SMSA. This group of participants is termed
"overnight or weekend sector." Reference is made to the flow chart on
the opposite page which shows the sequential steps in deriving the modi-
fied market area demand for the day and weekend sectors. Results of this
procedure are tabulated in Table No. B-l.
Vacation Demand. The following procedure yields an estimate of the num-
ber of people who spend their vacations in the basin. Unpublished source
material was provided by the Travel Bureau, New York Department of Com-
merce (?6).
Step 1. Grand total recreation - tourist attendance (Schedule I of
76a) is obtained for the basin by multiplying the grand total recreation-
tourist attendance for each county times the percent of the county in the
basin. Result: 12,944,325 tourists.
Step 2. To obtain a percent value of the basin's attendance to that
of the entire state: 12,944,325 4- 115,057,435 =11.2$
B-l
-------
Table No. B-l
DEMAND FOE SELECTED WATER-ORIENTED OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
LAKE ONTARIO BASH, I960
(Day and Overnight or Weekend Sectors)
Activity
Water-dependent
Swimming
Pishing
Boating
Water-Skiing
Canoeing
Sailing
Subtotal
Adjusted Adjusted Annual Summer
Annual Summer Activity Activity
Participation Participation Occasions Occasions
Rate Rate (thousands) (thousands)
16,952
3,200*
3,774
271
25,239
Water-enhanced
Camping
Picnicking
Sightseeing
Nature Walks
Hunting
Hiking
Subtotal
.56
3.85
5.21
2.85
1.38
.42
14.27
.34
2.87
2.04
1.16
.22
.29
6.92
1,168
8,028
10,863
5,942
1,500*
876
28,377
709
5,984
4,254
2,419
239*
605
14,210
Winter Sports
Skiing
Ice Skating
Sledding
Subtotal
TOTAL
30.64
17.54
58,766
34,331
* Based on information obtained from Bureau of Sport Fisheries and
Wildlife
B-2
-------
Step 3« According to information released by the National Associa-
tion of Travel Organizations in 1965> tourism is a three billion dollar
industry in New York State (24). On an average vacation, the tourist
spends $63.00 per trip to New York (76b). An estimate of tourists coming
to New York State yields: $3,000,000,000 f $63 = 47,619,047 tourists.
Step 4- Schedule I of Source 76 indicates 34-4 percent (plus an
unknown element) of the attendance distribution preferred to pursue out-
door recreational activities. A recent report completed by the Michigan
Highway Department (55) shows that 50 percent of the respondents mention-
ed outdoor recreation as a main purpose for their stay in Michigan. To
account for the undetermined quantity cited above, one-half the differ-
ence of 50 percent and 34-4 percent is taken as an estimate of the pro-
portion of tourists who come to New York and recreate in the out-of-doors.
Result: 42.2 percent.
Step 5- To determine the number of tourists who come to New York
State for the main purpose of pursuing outdoor recreation. 47>6l9,047 x
42.2 percent = 20,095,238 tourists.
Step 6. To acquire an estimate for the basin, multiply the tourists
figure in Step 5 times the percentage value in Step 2: 20,095*238 x
11.2$ = 2,250,667 tourists.
Step 7. Thus, to obtain the number of recreation days in the basin,
multiply the number of tourists found in Step 6 by 6.4 which is the aver-
age number of days a vacationist spends in New York State. Result:
2,250,667 x 6.4 = 14>404>269 recreation days. This value is used in
Table No. B-2 to compute the present vacation demand for selected activ-
ities in the Lake Ontario Basin.
Future Demand. Table No. B-3 on page B-5 shows future estimated partic-
ipation in selected summer activities.
Zone Demands. In order to determine the recreation demand for each of
the five zones, it was necessary to compute the resident demand and the
vacation demand separately. For the resident demand, the total annual
participation rate for the basin (Table No. B-l) was adjusted by an in-
come index computed for each of the five subbasins. This income index
is a zone-basin ratio of per capita income. Zone population estimates
were multiplied by the adjusted annual participation rates for each of
the zones to yield activity occasions. Since the resident basin demand
figure was previously determined, each zone total is expressed as a per-
cent of the total basin.
B-3
-------
Distribution of seasonal vacation homes and attendance at state parks
were used as indicators to gauge the zonal allocation for the vacation
demand. Both of these factors were given equal weight in obtaining the
percent of predetermined vacation activity occasions found in Table
No. B-2 of this Appendix.
Table No. B-2
DEMAND FOR SELECTED WATER-ORIENTED OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN, I960
(Vacation Sector)
Percent who engaged
in outdoor activities Column 2 x 14>404,269*
Activity on vacation trips activity occasions (l,OOP's)
(a) Sightseeing 53 7,634
(b) Swimming 38 5,474
(c) Fishing 27 3,389
(d) Picnicking 29 4,177
(e) Boating & Canoeing 19 2,737
(f) Hiking 14 2,017
(g) Camping 10 1,440
(h) Hunting 4 576
(i) Nature Walks 6 864
(j) Horseback riding 3 432
(k) Skiing & Winter Sports 1 144
(l) Took trip but did not
engage in outdoor
activities 22 3,169_
Totals 226** 28,952***
* See result in Step 7-
** Totals to more than 100 because vacationists participate in more
than one activity per day.
*** Total does not include activities (j) and (l).
Notes This analysis assumes that those enjoying their vacations while
in the basin participated in approximately two activities on the
average per day.
Source: ORRRC Study Report No. 20, Table 50, Page 50.
B-4
-------
Table No. B-3
EXPECTED SUMMER (JUNE, JULY, AUGUST) PARTICIPATION IN SELECTED
WATER-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES IS 2000 and 2020
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
Activity
I960 2000 Summer Activity 2020 Simmer Activity
Summer Occasions (l.OOO'slgy Occasions {1 f(X>9'&} g/
Activity Without With Without With '
Occasions Oppor- Oppor- Oppor— Oppox~
(1,000'a) I/ tunity tmiity jpnity
Swimming
Pishing J/
Boating
Water Skiing
Canoeing %/
Sailing %/
Subtotal
14,512
1,730
2,940
626
188
125
20,121
49,776
2,883
10,290
3,030
658
438
67,075
58,048
2,883
12,260
3,606
784
521
78,102
67,408
3,460
13,965
4,232
893
594
90,552
79,816
3,460
16,920
5,596
1,082
719
107,593
Water-Enhanced
Camping
Picnicking
Sightseeing
Nature Walks
Hiking
Hunting J/
Subtotal
709
5,984
4,254
2,419
605
2gg
14,210
2,786
14,960
12,209
6,507
2,232
398
39,092
4,573
18,491
20,164
6,507
3,697
398
53,830
3,824
19,448
16,186
8,551
3,045
478
51.532
6,505
24,744
28,119
8,551
5,243
478
7^5.640
Total
34,331 106,16? 131,932 143,084 181,233
I/ From Column 5, Table No. B-l.
2/ Projections based on data contained in Table Bo. 6, OHKRC Report 26.
J/ 2020 figures obtained by straight line equation.
Af/ Based on information obtained from Bureau of Sport Fisheries and
Wildlife.
_5_/ Assumes same projection as "Boating."
B-5
-------
METHODOLOGY FOR ESTIMATING ACREAGE NEEDS
The problem of adequately serving the recreational needs of the public
comes into sharp focus if developed acreages are dealt with rather than
total public recreational acres. Table No. B-4 provides estimates of
the basin's present developed acreages by zone. In compiling data for
this table, it was assumed that existing public recreation areas, except
Table No. B-4
EKISTIHG DEVELOPED ACBEAGES
(Estimates in acres with adjustments}*
Zones
1
2
3
4
5
Basin
Total
Federal
none
400
none
27
none
42?
State
5,007
3,646
318
1,786
4>3?8
13,135
Local
1,171
2,060
none
14
2,862
6,107
Private
4,170
3,634
1,603
2,405
2,046
13,858
Zone Total
8,348
9,740
1,921
4,232
9.286
33,527
* Adjustments in acreages provided by Sources Appendix C, Table Ho.
A-4, and Table No. A-5 were made as follows:
those which have been newly established, have been developed to the opti-
mum level. From Clawson's classification of recreation lands (ll), opti-
mum development for user-oriented areas is considered to be 70 percent
and that for intermediate areas is 15 percent.
a. Federal - estimated total present development in the three
developed areas.
b. State - adjusted to 15 percent level of development except for
highly developed state parks (70 percent used) and boat launching sites
(100 percent used).
c. Local - adjusted to 70 percent level of development.
d. Private - assumed 100 percent of development at existing private-
ly owned facilities open to general public.
Undeveloped and/or newly acquired lands were not tabulated.
B-6
-------
METHODOLOGY FOR ESTIMATING THE PRESENT ACREAGE
DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATIONAL LANDS
Determining Present Resource Requirements. This method is based on land
area per person as determined by personnel in the Lake Central Regional
Office, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. These standards were arrived at
by compilation of existing information from many sources. They are not
to be considered as official Bureau standards.
As stated on Page 5-2 of Chapter 5> the acreage needs are determined in
order to support anticipated visitation on those days when maximum use
occurs. This was determined as follows:
14 week summer season = 98 days
28 weekend days plus 2 holidays = 30 days
Weekdays = 68 days
Assume three weekdays of use equals one weekend day of use.
23 + JO = 53 capacity days.
For the activity of swimming, which is curtailed by inclement
weather, assume 80 percent of capacity days will be suitable.
Therefore, assumed 42 capacity days for swimming.
Land area per person standards as presented below include all development
necessary to support one person engaging in the respective activity. The
activities of swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, and camping are con-
sidered, since these constitute the more popular, basic activities that
should be provided for wherever possible.
Boating
Assume:
1. 3 people/car and boat
2. 1,633 sq ft parking/car and
trailer incl ramp facility
3. Turnover factor of 2
Camping
Assume:
1. 5 people/party
2. 8 campsite units/acre
3. Turnover factor of 1.0
Swimming
Assume:
1.
2.
3-
4-
4 people/car
48 cars parking/acre
(910 sq ft/ car of
227 sq ft/ person)
75 sq ft beach/person
Turnover factor of 1.5
Picnicking
Assume:
1. 4 people/car
2. 10 picnic tables/acre,
including parking
3. Turnover factor of 1.5
Fishing
Assume:
1. 2 people/car and boat
2. 1,633 sq ft parking/car and
trailer incl ramp facility
3. Turnover factor of 1.5
B-7
-------
This information is then applied to the formula below to arrive at the
necessary acreage requirements for each activity.
AE = I) x a Where: AS. = acreage requirement
CD x TP x 43>560 D = demand for respective activity in
summer activity occasions
a = area per person in square feet for
respective facilities
CD = capacity days
TF = turnover factor
43,560 = square feet per acre
The sum of the five acreage requirements yield the developed acreage
necessary for the provision of adequate opportunity for these basic act-
ivities. This total is considered as the minimum acceptable amount of
developed land to be provided in the basin (or zone). Prom this zone
requirements figure, the existing developed acreages were subtracted
which left the amount of developed land still needed (appropriately)
labeled "deficit").
In order to compute the additional acreage needed, the developed acreage
deficit figures (appearing in Column 4 of Table No. 5-1) were multiplied
by 1.6. The following procedure illustrates how the 1.6 multiplier was
derived:
User-oriented areas = 70$ level of development
Intermediate areas = 15$ level of development
Mean average = 42.5$ level of development for all developed lands
assuming that one-half of total lands needed for de-
velopment will be used as user-oriented and one-half
as intermediate.
Since average developed lands constitute about 40$ of the total recrea-
tional land area, the balance or 60$ is allocated to extensive type re-
creation activities, buffer zones, and undeveloped areas—thereby yield-
ing a factor of 1.6 (or 160$) when establishing an additional deficit.
Determining Future Resource Requirements. Except for the demand figures,
the same factors employed in the present resource requirements deter-
mination were used in the future resource requirements computation. In
lieu of the present demand figures, the 2000 and 2020 "with" opportunity
demand figures were utilized in the future requirements calculations.
The results are shown in Table No. 5-2 in Chapter 5-
B-8
-------
Appendix C
Inventory of Existing Recreation Areas
in Lake Ontario Basin
Sources: 61, 72, 76a, 100, 181, 204
-------
-------
FEDERAL - STATE
SITE NO.
8-1
S-2
S-3
S-4
S-5
5-6
S-7
S-8
S-9
3-10
S-ll
S-12
P-l
P-2
s-13
3-14
3-15
3-16
3-17
3-18
3-19
3-20
3-21
3-22
3-23
S-24
3-25
3-26
3-27
S-28
3-29
S-30
3-31
S-12
S-34
3-35
S-36
3-37
S-38
S-39
3-40
NAME
ZONE 1
Carlton Hill MUA
Silver Lake GMA
Silver Lake St. He.
Letohworth St. Pk.
Coneeus L. B/L Site
Honeoye L. B/L Site
Harriet Spencer MUA
Rattle Snake Hill SMA
Livingston SRA
Stony Brook St. Pk.
Cuba St. Pk.
Hanging Bog GMA
ZONE 2
t;nntp7.l,m.q Wa.t . Wl 1 dl 1 f p Area.
Hector Land Use Area
Stld Hill MUA
South Hill MUA
Haples Cr. GMA
High Tor GMA
Ontario SRA
Canandaigua L. B/L Site
Keuka L. B/L Site
Keuka L. 3t. Pk.
Yates SRA
Seneca L. St. Pk.
Waterloo B/L Site
Sampson St. Pk.
Willard St. GMA
Lodi Point B/L Site
Watkins Glen St. Pk.
Seneca L. B/L Site
Schuvler SRA
Cavuira L. St. Pk.
Mud Lock B/L Site
Rowland Island C.Mt
n»na.l Wotlanrta
Cayuga L. B/L Site
Liong Point MUA
Owasco L. B/L Site - North
Owasco L. B/L Site - South
Cayuga SRA
Pillmore Glen St. Pk.
Taughannock Palls St. Pk.
COUNTY
Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming
Livingston
Livingston
Ontario
Ontario
Livingston
Livingston
Steuben
Allegany
Alleffany
Seneca
Seneca and
Schuyler
Ontario
Yates
Ontario
Yates
Ontario
Ontario
Yates
Yates
Yates
Seneca
Seneca
aeneca
Seneca
Seneca
Schuyler
Schuyler
Schuyler
Seneca
Cayuga
^avuffa
Sayuga
Sayuga
Cayuga
Cayuga
Cayuga
Cayuga
Tompkins
ADJACENT WATER
Oakta Greek
Genesee R. Trib.
Genesee R. Trib.
}enesee R.
Oonesua L.
Honeoye L. Trib.
Honeoye L. Trib.
Jenesse R.
Conesus L. - Canaeeraga Or. T
Sanaseraga Cr. Trib.
Black Cr.
Black Cr.
Dlyde R.
)swego River Basin
Canandaigua L. Trib.
West A. Janandaigua L. Trib.
Canandaigua L. Trib.
Canandaigua L. Trib.
Canandaigua L. Trib.
Canandaigua L. Trib.
SCeuka L. Trib.
Ceuka L. Trib.
Ceuka L. Trib.
Seneca L.
Sayuga and Seneca Canal
Seneca L.
Seneca L. Trib.
Seneca L.
Seneca L. Trib.
Jeneca L. Trib.
Seneca L. Trib.
Savuea L.
Sayuga L.
Seneca R. Trib.
Sarffe Canal
ieneca L. Trib.
lavuga L.
Dvasco L. Trib.
Swasco L. Trib.
)wasco L. Trib.
)vasco L. Trib.
Sayuga-L. Trib.
AREA
(acres)
1,920
10
484
14,021
3
4
678
5,118
2,590
554
650
4,290
6,776
13,237
731
848
57
4,106
677
i
1
620
1,900
265
2
1.737
158
10
605
9
16,532
236
4
3.218
1.361
5
98
1
10
8,403
857
675
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
"/// VISITATION
X
X
X
X
x
(Undeveloped)
(Undeveloped)
3,500
654,000
n/a
n/a
(Undeveloped)
n/a
(Undeveloped)
136,252
67,500
n/a
n/a
23,000
(Undeveloped)
(Undeveloped)
n/a
n/a
(Undeveloped)
n/a
n/a
9,848
(Undeveloped)
89,731
n/a
36.658
(Undeveloped)
n/a
486,763
n/a
(Undeveloped)
218,759
n/a
n/a
(IT d 1 d)
n/a
(Undeveloped)
n/a
n/a
(Undeveloped)
62, 358
240,980
-------
FEDERAL- STATE
SITE NO.
S-41
S-42
s-43
3-44
S-45
S-46
S-47
S-48
3-49
S-50
S-51
3-52
S-53
S-54
3-55
S-56
S-57
S-58
S-59
S-60
S-61
S-62
3-63
S-64 .
3-65
3-66
S-67
S-68
3-69
3-70
S-7J.
s-7a
S-75
S-74
S-75
3-76
S-77
S-78
s-79
NAME
ZONE 2 (Con. )
Buttermilk Falls St. Pk.
obert H. Treman St. Pk.
Connecticut Hill GMA
ryden L. MUA
]ompkins SRA
Battle Island St. Pk.
urtis GMA
hree Mile Bay Wetlands
Cross T,. Islands GMA
fudlake Vet lands
hree Rivers GMA
Three Elvers B/L Site
outh Shore B/L Site
Godfrey's Ft. B/L Site
erona Beach at. Pk.
icero Swamp Wetlands
nondaga SRA
Green Lakes St. Pk.
lark Reservation St. Pk.
kaneateles B/L Site -North
kaneateles B/L Site - South
Chittenango Falls St. Pk.
Madison SHJ
ZONE 3
Black B. R/L Si tB
Lewis SRA
Trar Hill GMA
Whetstone Gulf Campsite
Chases L Campsite
StillwatpT- RPR. B/I. Site
Cascade L. Campsite
Nelson T.. C«mr=1*»
Nicks L. Campsite
Treasuz-e Island Campsite
Fourth Lake Campsite
Limekiln L. Campsite
Eighth Lake Campsite*
ZONE 4
Burnham Point St. Pk.
Cedar Point St. Pk.
French Creek Wetlands
COUNTY
'ompkins
'ompkins
'ompkins
ompkins
'ompkins
swego
svego
s-rfego
a.fUK&
nondaga
nonda&a
nondaga
riondasa
neida
neida
nondaga
nondaga
nondaga
nondaga
nondafia
or t land
Madison
Madison
ewis
iewis
Lev/is
Lewis
Rerkimer
lerkimer
Serkuner
Herkimer
Herkimer
lerkuner
Hamilton
larailton
Jefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
ADJACENT WATER
3utttermilk Cr.
Mile Cr.
ayuga L. Trib.
all Cr.
Mile Cr,
swego R. Trib.
swego R. Trib.
neida L. Trib.
eneca R.
eneca R.
sweffo R. Trib.
neida R. Trib.
neida L.
neida L.
neida L.
neida L. Trib.
nondaga L. Trib.
neida L. Trib.
utternut Cr.
kaneateles L.
kaneateles L.
hittenango Cr.
hittenantfo Cr.
lack R.
Deer R. Trib.
•lad R.
Slack R. Tnb.
Slack R. Trib.
Beaver R.
itillwater Res.
Tel son L.
Jicks L.
Black R. Trib.
Black R. Trib.
Black R. Trib.
Raquette R. Trib.
3t. Lawrence R.
3t. Lawrence R.
3t. Lawrence R. Trib.
AREA
acres)
675
1,020
11,610
196
18,810
235
45
1,642
28
326
5,496
18
11
11
1,355
3,724
2,146
925
228
2
8
123
22.302
80,284
4.985
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1
4
56
////
////'//
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
//.
/ f
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
w
' / ^ t
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
W -
/// VISITATION
X
84,208
150,250
(Undeveloped)
n/a
(Undeveloped)
37,691
n/a
(Undeveloped)
(Undeveloped)
(Undeveloped)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
179,360
(Undeveloped )
(Undeveloped)
508,368
40,538
n/a
n/a
70,600
(Undeveloped)
n/a
n/a
(Undeveloped)
24,751
(Undeveloped)
n/a
(Undeveloped)
(Undeveloped)
n/a
(Undeveloped)
2,839
24,092
16,144
16,2^2
82.506
(Undeveloped)
-------
FEDERAL -STATE
SITE NO
F-3
S-80
S-81
S-82
S-8J
S-84
S-85
S-86
S-87
S-88
S-89
S-90
S-91
S-92
S-93
S-94
S-95
s-96
s-97
S-97A
S-98
5-99
S-100
S-101
S-102
s-103 .
S-104
s-io5j
&-106
S-107
S-108
s-109
S-110
S-lll
F-4
S-112
s-113
s-114
8-115
S-116
s-117
S-118
NAME
ZONE 4 (Con.)
Thousands Island Camp Annex
Canoe Picnic Point St. Pk.
tfellesley Island St. Pk.
jrass Point St. Pk.
DeWolf Point St. Pk.
Mary Island St. Pk.
Keewaydin St. Pk.
Kring Point St. Pk.
Cedar Island St. Pk.
Indian H. Wetlands
Payne L. B/L Site
L. Bonapart Campsite
Black L. B/L Site
Pish Cr. Wetlands
Eel Weir Campsite
Wilson Hill GMA
Wilson Hill B/L Site
Robert Moses St. Pk.
Coles Creek Camping Area
Upper and Lower Lakes Wetlands
Higley Flow Campsite
Horseshore L. Campsite
St. Lawrence SRA
Cranberry B/L Site
Cranberry L. Campsite
Tupper L. B/L Site
Haquette H. B/L Site
Long L. Campsite
L. Eaton Campsite
South Pond Campsite
Forked L. Campsite
Golden Beach Campsite
Brown Tract Pond Campsite
ZONE 5
Oak Orchard Nat. Wildlife Refuge
Reservoir St. Pk.
Lewiston St. Pk.
Lowei- Niagara St. Pk.
Fort Niagara St. Pk.
Four Mile Cr. Annex St. Pk.
Wilson Tuscarora St. Pk.
Golden Hills St. Pk.
COUNTY
Jefferson
[Jefferson
Tefferson
Tefferson
Tefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
St. Lawrence
Jefferson
Jefferson
Lewis
St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence
St . Lawrence
St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence
St . Lawrence
St . Lawrence
St. Lawrence
St . Lawrence
St. Lawrence
Franklin
Ranklin
Hamilton
Hamilton
Hamilton
Hamilton
Hamilton
Hamilton
Orleans and
jenesee
Niagara
Niagara
Niagara
Niagara
Niagara
Niagara
Niagara
ADJACENT WATER
St. Lawrence R.
t. Lawrence R.
t. Lawrence R.
t. Lawrence R.
t. Lawrence R.
St. Lawrence R.
St. Lawrence R.
St. Lawrence R.
St. Lawrence R.
Indian R.
Indian H.
L . Bonapart
St. Lawrence R.
Oswegatchie R.
St. Lawrence R.
Oswegatchie R.
St. Lawrence H.
St. Lawrence R.
St. Lawrence R.
3t. Lawrence River
Oswegatchie R. Trib.
Raquette R.
Grass R.
Oswegatchie R.
Cranberry L.
Cranberry L.
Haquette R. Trib.
Raquette R. Trib.
Long L.
j . Eaton
Raquette R. Trib.
Raquette R. Trib.
•taquette R. Tnb.
Haquette R. Tnb.
Small St. Tnb.
Niagara R.
Tiagara R.
Niagara R.
Tiagara R.-L. Ontario
L. Ontario
?ish Cr.
j. Ontario
AREA
(acres)
179
70
2,636
27
13
13
179
41
10
737
1
n/a
461
3
506
n/a
3,415
8
3,115
n/a
7,110
n/a
n/a
61,925
3
n/a
2
1
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
3,200
134
119
260
284
248
311
378
M/J//*/f/*/
/W^MW^/
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
x.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
x
x
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
13,926
11.531
176,481
55.686
7.056
5,664
10.611
51,205
2.740
n/a
n/a
(Undeveloped)
71.J97
n/a
(Undeveloped)
8,775
(Undeveloped)
n/a
184,395
n/a
n/a
(Undeveloped)
(Undeveloped)
n/a
n/a
17,037
n/a
n/a
(Undeveloped)
18,992
(Undeveloped)
8,430
27,610
7,684
(Undeveloped)
38 , 300
(Undeveloped)
17,400
341,280
59,840
(Undeveloped)
6,358
-------
FEDERAL -STATE
SITE NO
s-119
S-120
S-121
S-122
S-123
S-124
S-125
S-126
S-127
S-128
S-129
S-130
S-131
S-132
S-133
s-134
s-135
s-136
s-137
s-138
s-139
S-140
s-141
S-142
s-143
NAME
ZONE 5 fOon.)
Lake Side Beach St. Pk.
Oak Orchard Wetlands
Hamlin Beach St. Pk.
L. Ontario St. Parkway
Braddock Bay St. Pk.
Bushnell Basin MUA
Chimney Bluffs St. Pk.
ijavne County Wetlands
Pair Hayen Beach St. Pk.
^aimy Valley GMA
Osweeo SHA
Mexico Point B/L Site
Selkirk Shores St. Pk.
Little John GMA
Jefferson SEA
Jake View Marshes Wetlands
Southwick Beach St. Pk.
Stony Creek B/L Site
Henderson Harbor B/L Site
Westcott Beach St. Pk.
Sacketts Harbor St. Pk.
Kuskellunge Cr. B/L Site
Perch E. B/L Site
Long Point St. Pk,
Perch R. Wetlands
COUNTY
r leans
Genesee
Monroe
Monroe
Monroe
Monroe
Wayne
Wayne
Caywca
Osweffo
Osweffo
Oswego
Oswego
Oswego
Jefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
Jefferson
ADJACENT WATER
. Ontario
Small St. Trib.
L. Ontario
L. Ontario
L. Ontario
AREA
! acres)
642
2,447
1,118
2,020
2.115
Barge Canal ; 37
L. Ontario Trib. i 596
L. Ontario Trib.
j . Ontario
Salmon R. Trib.
Oneida L. Trib.
L. Ontario
L. Ontario
Mad E.
Sandy Cr. Trib.
L. Ontario
L . Ontario
Stony Cr.
j. Ontario
j . Ontario
L. Ontario
j. Ontario
L. Ontario
L. Ontario
Perch R.
3.758
1,096
8.624
20,362
10
980
8,021
16,163
1,755
133
6
4
319
6
Cf
6
23
6,733
J** / /
'//
m
y/A
M /'
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
4°/
'/t
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
w
o / /
////,
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
w
V,y
'///
1,500
n/a
264,500
200,000
21.000
n/a
n/a
n/a
288,983
n/a
n/a
n/a
156,845
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
160,918
54,600
n/a
n/a
15,848
n/a
-------
LOCAL
SITE NO.
L-l
L-2
L-3
1-4
L-5
L-6
L-7
L-8
L-5
L-10
L-ll
L-12
L-l 3
L-14
L-15
L-16
L-17
L-18
L-19
L-20
1-21
1-22
L-2 3
L-24
L-25
L-26
L-27
L-28
L-29
L-30
L-31
L-^2
1-33
L-34
L-55
L-36
NAME
ZONE 1
Seneca Co. Pk.
Highland Co. He.
Churchville Co. Pk.
Genesee Yalley Co. Pk.
Oatka Cr. Co. Pk.
Genesee Township He.
ZOIE 2
Ontario Co. Pk.
Emerson Pk. Recreation Area
Fort Ontario Pk.
Beaver L. Pk.
Oneida Shores Pk.
Hopkins Hd. Co. Pk.
West Shore Co. Pk.
Onondaga L. Co. Pk.
Camillus Co. Pk.
Maroellus Co. Pk.
Jamesville Beach Co. Pk.
Pratt' s Palls Co. Pk.
Highland Forest Co. Pk.
Oxbow Co. Pk.
Wide Waters Co. Pk.
ZOSE 4
Little Wolf Beach & Campsite
Santawav Pk.
ZONE 5
Krull Co. Pk.
Canal East Co. Pk .
Salmon Cr. Co. Pk .
Ontario Beach
Durand Eastman Go. Pk.
Webster Beach Co. Pk.
Irondequoit Co. Fk.
Ellison Co. Pk.
Powder Mills Co. Pk.
Mendon Ponds Co. Pk.
B. Forman Co. Pk.
Community Park
Washington Picnic
COUNTY
Monroe
Monroe
Monroe
Monroe
Monroe
Potter
Ontario
Cayuga
Osvego
Onondaga
Onondaga
Onondaga
Onondaga
Onondaga
Onondaga
Onondaga
Onondaga
Onondaga
Onondaga
ladison
Wayne
Franklin
Jefferson
Niagara
Niagara
"lonroe
Monroe
Monroe
Monroe
Monroe
Monroe
•lonroe
Monroe
Wayne
Oswego
Jefferson
ADJACENT WATER
Genesee R.
Genesee R.
Black Cr.
Genesee R.
Oatka Cr.
Geneeee R.
Grise Cr.
Owasoo L. Trib.
L. Ontario
Oswego R. Trib.
Oneida L. Trib.
Onondaga L.
Onondaga L.
Onondaga L.
Onondaga L. Trib.
9 Mile Cr.
Buttermilk Cr.
Buttermilk Cr.
Limestone Cr.
Oneida L. Trib.
Barge Canal
laquette R. Trib.
[ndian R.
j. Ontario
Barge Canal
Small Streams Trib.
j, Ontario
j. Ontario
j. Ontario
[ronequoit Bay
Small Streams Trib.
Small Streams Trib.
Small Streams Trib.
j. Ontario
Small Streams Trib.
Sandy Cr. Trib.
AREA
acres)
277
120
664
612
441
10
390
80
27
498
336
120
170
430
36
57
121
306
2,670
923
4
5
15
77
25
347
35
712
547
101
376
301
1,729
24
50
232
/^/ /*
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Y
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
1
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
4
%
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
4
7*
//
X
X
X
X
X
VW
/*/?/ l963
///// VISITATION
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
650,000
250,000
850,000
900,000
(Undeveloped)
n/a
7,500
200,000
15,000
(Undeveloped)
(Undeveloped)
(Undeveloped)
(Undeveloped)
714,000
219,621
105,000
70,669
61,258
29,246
n/a
n/a
n/a
100,000
(Undeveloped)
(Undeveloped)
610,000
950,000
100,000
(Undeveloped)
750,000
400,000
600,000
20,000
n/a
15,000
-------
Appendix D
Bibliography
-------
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D-2
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D-3
-------
53. Metcalf, M. A., and Flint, ¥. P., Destructive and Useful Insects-
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56. Michigan Tourist Council. "Facts and Figures on Michigan's
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D-4
-------
70. New York Conservation Needs Committee, "New York State Soil
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79- , ) "New York State Boat Launching
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D-5
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D-6
-------
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112. , Study Report No. 23, "Projections to the Years
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D-7
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118. Perloff, Harvey S. et al., Regions, Resources, and Economic
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D-8
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134- Stout, Neil J., "Atlas of Forestry in New York." State
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143' » Soil Conservation Service, "Letter to Lake
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147. , , , "Hydrograph of Monthly
Mean Levels of the Great Lakes." Detroit, Michigan, 1966.
2 p. Graph.
148. , , Buffalo District, "Letter to Lake
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149- , , , "Project Maps." Buffalo,
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150. , , North Atlantic Division, "Water
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124 P.
D-9
-------
151. U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, "1964
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153' , , "General Population Characteristics."
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156. , , "Letter to Lake Central Regional
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162. Committee Print No. J>, "National Water Resources and Problems."
42 p.
I6j. Committee Print No. 17, "Water Recreation Needs in the [Jnited
States, 1960-2000." 28 p.
D-10
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164. Committee Print No. 24, "Water Quality Management." 14 p.
165. Committee Print No. 29, "Water Requirements for Pollution
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166. Committee Print No. 30, "Present and Prospective Means for
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167. , , Committee on Public Works, Water
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committee, June 17-20, 25, and 26, 1963. Washington, D. G.,
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168. , , The President's Water Resources
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Evaluation, and Review of Plans for Use and Development of
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169. U.S. Executive Branch, Ad Hoc Water Resources Council, "Policies,
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170. , The White House, "Restoring the Quality of
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171. U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health
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172. , , "Memorandum Report—Cedar Lake,
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174. , , "Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Water."
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175- , , Proceedings of Conference in the
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176. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation,
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177- , , "Focus on the Hudson, Evaluation
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178. , , "Outdoor Recreation Action, Report
No. 1." Washington, D. C., 1966. 56 p.
D-ll
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179- , , "Outdoor Recreation Action, Report
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180. , , "Trails for America." Washington,
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182. , , Water and Related Land Resources
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183. , , "Water-Oriented Outdoor Recreation—
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184- , , "Water-Oriented Outdoor Recreation—
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187. , , "Unpublished Data—Present and
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188. , , "Unpublished Data Sheets—Lake
Ontario." Rochester, New York, 1966. 9 p. mimeo
189. , , "Water Pollution Problems of the
Great Lake's Area." Chicago, Illinois, 1966. 22 p.
190. , Fish and Wildlife Service, Water Levels of
the Great Lakes. Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1963-56 p.
191. , Geological Survey, "Map of New York State."
Washington, D. C., Government Printing Office, 1956. 1
(3i( X 4*') map.
192. , National Park Service, "Our Fourth Shore-Great
Lakes Shoreline Recreation Area Survey." Washington, D. C.,
Government Printing Office, 1959- 47 ?•
193. , , "Parks for America." Washington,
D. C., Government Printing Office, 1964. 485 p.
194. , , "Remaining Shoreline Opportunities
in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan,
Pennsylvania, New York." Washington, D. C., Government Printing
Office, 1959. 191 p.
195. , , "Report of the Comprehensive
Survey of the Water Resources of the Delaware River Basin."
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1961. 276 p.
D-12
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196. , Office of the Secretary, "Quest for Quality,"
Conservation Yearbook, Washington, D. C., Government Printing
Office, 1965. 96 p.
197. United States Inter-departmental Task Group, Recreation Advisory
Council, "Policy Governing the Water Pollution and Public Health
Aspects of Outdoor Recreation." Circular No. 3- Washington,
D. C., Government Printing Office, 1964. 10 p.
198. University of Wisconsin, "Workshop Manual for Conference on
Scenic Easements in Action." Madison, Wisconsin, 1966. 85 p.
199. Vallentyne, J. R., "Insect Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Compounds From Lakes." Ecology, 1952. Vol. 33, 573-577 P-
200. Van Buren, John, "Beach Safety Averages Said Misleading."
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, August 25, 1966, IB. p.
201. , "Closing Webster Beach Alone Called 'Foolish'."
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, August 2, 1966. IB. p.
202. Veatch, J. 0. and Humphrys, C. R., "Lake Terminology." Department
of Resource Development, Agri6ultural Experiment Station, Bulletin
No. 14, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 1964-
271 P.
203. , Water and Water Use Terminology, Thomas
Printing and Publishing Co., Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Ltd., 1966. 375 p.
204. Vollmer - Ostrower Associates, New York Statewide Comprehensive
Outdoor Recreation Plan, Part I—State Responsibility. Mastercraft
Lithographers, Inc., New York, New York, 1966.146 p.
205. , "The Next Step—Building For Outdoor Recreation."
New York, New York, 1965. 24 p.
206. , "Two-Year Progress Report on Land Acquisition for
Parks and Recreation under the $100,000,000 Bond Issue Program."
New York, New York, 1963. 28 p.
207. Wilm, H. G., "Meeting Public Needs and Providing Support for
Outdoor Recreation." Albany, New York, Undated. 13 p. mimeo•
208. Wingo, Jr., Lowdon, The Use of Urban Land; Past, Present, and
Future, Resources for the Future, Inc., Washington, D. C., 1963.
23 P.
209. Wisconsin Department of Resource Development, "Waterfront Renewal."
Madison, Wisconsin, 1966. 68 p.
210. Wright, David G., Public Beaches, American Institute of Park
Executives Management Aids, Bulletin No. 51> Wheeling, West
Virginia, 1965. 48 p.
D-13
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Appendix E
Views of Other Interests
-------
Approximately sixty copies of the preliminary draft of this report were
provided to interested Federal, state, and local government agencies for
review and/or comment. Review from these agencies is appreciated; many
portions of the report were revised to reflect their comments,, Copies
of their letters have been made a part of this report and are listed by
agency in the index on the following page. In some instances comments
disagreed with statements made in the preliminary report. Every comment
was carefully considered and changes were made. A few items, especially
in regard to water quality recreational relationships, were viewed differ-
ently by this Bureau. The aim of this report is to investigate and to
report the impact of water quality upon recreation in the basin—and to
that purpose this Bureau has addressed the study with the ultimate goal
of providing optimum water-oriented outdoor recreation opportunities
without quality deterioration.
The New York State recreation plan recognizes the seriousness of low
water quality and recommends water pollution abatement programs through-
out the basin. The preliminary report was criticized for the use of news-
paper articles. The news reports give a historical perspective of what
has happened and what is now occurring; only facts as reported to the
news media by public officials or excerpts from published reports were
used. The quality of plates and graphical illustrations has improved
from the initial effort.
Again, this office appreciates the constructive, thoughtful remarks
offered by reviewing agencies. It is our hope that this report will
encourage further efforts to provide better quality waters for outdoor
recreation. Should such an action occur, our study will have accomplished
a degree of satisfaction.
-------
INDEX OF REPLIES RECEIVED
1. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
2. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service
3. U. S. Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, North Central
Division
4. U. S. Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District
5. U. S. Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Lake Survey
District
6. U. S. Department of the Interior, Regional Coordinator, Northeast
7. U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries
8. U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and
Wildlife
9- New York State Conservation Department
10. Central New York State Parks Commission
11. Finger Lakes State Parks Commission
12. Genesee State Park Commission
13. Niagara Frontier State Park Commission
14. Thousand Islands State Park Commission
15. New York State Department of Health
16. Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters
17. Great Lakes Commission
18. Monroe County Department of Parks
19. Onondaga County Department of Public Works
20. Finger Lakes Association, Inc.
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C TMITKD STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
0 FOREST SERVICE
P EASTERN REGION
Y 633 ¥. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203
In Reply Refer To
2340
April 5, 1967
Mr. Roman H. Koenings
Regional Director
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Dear Mr. Koenings:
Enclosed are copies of Lake Ontario Basin Preliminary Reports
No. 015 and 016.
We have no specific comments on the text of the report. We
do, however, appreciate having had the opportunity to review
it and would appreciate receiving copies of the final report,
as it contains much information that would be of value to us.
Sincerely yours,
(Signature)
H. A. SVENSEKT
Assistant Regional
Forester
Enclosures
-------
c UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OP AGHICULTUBE
SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE
Room 400, Midtown Plaza
f. 700 E. Water Street
Syracuse, N. Y. 12210
April 12, 1967
Mr. Roman H. Koenings
Regional Director
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
Lake Central Region
2852 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Dear Mr. Koenings:
Thank you for the opportunity to review the two preliminary
draft reports on "Water Oriented Outdoor Recreation-Lake
Ontario Basin." Various members of my staff have reviewed
the reports and collectively agree they are well written.
It is our understanding that the essential purpose of the
report is to describe present water oriented recreational
opportunities in the Lake Ontario Basin and the problem
caused by pollution. We have no specific comments to make
on these drafts, but would appreciate receiving copies of
the final reports when they are made available.
Sincerely yours,
(Signature)
Wallace L. Anderson
State Conservationist
Enclosures 2
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G DEPARTMENT OP THE AHMY
0 NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION, CORPS OP ENGINEERS
P 536 SOUTH CLARK STREET
Y SEAL Chicago, Illinois 60605
IN REPLY REFER TO:
NCDPD-ER
4 May 1967
Regional Director
U. S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
Lake Central Region
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Dear Sir:
Returned herewith are two copies of your preliminary
draft of the report "Water Oriented Outdoor Recreation, Lake
Ontario Basin." The draft has been reviewed previously and
comments furnished by the District Engineer, Buffalo, New
York, on 14 April 196?.
We have no additional comments to offer at this time.
However, we have reviewed your report with great interest,
particularly those sections on methodology, recreation supply
and demand, and water quality influences. It has been noted,
also, that your recommendations in chapter 9 stress the im-
portance of water quality and the need for control and abate-
ment of pollution at its sources. We concur in these
recommendations.
Receipt of two copies of your report, upon completion,
would be very much appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
(Signature)
J. S. KING
Chief, Planning Division
1 Incl.(dup)
as
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C DEPARTMENT OP THE AEMY
0 BUFFALO DISTRICT, CORPS OP ENGINEERS
P Poot of Bridge Street
Y SEAL Buffalo, New York 1420?
IN REPLY REFER TO NCBKD-B 14 April 196?
Regional Director
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Dear Sir:
We have reviewed the preliminary draft of your report "Water
Oriented Outdoor Recreation - Lake Ontario Basin." Our
comments will be limited to your references to work of the
Corps of Engineers. Data below are for your information and
may be used to the extent you desire.
The last paragraph of 4-22 discusses beach erosion control
projects. The project at Selkirk Shores State Park is about
49 percent complete, but no schedule has been set for comple-
tion. No work has yet been done on the projects at Pair
Haven Beach and Hamlin Beach State Parks. Advance planning
for the Hamlin Beach project will start in 1967•
Recreational boating facilities are listed in table A-6, shown
on plate 4-8 and discussed on pages 4-23 and 4-43- It should
be noted that local interests are required to provide up to
50 percent of the cost of facilities provided by the Corps for
recreational boating.
Considering the harbors in the order listed in table A-6, the
existing project at Wilson Harbor is complete. A report
recommending provision of additional facilities is under
review. The project at Olcott is complete. Advance planning
for Oak Orchard Harbor has been started, but no construction
has been done. About 200 boats are now based there.
The harbor at Rochester is primarily commercial with no
Federally-provided facilities for recreational boating. Con-
tinuing commercial development will gradually reduce the
space available for recreational boating. Only advance
planning has been done for the Irondequoit Bay project, and
construction has not started. At present, many of the 1500
boats based in the bay are unable to negotiate the channel
between the bay and Lake Ontario.
Great Sodus Bay Harbor is a commercial harbor with no Federal
facilities for recreational boating. No work has been done
on the project for Port Bay Harbor. Little Sodus Bay Harbor
was constructed as a commercial harbor, but now has no commercial
use and is maintained for recreational boating. Oswego Harbor
is a commercial harbor with no Federal facilities for recrea-
tional boating.
-------
No work has been done on the project for Port Ontario Harbor.
Sackets Harbor, Cape Vincent Harbor and Morristown Harbor were
constructed as commercial harbors and have not been maintained
in recent years, but are used to some extent by recreational
craft. Ogdensburg Harbor is also a commercial harbor.
In addition to those listed, studies are underway for provision
of recreational boating facilities at : Fourmile Creek State
Park; Hamlin Beach State Park; Braddock Bay, Cranberry and
Long Ponds; and Pultneyville. Authorized studies have not
been started for Golden Hill State Park, Mexico Bay(mouth of
Little Salmon River) and Chaumont River.
Copies of the draft are returned. ¥e would appreciate receiving
the final report, as it will contain much information of value
in our studies.
Sincerely yours,
(Signature)
L. E. LUFKIN
Major, Corps of Engineers
Deputy District Engineer
Incl
Draft
(in dup)
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C DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
0 LAKE SURVEY DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGIEEERS
P 630 Federal Building
Y SEAL Detroit, Michigan 48226
In reply refer to:
NCLRC 27 April 196?
Regional Director
Lake Central Region
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 4Q104
Dear Mr. Haynes:
As requested by your 17 March 1967 letter, reference
D6427GL, the following comments are submitted on your
publication, "Water Oriented Outdoor Recreation, Lake
Ontario Basin":
a. Page 2-1; Figures listed do not agree with the most
recent data sheet, copy attached (incl l), source of data
No. 188 on page D-15 should be updated.
b. Page 2-11; Maximum depth 802 ft. Seasonal fluctua-
tions 2.21 ft or 2.24 ft (compare incl 2).
c. Page 2-13; The Niagara River is not listed as a major
tributary. Certainly the lower Niagara River should be
considered as part of the Ontario Basin.
d. Page 2-15 '• Power production on the lower Niagara
River is not mentioned in the second paragraph. Con-
sideration should be given to including this for complete-
ness of discussion of the section on the rivers of Lake
Ontario.
e. Page 2-16; The last line should read "from agricul-
tural production."
Sincerely,
(Signature)
WILLIAM J. SCHDDER
Lt. Colonel, Corps of Engineers
District Engineer
3 Incl
1. Data sheet
2. Water Levels
3. Prel Rpt
-------
-------
C UNITED STATES
0 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
P SEAL OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
Y NORTHEAST REGION
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
Room 2005 J & K
Boston, Massachusetts 0220J
March 29, 196?
MEMORANDUM
TO: Roman H. Koenings, Regional Director, BOR,
Ann Arbor, Michigan
FROM: Regional Coordinator, Northeast Region
SUBJECT: Lake Ontario Basin Report
I have given a swift cursory inspection of the preliminary
draft of the report "Water Oriented Outdoor Recreation -
Lake Ontario Basin" sent to me on March 17, 196?.
My only comment concerned studies which are now underway
in the report area and which were not mentioned (at least
I did not see any reference to them in my "swift cursory
inspection").
In the Genesee River Basin there is underway a comprehen-
sive study of all water and related land resources. The
recreation potential of this basin is being thoroughly
studied and an appendix on this subject will be part of
the report. BOR has a large part in these studies.
There is also a study underway on the "Levels of the
Great Lakes" under the aegis of the International Joint
Commission. This study will look into the possibilities
of stabilizing the levels of all of the lakes through
regulation works. Such stabilization should have a great
effect on recreation, since both high and low water condi-
tions will be improved and this will therefore improve
the possibilities of expanded recreational use.
I believe that information of this sort should be included
in your report.
The preliminary report is returned herewith, as requested.
(Signature)
Mark AbeIson
Enclosure
-------
c
0
p
Y
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
MEMORANDUM MTE: April 19, 196?
TO : Regional Director, Lake Central Region, BOR
Ann Arbor, Michigan
PROM : River Basin Studies Coordinator, BCF
Ann Arbor, Michigan
SUBJECT : GLIRBP—Lake Ontario Segment—BOR March 1, 1967
Preliminary Draft Report on Outdoor Recreation
We have reviewed the subject draft and have no comments from
the commercial fisheries standpoint. We do, however, have some
general comments bearing on overall water quality aspects.
1. Throughout the report there is an apparent misuse or
misunderstanding of the word "principle" for the word
"principal". This error has been specifically detected on
pages v, 2-11 and 2-15.
2. We wonder whether implementation of recommendation 2 on
page v may not be detrimental to the ultimate objective of
improving overall water quality in the Lake Ontario Basin.
We agree with the recommendation in principle. However,
the suggested activity would tend to be of a fragmented and
individual nature. The net result could be the same as
experienced in other areas of water resource management—
unnecessary competition for funds, inefficiency and adminis-
trative bickering. The public interest would not receive
its just attention and service. Inclusion of a phrase stres-
sing that water quality programs should be undertaken with
coordinated planning and/or organization would take care of
the matter. This corrective action also strengthens the
concluding sentence on the following page (vi) which could
now read—
"Continued and improved cooperation between Federal, State
and local governments is essential to achieving this
common goal."
3. Concerning the inclusion of "ski resorts" as an area of
study emphasis as stated on page 1-3, we have no disagreement
with their inclusion or the other winter sports per se. Skiing,
sledding and ice skating, etc., should rightfully be considered
in this report. However, it may be overstretching the point
to include skiing (and sledding) as "water-oriented outdoor
recreation" as indicated by the first sentence in section C,
Scope, on page 1-2.
-------
Reg.Dir.,Lake Cent.Reg.BOR,AnnArbor -2- April 19, 1967
Corrective action to remove this inconsistency might take
the form of replacing sentence one of section C with—
"In addition to the consideration of water-oriented
outdoor recreation, this report also includes study
of certain winter outdoor recreational activity in
the basin."
4- Inspection of Plate 2-J (page 2-7) indicates the graph
for water surface temperature (mean monthly) is missing.
Likewise, the appropriate symbol in the legend area below
the graph is missing.
5. With regard to the discussion on water quality (Chapter 6)
and graphical presentation (Plate 6-l), we question some of
the content and implication of this material as it now reads.
This material seems to accept a classification for sole or
principal use as sewage and industrial waste disposal. We
recognize that Mew York State has (or had) such a classifi-
cation. However, such a use classification is expressly
prohibited in FWPCA "Guidelines for Establishing Water Quality
Standards". It might, therefore, be appropriate for your
report to bring out the fact that the classification and
consequent use of certain stream reaches for sewage/indus-
trial waste disposal preempts the use of these same stream
reaches for water-oriented outdoor recreational purposes.
This suggested position would be more consistent with your
presentation of tangible losses to recreation from poor
water quality on Onondaga Lake commencing on page 6-J5«
We appreciate the opportunity to comment on this report and
commend those responsible for a fine contribution to the
GLIRB Study.
As per your request, we are returning under separate cover
the two copies we received for review purposes.
(Signature)
Robert L. Schueler
2 Draft copies - u/s/c
-------
SEAL imiTED STATES In reply refer to:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RB
C FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
0 Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife
P 1006 West Lake Street
Y Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408
April 7, 1967
MEMORANDUM
To: Regional Director, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, USDI
Ann Arbor, Michigan
From: Acting Regional Director, Bureau of Sport Fisheries
and Wildlife, USDI, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Subject: Review of Preliminary Draft - Lake Ontario Report
We appreciate the opportunity to review and comment on the
subject report. We concur generally in the comments and
conclusions reached in your report and find it to be a
well-written document.
Thank you for the review opportunity.
(Signature)
S. E. Jorgensen
-------
C STATE OF NEW YORK
0 CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT
P SEAL ALBANY
Y R. Stewart Kilborne
Commissioner April 14, 196?
Mr. Evan A Haynes
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Dear Mr. Haynes:
We wish to submit the enclosed comments pertaining to the
preliminary draft of your report "Water-Oriented Outdoor
Recreation - Lake Ontario Basin" which you furnished for
our review.
The report represents a great deal of research and effort
which is evident by the meticulous care that went into
referencing the numerous sources of information. Many
appropriate examples of park overcrowding, water pollution
and recreational use patterns were used to make the report
more interesting and effective in portraying the actual
situation in the Ontario Basin. Some very pertinent con-
clusions and recommendations were also made concerning the
need for providing additional water-dependent recreation
facilities especially near Metropolitan Areas, and the need
to attach water quality problems associated with
eutrophication.
Although this is a good report for its intended scope,
there are several areas that might lend themselves to im-
provement and modification.
l) Length of Report - The report would be more effective
if it could be made somewhat more concise. This might be
accomplished by eliminating some of the unnecessary
descriptive detail that contributes little to a technical
report. For example, the description of the historical
development of the canoe (Page 4-29) is interesting but of
no direct relevance. Other places could be found to make
the report more compact.
2) Needs Requirements - The recreation needs requirements
described in Section 5 are expressed in terms of required
acres of developed recreation land. Converting the recre-
ation needs into land resource requirements is a meaningful
way of defining the problem. The main disadvantage of
this unit by itself, however, is that it does not clearly
identify the particular resource requirements for different
activities. It would be helpful if activity resource
requirements were developed, in addition to total land needs.
3) Water Quality Influences - The content of Section 6 on
water quality influences was not consistent with the objec-
tive presentation of the rest of the report. Rather than
straight-forwardly identifying the water quality problems,
-------
Mr. Evan A. Haynes Page 2 April 14, 196?
the roots of the problem, and remedial courses of action,
this section dwelled too long and in too much detail on
case histories of water pollution and upon the adverse
effects associated with pollution.
In many cases, the tone towards water pollution tended to
"be negative. It was highly critical of several beach closing
situations and the government level involved, without also
pointing toward the improvement to be achieved through New
York State's Pure Waters Program. In particular, Conclusion
I on page 8-2 seems inappropriate, especially in view of the
cases cited, the officials seemed to act with prudence and
certainly within the State water quality standards. In
addition, since September 1, 1965» 237 orders to abate pol-
lution have been issued through the New York State Health
Department enforcement program. When the standards were
contravened or when the danger became obviously apparent,
positive action was taken. It must also be realized here
that a coliform standard, whether it be 1000 or 2400 per
100 ml., is at best arbitrary. Until a definite casual
relation between coliform counts and health risk is estab-
lished, debate over acceptable standards will continue to
be inconclusive.
At several other points in this section, general statements
were presented which tended to mate the problems seem more
widespread than in actuality. Section D, page 6-24 and 25
on water quality influences on fishing suggests a basin-wide
decline in fishing which is supported by only a single case
study on Onondaga Lake. Section H, Part 2 on tangible losses
to boating, an example of sedimentation at a marina is offered
as a typical problem, yet little other supporting material is
presented to prove that it is any more than a local problem.
Even the five examples of sub-standard water quality at
swimming areas do not give the reader a fair overall picture
of the problem as it pertains to the entire basin.
In general, the comments made in this section are negative.
The problem areas mentioned are significant but do not char-
acterize the entire study area or even a major portion of it.
The constant leaning on newspaper articles and semiprofessional
reports to support their comments and inferences results in
a very weak section of the report.
4) Vacation Visitors - The number of vacation visitor-days
occurring in the Lake Ontario Basin seems inordinately high,
and probably results from computations performed in Table
B-2. In this table, the total number of vacation visitor-
days is multiplied by the percentage of the recreators who
participated in individual activities during their vacation.
These computations would be valid if every visitor partici-
pating in an activity did so on every day of his 6.4 day
-------
Evan A. Haynes 3 April 14, 196?
vacation. Since such a situation is highly unlikely, the
total number of activity days is inflated and should be
reduced accordingly.
Sincerely,
E. Stewart Kilborne
Commissioner
By
(Signature)
¥.M. Lawrence
Deputy Commissioner
Enclosure
-------
c STATE OF NEW YOEK
0 SEAL
Y CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT
DIVISION OF PARKS
CENTRAL HEW YORK STATE PARKS COMMISSION
Jamesville, N.W. 13078
March 31, 1967
U. S. Dept. of Interior
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
Lake Central Region
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 Re: Lake Ontario Basin Water
Oriented Outdoor Recreation
Attn: Evan A. Haynes
Acting Regional Director
Gentlemen:
We have made a quick review of your preliminary draft of
report, "Water-Oriented Outdoor Recreation."
We strongly urge you to delete the following text:
Page 6-27 (first paragraph) - In a special unpublished
report (80) from the park superintendent to the assistant
regional park manager, the following remark was made for
June 22, 1964: "....can't understand how people can bathe in
the 3 inch green blanket of scum." On that particular day,
there were 740 recreationists who used the park beach despite
a posted "poor swimming" sign at the park's entrance.
The above statement was an "off the cuff" remark and not
for publication.
Our other comments include the following:
1. Page A-10 and A-ll; Green Lakes and Verona Beach are
erroneously listed as having boat launching sites.
2. Appendix C, Zone 2;
(a) Acreage for Verona Beach should be 1355 not 27.
(b) Battle Island does not have picnicking or tent
camping. It is on the Oswego River not on a tributary.
(c) Verona Beach does not have boating.
(d) Clark Reservation is adjacent to Butternut Creek.
We were very much impressed with the report. It should prove
of great value to the Federal Water Pollution Board as part
of their comprehensive study.
Very truly yours,
(Signature)
Samuel Perry
Regional Park Manager
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C STATE OF HEW YORK
p SEAL
Y CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT
DIVISION OF PARKS
FINGER LAKES STATE PARKS COMMISSION
R.D. 3, Trumansburg, N.Y. 14886
May 1, 1967
Mr. Roman H. Koenings, Regional Director
U. S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
Lake Central Region
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Attention: Mr. Henley
Gentlemen:
Please refer to your telephone call of April 25,
1967, inquiring as to the status of the Finger Lakes State
Parks Commission comments to the preliminary report on the
Water Oriented Outdoor Recreation, Lake Ontario Basin.
Mr. D. E. Ryan, Regional Park Manager, is out of the
office on sick leave. I have located only one copy of the
report but was led to believe after talking with you, that
you had mailed two copies to this agency.
I have made a quick review of Appendix C - Inventory
of Existing Recreation Areas and can suggest the following
changes as they apply to State Parks in the Finger Lakes
Region:
Zone 1
1. Site No. S-10 - Stony Brook State Park. Please
add "X" in column designating Group Camping.
Zone 2
2. Site No. S-22 - Seneca Lake State Park. Please
change area to read 265.
3- Site No. S-27 - Vatkins Glen State Park. Kindly
delete the "X" listed under fishing. There is
no fishing in the park.
Zone 5
4. Site No. S-127 - Fair Haven Beach State Park.
Area in acres should be 1,096 instead of 1,176
as shown.
I assume that the acreage figures listed in your
appendix were taken from the BOR Forms #BOR 8-73 submitted
by each Region back in December, 1964.
Very truly yours,
FINGER LAKES STATE PARKS COMMISSION
(Signature)
Abraham George, Jr.
AG:cw Assistant Regional Park Manager
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C STATE OF HW YORK
° SEAL
Y CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT
GENESEE STATE PARK COMMISSION
May 11, 1967
Mr. Roman H. Koenings
Regional Director
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
II. S. Department of the Interior
Lake Central Region
3855 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 Re: Water Oriented Outdoor
Recreation Lake Ontario
Basin Preliminary Report
Dear Mr. Koenings:
As requested, I have reviewed the preliminary draft dated
March-196? of the report "Water Oriented Outdoor Recreation
Lake Ontario Basin" prepared by your staff.
I am attaching a list of comments which I noted as I pro-
ceeded page by page through the Report. In some instances,
as I reached the later pages of the Report I found that the
data which was the subject of my previous comment had been
reviewed in much more detail. I made no attempt to revise
my original comments, however, and leave that to your con-
sideration.
I am also attaching for your general information an analysis
by camper days of the origin of patrons using our cabins and
campsites at Letchworth State Park. It was quite interesting
to observe that approximately 40% came from outside the State.
Also attached for your general file is a set of the illustra-
tions furnished by Task Group No. 8 - Recreation for the
Genesee River Basin Study. The data as to Supply and Demand
was taken from a Report by your Philadelphia office.
I hope that my comments may be of some help to you.
Cordially
(Signature)
Gordon W. Harvey
Chief Engineer and Regional
Manager
GWH/scb
Ends.
CC: Mr. Roland B. Handley
-------
STATE OF NEW YOKE
CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT
GEHESEE STATE PARK COMMISSION
P.O. Castile, N. Y. 14417
Attachment to letter to Mr. Koenings May 11, 196?
BE: Water Oriented Outdoor Recreation Lake Ontario Basin Report
COMMENTS
Page iii - Re Banning Swimming at Some Public Beaches. It has recently
been announced that the three beaches of Monroe County at the City of
Rochester will be closed the summer of 1967. It may be 5 to 7 years be-
fore conditions can be corrected. In the meantime, Hamlin Beach State
Park, 25 miles to the west, must pick up the brunt of this load.
Page 1-7 - Re "Day-Use Zone". My personal opinion is that the 40 mile
radius is outmoded where good roads exist. In this area I know that
Letchworth State Park draws maximum crowds from both Buffalo and Rochester
with effective radii of 60 miles.
Page 2-20 - Canadice and Hemlock Lakes are in Rochester Watershed and are
not available for recreation, with very limited exceptions.
Plate 2-11 The Parkway on the east side of the Niagara River is complete
across Grand Island and from North Grand Island to Lake Ontario.
The Southern Tier Expressway is complete from a point about 10
miles northwest of Corning to a point about 4 miles east of Elmira.
Page 2-39 Re Vacationing Population. See attached analysis of 1966 cabin
and campsite rentals at Letchworth State Park.
Page 3-1 Under "Methodology" you indicate that demand comprises two com-
ponents and define the Express Demand as represented by use of existing
facilities. This is somewhat confusing to me. Recognizing as I do that
at no time in the past have enough existing facilities existed in our
recreation areas to meet the Demands of the public, I have always contended
that attendance figures are not indicative of Demand but rather of expanded
or improved facilities. This is borne out by the fact that whenever we
have developed or improved areas, the expanded facilities are promptly
over used within a year of construction and at the end of the year they
become "turn-away". This is also confusing because in the Genesee River
Basin Report, B.O.R. refers to Demand as one entity whether manifest or
latent and appears to treat Supply as any existing or anticipated outdoor
recreational opportunity that will satisfy a Demand. In general, under
conditions stated above, Supply equals the Expressed Demand, represented
by use of existing facilities.
Page 3-2 - See attached graphs for 4 key facilities in the Genesee Market
area (14 counties in western New York plus 4 in Pennsylvania).
Page 4-10 - See Figure 13 of attached data re "Portage" project immediately
south of Letchworth State Park.
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Attachment to letter to Mr. Koenings May 11, 1967
EE: Water Oriented Outdoor Recreation Lake Ontario Basin Report
COMMENTS (continued)
Page 4-16 It would be appropriate to refer to the Federal-State Program
for the establishment of harbors of refuge. In my Region, harbors and
related marinas are planned at Oak Orchard Creek, Hamlin Beach State Park,
Braddock Bay State Park and Irondequoit Bay. Others are being considered
by the Army Engineers in other Regions.
Page 4-22 "Beaches at Hamlin Beach State Park.... have been rehabilitated."
An authorized Federal project is available for this work but construction
is not expected for several years. I am not familiar with the status of
the Fairhaven and Selkirk projects but they could be checked by phone calls.
Page 4-37 Fifth line - "proposed Niagara Parkway" -Should be "existing
Robert Moses State Parkway."
Page 4-J8 Deer hunting is permitted in selected areas of Letchworth State
Park when it is certified that the deer population is excessive.
Page 5-2 and Table 5-1 I believe that "developed recreation acreage"
refers only to that portion of a park acreage developed for intensive
mass recreation. These figures are sometimes misunderstood. In the
Genesee Basin Report it was found necessary to point out that, in the
case of major recreation areas such as State parks, this intensively
developed area represents only about 10 to 15 percent of the total area
in the larger parks and the balance is needed for protection and to
preserve the scenic and natural setting. The methodology appears to me
to assign too little acreage for protection and preservation of the
existing natural values. As a result, I would be inclined to increase
the "additional deficit acreage needed".
Page 5-4 Letchworth State Park is a resource-oriented area and has been
described as "of national significance" and "meeting the criteria of a
national recreation area". Possibly an exception should be noted.
Page 5-6 We attached analysis of Letchworth campers indicating that 40
percent are from outside the State.
7-2 Table 7-1 Seems to be overly optimistic, at least as far as the
findings for the 14 western counties of New York and 4 in Pennsylvania in
the Genesee Basin Report.
Page A-10 "A. Recreational Harbors" - Add "Braddock Bay - 500"
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C NIAGARA FRONTIER
0 STATE PARK COMMISSION
Y SEAL
PROSPECT PARK-NIAGARA RESERVATION
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
April 27, 1967
Mr. Evan A. Haynes, Acting Regional Director
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
RE: D6427GL
Dear Mr. Haynes:
I have talked with Robert Henley, of your office, some
of the comments which we have in relation to the pre-
liminary draft of your report "Water-Oriented Outdoor
Recreation - Lake Ontario Basin" and in agreement with
our understanding I am sending them by letter.
Page 4-37 paragraph at the top of page refers to "....
linking it with the proposed Niagara". It should read
"Robert Moses State Parkway which will originate at
Beaver Island State Park". Instead of "Beaver Island
State Park" it should be "North Grand Island Bridge"
so it will read "...linking it with the proposed Robert
Moses State Parkway which will originate at the North
Grand Island Bridge".
Page 4-43 a note at the bottom of the page refers to
"8 harbor proposals along the Lake shoreline". As we
have preliminary authorization for harbor proposals at
Four Mile Creek and Golden Hill State Park I hope they
are included in this inventory.
Page 7-4 Under the Establishment of objectives, I
believe that reference should be made here to the water
pollution abatement to up grade the Niagara River from
below the Falls to Lake Ontario in order to bring back
boating, water skiing and possibly swimming. This
portion of the River is very heavily polluted by the
City of Niagara Falls, New York and by residents along
the River, who discharge raw sewage directly into the
River. It is my understanding that 90 percent of the
solids from the Niagara Falls, New York sewage plant
discharges directly into the River. If this is covered
under some other report, there should be some reference
to the report so that the recognition is made in your
release for the Lake Ontario Basin.
The Niagara River below the power plants has some of the
best boating and water skiing areas in the region if the
pollution were not so severe. This is also a factor
that effects the propagation of wild life and fish in
the River.
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Mr. Evan A. Haynes - 2 - April 27, 196?
I note that throughout the entire report there is very
little reference to the Niagara River and to the SMSA's
along Lake Ontario in Niagara County. This is a very
serious problem which should be recognized and corrected.
I refer specifically to 12 Mile Creek which discharges
into the Lake in the vicinity of Wilson, Eighteen Mile
Creek in the vicinity of Olcott, and Golden Hill Creek
which discharges into the Lake in the vicinity of
Golden Hill State Park.
In the Appendix on Page A-10 the listings have Recrea-
tional Harbors, which should include Golden Hill. We
have existing a boat marina with the estimated number
of boats based - 40. This marina has existed prior to
our acquisition and we have carried it over on a tem-
porary basis until Park development will enlarge the
facilities.
Under the listing of parks Appendix C-Zone 5 "the follow-
ing corrections should be made:
Lewiston State Park has an acreage of 119.
Fort Niagara State Park has an acreage of 284.
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park has an acreage of 311 •
Under the listing for County Parks - Zone 5 Krull County
Park has a visitation of 100,000 not 10,000-1963.
Generally the report is very well done and compiles a
great amount of work which is very interesting and useful.
I am returning the 2 preliminary books as instructed and
request that when the final printing is carried out we
receive 2 sets for our files and reference.
Very truly yours,
(Signature)
Arthur B. Williams
General Manager
enc.
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C State of New York
° SEAL
Y CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT
THOUSAND ISLANDS STATE PARK COMMISSION
Alexandria Bay, New York
April 14, 1967
United States Department of the Interior
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
Lake Central Region
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Attention: Mr. Roman H. Koenings
Gentlemen:
I am returning the two preliminary booklets on "Water-
Oriented Outdoor Recreation-Lake Ontario Basin" with the
following comments:
1. The Recreation Bond Issue Program in New York State
was $200,000,000 for development. The additional
$200,000,000 is being received from matching federal
and municipal funds plus State appropriations.
2. In the St. Lawrence sub-basin, we have 12 parks in
our region. I believe you forgot Jacques Cartier
State Park.
3. On plate No. 4-2, you have not located Coles Creek
Area of Robert Moses State Park. This area is
situated two (2) miles northeast of the village of
Waddington, New York.
4. In your recreation development chart, be advised
that Southwick Beach State Park does have picnicking.
¥e congratulate you on your fine report, and we will be
looking forward to receiving copies upon completion.
Very truly yours,
THOUSAND ISLANDS STATE PARK COMMISSION
(Signature)
Ralph D. Wallace
Regional Park Manager
RDW:bw
Enc.
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C STATE OF NEW YOHK
0 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
P 84 Holland Avenue
Y SEAL Albany, New York 12208
April 12, 1967
Mr. Roman H. Koenings
Regional Director Re: Preliminary report -
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Water Oriented Outdoor
U.S. Department of the Interior Recreation - Lake Ontario
3853 Research Park Drive Basin - March, 1967
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Dear Mr. Koenings:
This will acknowledge receipt of your letter dated March 17
to Doctor Ingraham enclosing the preliminary draft of the
report entitled "Water Oriented Outdoor Recreation - Lake
Ontario Basin".
The report is very well presented and illustrated. It con-
tains a great deal of interesting and pertinent information
pertaining to the impact of water quality upon recreation in
the basin. One of the major objectives in the State's Pure
Waters Program is to correct the existing sources of pollu-
tion which contribute to degraded water quality conditions.
A major phase of the program involves a billion dollar con-
struction bond issue which has been noted in the report.
The following suggestions are made for inclusion in the final
report:
(l) Plate 6-1 showing classes of best usage assigned to waters
of the basin should be amended to reflect the elimination of
Classes E and F. We further anticipate that the special class
for the Lower Genesee River will be eliminated as the result
of public hearings held in late 1966 and early 1967-
(2) Page 6-5 relates to coliform criteria for bathing waters.
Two bills amending the Van Lare Law have recently been passed
by the Legislature and sent to the Governor.
(j) A reference should be made about the effects of oils and
other waste discharges from ocean going vessels using the St.
Lawrence Seaway upon the closing of beaches.
I hope the above comments will be of assistance to you and that
you will feel free to call us regarding any questions you may
have.
Thank you for the opportunity to review the report.
Sincerely yours,
(Signature)
Robert D. Hennigan
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C STATE OF NEW YORK
0 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
P 84 Holland Avenue
Y SEAL Albany, New York 12208
May 10, 1967
Mr. R. H. Koennings
Regional Director
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
U.S. Department of the Interior
J855 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Dear Mr. Koennings:
In reference to my recent telephone conversation with Mr. Henley of your
Bureau regarding the effects of oil upon recreation waters in the St.
Lawrence Basin, the following situations have occurred.
In 1961, Grassy Point Beach on the St. Lawrence River had to be closed
for one day because a tanker discharged either oil or ballast water which
covered the beach with a heavy, black bunker fuel oil.
Complaints are periodically received by the Department of Conservation
from cottage owners along the river regarding oil washed onto the shore.
The source is believed to be ballast water pumpage from passing tankers.
During the migratory and hunting seasons, complaints are made to the
Conservation Department regarding either destruction of water fowl or
immobility from oil wastes.
I trust that the above information will be of assistance to you.
Sincerely yours,
(Signature)
Robert D. Hennigan
Editorial Note: This letter was received too late for incorporating its contents
into the final report.
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C COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
0 DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS AND WATERS
P SEAL HARRISBURG
Y 17120
April 26, 1967
In reply refer to
SP
Mr. Roman H. Koenings
Regional Director
U. S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
$853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Reference: D6427GL
Dear Mr. Koenings:
We have reviewed the preliminary draft of the report,
"Water-Oriented Outdoor Recreation - Lake Ontario Basin",
as requested in your letter of March 17, 1967.
As we mentioned by telephone to your Mr. Henley, we
have no additions or comments to make regarding the report.
The preliminary drafts are being returned under separate
cover.
Sincerely yours,
(Signature)
MAURICE K. GODDARD
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C QBEAT LAKES COMMISSION
0 INSTITUTE OP SCIENCE ML TECHNOLOGY BLDG.
P 2200 North Campus Blvd.
Y Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
April 24, 1967
Mr. Evan A. Haynes
Acting Regional Director
Lake Central Region
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48104
Dear Mr. Haynes:
The Great Lakes Commission appreciates receiving a preliminary
draft copy of the BOR report on "Water-Oriented Outdoor Recre-
ation - Lake Ontario Basin" which accompanied your letter of
April 4, 1967• In accordance with the request in your letter,
I have reviewed the report, and below are some comments that
you may wish to consider in preparing the final report. Pre-
facing these remarks, I wish to compliment your staff on the
thoroughness and readability of the Lake Ontario Basin study.
It should prove very useful to a wide range of interests in
the field of water resources planning.
My comments and suggestions refer generally to minor matters,
but ones which may add to the utility of the report.
page 2-8 The symbols used for the shore types become
difficult to identify due to the reduction in
the size of the map. Could the physical character
of the various shore zones be indicated, along
with the kinds of material or shore types? I
refer to such shore features as bluffs, dunes, etc.
page 2 - 11 Reference is made to lunar tides but not to
seiches. I believe the latter occur on Lake
Ontario, although not to the extent or amplitude
found in relatively shallow Lake Erie. Still,
such changes in water level would be of more
significance than the effect of lunar tides.
page 2 - 11 No reference is made to Lake Ontario Low Water
Datum —242.8 feet above sea level (Father Point
on the lower St. Lawrence River.) — although
LWD is referred to, but not defined on page 1-8.
page 2 - 11 No reference is made to the Iroquois Dam, on the
upper St. Lawrence River, which serves to control
the outflow from Lake Ontario and, thus, regulate
its water level. Plan 1958-D, developed by the
International St. Lawrence River Board of Control
in 1963, indicates the water levels of Lake Ontario
will be maintained, during the navigation season,
between elevations 242.77 and 246.77 or as near
thereto as possible.
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Mr. Haynes 2 April 24, 1967
page 2-33 The route numbers are too small to be read.
page 4-4 On plate 4 - 2 ( and plate 4-3), it would be
helpful to indicate that the reference numbers
are identified in Appendix C. This is mentioned
on page 4-2, but repetition on the map would
serve as an additional aid.
page 6-6 Reference made to various studies would be better
documented if based on the primary sources rather
than on newspaper stories.
page 7-9 I do not believe that the regulations adopted by
New York and Ontario regarding the discharge of
waste from watercraft came about from any joint
action.
Plates A number of the map plates could be identified
more readily if the plate numbers were displayed
more prominently — larger lettering and away
from the binding edge of the pages.
We are returning the preliminary draft of your report and look
forward to receiving a copy of the final report. It will
provide a valuable addition to our reference documents on the
Great Lakes.
Sincerely yours,
(Signature)
Albert G. Ballert
Director of Research
AGB/amp
Enclosure
P.S. The report is being returned as printed matter.
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County of Monroe
New York
C Department of Parks SEAL Telephone:
0 375 Westfall Road CH4-464-0
P Rochester, N.Y. 14620
Y March JO, 1967
Mr. Roman H. Koenings
Regional Director
U. S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Dear Mr. Koenings:
I have reviewed the enclosed preliminary drafts of your
report "Water-Oriented Outdoor Recreation - Lake Ontario
Basin" and feel that your report well presented the facts
regarding water-oriented outdoor recreation in the Rochester-
Monroe County area, as well as in the total Lake Ontario
Basin.
The only concern I have as a result of studying this
report is that perhaps it should have been extended further
to include in our area the tributary streams of the G-enesee
River, i.e., Oakla, Honeoye and Black Creeks, in the Monroe
County Area and also the Irondequoit Creek which flows into
Irondequoit Bay. Certainly the pollution which enters these
streams affects the river and consequently contributes to the
pollution in the lake. The potential and the demand for
recreation along all of these streams is great. I realize,
of course, that your study is broad in scope and perhaps it
is incumbent upon the County to extend this study to include
these tributary streams.
I should appreciate receiving a copy of the final report
upon completion.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Yours very truly,
(Signature)
ALVAN R. GRANT
Director of Parks
Enc. (2)
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C COUNTY OF ONONDAGA
p SEAL
Y DEPARTMENT OP PUBLIC WORKS
DIVISION OP PARKS AMD CONSERVATION
P.O. Box 146
Liverpool, N.Y. 13088
April 17, 1967
Evan A. Haynes
Acting Regional Director
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
Lake Central Region
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Dear Mr. Haynes:
We enclose herewith the two preliminary drafts, No. 51 and 52,
as submitted by your office of "Water-Oriented Outdoor
Recreation - Lake Ontario Basin.
We believe, after due study and review of the entire report,
that the finished product is an excellent compilation of the
recreation problem for the Lake Ontario Basin.
We note a few minor corrections - mainly in spelling - which
we offer for your consideration prior to final submission of
the report to the Federal Water Pollution Control Administra-
tion: They are
2-17 4"th line from bottom devoted to Commerical farming
should be Commercial
2-2J Montazuma should be Montezuma line 2
Cauyga Lake should be Cayuga line 3
Appendix C page 2 Mud Lake Wetlands site "S-50"
326 acres - undeveloped
might be same as
Appendix C page 5, Site L-10
Beaver Lake Park 498 undeveloped ?
Appendix B-9
C "Methology" should be "Methodology"
second line from bottom of page.
Very truly yours,
(Signature)
J. HOWARD SHATTUCK
Deputy Commissioner
JHS:cc
2 encs.
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C Finger Lakes Association, Inc.
Lake Street Plaza, Perm Yan, W.Y. 14527
P SEAL May 19, 196?
Y
Mr. Roman H. Koenings
Regional Director
U.S. Dept. of the Interior
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
3853 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Dear Mr. Koenings:
Earlier this month I wrote to Mr. Haynes requesting an
extension of your deadline for evaluating the preliminary
report on "Water-Oriented Outdoor Recreation - Lake Ontario
Basin." Subsequently Mr. Henley called and informed us as
to your deadline commitments.
In view of this we simply want to congratulate you on the
outstanding job you have done on compiling a variety of
information concerning the Lake Ontario Basin. We also
want to express appreciation for your thoughtfulness and
courtesy in contacting this office during the research phase.
We found the preview report most enlightening and while
there wasn't time to completely evaluate it there was some
concern expressed relative to the identity of the Finger
Lakes as well as the region they encompass being a recrea-
tional entity. Curiously Zone 2, the Oswego Subbasin,
involves nearly all our counties.
Generally, the information in the report seems well researched
and we shall look forward to receiving the final.
Very truly yours,
(Signature)
Conrad T. Tunney
Executive Director
CT/t
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Environmental Protection Agency
R>£icn V9 Library v
2':..: r.,-tv.h Dearborn Street
C,:"..-: 3, Illinois 6060H
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