Lake-friendly living isn’t just for the warmer months.
There’s plenty that can be done to protect whichever of the 11 lakes you call home. Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector Joe Decker told Finger Lakes News Radio that one of the best ways to protect the Finger Lakes this winter is to be mindful of how much rock salt you’re using.
“Too much rock salt is bad for amphibians and bad for fish, and salt has to go somewhere.” Decker said. “It can easily go into your groundwater, into streams, into rivers, and ultimately into lakes and watersheds. So for residential, I would just be mindful. look at the temperatures. if you’ve got a snow melt and it going to be freezing temperatures of course. Everyone wants to be safe but do it sparingly.”
Decker adds you can mix in some sand to cut down on salt usage.
Decker and his colleagues were guests on FLX Morning where they discussed more ways to be mindful of the lakes’ health during the winter.
FLX MORNING PODCAST – Dr. Adam Effler, Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council
