You Can Help
Our lakeside population is complexly diversified. In addition to enjoying the serene beauty of the lake, our residents and their visitors enjoy numerous recreational outdoor activities including: fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, sailing, rafting, enjoying the native wildlife, or just relaxing by the water. Everyone can enjoy their activities of choice if we all adhere to the following rules/suggestions.
- Educate Your Children
- Maintain the Suggested Quiet Hours
- Practice Safe Boating
- Respect the Property of Others
- Protect and Preserve Our Wildlife
- Protect the Loon
- Control Pollution
- Reduce Your Contribution to Weed Growth
Educate Your Children & Visitors
How fortunate are our children to have the privilege of enjoying everything Hyde Lake has to offer! Some of us "old-timers" recall the fond memories of weekends spent at Hyde Lake as children. We remember the crystal-clear waters, the serenades of the bullfrogs, the humming of the whipporwills, the camaraderie of our lake neighbors.
Many of us, unknowingly, acted in ways that harmed the lake environment. Since then, the world has changed, the lake has changed. There is a greater focus on the preservation of our environment and we are much more knowledgeable about what we need to do.Please share with your children and your visitors the things they shoud do to care for this great gift - Hyde Lake!
Maintain the Suggested Quiet Hours
Prime fishing hours are between 6:00-10:00 am & 5:00-9:00 pm. During these hours anglers should be allowed to fish without being disturbed by high-speed boaters and personal watercrafts.
Practice Safe Boating
- Per NYS law, all motored watercrafts must limit their speed to 5 mph within 100 feet of the shoreline. Speeds in excess of this will cause large wakes resulting in shore erosion, damage to docks and damage to wildlife habitats.
- Swimmers, rafters and sailboats always have the " Right of Way" over a motored watercraft.
- Adherence to all NYS boating laws concerning personal floatation devices and boat operation after alcohol ingestion is to be followed.
- Boats and personal watercrafts (Jet Ski's) with motors over 10-horse power may not be launched at the state boat ramp at the northeast end of the lake. this area is closely monitored by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and violators are subject to fines and prosecution.
- Proper lights should be utilized after dusk by all boaters.
Respect the Property of Others
The cliffs overlooking the lake provide us with a breathtaking view. They are, however, not a Public Access Area and are dangerous to any people who climb or dive from them. The cliffs are personal, private and posted property. Cliff climbing and diving is strictly prohibited.
Protect and Preserve Out Wildlife
- The lake is home to a wide variety of fish. If you do not plan to eat the fish you catch, promptly release them so that someone else may enjoy the "thrill of the catch.".
- Do not attempt to touch the beavers since their razor-like teeth can cause serious damage to humans and domestic animals.
Protect the Loon
We are fortunate that a loon family has chosen Hyde Lake for its home. Loon tremolos can be heard thoughout the day and night. Loons mate for life, with the pair retuning annyually in the spring to nest and produce offspring. Young loons can often be seen in the water riding on top of their mother's back. Since loon morbidity and mortality rates are high, everyone needs to be mindful about protecting and preserving them.
- No attempt should ever be made to catch or chase the loons. Any attempt to capture the bird could result in physical harm to the bird and/or the person. Loons have a sharp, piercing beak that can produce severe puncture wounds.
- Fisherman should refrain from throwing used tackle in the lake that could cause physical damage to the loon's intestinal tract. Because they are a diving bird, there is a distinct possibility that a loon will attack bait fish and/or fishing lures. If this happens to you, you should cut the line and allow the loon to digest the foreign body on its own.
Control Pollution
- Septic systems: The CSLAP program recommends that septic systems be dye tested every two years. Test and, if necessary, upgrade your septic system to comply with state standards.
- Take steps to eliminate greywater from entering the lake.
- Do not dispose of toxic substances (paint thinner, motor oil, etc.) in the ground.
- Do not wash with soap in the lake.
- Conform with the Town of Theresa zoning laws. Any new buildings or change in the use of property must obtain a permit from the town.
Reduce Your Contribution to Weed Growth
Weed growth is not uncommon amongst the other lakes in our area. Although the stable water level will now help us address this issue, it is not the underlying cause of the excessive growth of Eurasian Milfoil, our nuisance weed. The underlying cause lies mainly with us - human beings. All of us, some more than others, are contributing to the nutrient load that is now out of balance and encouraging the weed growth. All property owners should ask themselves how they can reduce the nutrient load because it all adds up.
- Do I mow my grass? This allows the rain to carry a nutrient load directly to the lake rather than having the flow slowed by natural vegetation and filtered out through the soil. This is especially a problem on slopes and with our limnology.
- Do I use fertilizer on my lawn or flowers? This same fertilizer makes its way to the lake and feeds those weeds!
- Is my septic system appropriate and working adequately?
- Is my gray water (worse than septic) being filtered through a system rather than spilling onto the ground, or worse yet, directly into the lake. Examples of "gray water" are dish water,shower water and washing machine water that is presumably safe to discharge directly into the ground.
- Do I add buffer strips of vegetation near my driveway to collect oil seepage from my vehicle which is washed into the lake with each rain?
- Do I resist washing clothes or bathing in the lake?
- Do I have a 2 cycle motor on my boat or have I changed to a 4 cycle motor that releases less oil into the lake?