Brian Barton
Oneida Lake is a remnant of Lake Iroquois, a large body of water that formed nearly 12,000 years ago when a glacier dammed the St. Lawrence River, flooding Central New York. The lake has been undergoing significant biological changes, including fluctuating fish populations, the invasion of zebra mussels, and a drop in phosphorus levels. While Oneida Lake has been delisted as one of the most polluted lakes in the United States, its sensitive watershed continues to impact the lake and the surrounding environment. On the other hand, Onondaga Lake, located in Syracuse, New York, has a history of severe pollution due to industrial dumping and municipal waste, earning it the reputation as one of America's most polluted lakes. However, recent cleanup efforts and upgrades at sewage facilities have led to improvements in water quality and a resurgence of aquatic life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Central New York |
| Size | 4.5 miles long, 1 mile wide |
| Depth | 36 feet |
| Northern Basin Depth | 62 feet |
| Southern Basin Depth | 65 feet |
| Pollution Causes | Sewage, industrial dumping, urbanisation, exhaust fumes, chemical dumping |
| Pollutants | Mercury, chlorinated benzenes, BTEX compounds, PCBs, PAHs, ammonia, phosphorus, silt, clay, calcium, sodium, chloride |
| Ecological Impact | Algal blooms, low oxygen levels, decline in fish populations, impact on plants |
| Clean-up Status | Ongoing, $1 billion clean-up in final stage in 2012, delisted by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |
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What You'll Learn
- Sources of pollution: sewage, industrial waste, and chemical dumping
- Clean-up efforts: Honeywell's clean-up, government initiatives, and legal action
- Impact on wildlife: fish populations, bird habitats, and plant life
- Water quality: mercury contamination, phosphorus levels, and oxygen depletion
- Cultural significance: Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Onondaga Nation, and land rights
Sources of pollution: sewage, industrial waste, and chemical dumping
Onondaga Lake in Syracuse, New York, has been labelled as one of the most polluted lakes in America. The lake has been a victim of both human-induced and natural pollution. Here is an overview of the sources of pollution: sewage, industrial waste, and chemical dumping.
Sewage
Onondaga Lake has received raw and partially treated sewage from the city of Syracuse, contributing to its high levels of pollution. The discharge from the Metro-Onondaga County sewage treatment plant provides almost 20% of the water flowing into the lake, rising to 30% in the summer. This sewage contains high levels of ammonia and phosphorus, which are human waste byproducts. These nutrients lead to excessive algae growth, known as algal blooms, which deplete the oxygen levels in the lake, choking the plant and fish life.
Industrial Waste
The lake has also endured a century's worth of industrial waste dumping. In the past, the soda ash facility discharged approximately 6 million pounds of salty wastes daily, composed of chloride, sodium, and calcium. This waste created the Solvay wastebeds, which continue to leech toxins into the lake, including methyl mercury, a highly poisonous chemical.
Chemical Dumping
In addition to the industrial waste, Onondaga Lake has been contaminated by intentional chemical dumping. Honeywell International's predecessor, Allied Chemical, discharged 165,000 pounds of mercury into the lake. This has resulted in the contamination of an estimated 7 million cubic yards of lake-bottom sediments. Other toxins found in the lake include chlorinated benzenes, BTEX compounds, PCBs, and PAHs, which pose dangers to humans, plants, and animals.
The pollution in Onondaga Lake has had severe ecological consequences, and remedial actions have been implemented to restore the lake's health. While the lake's turnaround is ongoing, it is gradually improving, with an increase in fish populations and species diversity.
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Clean-up efforts: Honeywell's clean-up, government initiatives, and legal action
Oneida Lake has historically been known for its summer algae blooms, which are caused by high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in the water. While nitrogen has an impact, phosphorus has a greater effect on algae and plant growth. In the 1970s, early efforts were made to reduce phosphorus in the lake, in accordance with a water quality agreement between the US and Canada.
Honeywell's Clean-up
Honeywell, a successor to Allied Chemical, has been involved in cleaning up Onondaga Lake, which is located near Oneida Lake and is considered one of the most polluted lakes in America due to industrial dumping and municipal waste. Honeywell has cleaned factory sites and built an underground barrier wall to prevent contaminated groundwater from reaching the lake. However, some critics argue that this is not enough, as the project will leave 85% of the lake bottom untouched.
Government Initiatives
The Oneida Lake Association encourages public participation and involvement in organizations that aim to protect the lake. They emphasize the importance of watershed and lake planning, as well as the preservation of wetlands to maintain the lake's overall health. The Oneida County Clean Waters Action advocates for responsible representation at the local and state government levels to protect the waters, wetlands, and forests of Oneida County. They also promote the decontamination of boats and the purging of anti-freeze from ballast tanks before entering Wisconsin lakes and rivers.
Legal Action
The cleanup of Onondaga Lake was a result of a decades-long fight using federal environmental laws and the courts to force remedial action. The Superfund project, which aims to suction up to 10 feet of toxic mud from the lake, is part of a $1 billion cleanup effort.
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Impact on wildlife: fish populations, bird habitats, and plant life
Oneida Lake is located in Central New York and is supplied by water from over 800,000 acres in five counties, which is referred to as its "watershed". The lake has historically been affected by pollution, which has impacted its wildlife, including its fish populations, bird habitats, and plant life.
Fish Populations
Oneida Lake is home to a variety of fish species, including walleyes, yellow perch, gizzard shad, northern pike, largemouth bass, sunfish, and more. The lake's fish populations have fluctuated over the years, with several factors influencing their numbers. One significant factor is the presence of zebra mussels, which entered the lake's ecosystem in the late 1980s. The zebra mussels have contributed to increased water clarity, allowing more light to penetrate deeper into the lake. This increased light intensity has caused walleyes, which avoid strong light, to seek shelter in weed beds and deeper water. The expansion of weed beds has provided cover for small fish but may have unknown long-term effects on species that inhabit the lake's deeper areas, such as walleyes and yellow perch.
Another factor affecting fish populations is the presence of algae blooms, which deplete the water of oxygen, particularly in the deeper portions of the lake. This oxygen depletion can be detrimental to cold-water fish species. However, recent upgrades to sewage facilities have helped curb the nutrients that promote algae growth, leading to improved water quality and a subsequent increase in fish populations.
Bird Habitats
Oneida Lake is also a habitat for various bird species, including colonial waterbirds such as common terns. Common terns are listed as a "threatened" species in New York, and their population has been impacted by predation on their chicks and eggs by gulls, other shorebirds, owls, and mammals. Efforts to enhance their nesting habitats and reduce predation have been successful, with an increase in the number of nesting tern pairs on the lake. The lake also attracts other bird species, such as seagulls, which include herring, great black-backed, and ring-billed gulls.
Plant Life
The increased water clarity and light penetration caused by zebra mussels have also stimulated plant growth in Oneida Lake. Submerged plant beds, which previously grew in limited areas near the shore, now extend to deeper waters. While these rooted aquatic plants can hinder boating, they provide essential habitat and cover for small fish species. The expansion of weed beds and aquatic plants is particularly favourable for species such as largemouth bass and sunfish, which prefer these habitats.
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Water quality: mercury contamination, phosphorus levels, and oxygen depletion
Oneida Lake, located in New York State, is the largest lake in the state with a total size of 79.8 square miles. The lake has an average depth of 36 feet, with two deep basins: the northern basin at 62 feet deep, and the southern at 65 feet deep. Oneida Lake's water quality has been a significant concern, particularly due to issues of mercury contamination, phosphorus levels, and oxygen depletion.
Mercury Contamination
Mercury, specifically methyl mercury, is one of the most poisonous chemicals found in aquatic systems. Methyl mercury has been detected in fish from the lake at levels exceeding federal and state standards. Historically, 165,000 pounds of mercury were discharged into the lake by Allied Chemical (Honeywell's predecessor), resulting in the contamination of approximately 7 million cubic yards of lake-bottom sediments. This contamination poses a severe threat to human health, as consuming fish with high levels of mercury can lead to adverse health effects, especially for pregnant or nursing women, developing fetuses, and children.
Phosphorus Levels
Excessive phosphorus levels in Oneida Lake have been a significant contributor to algal blooms. Phosphorus, often from urban, agricultural, and suburban runoff, acts as a fertilizer for algae, leading to excessive growth. These algal blooms have a detrimental impact on the lake's ecosystem. They deplete oxygen levels in the water, choking out fish and plant life, particularly in the deeper portions of the lake. This oxygen depletion can be fatal to cold-water fish and other aquatic organisms, disrupting the entire food chain.
Oxygen Depletion
Oxygen depletion in Oneida Lake is primarily caused by the aforementioned algal blooms. As algae proliferates, it consumes oxygen, leading to reduced oxygen levels in the water. This depletion of oxygen not only affects fish and plant life but also has broader ecological implications. Aquatic animals, birds, and even humans can be adversely affected by the presence of contaminated fish in their diet. While the toxins in the fish may not cause immediate illness, long-term consumption can lead to cumulative effects and adverse health outcomes.
Remedial Measures
Efforts to address the water quality issues in Oneida Lake have been ongoing. Upgraded sewage treatment facilities and regulations on detergent ingredients have contributed to a decline in phosphorus levels. Additionally, the implementation of best management practices, such as runoff management systems and nutrient control systems, has helped reduce phosphorus loads in the lake. These measures have led to improvements in water quality and a resurgence in fish populations. However, continuous monitoring and research are necessary to understand the ongoing ecological changes in Oneida Lake and ensure its long-term health.
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Cultural significance: Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Onondaga Nation, and land rights
Oneida Lake is a remnant of Lake Iroquois, a huge body of water that was formed nearly 12,000 years ago when, as the Ice Age ended, a glacier dammed the St. Lawrence River, flooding much of Central New York. Oneida Lake was an important part of New York's water transportation network in the past, with the Erie-Barge Canal using it as part of its course.
The Onondaga Nation is a federally recognised Indian Nation and a member of the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy, or Haudenosaunee, which is recognised in three treaties made with the United States. The other nations in the Haudenosaunee are the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora Nations. The Onondaga Nation is the Firekeeper or central council fire of the Haudenosaunee, and is governed by a Council of Chiefs, selected in accordance with its ancient democratic system.
Centuries ago, the Peacemaker brought the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk Nations together on the shores of Onondaga Lake. At the lakeshore, these warring nations accepted the message of peace, laid down their arms, and formed the Haudenosaunee Confederacy – the first representative democracy in the West. The lake became a sacred place, one that must be cared for and respected.
The Haudenosaunee's oral tradition tells that when the Seneca nation debated joining the Haudenosaunee based on the Great Peacemaker's teachings, a solar eclipse took place. The most likely eclipse visible in the area was in 1142 AD. This oral tradition is supported by archeological studies. Carbon dating of particular sites of Onondaga habitation shows dates starting around 1200AD ± 60 years, with growth for hundreds of years.
The Haudenosaunee's hunting grounds were ceded to the United States in the 1783 Treaty of Paris. Between 1790 and 1822, the State of New York signed five so-called "treaties" with individual members of the Onondaga Nation, acquiring all of the Nation's lands except for the 7,300-acre territory where the Nation resides today. However, none of these "treaties" were ever ratified or approved by the Onondaga Nation itself, the Haudenosaunee, or the United States government, and so are not considered valid.
In 1794, the Onondaga Nation, along with the other Haudenosaunee nations, signed the Treaty of Canandaigua with the United States, in which their right to their homeland was acknowledged. In 2005, the Onondaga Nation filed a land rights action in federal court, seeking acknowledgment of title to over 3,000 square miles of ancestral lands centring in Syracuse, New York. They hoped to obtain increased influence over environmental restoration efforts at Onondaga Lake and other EPA Superfund sites in the claimed area. The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rejected the Onondagas' claim in 2012, and the Supreme Court in 2013 declined to hear an appeal. In 2024, 1,000 acres of land were returned to the Onondaga Nation.
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Frequently asked questions
Oneida Lake was used as a part of the course for the Erie-Barge Canal, which was completed in 1916. Since then, the lake has undergone great biological changes, including fluctuating fish populations and a drop in phosphorus levels. However, there is no mention of Oneida Lake being severely polluted.
Onondaga Lake was once known as one of the most polluted lakes in America due to industrial dumping and municipal waste. However, after years of cleanup efforts, the lake has improved, and the final phase of its cleanup is set to begin.
The main sources of pollution in Onondaga Lake were raw and partially treated sewage, industrial waste, and chemical dumping. High levels of mercury were found in the lake, leading to a ban on fishing in 1970.
