The Town has recently applied for a grant request of just under $400,000. in funding from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation that will assist the Town in solving problems associated with water quality at Hampton Manor Lake.

The lake has functioned recently more as a storm water retention facility than water resource, since itscreation over seventy years ago. Over time, storm sewers which convey runoff, from the adjacent residential neighbors have contributed to a build up of pollutants in the Lake, which in turn cause quality problems.Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, oils and grease from the roads, and just plain dirt and debris have found their way to the Lake and concentrated over time. The plan contains specific methods on how to addressthese existing problems and how to maintain an improved water quality in the future. The 8 acres lake has long been a delight to Town residents who have enjoyed fishing, boating and the tranquilsetting is offers. Hopefully, there may be more recreational opportunities available if water quality can be improved,such as swimming from a new beach area. 

To improve water quality in near term, a number of tasks have to be completed, such as dredging near two major storm sewer inlets, the beach area and near the lake outlet. The lake is very shallow and its average depth is only about 7 feet. The deepest part is only 10 feet. Greater lake depths improve the quality of aquatic life and inhibit plant growth. The other immediate task is to clean all the existing catch basin that empty into the lake which provide some first hand protection. The Town's Dept. of Public Works has already initiated a program to clean catch basins and swales around the Lake this fall.  The key to maintaining future water quality means controlling what goes into the storm sewers in the first place and treating runoff before it enters the lake.

Using nature and a "green" approach, manmade wetlands and preliminary retention areas can be installed to "treat" the pollutants, and hopefully lower concentrations of nitrates, phosphorus, oils and grease and even some heavy metals found in runoff. Two such areas are proposed for construction where prominent weed growth is now visible. Other proposed mitigation measures will include:
1) constructing a new lake outlet control structure so lake levels can be varied to assist in maintenance tasks and flow regulation,
2) installing new storm sewers and catch basins that discharge to the lake, and
3) replacing some sanitary sewers along roads near the lake.

The amount of the grant request was just under $400,000. These funds are administered under the NYSDEC Water Quality Improvement Projects Program, Round 10.

The Town would also like positive input from residents who are familiar with the lake and can offer suggestions on where there corrective actions can be taken to improve water quality and stop unwarranted pollution of this great resource.

Submitted by: Rick McCabe                                                                                                                               Supervisor
Town of East Greenbush