Kennedy Invites USGS to Help Improve Lake Ronkonkoma

Suffolk County Legis. John Kennedy invited William D. Capurso of The United States Geological Survey (USGS), to make a presentation during the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board meeting last week. 

The USGS representatives outlined their role in monitoring the hydrological cycle in the aquifer system on Long Island, local hydrological conditions in Lake Ronkonkoma, the Connetquot River and Nissequogue River. In addition, Capurso discussed the USGS’s current road-salt monitoring pilot project and how those techniques could be used locally.

Capurso discussed how information involving hydrologic data was collected, the standard instruments and procedures used to do so; he stated that the information collected is used to comprise a nationally consistent data set that can be utilized to identify and evaluate changes occurring in Long Island’s aquifer system. The information is provided to local managers and regulators who then can develop programs to help protect aquifers, watersheds and other relevant water habitats.

The United Geological Survey also offers the “USGS Water Alert”’ which allows all residents to receive a text message or e-mail if a monitored substance reaches a pre-specified threshold at any of the “USGS real-time stations” currently operating.  To obtain more information regarding this service you may access http://water.usgs.gov/wateralert/.

Capurso also discussed the need for long term monitoring and collection of data in order to understand cause and effect of past and planned water-resource decisions. Furthermore, he confirmed he will regularly attend the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board meetings and the USGS will continue working to evaluate changing groundwater conditions in our region.

Kennedy partnering with Legislators Tom Cilmi and Tom Muraturo, renewed their commitment to continue working to improve monitoring, Lake Ronkonkoma water levels, water quality and improving the quality of life for all residents in the Lake Ronkonkoma Watershed.