Supervisor highlights lake algae work, Riverkeeper to present watershed report

Putnam Valley — In a community update the Town Supervisor reviewed recent “state of the lake” briefings for Roaring Brook Lake and Lake Oskawanna and said Lake Peekskill is being treated experimentally with ultrasonic devices intended to reduce harmful algal blooms.

The Supervisor said Everblue prepared a preliminary report showing some positive impacts from the devices but described the effort as experimental for a lake the size of Lake Peekskill. She said both Roaring Brook Lake and Lake Oskawanna have been added to a definition of inland waterways, which may open more state waterfront resources, and that a pending round of DEC septic‑replacement funding could add Lake Peekskill and Barger Pond to the program.

A Riverkeeper presentation of a draft watershed report — summarizing a yearlong analysis of wastewater and phosphorus in the Peekskill Hollow Brook watershed and policy recommendations — was scheduled for June 23 at 6 p.m. at town hall. The Supervisor encouraged residents and stakeholders to attend, offer feedback after the presentation, and noted the final report is planned for release this fall.

No formal votes were taken on lake policy at the meeting; the board placed GEI’s 2026 lake‑management contract on the public record during consent items. The Supervisor said the lake issues are complex and that the town will continue to seek intermunicipal coordination and grant opportunities to address algal blooms.