Carmans River

Image of the lower lake of the Carmans River.

The lower lake of the Carmans River
Photo credit: Long Island Adventures

The Carmans River, located in Brookhaven, NY, is one of four major rivers on Long Island. It used to be a 10 mile river, beginning north of the Long Island Expressway and flowing all the way to the Great South Bay. Centuries ago, dams were installed that created a series of lakes. The lakes have since provided energy, recreation, and a source of income for citizens in the area.

Recently, the Carmans River has been seriously threatened by two invasive plant species, Variable Leaf Milfoil and Cabomba. These are highly invasive species that have been increasing in population steadily since their introduction to the lakes a few years ago. The Variable Leaf Milfoil is the major problem in the lower lake, and the Cabomba is the major problem in the upper lake. These invasive species have become so concentrated that they have choked out native plants and marine life, inhibiting life in the river.

Image of Carmans River invasive species.

More information on aquatic invasive species

The Carmans River Task Force

In December of 2007, a Carmans River Task Force was created to address the serious invasive plant problem. CCE teamed up with Yaphank residents, elected officials, and other organizations to address the problems in these lakes. CCE’s Executive Director, Adrienne Esposito, oversees the seventeen diverse members that make up the working group.

Committee members include environmental organizations, civic associations, elected officials, and members of the community. Members include NYS Senator Kenneth LaValle, NYS Assemblyman Marc Alessi, NYS Assemblyman Dean Murray, Brookhaven Councilwoman Connie Kepert, Suffolk County, Legislator Kate Browning, South Yaphank Civic, Trout Unlimited, Open Space Council , Yaphank Taxpayers and Civic Association, and The Nature Conservancy. Also on the committee are representatives from the Town of Brookhaven, the Suffolk County Department of Environment and Energy, New York State Dept of Environmental Conservation, and the Suffolk County Department of Health.

The main goal of the Task Force is to review and evaluate all options of management and eradication of the invasive species of the upper and lower lakes. The Task Force will then recommend a plan to the Town of Brookhaven for addressing these invasive species, in a way that will cause the least possible harm to the native plants and marine life in the lakes.

The working committee meets at Brookhaven Town Hall to discuss progress and possibilities. At each meeting there is at least one guest speaker who provides additional education to the group on topics such as the history and marine life of the lakes, chemical processes, and treatment possibilities. Recent guest speakers have included Mr. Tim Green, Director of Natural Resources at Brookhaven National Laboratory; Mr. Chris Doyl, Allied Biological; and Ms. Karen Mouzakes, Yaphank Historical Society.

Recent Progress

In early spring of 2009, a harvester was purchased and was used on the lower lake as a temporary solution to the problem with the goal of clearing the lake of excessive plant life, enabling boating within the lake. The harvester removed 83 tons of plant material in the spring and summer of 2009.

Nelson, Pope & Voorhis was chosen as the consultant for the remediation project. They attended the September 2009 meeting and made a presentation of the timeline, schedule, approach to the project, and available information. The next meeting will be March 30, 2010, when the consultant will inform the task force of findings of the preliminary water quality assessment and provide base characterization information.

View the Request for Proposal, which became public on October 2, 2008.

More details about the Task Force and the Coalition to Save the Yaphank Lakes