The herbicide known as Reward® has proven in recent years to be the most effective in controlling unwanted weeds which foul propellers and grow more problematic as the summer season wears on. New York State requires that we post a 14-day swimming ban on areas treated with this herbicide. 

Important Information to Consider in relation to the 14-Day Swimming Ban:

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) requires that we send a riparian notice (notification to residents and visitors of actions affecting our watershed) for planned weed and algae treatments of Copake Lake, and further requires that we post 14-day restrictions on lake use after treatment with the herbicide Reward^®. However, the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and most other states (with the exception of New York) recommend a more limited restriction relating to the use of Reward^®: "1- to 3-day restriction on drinking and irrigation; no swimming or fishing restrictions.” We hope that this information will help our members to make an informed decision about using the lake following a treatment.