Lake Health & Reports

Free Well Water Testing — Limited Time!

New York State is offering free private well testing through a pilot program. 

Click here to learn more and sign up. 

Protecting Our Lake: What We Can All Do

(Scroll to the bottom of this page for the most up-to-date lake reports.)

Together, we can protect the beauty and balance of Seven Hills Lake for generations to come. 

Every small step, from how we care for our lawns to how we manage runoff, helps preserve this shared natural treasure.

Understanding the Challenge: Eutrophication

One of the biggest natural challenges facing lakes is eutrophication: a process that occurs when excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, enter the water. These nutrients can come from lawn fertilizers, soil erosion, leaking septic systems, or even pet waste.

When too many nutrients accumulate, they trigger rapid plant and algal growth (often called an algae bloom). As this plant material decomposes, it uses up oxygen in the water—sometimes releasing toxins—and can harm fish and other aquatic life. 

View a brief video explanation, and read more about eutrophication here: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/eutrophication.html

How You Can Help

Many of the nutrients that affect the lake come from sources we can control. Small changes at home add up to a big difference:

🌱 Use fertilizers sparingly and choose low-phosphorus or organic types.

💧 Inspect septic systems regularly to prevent leaks.

🐾 Pick up pet waste to stop bacteria and nutrients from washing into the water.

🌿 Reduce erosion by maintaining plants and natural buffers near the shoreline.

☔ Manage stormwater: Keep driveways, drains, and ditches clear so rainwater can soak into the ground instead of running directly into the lake. Learn more here: https://www.stormwaterguide.org/static/HomeownersGuide.pdf

Aquatic Plants in Our Lake

Our lake supports a variety of native and invasive species, each playing a role in the ecosystem, but some requiring careful management to protect lake health:

🌿 Invasive Milfoil and Pondweed: fast-growing plants that can crowd out native species and interfere with swimming and boating. Learn more about how to identify and help control their spread here.

🐚 Chinese Mystery Snails: an invasive freshwater snail that competes with native species and can disrupt the lake’s natural balance. Please avoid releasing aquarium snails or plants into the lake, and clean boats or gear thoroughly before launching to prevent their spread. Read more about this species here.

🌼 Bullhead Water Lilies: Though common in parts of our lake, these beautiful native plants are actually endangered in several states. You can read more here.

Eco-Friendly Winter Tips

During winter, consider using environmentally friendly snow and ice treatments to help keep salt and chemicals out of the lake. Below are some practical, lake-safe options:

Ice Melter: Alfalfa meal. This is a totally natural fertilizer that contains some nitrogen to promote ice melting and has a texture to provide traction while it works. Not the perfect solution due to the nitrogen, but a much better idea than salt.

Traction Helpers: For just plain traction, cover ice with wood ashes, coal cinders, sand, or cat litter.

Slip Stoppers: Invest in non-slip stair treads for slippery steps.