A new swimming access point at Stissing Lake is nearing completion after a diving team hired by the Pine Plains Conservation Advisory Council removed invasive weeds and installed a specialized mat on Sunday, June 29, to create a cleaner entry point for swimmers beyond the lifeguarded portion of the beach — weed-free out to the open water.
The entry point is just several feet to the right of the current public beach area. While clearing the water was an important step, the town Parks and Recreation department is still reviewing fencing bids and finalizing signage plans. Director Brian Coons said the department will likely have an update on the opening date in the next couple of weeks.
The CAC purchased the barrier and initial weed removal for $1,200 using funds from the town-alloted CAC budget, according to Kim Denardis, a member of the CAC and co-president of the Stissing Lake Association. The town is working to establish an agreement with a contractor to oversee future seasonal installations and removals.
The work completed Sunday involved removing weeds like milfoil and lily pad roots by raking the lake bottom from the designated area before laying down a “benthic barrier” to prevent summer weed growth that could hinder swimmers.
The 10-by-40-foot benthic barrier is a mat made of a polymer material that blocks sunlight from reaching the floor at the bottom of the lake, preventing unwanted aquatic plant growth. It was laid 20 feet from shore and is secured with nine weighted rebar anchors. It’s heavy weight — around 100 pounds — helps ensure that it remains in place all summer long.
Dave Kullgren, a Connecticut police chief and owner of C and D Underwater Maintenance, led the three-hour operation with his son Cam and son’s friend Luke Libero, both in high school. The team used water rakes and garden hoes to remove weeds, filling eight 55-gallon barrels halfway with vegetation before dumping it along the lake’s edge to dry out.
“This makes the lake more usable,” Kullgren said. “Swimmers can get out to the free water without the nuisance of going through thick gross weeds where fish and snakes like to hide. Now they have a clean path.”
The benthic barrier will be installed in late spring or early summer each year and removed in fall for cleaning and winter storage. With proper maintenance, it should last seven to 10 years.
Previously, swimmers entered the lake at various self-determined points without town-approved guidance on safety or depth. The designated access point provides official entry with improved parking access through the recreation center lot.
Beyond the swimming access, the CAC plans to establish native plants along the shoreline to support local pollinators including dragonflies, butterflies, and bees. Plants under consideration include arrow arum, which would filter run-off water and hold the bank together, and buttonbush, a flowering woody shrub. While some native plants already exist along the shoreline, human activities like swimming and boat launching can disturb them.
The group is working with the Dutchess County Soil and Water Conservation District in Millbrook for guidance.
Additional updates from the CAC and further discussion of the swimming access point is expected at the next Pine Plains Town Board meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 17.