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A Blizzard Warning has been issued for Putnam and Orange Counties effective today at 1:00 p.m. until Monday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m.

Winter Weather Update
Due to the severity of the storm and hazardous road conditions, the State of Emergency remains in effect.

Putnam Valley Town Hall and all non-essential Town offices and facilities will remain closed on Monday, February 23, 2026. Any updates will be provided as conditions improve.

The Putnam Valley Highway Department has been actively plowing and treating roads and will continue operations throughout the day.

This storm has produced heavy snow and challenging conditions. With the added impact of wind and ongoing cleanup efforts, residents are asked to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary to allow crews and emergency services to operate safely and efficiently.

Stay well and warm!

 

*** URGENT WEATHER UPDATE ***

A Blizzard Warning has been issued for Putnam and Orange Counties effective today at 1:00 p.m. until Monday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. Which means you could expect strong winds accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow, resulting in reduced visibility for three or more hours.

Snowfall will begin in Orange and Putnam Counties on today, February 22 at 1:00 p.m., but the strongest winds and blizzard conditions are expected Sunday night into Monday. Between 14 – 22 inches of snow is expected with snowfall rates up to 2 inches per hour at times. Visibility will be low and travel will become dangerous. Temperatures will feel as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph are expected. Strong winds and the weight of snow may bring down trees and power lines.

All unnecessary travel is prohibited.

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION 02-22-2026 – NOON

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Town Announces 2026 Plan to Reduce Harmful Algal Blooms at Lake Peekskill by EverBlue Lakes

Situation Review

Clearly, 2024 and 2025 were both challenging and disappointing seasons for water quality and recreational quality of Lake Peekskill. Harmful blue-green algae blooms persisted through both seasons despite our collective attempts at an integrated and comprehensive approach within the limits of what is permitted in the State of New York for lake management.

These efforts included:

  • The ongoing operation and management of the aeration system to prevent internal release of phosphorus from the sediments and deliver oxygen to the lake bottom to continue to naturally process organic “muck” at the bottom.
  • Significant watershed and stormwater improvements implemented by the Town of Putnam Valley.
  • An aggressive treatment program for reducing algae using hydrogen peroxide-based algaecides designed specifically for reducing harmful blue-green algae.

Why the Disappointing Results?

Despite thoughtful and diligent effort we were unable to maintain the lake is usable condition for the bulk of 2025. Unfortunately, there appear to be multiple factors at work making it difficult to control the blue-green algae blooms:

  • Early season hot weather leading to very elevated water temperatures tipped the balance in favor of blue-green algae early in the season.
  • Watershed loading – potentially including a septic input that has not been discovered and is in the process of remediation.
  • Less than expected sustainable impact from the peroxide algaecide treatments
  •  Continued restriction of the use of Biological Treatment in the lake by the NYDEC.

Game Plan for 2026

Early Season Peroxide Treatment

Studies have shown promising results for the use of peroxide-based algaecides earlier in the season to neutralize the precursor cells of blue-green algae that are dormant on the lake-bottom in the Spring. These precursors are called Akinetes which you can think of as blue green algae “eggs” or spores waiting for the right conditions to hatch.

We have worked hard to get the permits applications submitted as early as possible to provide the NYDEC with as much time as possible to process and approve the permit for the 2026 season.

Ultrasonic Algae Technology Plan for Lake Peekskill 2026

EverBlue Lakes has worked with Hydro BioSciences, developer of the technology, to formulate a plan for Lake Peekskill to optimize results in 2026 lake-wide and particularly at all three beach sites around the lake.

Lake Peekskill Ultrasonic Layout Recommendation 2026

The proposed layout is designed to deliver overlapping treatment zones from the three proposed units while also concentrating treatment around the three swimming beaches on the lake.

In addition, we are recommending a very innovative configuration for the unit deployed in the deepest part of the lake.  This unit will have 2 transducers powered by one solar raft.  One placed within 3 feet of the surface and a second transducer placed approximately 8 feet down.  This will double the treatment for this unit and penetrate the ultrasonic treatment deeper into the water column to better suppress the “deep water” algae factory in the lake.

Finally, inclusion of a grid powered unit in the North Beach area will deliver the same treatment benefit of the Solar Units at a substantially lower cost.  This is possible because of the close proximity of the power located in the Aeration Shed building in the North Beach area.

This unit is DC powered with very low energy  and is very safe for application and deployment in the lake. 

Under this plan, Lake Peekskill will get the benefit of four Ultrasonic Solar Units for the less than the lease cost of three Solar Utrasonic Units.

Ongoing Watershed Management Assessment and Implementation

EverBlue will work with the Town to complete an early season watershed assessment to identify additional opportunities to reduce nutrient runoff to the lake.

Biological Treatment Permitting

EverBlue has continued the effort to work with the NYDEC to establish a permit process that will enable the use of Biological Treatment Products in Lake Peekskill as soon as possible. 

Realistically, we expect that it will take most of 2026 to get this process completed with the hope of starting Biological Treatment in 2027 at the latest.

John Tucci
President
EverBlue Lakes
www.everbluelakes.com