Canandaigua Lake Watershed IQ Quiz

Test your knowledge about the Canandaigua Lake watershed! 

1. How were the Finger Lakes formed?

2. The boundary of the Canandaigua Lake watershed is defined by:

       a. the shoreline of Canandaigua Lake.

       b. the highest elevation points around Canandaigua Lake.

3. Pollutants found on streets, lawns, and parking lots in the City of Canandaigua, such as oil, road salt, pet wastes, fertilizers, pesticides, leaves and grass clippings, enter the city’s storm water drains and end up where?

       a. Canandaigua Lake via Sucker Brook

       b. the city wastewater treatment plant

4. Zebra mussels are an invasive species that entered Canandaigua Lake in the early 1990s. What is one way that the zebra mussel has changed the Canandaigua Lake ecosystem?

5. Canandaigua Lake provides drinking water for:

       a. 6,000 people.

       b. 60, 000 people.

       c. 600, 000 people.

6. Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) is a local program developed by farmers, government and farm conservation professionals to provide solutions to agriculture-based water pollution problems.  What percentage of local farms voluntarily participate in this program? (Look for the Lake Friendly Farmer sign at local farms.)

          a. 55%

          b. 75%

          c. 95%

7. Which local body of water provides some of the best rainbow trout fishing in the world?

          a. Naples Creek

          b. Sucker Brook

          c. Canandaigua Lake

8. When studying aquatic insects in local streams, scientists look for environmentally sensitive species, such as caddisflies, mayflies, and stoneflies.  What do you think it means when those species are not found in our streams?

9. Phosphorous is a natural component of a lake’s nutrient cycle, however, too much can cause excessive aquatic plant growth which means fewer nutrients for a healthy fish population.  Excessive phosphorous from human activities can come from:

          a. lawn fertilizers

          b. animal and pet waste

          c. septic systems

           d. all of the above  

Each correctly answered question is worth one point.  Calculate your score: 0-3 points:  Watershed Member- You live, work, or play in the watershed and can learn more to help protect the Canandaigua Lake watershed.  You can make a difference! 4-6 points:  Watershed Inspector- You can identify many signs of a healthy watershed.  Keep up the good work! 7-9 points:  Watershed Manager- You know a lot about the Canandaigua Lake watershed and what it takes to keep our waters clean.  Share your knowledge with others!

     KEY

1. The Finger Lakes were formed by glaciers during the Ice Age that began 2 million years ago.
2. b. the highest elevation points around Canandaigua Lake.
3. a. Canandaigua Lake via Sucker Brook.
4. Zebra mussels are filter-feeders that consume algae and other small particles in water. That increases water clarity but also reduces the amount of food available for fish and other aquatic organisms. When water clarity is increased, more aquatic plants grow. When they die back and begin to decay at the bottom of the lake, the decay process uses up oxygen that fish need and releases other nutrients that are harmful for fish and aquatic organisms.
5. b. 60,000 people.
6. c. 95%
7. a. Naples Creek
8. When caddisflies, stoneflies and mayflies are not found in a stream or creek, it most likely indicates that the water is contaminated and further testing of water quality is needed.
9. d. all of the above.