PATCHOGUE, NY—After receiving dozens of appeals for help from residents near Canaan Lake in Patchogue to alleviate destructive and dangerous flooding, Legislator Dominick Thorne last week announced that, working with county and Town of Brookhaven officials, the issue has been addressed.
“My office and I responded to the pleas for help from the residents, and today I am proud of our work in moving immediately to provide relief to those who live near Canaan Lake,” said Thorne. “I want to thank my partners in government as well, who worked closely with me to move quickly and achieve almost immediate results.”
Weirs installed at the lake were not functioning properly, causing water levels to rise dramatically and causing flooding in homes and on the local streets. In some cases, the flooding
created health and safety issues for some families. With the removal of the weirs the flooding has been all but eradicated.
“Some families could not even use their showers or tubs when the flooding occurred,” said Thorne. “That is a situation that cannot remain and needed immediate attention.”
Thorne was elected to the Suffolk Legislature in November, 2021 and began his first term in January, 2022. To date, he has spearheaded an ongoing clean up and maintenance effort on Middle County Road, had a bus stop that had was overgrown and had become a place where crime was regularly committed repaired and maintained and started a critical baby formula collection drive to assist families who are being affected by the national baby formula shortage that is gripping the country.
Thorne’s efforts at Canaan Lake are not limited to flooding issues. He is involved in ongoing efforts to reduce nitrogen levels which cause algal blooms and fish die-off. A major contributor to the issue are cesspools around the lake. Working with the Suffolk County Department of Health, residents can convert to Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems.
“Having met the hardworking people of the Suffolk County Department of Health on other site visits, they are committed to helping our residents and our environment.” said, Thorne.
For grants to cover some or most of the cost call the Suffolk County Department of Health at 631-852-5811.
Legislator Thorne lives with his family in Patchogue and proud to call Brookhaven home.