Overview
Canandaigua Lake, located in the Finger Lakes region, provides drinking water to 70,000 people, generates millions of dollars in annual tourism and tax revenue, and offers countless recreational opportunities. The Canandaigua Lake Watershed successfully completed an update to their original watershed plan in 2014 and upon its completion began implementing a number of high priority projects that focus on water quality, invasive species, flood protection, public access, and various other projects identified in the Plan.
Through the creation of an intermunicipal organization and the development of the Watershed Plan, the partners were able to prioritize projects that will have the biggest impact for the region.
The City of Canandaigua with the help of EPF-LWRP funds and in partnership with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council and the other municipalities within the watershed, have completed or are actively working on a number of water quality protection and restoration projects. Some of these include, the installation of numerous stream and road bank stabilization improvement projects, floodplain improvement and re-connection projects, flood resiliency mapping, drafting of local model laws to improve water quality, and the creation of stormwater wetlands.
Beyond just water quality, the implementation of the watershed creates opportunity to connect people to the water. Canandaigua has done this through the creation of a Water Trail Plan for the Lake, including the design and installation of additional public access points for canoes and kayaks. Invasive species are also being addressed through an aquatic invasive species management program and a macrophyte inventory of the Lake.
The completion and implementation of the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Plan in 2014 and the dedication to implement priority projects has positioned the watershed to be more resilient both environmentally and economically.
In 2015, the Lake experienced its first Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB). HABs have been devastating lakes in New York, impacting recreation, drinking water, and ecosystem health. There is still a lot to learn, but many lakes throughout the State are working to reduce and eliminate their presence. In 2018 Canandaigua was awarded an EPF LWRP grant to update their 2014 Watershed Plan to meet the 9 Element Watershed Plan criteria. The update will include monitoring of HABs and water quality to provide a quantitative load reduction goal and develop a systematic approach to mitigate blooms which cause serious economic consequences such as public beach closures, increased water filtration costs, and reduced tourism.
The Department of State, Department of Environmental Conservation, City of Canandaigua, and the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council are working together to create an addendum to the 2014 Plan to incorporate the latest research and data to continue their efforts in implementing priority projects throughout the watershed.
Interested in learning more or becoming involved with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed? Visit the Canandaigua Lake Watershed website.
Partners
There have been and continue to be many partners involved in the Watershed Plan and subsequent implementation projects. Some of the major contributors are:
- The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council
- Canandaigua Lake Watershed Commission
- Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association
- Ontario and Yates County
- The Watershed Municipalities:
- Towns: Bristol, Canandaigua, Gorham, Hopewell, Italy, Middlesex, Naples, Potter, South Bristol
- Villages: Naples, Newark, Palmyra, Rushville
- City: Canandaigua
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- New York State Department of State Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure