Overview
Owasco Lake, located in the Finger Lakes region, is, like many waterbodies around the state, facing issues with HABs and other water quality concerns that impact drinking water, recreation, ecological health, and economic issues. In 2016 Owasco Lake completed a watershed plan. During the planning process the partners determined that creating an addendum to the plan to include elements of a 9 Element (9E) watershed plan would be critical in helping them better understand the trends within the watershed and quantify the changes needed to improve water quality.
Cayuga County received an EPF LWRP grant in 2015 to create the 9E addendum. The County began working with Ecologic and Cornell University to create the model and develop the necessary tasks to meet the 9E requirements. Through this effort a valuable relationship has been established with the Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the area that provide important feasibility analyses and review the proposed reduction goals. DEC has also been an integral member since the beginning helping to provide additional data, Quality Assurance Protection Plan (QAPP) approval, and general guidance. The Owasco Lake 9E addendum is expected to be completed in 2021. This addendum will provide the watershed with prioritized goals and objectives to begin making the most critical improvements necessary to increase the water quality of the Lake.
Interested in learning more or becoming involved in improving water quality within the Owasco Lake Watershed? Learn more about the Owasco Lake Watershed Plan.
Partners
- Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development
- Ecologic, LLC
- Cornell University
- Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District
- Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District
- New York State Department of State (NYSDOS) Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC): Region 7 and Finger Lakes Water Hub
For a complete list of partners involved in the Owasco Lake Watershed planning effort, refer to the participation plan on the Owasco website.