Protecting the Lifeblood of our region
Canandaigua Lake is invaluable to residents and visitors alike. Over 60,000 people depend on our clean water for drinking, nearly $100 million is generated from tourism and recreation, and the value of the lake-influenced tax base is approaching $1 billion.
The beauty of Canandaigua Lake is without question the reason most people live here or visit. The purpose of the watershed protection program is to maintain and enhance the quality of life this watershed provides to all its inhabitants by protecting the lifeblood of this region- Canandaigua Lake and its surrounding watershed.
[Click here for a map of the Canandaigua Lake Watershed]
Mission of the Watershed Council
The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, consisting of publicly elected representatives from each of the fourteen watershed and water purveying municipalities is the lead organization in the protection of the Canandaigua Lake watershed. It is the goal of the Watershed Council to maintain and enhance the high water quality of the Canandaigua Lake watershed through education, research, restoration and if necessary regulation. The Watershed Council strives to cooperate and partner with the various citizen groups along with county, state and federal agencies to more effectively and efficiently implement the plan.
2006/2007Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council
Top left to right: Councilman Doug Mack (Middlesex), Mayor Will Sherwood (V. Naples) Councilman Tom Hawks (South Bristol), Supervisor Lloyd Kinnear (T. Canandaigua) Chuck Elwell (Rushville), Co-chair Supervisor Richard Calabrese (Gorham), , Corky Timerson (Newark), Councilman Mark Adams (T. Naples) Bottom row: Councilwoman June Pendleton (Potter), Mayor Ellen Polimeni (City of Canandaigua), Co-chair Supervisor Mary Green (Hopewell), Supervisor Wayne Houseman (Bristol). Missing Amanda Gorton (Italy), Richard Clayton (V. Palmyra)
New:
2008 Budget-DRAFT
Land Use Subcommittee Report
2006 Long Term Water Quality Report
Phosphorus Trends 1996-2006.
The graph below shows a substantial increase in phosphorus over the last 11 years. The blue line is average in-lake phosphorus levels for each year. 80 samples are collected between April and November of each year from 6 different locations and at different depths. The black line is a trend line that smooth's out the data and shows a general upward trend in phosphorus levels. This rising trend has coincided with three lake wide algal blooms over that last two years. The blooms were much more intense than previous blooms, reducing clarity by 25 feet and created a pungent smell that was noticed over 1 mile inland.
We will continue to not only monitor this trend, but vigorously implement the watershed protection strategy.
Strategic Plan Update: 2005-2009
Timber Harvesting Law- Consensus changes Several towns have either adopted or are considering adopting a version of the timber harvesting law to reduce erosion from logging operations. Meetings in the fall of 2006 produced this updated version of the law for towns to consider adopting.
The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council received the 2004 Environmental Excellence Award from New York State DEC and the Clean Water Partner Award for the 21st Century from the U.S. EPA.
Creation of this website was funded in part by the NYS Dept of State through Title 11 of the NYS- Environmental Protection Fund.
© Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council 2002
This Page Last Updates On: December 06, 2007