OWLA, Cayuga County district continue partnering to protect lake

For six years, the Owasco Watershed Lake Association has partnered with the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District on roadside ditch remediation and fire lane drainage improvement.

The efforts help reduce nutrient and sediment loading in the Owasco Lake watershed, which can contribute to harmful algal blooms in the water, the association said in a news release. Practices include rock-lined channels, checking dams, waterbars, culvert right-sizing and hydroseeding. Previous projects have included Tucker Hill, Mathers, Wyckoff, Hicks and Ensenore roads.

The district has secured funds from the Water Quality Improvement Project for such projects, and the association has secured additional funds from the Emerson, Metcalf and French foundations.

In June, a project took place on Fire Lane 21 East in Niles. A rock-lined channel was installed and a failing culvert was replaced, allowing stormwater to flow more effectively and reduce the risk of flooding.