By Aaron McKeon, CNYRPDB
The Skaneateles Lake Watershed Nine Element Plan for Phosphorus (9E Plan) was approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of State on June 5, 2025. As the unfiltered drinking water supply for the City of Syracuse and for residents of Skaneateles, Jordan, and Elbridge, Skaneateles Lake is a critical natural resource in Central New York. The watershed has been the focus of a robust, proactive, and effective water quality protection program for more than 25 years, led by the City of Syracuse and the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultural Program. It is also a lake with a long history of conservation activities supported by municipalities, citizens’ groups, and non-profit organizations.
As a result of these efforts, Skaneateles Lake’s water quality is excellent; its summer average total phosphorus (TP) levels are consistently below 5 micrograms per liter. However, the effects of climate change and development are anticipated to increase TP loading to Skaneateles Lake by 820 pounds per year. Future conditions are also expected to result in higher levels of chlorophyll-a and higher levels of cyanobacteria (an 85% increase).
Working with a modeling team that included Ramboll and Upstate Freshwater Institute, the Watershed Advisory Committee developed a set of best management practice (BMP) scenarios, to simulate the effects of implementing different BMPs in the watershed. The modeling showed that the best way to guarantee that the lake’s TP levels remain at their current low levels is to implement a combination of agricultural BMPs, residential nutrient reduction, and filter strips along riparian corridors. The 9E Plan also includes a wide range of recommendations for invasive species management, public education, and residential and municipal actions to maintain the lake’s water quality.
The 9E Plan can be found online at: https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/Skaneateles%20Lake%20Watershed%209E%20Document%202025%20A.pdf