A regional effort to protect Keuka Lake from invasive species is getting a significant funding boost, with state officials awarding more than $100,000 for a multi-year control project.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the Keuka Lake Association will receive $105,175 through its Invasive Species Grant Program to address fanwort infestations in the lake.
The three-year initiative will focus on surveying, mapping, and controlling the spread of fanwort, an aggressive aquatic plant that can disrupt ecosystems, recreation, and water quality if left unchecked.
Local and regional partners will play a key role in the effort, including the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Yates County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Seneca Watershed Intermunicipal Organization.
Officials say the work is as much about prevention as it is control. While fanwort has been identified in Keuka Lake, it has not yet spread to nearby Finger Lakes, making early intervention critical to protecting the broader region.
The Keuka Lake Association, a volunteer-driven organization representing about 1,500 members, said the grant will support ongoing efforts to preserve water quality and safeguard the lake’s long-term health.
State environmental officials emphasized that managing invasive species is essential not only for ecosystem health, but also for protecting local economies and public access to waterways.
The project is expected to begin as soon as possible, with partners coordinating fieldwork and monitoring efforts over the coming seasons.
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