Seneca Lake remains well above its normal pool level as local officials, emergency managers and environmental groups continue monitoring shoreline erosion, dock damage and flood concerns across the region.
The Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association said Friday that outflow releases from Seneca Lake remain historically high, though water discharge rates have begun to decline slightly in recent days. Releases through the Seneca River near Seneca Falls dropped from 2,800 cubic feet per second to roughly 2,600 cubic feet per second, according to the organization’s latest update.
Lake levels at Geneva were measured around 447.65 feet Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service, placing the lake above the agency’s “action stage” threshold of 447.5 feet and nearing minor flood stage at 448 feet. Normal pool level for Seneca Lake is 446.3 feet.
Additional inflow from Keuka Lake has also slowed significantly. The Keuka Lake outlet at Dresden was flowing around 405 cubic feet per second early Friday, down sharply from rates reported roughly a month ago.
Despite some improvement, concerns remain high because the watershed is expected to receive additional rainfall this weekend. The Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association said there is roughly an 80% chance the region could receive up to an inch of rain over the next five days, primarily Saturday and Sunday.
“If the in- and out-flows hold, we could see lake levels drop about 2 inches lower by Tuesday,” the organization said in its update to residents.
Emergency management officials in Schuyler and Yates counties are now offering free sandbags and plastic sheeting to shoreline property owners attempting to limit erosion and wave damage. Officials advised residents that sandbags work best when used alongside heavy plastic sheeting to absorb wave energy and reduce shoreline undercutting.
State emergency management personnel were also in Watkins Glen this week assisting local response efforts. However, officials emphasized that state resources are largely limited to public infrastructure and cannot directly repair or protect private property.
The Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association said it continues urging Schuyler, Seneca, Ontario and Yates counties to formally document shoreline damage in hopes of meeting thresholds for potential state or federal disaster assistance.
Residents experiencing shoreline erosion, dock damage, flooding or structural impacts are being encouraged to contact their county emergency management offices and submit photographs and detailed descriptions of the damage.
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