Low water on Seneca Lake is making it difficult for some shoreline property owners to draw water from wells and has forced boaters to take boats out early, according to the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association.
The lake was nearly 2 feet below Hanson Curve target levels in the group's Oct. 19 update, which renewed calls for repairs to a leak at the Seneca Falls Dam and changes in how lake levels are managed.
Pure Waters representatives met Oct. 14 with state Sen. Pam Helming and other stakeholders, following an initial meeting June 12.
Dam leak and low-water concerns
The association estimates the Seneca Falls Dam leak contributed about 10.5 inches to the lake's decline. It filed a formal complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about the leak Aug. 13.
According to Pure Waters, participants at the Oct. 14 meeting learned that Relevate Power had not yet submitted the permit application needed for repairs. Helming urged the company to speed up the permitting and repair process.
The association also reported that the Town of Hector had issued water conservation advisories.
Earlier flooding leaves shoreline repairs waiting
The current low-water concerns follow high lake levels earlier this year that damaged shoreline properties. Owners trying to repair that damage have faced lengthy permitting processes, according to the association.
Representatives of the New York State Canal Corp., Department of Environmental Conservation, Relevate Power and New York Power Authority attended the June 12 meeting, Pure Waters said. The discussion included faster permits and improved emergency flood response procedures.
At that meeting, Helming asked DEC to accelerate shoreline repair permits, similar to steps previously taken for Lake Ontario. Pure Waters said wetlands-related reviews remain a concern because they may add three months or more to the process.
Helming has asked DEC to clarify its policies for flood-related repairs and plans further discussions, according to the update. Participants also discussed a possible educational webinar to help property owners understand permitting requirements.
Group seeks broader review of lake management
Pure Waters also wants officials to examine whether canal operating priorities adequately account for Seneca Lake's water supply, environmental, recreational and shoreline needs.
It expects further study and coordination among agencies to be necessary as it pursues longer-term changes.
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