Management of water quality within the Cayuga Lake watershed (CLW) requires assessment of the physical, chemical and biological conditions of the waters and sediments of the lake and its tributaries. Water quality monitoring and modeling are valuable tools for identifying problems and for assessing how the implementation of management strategies is affecting water contaminants and aquatic ecology.

The CLW is home to many municipal agencies, educational institutions, non-governmental groups, environmental organizations and citizens, all of which have significant interests in the quality of the lake and its tributaries. As a result, numerous monitoring programs and modeling efforts have been, and will continue to be, conducted throughout the watershed. These monitoring efforts are made possible through the collaboration with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County and the Water Resource Council/Cornell partnership. The efforts have differed widely in purpose and scope, corresponding to the interests and funding of scientific investigators, information needs of specific agencies and enthusiasm of volunteers.

For more information go to the Watershed Home Page.