The Watershed T he Seneca Lake Watershed covers portions of Chemung, Schuyler, Yates, Ontario, and Seneca Counties. Agriculture and tourism are among the major industries in the watershed and are closely linked with its environmental quality. T he watershed is drained by approximately 130 year round tributaries which, along with the groundwater flow, account for most of the point and nonpoint source pollutants into Seneca Lake. The tributaries account for a heavy sediment load into the lake, which among other things, tends to put stress on fisheries. The lake is the source of drinking water for 62,000 people.
Flooding is a major problem on Seneca Lake.
It effects large portions of the shoreline on an annual basis. The lake is the focal point for much of the recreational and tourism activities in the watershed including fishing and boating. Therefore, the economic viability of the watershed is directly dependant on the water quality of the lake. This includes the tourism industry itself as well as the value of lakeshore property. The economic viability, however, must be balanced with the health of the lake.