SOS for Chautauqua Lake

Reflecting on Chautauqua Lake as we prepare for our fifth annual Chautauqua Lake Conference, June 21 at Chautauqua Golf Club. 

There are many amazing facts about Chautauqua Lake. For example, did you know that, at 1,308 feet above sea level, Chautauqua Lake is one of the highest navigable waters in North America? That it’s 17.5 miles long, has a surface area of 13,156 acres, and  a maximum depth of 75 feet in the north basin but only 19 feet in the south basin? Or that while the lake is only a handful of miles from the top of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, its waters are bound for the Gulf of Mexico via the Chadakoin River, Conewango Creek, Allegheny River, and mighty Mississippi? 

Somewhat less amazing is Chautauqua Lake suffers from a legacy of deforestation, overfishing, invasive species, and pollution from development in its watershed. These impacts have led to ongoing problems today like low oxygen levels, over-sedimentation, and harmful algae blooms — what I call the first SOS for Chautauqua Lake. 

Fortunately, Chautauqua Institution and our partners have worked for many years to implement science-based solutions for restoring Chautauqua Lake to good ecological health. 

I hope you can join us on June 21 from 9 a.m. to noon for our fifth annual Chautauqua Lake Conference at the Chautauqua Golf Club. You will hear from scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (The Jefferson Project) and SUNY Fredonia about the latest scientific research. Representatives of New York State, the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance, and the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy will also share actions underway to protect and restore Chautauqua Lake. 

We’ll also hear from Chautauqua’s own Supervisor of Gardens Betsy Burgeson about the extensive stormwater management features of Chautauqua’s campus that serve as a model for keeping sediment and pollution from entering Chautauqua Lake. After the conference, at 1:30 p.m. in Miller Park, Betsy will lead a walk so you can see these features firsthand. 

But facts (amazing or otherwise) only tell part of the Chautauqua Lake story. This lake exists as a physical place and a collection of memories going back many decades. The memories of days spent fishing, swimming and boating on the lake — or relaxing with family and friends along its shores. These deep collective memories are why we care so deeply about Chautauqua Lake and want to protect it as if it were a member of our family. 

This summer, Chautauqua is pleased to partner with the Climate Stories Project to help collect and tell our stories of Chautauqua Lake and our hopes for its future. Climate Stories Project Director Jason Davis, will be at the conference on June 21 and lead a Chautauqua Lake storytelling workshop the following day. Please reach out and let me know if you’re interested in the workshop. While the June 22 workshop is limited to 10 attendees, we plan to work with Climate Stories Project to set up an online portal where anyone can record and upload their Chautauqua Lake story. 

This brings me to my second SOS for Chautauqua Lake — sharing our stories. Restoring Chautauqua Lake to good ecological health for generations requires the head and the heart. We’re working with our heads on the science and actions of restoration. Now let’s add the heart by sharing our stories of why Chautauqua Lake matters and our hopes and dreams for its future.