Onondaga County and the CNY Regional Planning and Development Board (CNY RPDB) are working together to update the 2014 Otisco Lake Watershed Management Plan. The updated watershed plan will act as a guide for cooperative lake management and complement the Drinking Water Source Protection Plan completed in 2022. The update will reflect changing conditions regarding development, climate change, invasive species, and the funding landscape at a national and state level for water quality projects. The project’s goals are to identify and address a range of water quality and ecological concerns and to maintain the lake’s drinking water quality and recreational and habitat value.

This updated Otisco Lake Watershed Management Plan will result in recommendations, strategies, and projects to improve the lake's water quality. It will also highlight and expand existing strengths in the management of the Otisco Lake watershed. The project will result in a robust watershed plan, detailing action items and fostering collaboration in a cooperative forum for lake management that will benefit tourism, quality of life for residents, and a more resilient lake community.

An important piece of this process is understanding what is meant by "the watershed". This map of the watershed provides an overview of the extent of the land area that drains to Otisco Lake. 

You can also watch a short video tour of the watershed and its major features.