How the Cayuga Lake Watershed Affects my Life

Kate Perkins, grade 8, Dryden Middle School

Kate Perkins

The Cayuga Lake Watershed significantly affects the well being of my community. The local watershed can pollute the water in Cayuga Lake and surrounding bodies of water, which affects the health of citizens, and the economy in Central New York.

Many aspects within the local watershed contribute to the fast deterioration of Cayuga Lake and neighboring bodies of water. According to the article, “Issues in the Cayuga Lake Watershed” by Jim Skaley and Eben McLane, one polluting agent is deficient septic systems in lakeside cottages and homes. Many aged septic systems inadequately treat sewage, and then drain it into the lake. This allows deleterious chemicals and germs, such as E. Coli, to enter the lake. Another way that the Watershed pollutes the lake is through soil run-off. When rainfall occurs, or when soil erodes, soil and the harmful chemicals that bind to it end up in the lake. One example of this is phosphorus. Phosphorus is found in soil, rocks, and human waste. Phosphorus can enter the lake through inadequate septic systems, and agricultural manure and pesticides that soak into the ground and contaminate surface and well waters. Too much phosphorus promotes excessive growth of algae and other weeds in the lake. These are examples of how several sources pollute Cayuga Lake.

These polluting factors from the Cayuga Lake Watershed affect my community in a negative way. According to, “Issues in the Cayuga Lake Watershed,” the chemicals and germs that end up in the lake can cause serious health problems to those who are exposed to them. These health problems can include hepatitis, dysentery, meningitis, septicemia caused by the E. Coli bacteria, and intestinal parasites. Several area residents come in contact with water from the Watershed on a regular basis, be it through swimming and boating, drinking it in their tap or well water, or eating fish that were caught in the contaminated waters. The contaminated, algae infested waters of Cayuga Lake abase its beauty by turning the water green and murky, and giving it an offensive smell and taste. This makes the water unappealing to swimmers, boaters, and tourists. The contaminated waters could also be responsible for the inability of lake trout to reproduce naturally in Cayuga Lake. All of these factors could result in the entire Cayuga Lake watershed losing tourist revenue. Also, local properties, especially lakeside, could lose value. These affects of the Watershed result in numerous limitations and health hazards to the community.

The Cayuga Lake Watershed will continue to diminish the beauty of the community and the health of its residents unless action is taken to purify it. The ones who are affected by, and depend on the Watershed should be most concerned with its quality and preservation. The Cayuga Lake Watershed is just one example of an environmental concern that could threaten the welfare of the Central New York ecosystem.