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Lake Levels Explained

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for your interest in the lake.  I believe in the saying that it takes a community to raise a child and the lake is no different as it takes a community to look after it.  I also believe that knowledge is power and if everyone understands the process then we all have the power to create a change for the betterment of our lake.  I see that some people are asking about water levels and the dam's current situation.  Please let me start back at the beginning of the year as I think it will help.  

As an association, we really do not get to pick the water level.  There is an agreement as well as documents that have to be followed.  We are working with NYSEG, the owners of the dam to set the parameters as far as when to open the dam before people flood at 1099.0 and when to close it.  The current documents are very cumbersome as they have spring, summer, fall, and winter requirements.  We are working to simplify that to just summer and winter levels.  NYSEG does try very hard to keep the water at levels that do not create damage to people's property.  The normal summer levels are between 1098.5 and 1099.0 with the target of 1098.7.  Our job is to report the levels to them and they have to watch the weather and if there is heavy rain coming, they need to make sure that there is room to hold the water without flooding some of our neighbors.   

In June we were scheduled to do a lake treatment for weeds.  We pushed the state to allow us to keep the water higher than in years past for the treatment and they agreed.  We did however have to drop the water levels about two inches (which was still within the summer range) to meet the state requirements.  At that time due to Covid, we had some issues between the state and NYSEG so the treatment was delayed slightly.  However, the water did not have to be lowered and the gates were closed all summer.  Yes, the water was low all summer but that is because we were in a severe drought and water kept evaporating from our lake.  As an association, we were responsible for two inches of the water level, and if those two inches caused you problems I truly do apologize.  I am on the north end of Waneta and believe me I noticed how low the water was.  

As far as the current situation NYSEG needed to drop the water to our winter levels (1098.0) as per the document starting in the middle of October.  This is done to keep our fronts from being destroyed as well as protect some of our lake's creatures among other reasons.  As a result of the weather in our area, the dam has to be kept open slightly otherwise it could freeze shut and there would be no way to alleviate a flood situation by opening the gates.  

I hope that this helps to explain the issue.  If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me or any other board member.  Also please share this information with anyone that has questions.  Take care, keep safe, and God bless.

Jay White

LWLA President