Owasco is the sixth largest of the Finger Lakes. The name is derived from the Iroquois words “dwas-co” or “was-co”, which means bridge on the water. The lake has a large watershed relative to its size, with much of the land in agricultural use, this is one reason for the high nutrient loading in the lake.
Like many of the Finger Lakes, Owasco is a great destination for boating and fishing.
Owasco Lake has frequently reported harmful algal blooms (HABs). The shore residents should take steps to reduce nutrient runoff from their properties, including reducing the use of fertilizer, planting rain gardens, reducing stormwater runoff, and maintaining healthy riparian buffers. Farmers in the watershed can help by following agricultural best management practices to reduce nutrient runoff.
There are several aquatic invasive species in Owasco Lake, this makes it important for boaters to follow Clean, Drain, Dry principles to prevent the introduction of new invasive species. Nearby Cayuga Lake has hydrilla, which is not currently found in Owasco Lake. Boaters can also help prevent the spread of invasive species to other lakes by following Clean, Drain, Dry spread prevention measures.
Land cover in the Owasco Lake watershed. This map may be shared with attribution to AllAboutLakes.org under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Open Water
10.36mi²
Perennial Ice/Snow
0.00mi²
Developed, Open Space
8.46mi²
Developed, Low
4.26mi²
Developed, Medium
0.95mi²
Developed, High
0.10mi²
Barren Land
Deciduous Forest
53.11mi²
Evergreen Forest
4.91mi²
Mixed Forest
5.90mi²
Shrub/Scrub
1.96mi²
Grassland/Herbaceous
0.32mi²
Pasture/Hay
34.79mi²
Cultivated Crops
54.93mi²
Woody Wetlands
18.26mi²
Emergent Wetlands
3.54mi²
5.13%
0.00%
4.19%
2.11%
0.47%
0.05%
26.29%
2.43%
2.92%
0.97%
0.16%
17.22%
27.19%
9.04%
1.75%
Stream network and watershed slope in the Owasco Lake watershed. Red areas indicate locations with steep slopes. This map may be shared with attribution to AllAboutLakes.org under CC BY-SA 4.0.
1st Order Streams
209.75mi
2nd Order Streams
48.88mi
3rd Order Steams
34.37mi
4th Order Steams
21.26mi
Other
11.72mi
Total stream length
325.98mi
3.93%
2.64%
0.75%
0.08%
Hydrologic soil groups in the Owasco Lake watershed. This map may be shared with attribution to AllAboutLakes.org under CC BY-SA 4.0.
A – High Infiltration
14.18mi²
A/D – High/Very Slow Infiltration
3.31mi²
B – Moderate Infiltration
43.88mi²
B/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
28.99mi²
C – Slow Infiltration
15.78mi²
C/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
10.61mi²
D – Very Slow Infiltration
85.27mi²
7.02%
1.64%
21.72%
14.35%
7.81%
5.25%
42.21%
Lake Protection Groups
Water Quality Data & Lake Management
Research & Reports
Physical Properties
This status does not necessarily represent the current status of HABs in the lake. It indicates whether HABs have ever been reported in the lake.
202.01mi² Owasco Lake has frequently reported harmful algal blooms (HABs). The shore residents should take steps to reduce nutrient runoff from their properties, including reducing
Harmful algal blooms, commonly referred to as HABs, occur due to the rapid growth of specific species of algae. HABs are most often the results
Invasive species are non-native organisms that outcompete native species when introduced to a new environment. They can be animals, plants, or disease-causing organisms. These species
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