Specific Boater Safety rules that are abused and ignored on Cazenovia Lake:

Life Jackets: need to be worn by all persons under the age of 12. Every boat needs to have an adequate life jacket for all persons abroad the boat

SPEED: 5-mph speed limit within 100 feet of the shore, a dock, pier, raft, float or anchored boat. That means the 5 mph starts on the end of the dock…or is enforced in a 100 foot circle around an anchored boat in the middle of the lake. NOTE: Too often water-skiers in particular come too close to boats that are anchored and fishing or just enjoying the recreational use of the lake. The 5 mph speed limit extends to 500 feet at all designated swim areas: the Village Lakeland Park, WBYC, Owera Point (PWC may access and exit at no more than 10 mph).

WAKE: A vessel is also responsible for any damage caused by that vessel’s wake (that is why NYS has the SPEED LIMITS.)

BOATS AND BOOZE don’t mix

Reckless Operation that is seen frequently:

• Coming too close to docks, rafts, o r anchored boats exceeding, the 5mph speed

• A second person is required on a vessel while someone is water-skiing or tubing, dragging behind your boat, etc.

• Operating a vessel during dawn or dusk without proper lights illegal and dangerous.

• Wake jumping too close to other vessels by PWC

• Weaving through congested traffic

• Last minute swerving to avoid collision

• Any maneuver which unreasonably or unnecessarily endangers life, limb or property , including carrying more passengers then is recommended by the manufacturer

Remember if you see unsafe boater operations, you can call the non-emergency number of the Madison County Sheriff: 315-366-2311. If you have an emergency call 911

Cazenovia Lake Association
Recreational Water-Craft Use Statistics

• Cazenovia Lake is the largest lake in Madison County.

• It has an elevation of 1191 feet, a depth of 47 feet, a surface area of 1183.6 acres.

• It is approximately 4.5 miles long and 3/4 mile at its widest point.

A recent survey during August showed that Cazenovia Lake had the following number of recreational watercrafts docked, moored, or in use on the lake:

• at least 300 powerboats

• over 300 sailboats

• at least 35 jet skis

• over 170 row boats, canoes, or kayaks

Boater Use Intensity

(Recommended from a 1994 NYS Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan)

• Still fishing boats: 3 - 5 boats/acres

• Trolling fishing boats: 1 boat/acre

• Sail boats: 6 - 8 acres/vessel

• Water Skiing: 10 - 15 acres/vessel

• Row boating: 1 acre/vessel

• Power boating: 6 - 8 acres/vessel

Cazenovia Lake reaches its maximum capacity for safe operation on a hot sunny summer afternoon or a holiday weekend when only one quarter (25%) of the existing recreational water crafts use the lake.