Every time snow melts or it rains, excess water goes onto our roadways and streets and into an elaborate system of storm drains. Most of the storm drains around the lake go directly into Cazenovia Lake. The remaining storm drains in the Town go into Chittenango Creek. Excess lawn fertilizer, animal waste, oil from cars, and other debris can all enter the lake or the creek via storm drains. The Village asks homeowners not to put leaves in the road for pick-up but leave them on the side of the road. Leaves left in the street clog storm drains and send leaves into the lake or the creek. Leaves decay in the water, creating nutrients that help grow weeds and algae. Last Fall, Village Public Works Director Steve McLaughlin was uncovering a storm drain on Hickory Lane that was clogged with leaves. Under the leaves he found that paint had been spattered over the storm drain. It was evident that someone had poured paint down that drain. That paint went right into the lake. Storm drains should only be used for storm water run-off.

But with increased development in our watershed, more houses create more run-off. The area on East Lake Road owned by the Glenwood Association has a particular bad storm drain problem, the sediment plumes going into the lake after storm events are HUGE. The Cazenovia Lake Association will be working with the Town of Cazenovia and the Madison County Planning Department to determine how to best keep silt and sediment from entering the lake.

If you suspect there is a problem with storm drains in your neighborhood contact either the Village Public Works at 655-4454 or the Town Offices at 655-9213. The Lake Association would also like to know about problem areas. Email us at info@cazlake.org, phone us at 655-4212 or write to us at P.O. Box 55 Cazenovia NY 13035.