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Welcome to the Otsego Lake Association

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Our Mission

The mission of the Otsego Lake Association is to educate, advocate, and actively participate in protecting the health, beauty, and well being of Otsego Lake. Implementation of the Otsego Lake Watershed Management Plan is a vital part of supporting the mission.

Watershed Management Plan

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Water Quality

The Otsego Lake Association works closely with the Oneonta University Biological Field Station (BFS) which has facilities on the lake. Pictured is the advanced water buoy used for research and monitoring of water conditions (Mt Wellington/Sleeping Lion in the background).

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Community

The Otsego lake is home to a vibrant community which includes Cooperstown (pictured: annual boat parade).

Who We Are

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Publications

Publications

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(Otsego Lake Map from “The Village Printer”, 1958)

Current Lake Conditions

Otsego Lake utilizes an advanced water buoy for research and monitoring of water conditions. Listed below is a table describing lake conditions. It was successfully re-deployed on May 4, 2025 (Sun) by the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Volunteer Dive Team.

Note: Between around November and April, the data buoy is inactive for the Winter season. When available, data may be transmitted sporadically for near-shore data collection and/or equipment testing and should not be used for any life critical activity.

• Research on lake foam from Canandaigua Lake
  2019 study sponsored by the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association The same researchers (Richard W. Smith, PhD and Stella C. Woodard, PhD.) recently found out that the foam can concentrate microcystin-LR (a common cyanotoxin) as well as… Read more: Research on lake foam from Canandaigua Lake
• CLMB (yellow data buoy) deployed on May 4, 2025
  The Continuous Lake Monitoring Buoy (CLMB) on Otsego Lake was re-deployed on May 4, 2025. This deployment was made possible by 14 dedicated volunteers of the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Volunteer Dive Team and Otsego… Read more: CLMB (yellow data buoy) deployed on May 4, 2025
• 2025 Safe Boating Course
  Here is the link for all the information: https://parks.ny.gov/boating/education.aspx
• Reflections Photo Contest!
  Cameras ready? Capture the moment, share the magic! See all the details on our website under REFLECTIONS and show us your best shot!!
• Annual Gathering Aug. 9, 2025
  Date: Saturday Aug. 9th 2025 Location: The Otsego Sailing Club. 5992 Hwy. 80 Cooperstown Time: 8:30am – 11:00 am FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYONE! Join us for coffee and donuts and learn about what’s happening in… Read more: Annual Gathering Aug. 9, 2025
• Annual Boat Parade July 5 2025
  Date: Saturday July 5, 2025 Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm Starting Location: 3 Mile Pt. Cooperstown Theme: Safe Boating on Otsego Lake
• Buffer Strip Spring Garden Opening May 22 2025
  The Buffer Strip Spring Garden Opening will be on Thursday May 22, 2025. Members of the Lake and Valley Garden , the Otsego Lake Association , and any others interested in helping out will meet at… Read more: Buffer Strip Spring Garden Opening May 22 2025
• Stewardship Training
  2014 Photo credit: Timothy Pokorny 2013 Photo credit: Timothy Pokorny 2012 Photo credit: Timothy Pokorny Photo credit: Meredith Taylor
• NEW YORK STATE FEDERATION OF LAKE ASSOCIATIONS
  NYSFOLA CONFERENCE MAY 2-3 2025 Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center Lake George, NY Information from lake associations , individuals and corporate members dedicated to the protection and restoration of NY lakes. for further information,… Read more: NEW YORK STATE FEDERATION OF LAKE ASSOCIATIONS
• Earth Day 2025
  Saturday April 26th Time: 10-3pm Milford Central School 42 W. Main St. Volunteers Needed Come out to help celebrate Earth Day! All day activities and vendors / exhibitors. For more information go to: https://www.occainfo.org/earth-festival
• Annual Gathering 2023
  Photo credit: Timothy Pokorny
• NYSFOLA Newsletter Contest Award – Otsego Lake – “Our Glimmerglass”
  The OLA Journal, “Our Glimmerglass”, has won 1st Place in the NYSFOLA Newsletter Contest  for 2025 – fourth year in a row!! It is in the professionally produced, print edition category for medium size lake associations.… Read more: NYSFOLA Newsletter Contest Award – Otsego Lake – “Our Glimmerglass”
• Fall 2024 “Our Glimmerglass” Newsletter
  The Fall 2024 edition of Our Glimmerglass newsletter is available, Read here or click below to download.
• Reflections – Photo Contest
  An Otsego Lake Association photo contest in tribute to the Legacy of Scottie Baker. To learn more and enter go to: https://photos.otsegolakeassociation.org
• INFORMATION ON OTSEGO LAKE AND CYANOBACTERIA
  Background Information: Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, can produce compounds that are toxic to humans, pets, and livestock. Microcystis aeruginosa is the cyanobacteria currently causing intermittent bloom conditions in Otsego Lake; toxins of the class Microcystins have… Read more: INFORMATION ON OTSEGO LAKE AND CYANOBACTERIA