File photo by Dave Munch/Chautauqua Institution A team of researchers from the Jefferson Project work to launch vertical profilers into Chautauqua Lake.

Chautauqua Lake will see additional attention from New York state in the coming year.

Gov. Kathy Hochul included a section in her State of the State address on Tuesday about Chautauqua Lake, which along with the eastern Finger Lakes will receive help from the state to deal with harmful algal blooms with an effort to restore recreational opportunities on the lakes.

Hochul said she will direct the state Department of Environmental Conservation to work with state, federal and non-profit organizations to implement pollution reduction strategies, advanced water quality monitoring and complete a feasibility study to determine the extent and severity of internal phosphorus loading in Chautauqua Lake. At the same time Hochul wants to work on projects that reduce nutrients entering the lake, including streambed stabilization, weed buffers on the lake shore and rain gardens.

Chautauqua Institution has paid for about $4.5 million of work on Chautauqua Lake done by the Jefferson Project, which has its origins from studying Lake George. Chautauqua County in 2023 spent $1 million from its American Rescue Plan Act funds while the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation also gave a one-time gift of $500,000 to the Jefferson Project.

“We applaud Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to science-based conservation efforts at Chautauqua Lake, as detailed in today’s State of the State address,” said Dr. Michael Hill, Chautauqua Institution president, in a news release. “Dedicated funding for this project underscores the cultural and ecological importance of Chautauqua Lake and the need to rid the lake of invasive weeds and toxic algae blooms that threaten its future. We look forward to working with state government, local entities and environmental organizations to guarantee that any state funds allocated to this project are utilized to implement ‘smart lake’ technology to measure and monitor lake ecology and inform mitigation efforts. The knowledge and experience created via this funding will comprise a case study to inform conservation efforts at troubled lakes across New York State and beyond, and to ensure healthier, sustainable waterways for generations to come.”

The 2012 Total Maximum Daily Load for phosphorus in Chautauqua Lake identified internal phosphorus loading as responsible for about 25% of the phosphorus in the north basin of Chautauqua Lake and about 55% of the phosphorus in the south basin of Chautauqua Lake.

According to county statistics, 66% of visitors to Chautauqua County utilize a lake or a waterway, 47% of sales tax of the county is generated in the municipalities immediately surrounding Chautauqua Lake, $282 million is spent annually by tourists to the county, and $3.2 is invested in Chautauqua Lake each year. Of that $3.2 million, $1.7 million is used for watershed projects, $1.3 million is for in-lake projects, and $250,000 is used for lake monitoring efforts.