LAKEWOOD – A group dedicated to maintaining the waterways of Chautauqua Lake has received new equipment to fight Harmful Algal Blooms.
Funding for two new lake skimmers was previously made available through a 2018 state plan aimed at protecting fresh water bodies statewide.
The new watercraft will be used for lake weed harvesting and near shore cleanup.
While Chautauqua County is the official owner of the equipment, the Chautauqua Lake Association will lease the skimmers and pay for operating costs including staffing, fueling and yearly maintenance of the new craft.
The group already has two similar skimmers in use on the lake to fight the growing weed problem.
While most algae is an important part of the lake ecosystem, harmful algae blooms produce toxins that can be harmful to people and animals.
Cutting lake weeds help reduce the number of blooms in a non-chemical way of combating the problem.
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