Ritchie Announces $200,000 for Dredging of Lake Neatahwanta

Builds Upon Past Aid for a Total of $400,000 to Support Dredging Efforts

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she has secured $200,000 in special funding to help the City of Fulton and the Town of Granby in their work to dredge Lake Neatahwanta and ultimately make the body of water usable again. This most recent support—which comes just days before dredging is slated to begin—builds upon $200,000 secured last year by Senator Ritchie; bringing the two year total to $400,000.

“The bodies of water that dot Oswego County are some of the most beautiful in the world and for a long time, residents have been working to help improve water quality and access to the waterways which offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities as well as support jobs and attract tourists to our region,” said Senator Ritchie.

“I’m pleased to be able to provide this funding, which will help the local communities take a step towards solving the serious problem facing Lake Neatahwanta; helping to restore it to its former glory as well as enhancing our area’s tourism and recreational opportunities.”

Local leaders are praising Senator Ritchie’s efforts on behalf of waterways in Central New York:

“For years, Lake Neatahwanta has sat unusable, and that means missed opportunities for local people, as well as visitors, to enjoy this natural resource,” said City of Fulton Mayor Ron Woodward. “I’d like to thank Senator Ritchie for her efforts to help our community take a step towards revitalizing this body of water and adding it to the ranks of our other beautiful waterways that help to enhance our area’s tourism and recreational opportunities.”

“In recent years, our community has banded together in an effort to make our beautiful Lake Neatahwanta usable again,” said Town of Granby Supervisor Ed Williamson.  “We are thankful for the support provided by Senator Ritchie, which represents a big boost in our efforts to reach our goal of once again making Lake Neatahwanta a place where sportsmen, outdoor recreation enthusiasts and families spend their time.”

For more than 25 years, the beaches surrounding Lake Neatahwanta have been closed to the public due to poor water quality resulting from excess sediment clogging the openings of natural springs.  In addition, excess sediment also carried with it phosphorus, which has led to an overgrowth of blue-green algae on the lake, reducing oxygen levels and making it hard for wildlife to survive. 

In addition to the funding secured to dredge Lake Neatahwanta, $75,000 in special funding secured by Senator Ritchie will aid residents in their fight against invasive water chestnuts on the Oswego River, which for years have choked the waterway. 

Funding secured by Senator Ritchie builds upon her past efforts to improve bodies of water in the Central New York region.  Including this year’s funding, she has secured $600,000 to support the dredging of Lake Neatahwanta and the battle against invasive species on the Oswego River.