Seneca Lake is the drinking water supply for approximately 100,000 people.
The City of Geneva and the Villages of Watkins Glen, Waterloo, and Ovid draw water from the lake as public water supply as well as many private residences along the lakeshore. Boating, fishing and swimming provide summer activities for many residents and summer visitors alike.
Boating on Seneca Lake
Seneca Lake is a very popular boating destination. Boat rentals are available from various marinas around the lake. Chartered fishing trips are also available as well as chartered sailing cruises. We even have a pedal boat! Every July the Rochester Offshore Powerboat Association sponsors the Seneca Lake Battleship Run.
Public Boat Launches
Boat launch sites operated by NYSDEC are free to the public, however sites operated by other agencies may charge a fee.
Lakefront Park – Located in Geneva on Routes 5 & 20. Concrete ramps. Temporary dockage. Parking for 20 cars & trailers. Operated by the City of Geneva.
Seneca Lake State Park – On Routes 5 & 20 and 96A at the City of Geneva. Concrete ramps. Pumpout. Parking for 30 cars & trailers. Operated by Seneca Lake Resorts on behalf of NYS Parks.
Lodi Point State Marine Park – On County Route 136, 5 miles west of the Village of Lodi. Concrete ramp. Parking for 68 cars & trailers. Operated by NYS Parks.
Sampson State Park – On Route 96A, 12 miles south of the City of Geneva, Concrete ramps. Pumpout. Parking for 64 cars & trailers. Operated by Seneca Lake Resorts on behalf of NYS Parks.
Smith Memorial Park – Located off Route 414 on Peach Orchard Road in the Town of Hector. Remote parking for 6 cars & trailers. Steep dirt access road. Launch for small boats and kayaks. Operated by the Town of Hector.
Severne Point Boat Launch – On Severne Point Road, off Route 14, 8 miles south of Dresden. Concrete ramp. Parking for 30 cars & trailers. Good winter launch. Operated by the NYS DEC.
Clute Park – Located off Route 414 on Boat Launch Road on the canal portion of Catharine Creek. Concrete ramps. Parking for 60 cars & trailers. Operated by the Village of Watkins Glen.
Water Use Classifications
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) classifies surface waters based on their best intended uses:
| Classification | Best Usage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AA, A | Drinking water source, recreation, fishing | Highest quality, suitable for consumption |
| B | Swimming and other recreation, fishing | Not intended for drinking |
| C | Fishing, non-contact activities | May not be suitable for swimming |
| D | Limited fishing | Natural conditions (e.g., low flow) may restrict use |
| (T) / (TS) | Trout habitat / Trout spawning | May apply to AA, A, B, or C waters; stricter standards to protect sensitive fisheries |
For more detailed information, visit the NYSDEC’s Water Quality Standards and Classifications.
Seneca Lake Standards
The main body of Seneca Lake is classified as AA(TS). This means that it is classified as suitable for drinking, contact recreation, and fishing. The (TS) classification means that the lake also supports trout spawning.
There are sections at the north and south end of the lake that are classified as B(T) meaning their waters are best used for contact recreation and fishing. And the water is suitable for trout – but not trout spawning. The classifications for all of the waters within the watershed can be found in the 9E plan starting on page 18.
The Waterbody Inventory/Priority Waterbodies List (WI/PWL) GIS layer provides a geospatial representation of the state’s waterbody segments for the assessment of surface water quality in accordance with Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act. You can zoom on the map to any waterbody in New York and click on the layer and see its name and its information.
Pure Waters volunteers collect water samples every summer to help keep track of the lake’s water quality as part of the Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP). This data is used by the NYSDEC. Learn more about our CSLAP program.
