OWASCO - With Owasco Lake being not only a source of entertainment for some but also the main source of drinking water for almost 50,000 people, the Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA) aims to promote and protect its value. This is the reason why the group created Lake Day, a day to celebrate a jewel of Cayuga County and to promote awareness of its importance.

“Water is an essential need for the quality of life,” said Dr. Joe Wasileski, president of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association during the second annual Lake Day held Wednesday evening at the Emerson Park pavilion. “We want to get the community involved, the people who use this water on a day-to-day basis. It is up to us to protect our wonderful creation. It is up to us, as a community, to take action.”

Wasileski attributed Lake Day's meaning to be sort of a localized Earth Day, a day in which members from each community that borders Owasco Lake to come together to update efforts and learn new ideas that will preserve the lake.

“We want to have a clean body of water, not only for ourselves, but for future generations to enjoy,” he said. “That is the essence of it all. We have all taken it for granted but this water is an essential part of our lives. We cannot live without it.”

For Maureen Savage Canty and her daughters, Margaret Canty, 10, and Maeve Canty, 7, the lake has been a source of family gatherings and good times for four generations.

Maureen said her grandparents have owned a camp on the lake for many years and teaching her daughters the importance of the lake is an important issue within their family.

“We are lucky to have a nice clean lake,” Margaret said.

“I like to go to our camp and swim in the water,” Maeve added.

The Canty family attended Lake Day for the first time and became members of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association.

“We want to support and help in the efforts to clean up the lake,” Maureen said of the family's decision to become members of the association.

Although it is one of the smallest of the Finger lakes, measuring 11 miles long and 1.2 miles wide, it is a valuable asset bringing many tourists to the area each year, in addition to its value as a source of water for many.

In addition to the Owasco Watershed Lake Association, Lake Day provides resources and information from various county and private organizations, including Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency, Cayuga County Waste Management Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, Finger Lakes Land Trust, the Moravia 7th grade Stream Team, Finger Lakes Institute of Hobart and William Smith College, and the Agricultural Environmental Management.

To learn more

For more information, or to become a member, go to www.owla.org