About the Plan Update

The Conesus Lake Watershed Council (CLWC) is updating the Conesus Lake Watershed Management Plan, with support from the Livingston County Planning Department. Across the Finger Lakes, communities are experiencing shifts in climate, demographics, farming practices, development patterns, and more. The Conesus Lake watershed region of Livingston County is experiencing those changes and challenges as well. The update to the Watershed Management Plan, including a review of local green infrastructure regulations, is timely.

The original Conesus Lake Watershed Management Plan was adopted in 2003 and has served as a template for community leaders, resource management professionals, and the public to identify actions designed to protect local waterways and surrounding lands.

The Conesus Lake watershed includes portions of the Towns of Conesus, Geneseo, Groveland, Livonia, Sparta, and Springwater, and the Village of Livonia.

The Villages of Avon and Geneseo use Conesus Lake as the source for their public water supply. Through these two purveyors, Conesus Lake water supplies more than 20,000 users and 10 water districts, including the Villages of Avon, Geneseo, Leicester, and York.

The Conesus Lake Watershed Management Plan Update process will include a collaborative effort between the Conesus Lake Watershed Council, Livingston County, watershed partners, and the community to identify actions that can be taken at the local level to protect Conesus Lake for future generations.

The Conesus Lake Watershed Management Plan Update will be guided by the following four-step process:

Where are we now? Assess current conditions of landscape and waterways, population and demographics, governance, partnerships, etc.

Where are we going? Identify trends and emerging issues, including climate, water quality, land cover, management practices, and invasive species.

Where do we want to be? Develop updates to the vision and goals for the Conesus Lake watershed.

How do we get there? Determine specific actions, programs, projects, partnerships, and practices to recommend, including leaders, locations, and resources needed.

The Livingston County Planning Department website hosts additional information about past and ongoing watershed management efforts.

Public Engagement

The development of the Conesus Lake Watershed Management Plan Update will rely on public input to guide plan priorities and recommendations.

Check out the calendar for upcoming public engagement events!

Share your ideas!

Imagine it’s 2050 and the Conesus Lake Watershed Management Plan has been successfully implemented. Tell us what you love about this special place:

Project Updates

Check back here for updates on major project milestones.