Skaneateles Watershed Map

What is a watershed?

A watershed is the area of land that drains water into the lake via creeks, brooks, and drainage ways. It can be compared to the shape of an irregular bowl. For Skaneateles Lake, this area totals about 59 square miles. It is largely made up of agricultural and open land, but has smaller areas of residential and commercial development. One key reason why Skaneateles Lake has high quality water is that the ratio of the amount of land that drains to the lake (59 square miles) to the surface area of the lake (13.6 square miles) is relatively small compared to other lakes.

Watershed Map

An interactive version of the official Skaneateles Lake Watershed map is available. The interactive version provides layers including streams, tax parcels, and the watershed boundary - and allows users to zoom in to identify watercourses and neighboring lot tax map numbers. Click on the button below to access the interactive map. 

How to use the map:

1. Click on the button below to open the interactive map

2. Use the + and - buttons to zoom in and out on the map

3. Click on the last icon, which is the list of layers (the icon with three squares stacked on top of each other) to remove or add extra layers, like the sub-watersheds or protected parcels

4. Use the search bar to enter a specific address or place to zoom to that location

5. The ruler icon allows you to draw a shape/polygon or line and take measurements using different units, and/or to get coordinates for a specific point

6. Click the home button to zoom to the original map extent or the target button to zoom to your current location (need to allow ArcGIS to know your location)

7. The third icon (the four small squares that make up a larger square) allows you to change the base map to streets, topographic, etc.