Improving Water Quality at the Source

Canandaigua Lake is known for its clear water and natural beauty, but in recent years, summer algae blooms began to threaten that reputation. In the Parish Flats area, Naples Creek was identified as a key source of sediment entering the lake, prompting a collaborative effort to better understand the system and identify a long-term solution.

Working alongside The Nature Conservancy, the Town of Naples, the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the project focused on restoring the natural relationship between the creek and its floodplain. The goal was not to control the water, but to give it more room to slow down, spread out, and filter before reaching the lake.

Letting the System Work as Intended

Our team supported the effort with a comprehensive set of environmental and engineering services, helping build a clear picture of how the site functions today. Through field investigations and monitoring of flooding events, groundwater levels, and stream conditions, we developed a detailed understanding of existing patterns across the landscape.

Using two-dimensional hydraulic modeling, we evaluated how different restoration strategies would perform, including expanding floodplain areas, increasing flood duration, and creating wetland and detention zones. Each option was tested with careful consideration for nearby properties, ensuring that improvements would not introduce unintended impacts.

Turning Analysis into a Clear Path Forward

The work resulted in conceptual designs that give project partners a practical path forward, supporting funding applications and phased implementation.

Community input played an important role throughout the process. Public meetings created space for discussion, helping address concerns and build support for the project. The result is a plan that reflects both the science of the watershed and the priorities of the people who live there.

By working with the natural system rather than against it, the project sets the stage for improved water quality, reduced sediment loading, and a healthier future for Canandaigua Lake.