Is Upper Little York Lake Polluted?
Yes — Upper Little York Lake in Cortland County, New York is on the EPA's Clean Water Act 303(d) impaired-waters list (2022 assessment cycle). It is cited for Oxygen depletion (low DO). No cleanup plan (TMDL) has been completed yet. "Impaired" is a legal designation, separate from the lake's A–F water-quality grade: it means at least one designated use (such as swimming, aquatic life, or fish consumption) does not meet state standards for the listed pollutant.
EPA 303(d) Listing
| On 303(d) impaired list | Yes |
| Cleanup plan (TMDL) | Not yet written |
| Assessment cycle | 2022 |
| EPA IR category | 5 |
| Location | Cortland County, New York |
Pollutants Cited
- Oxygen depletion (low DO) — listed by EPA as exceeding water-quality standards for at least one designated use.
What this means for using Upper Little York Lake
Review the EPA assessment and any state advisories before relying on Upper Little York Lake for swimming, fishing, or other uses. An impairment listing does not mean the lake is closed — most impaired lakes remain open for boating and swimming. It means a specific pollutant exceeds a standard for a specific use. Upper Little York Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of B — see the full breakdown on the lake report. The official EPA assessment is available in the ATTAINS waterbody report.