Owasco Lake Platform is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Cayuga County, New York. Water quality is graded A based on 3 sampling years through 2020. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Brown Trout, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Cayuga County, Owasco Lake Platform ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, New York DNR, last sampled 2020-10-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 11 ft. Phosphorus level: 6 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 37.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | 6 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 37 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Owasco Lake Platform
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Owasco Lake Platform
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 4 lakes in Cayuga County
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
4 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Owasco Lake Platform under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Owasco (T) Sd#1 OverflowsAuburn · 3.2 mi away · NPDES NY0029297
- Buckeye Pipeline Co-Auburn PltAuburn · 4.6 mi away · NPDES NY0156311
- Hidden Valley Trailer ParkSennett · 4.7 mi away · NPDES NY0244368
- Auburn Bulk PlantAuburn · 4.8 mi away · NPDES NY0231711
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2020-10-22
Monitoring stations: 1