Hemlock Lake
RochesterEnvironment.com
Newslinks and Resources for Hemlock Lake - a Finger Lake and part of the Rochester, NY area's environment
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Finger Lakes - Environmental NewsLinks and Resources specific to each lake. Honeoye Lake | Hemlock Lake | Canadice Lake | Cayuga Lake | Canandaigua Lake | Seneca Lake| Conesus Lake
NYSDEC Region 8 / Hemlock Lake Located in southeast Livingston County, Hemlock Lake lies 25 miles south of Rochester. Hemlock is one of the two Finger Lakes whose shorelines are virtually undeveloped. --from NYS DEC.
Hemlock Lake NewsLinks
It's important to monitor the health of our Finger Lakes, which is a part of our regions environmental health.
- ENVIRONMENT: Next up for Canadice and Hemlock: a plan - News Articles - Rochester City Newspaper The shorefronts of Hemlock and Canadice Lakes are officially state property, now that Rochester officials have signed over the land. As its next step, the state will plan how to manage the approximately 7,000 acres. The property is under the purview of the Department of Environmental Conservation, which develops a unit management plan for open space or parkland properties that the state takes over. (July 28, 2010)Rochester NY News, Events, Restaurants, Music, Entertainment, Nightlife - Rochester City Newspaper [more on Hemlock Lake and Canadiice lakes]
- History made at Hemlock Lake | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle HEMLOCK — There were no bands or beer tents on the shores of Hemlock Lake on Friday, but a celebration was definitely under way. Call it a party in the park, conservationists' style. Officials from city, state, town and county government, representatives from conservation clubs and ordinary citizens who are advocates of nature gathered under a pavilion at Hemlock Lake Park to officially recognize the historic land transfer of the Hemlock-Canadice watershed from the city of Rochester to the state of New York (July 24, 2010) Democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Hemlock Lake and Canadiice lakes]
- City of Rochester, State Preserve Last Two Undeveloped Finger Lakes in New York - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Rochester Mayor Robert J. Duffy and State Environmental Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today that New York State has completed the purchase of Hemlock and Canadice lakes from the City of Rochester for $13.7 million. The transaction, which has been in the works for over two years, will preserve and protect the last two undeveloped Finger Lakes - which have supplied water to Rochester for more than 130 years. (July 1, 2010) Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation [more on Hemlock Lake and Canadice lakes]
- City of Rochester | City of Rochester, State Preserve Last Two Undeveloped (Thursday, July 1, 2010) – Rochester Mayor Robert J. Duffy and State Environmental Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today that New York State has completed the purchase of Hemlock and Canadice lakes from the City of Rochester for $13.7 million. The transaction, which has been in the works for over two years, will preserve and protect the last two undeveloped Finger Lakes – which have supplied water to Rochester for more than 130 years. “I’m pleased to see the finalization of the sale of Hemlock and Candice lakes, which will result in revenue for the City and significant reductions in the City’s property tax burden,” said Mayor Duffy. “I want to thank Gov. David Paterson and Commissioner Grannis for their foresight. This is a legacy for future generations of New Yorkers that will ensure that the pristine lakes and lands surrounding them remain undeveloped, protecting Rochester’s public water supply and guaranteeing that this jewel is preserved forever wild for the enjoyment of visitors and residents.” (July 1, 2010) City of Rochester [more on Hemlock Lake and Canadiice lakes]
- Two Finger Lakes now in hands of NY - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow Finger Lakes, N.Y. — Forever wild. That is the celebrated outcome of a years-long effort to preserve Canadice and Hemlock lakes. The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Thursday completed its $13.7 million acquisition of the two smallest Finger Lakes, which supply drinking water to the city of Rochester. State DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said the acquisition is the most important land purchase the state has made in more than a generation — outside of the Adirondacks and Catskills. The transaction will preserve and protect the last two undeveloped Finger Lakes, which have supplied water to Rochester for more than 130 years. (July 2, 2010) Home - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow [more on Hemlock Lake and Canadiice lakes]
- DEC Purchases 2 Finger Lakes - Rochester, News, Weather, Sports, and Events - 13WHAM.com Rochester, N.Y. (AP) — The state Department of Environmental Conservation has completed its $13.7 million acquisition of two Finger Lakes that supply drinking water to the city of Rochester. (July 2, 2010) Home - Rochester, News, Weather, Sports, and Events - 13WHAM.com [more on Hemlock Lake and Canadiice lakes
- Hemlock, Canadice watershed sold to New York | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Next Page 1 | 2 Previous Page Sale of lands around picturesque Hemlock and Canadice lakes by the city of Rochester to New York state, a goal of conservationists for decades, is now complete, officials announced Thursday. A $13.7 million check was delivered to City Hall on Tuesday, and title to about 6,700 acres turned over to the state. Lands that Rochester began acquiring 115 years ago to protect its drinking-water supply are now officially known as Hemlock-Canadice State Forest. (July 2, 2010) Democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Hemlock Lake and Candiice lakes]
- WXXI: City Sale of Canandice and Hemlock Lakes on Track (2010-05-07) ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - The state comptroller has signed off on the purchase of Hemlock and Canadice lakes. Those members of the Finger Lakes chain provide drinking water to the city of Rochester, which has sought to sell them to the state. (May 7, 2010) WXXI NewsRoom [more on Hemlock lake in our area]
- Rochester City Council votes yes to sale of Canadice and Hemlock lakes | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle In 1985, Stephen Lewandowski was named to a city of Rochester panel charged with studying the future of the city's water supply. The group eventually recommended that New York state take title to 7,000 acres of city-owned land around the two lakes, Hemlock and Canadice, from which Rochester draws its supply. (March 19, 2010) Democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Hemlock Lake}
- Plan to sell land around Hemlock, Canadice lakes up for vote | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Half the money from the sale of city-owned land surrounding Hemlock and Canadice lakes would be put toward a new marina at the Port of Rochester, as part of a plan outlined in legislation sent to City Council on Thursday. (March 12, 2010) Democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Hemlock Lake]
- City to sell land surrounding Hemlock and Canadice lakes | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Legislation could go to City Council this week authorizing the sale to the state — for about $13 million — of city-owned land surrounding Hemlock and Canadice lakes. Hemlock and Canadice are the last undeveloped Finger Lakes and have supplied drinking water to the city for the past 135 years. (March 9, 2010) Democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Hemlock Lake in our area]
- Lake land to remain ‘a pristine wilderness’ - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow Singer is referring to 7,100 acres of watershed land plus two gems — Hemlock and Canadice lakes — which Rochester will soon sell to New York state. On Thursday, the state DEC declared the Rochester land sale exempt from a new state austerity program to halt purchase of land for conservation. That’s shorthand for: The deal will go through. (January 27, 2010) Home - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow [more on Hemlock Lake]
- Canadice, Hemlock lakes sale near end - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow MPNnow.com — The Paterson administration is completing deals to buy the last two undeveloped Finger Lakes, as well as 1,220 acres in the Catskills and conservation rights to 89,000 acres of Adirondack timberlands — while halting other purchases of wilderness and open space in New York. (January 23, 2010) Home - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow [more on Hemlock Lake]
- Proposed ban on state land purchases won't halt deal for Canadice, Hemlock lakes | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Despite Gov. David Paterson's proposal to halt state purchases of wilderness and open space in New York, the state deal to buy the city-owned Canadice and Hemlock lakes watershed remains on track, officials say. The city hopes to finalize the sale by year's end, city spokesman Gary Walker said. A sale price was not disclosed. (January 22, 2010) [more on Hemlock Lake]
- ENVIRONMENT: Lakes land deal may be near - News Articles - Rochester City Newspaper In the ongoing negotiations to get the city-owned land surrounding Hemlock and Canadice Lakes into the state's hands, the official line from the regional Department of Environmental Conservation office is that there's nothing new to report. But clearly, there is. (May 27, 09) Rochester City Newspaper
- N.Y. state money woes plague Finger Lakes land deal with Rochester | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Rochester and New York state officials say they're progressing toward a state purchase of 7,100 city-owned acres around Hemlock and Canadice lakes, though questions remain about timing and funding for the long-discussed deal. (March 9, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
- ENVIRONMENT: Fixing the Hemlock-Canadice snag - News Articles - Rochester City Newspaper It was a simple enough plan: in October 2007, the town of Canadice put land that the City of Rochester owned around Hemlock and Canadice Lakes into a conservation district so that the land couldn't be developed, no matter who owned it. (Dec 16, 08) Rochester City Newspaper
- Canadice amends zoning laws to expedite sale of Rochester-owned property to state | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle The Canadice Town Board amended its zoning law Monday to help pave the way for the sale of Rochester-owned land in Ontario County to New York state.(Dec 16, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
- Non-profit group to offer land to state - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Canadice, N.Y. — CONSERVATION: New York could end up with 8,435 acres around Canadice and Hemlock lakes, if two major land deals are sealed. The Nature Conservancy will offer to sell more than 1,000 acres in Canadice and Hemlock to the state after New York completes a long-anticipated deal to buy the Canadice and Hemlock lakes watershed from the City of Rochester. (Dec 15, 08) - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
- Closing in on a lake deal - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Canadice, N.Y. — Canadice is ready to adopt a new zoning law this month with the hope that it be completely forgotten five minutes later. It’s all part of the last-minute red tape before the state can buy the 7,100 acres of land around Hemlock and Canadice lakes from the city of Rochester. The last wild Finger Lakes would then fall under the stewardship of the state Department of Conservation, protected from development for all time. (Dec 4, 08) - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
- Zoning rule threatens Rochester's sale of Canadice and Hemlock lakes | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle A seemingly innocent zoning decision in an Ontario County town has thrown a wrench into plans for New York state to buy undeveloped land around Hemlock and Canadice lakes from the city of Rochester and preserve it. (Dec 5, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
- Hemlock Lake For Sale? - There's a new addition to Hemlock Lake which opens Saturday. The Nature Conservancy will unveil a hiking trail on the lake. The trail is one and half miles with a three-quarter spur trail. It's called "Rob's Trail" in honor of a former trustee of the conservancy who recently passed away. Meantime the rest of Hemlock Lake is still up for sale. (June 30, 08) RochesterHomePage.net
- Rochester to Albany: Let’s make a deal - Rochester, NY - MPNnow All other players are out of the game as the city of Rochester and New York state prepare to negotiate a price for the 7,100 acres the city owns around Canadice and Hemlock lakes. Until recently, city leaders had said they were considering all options. But the latest statements from the mayor’s office and the state Department of Environmental Conservation suggest that something environmentalists have feared — the sale to a developer — is off the table. (Dec 17, 07) Messenger Post Newspapers
- DEC chief visits Hemlock, a plus for possible watershed sale— New York state's environmental commissioner paid an unannounced visit Thursday to Hemlock Lake, taking in the grandeur of one of the last undeveloped Finger Lakes. He came away impressed — a development that can only be seen as positive by advocates of the notion that the state should purchase and preserve forever the land around Hemlock and Canadice lakes that now is owned by the city of Rochester. (October 5, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
- MPNnow.com: New DEC chief wants talks on Hemlock, Canadice watersheds A spokesman for the city of Rochester insists that it’s not necessarily a sale negotiation. ROCHESTER — The new head of the state Department of Environmental Conservation has asked Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy to open negotiations on the future of city-owned watershed lands around Canadice and Hemlock lakes. A letter to Duffy from DEC Commissioner Alexander Grannis confirms statements made in April by state Parks and DEC officials at a Sierra Club meeting in Rochester. (May 21, 07) Messenger Post Newspapers
- Council OKs lakes' appraisal - City Council voted Tuesday night to authorize an appraisal of Hemlock and Canadice lakes. Midland Appraisal Associations will be paid up to $28,000 for the work. - (May 16, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
- www.whec.com - City of Rochester and Monroe County Water Authority work on new water agreement Talks continue between the City of Rochester and the Monroe County Water Authority on a new water-sharing agreement. The existing 30-year deal expires next year. One of the options on the table is a county takeover of the city system. Most city residents get their water from the Cobbs Hill reservoir. It's piped in from Hemlock and Canadice lakes. The county system gets its water from Lake Ontario. The city and county already share water. In fact there are more than 50 interconnection points between the city and the water authority. (May 8, 07) www.whec.com - Front Page
- ENVIRONMENT: State takeover likely for Hemlock, Canadice - News & Opinion - Rochester City Newspaper There's been concern that city officials might sell land around Hemlock and Canadice Lakes to developers. But a stronger bet may be that the state buys the land. During the Rochester Sierra Club's annual Environmental Forum on April 19, city and state officials said they want to work together to preserve the land and lakes by putting them in the state's hands. (April 24, 07) Rochester City Newspaper
- Watershed's future on line - Forum focuses on finding way to shield Canadice, Hemlock lakes forever — Environmentalists, city and state officials believe the time is right for Rochester to sell 7,100 acres of land to the state if the parties can agree on a price and use of the land — despite the area being an abundant, natural supply of drinking water for the past 130 years. About 200 people attended a Sierra Club environmental forum Thursday at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester to hear about the watershed of Hemlock and Canadice lakes, about 30 miles south of Rochester. (April 20, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
- FINGER LAKES: City would like state to buy Hemlock and Canadice - News & Opinion - Rochester City Newspaper Could the state become the owner of the city-owned Hemlock and Canadice Lakes and the land around them? Mayor Bob Duffy that would be "the best of both worlds." Duffy had hoped to have the properties appraised, but at their meeting on Tuesday night, City Councilmembers turned him down. Their concern: that the appraisal might open the door to selling the land to developers. Duffy said last night that his push for an appraisal doesn't mean he is rushing to put the prime Finger Lakes real estate on the market. But, he said, not knowing the value of the city's assets is bad management. (April 19, 2007) Rochester City Newspaper
- ENVIRONMENT: Council nixes appraisal of Hemlock-Canadice land - News & Opinion - Rochester City Newspaper The Duffy administration had hoped to hire a firm to appraise the city-owned land around Hemlock and Canadice Lakes. But last night City Council turned down his request, 5-2, citing concerns that in the future the city might want to sell the land. Mayor Bob Duffy has not said that he wants to let the land be developed, but some Councilmembers didn't buy the administration's argument that the city should at least be aware of the property's value. (April 18, 2007) Rochester City Newspaper
- City Council rejects watershed appraisal - Members wary of Hemlock, Canadice development — City Council rejected an administration request Tuesday to appraise the Hemlock and Canadice lakes watershed. Some members said they will not consider the question again unless development is off the table. Mayor Robert Duffy and his staff never have indicated an interest in development, but have said all options are being considered as the city reviews its water system. Deputy Mayor Patty Malgieri said that also meant having data necessary to review those options. (April 18, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
- Hemlock, Canadice proposal defended - Appraisals of waterfront land will keep all city options open — City Hall insists a plan to appraise the watershed properties surrounding Hemlock and Canadice lakes does not indicate a plan to sell the land to developers. Rather, it is the first step in an effort to place a dollar value on the entire water system, which is needed information as the city continues to evaluate the system's future, Deputy Mayor Patty Malgieri said. One possible outcome is that the state buys the last two undeveloped Finger Lakes and creates a permanent preserve. (April 15, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
- New York Old Growth Forest Association Ecologists find old-growth forest at Hemlock Lake 415-acre tract in lakeside ravines has 500-year-old trees by Corydon Ireland, Staff Writer Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Monday, September 25, 2001 --from TERRA: Ancient Forests
- Democrat & Chronicle: City agrees not to cut Hemlock Lake trees — The city of Rochester has agreed to a two-year moratorium on logging 212 acres of trees along Hemlock Lake. The action -- outlined in an April 9 letter to the local Sierra Club -- temporarily halts a controversy that brewed last year over the fate of hemlock and oak trees, some of them 400 years old. Rochester owns a 7,200-acre watershed in Livingston and Ontario counties, most of it wooded. (April 24, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
- Democrat & Chronicle: City agrees to logging moratorium — The city of Rochester has agreed to a two-year moratorium against logging three specific stands of trees on the shores of Hemlock Lake. "We'e basically happy" with the city's decision, said Hugh Mitchell, chairman of the Sierra Club Rochester Regional Group. (April 23, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
- Democrat & Chronicle: Scientists diving into history of Hemlock Lake — A research team from University of Rochester and State University College at Brockport is investigating how weather has affected the western Finger Lakes' past and what the future could hold for Rochester's water supply. (March 25, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Resources for Hemlock Lake
If you live near Honeoye Lake perhaps one of these resources can be a way for you to become involved with your lake's health.
- Hemlock Lake, N.Y.
- NYSDEC Region 8 / Hemlock Lake
- Hemlock Trees Should we cut old growth trees in Hemlock? Important Rochester-area Concern: Grab this week's City (Greater Rochester's Alternative Newsweekly, Volume 31, Number 7, November 7-13, 2001) Pg. 6 What In The Blazes, Hemlock Lake And The Loggers. by Jack Bradigan Spula. In order to understand completely the issue surrounding the old growth forest trees that the city owns around Hemlock Lake and the questions as to whether or not to cull them, you must read this article.
- Hemlock Lake How to get there: From Rochester take Route 15A south passing through the village of Hemlock. Turn right on Rix Hill Road approximately one mile south of intersection of Route 15A with Route 20A. Immediately turn left off of Rix Hill Road onto East Lake Road. Approximately 1.1 miles from turn off onto East Lake Road is the boat launch.
- APPENDIX O: HEMLOCK WATER FILTRATION PLANT CITY OF ROCHESTER WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM Rochester's Upland Water Supply system includes Hemlock Lake and Canadice Lake. The City owns over 7000 acres of the watershed surrounding these lakes. This buffer provides the best water supply protection possible. City ownership of this land has created a unique environmental setting as these are the only Finger Lakes with natural, undeveloped shorelines. Water is pumped from Hemlock Lake and flows by gravity from Canadice Lake to the filtration plant on the northern shore of Hemlock Lake. After treatment in the filtration plant, water flows by gravity for a total distance of 29 miles through the conduit system and Rush Reservoir to the Highland and Cobbs Hill reservoirs within city limits. The elevation of the water surface in the two City reservoirs is high enough to provide water pressure to most homes without pumping.
- Hemlock Lake Water System So proclaimed the newspaper headline on January 24, 1876 as it announced the arrival of Hemlock Lake water into Mt. Hope Reservoir (today named Highland Reservoir). Finally, after more than three decades of political bickering and aborted construction attempts, Rochester had an abundant supply of pure wholesome drinking water. While an asset such as this may barely raise an eyebrow today, in 1876 this was truly a glorious event for the 70,000 citizens of Rochester.
- Hemlock Lake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Hemlock Lake is one of the minor Finger Lakes. It is mostly located in Livingston County, New York, south of Rochester, with a portion overlapping into Ontario County.
- Parks, Recreation and Human Services - City of Rochester N.Y.. Some great photographs of Hemlock Lake