The New Harvester at Work (2025)

Photographs and Videos of the harvester doing it’s it job! Also, drone footage provided of the narrows after harvesting

Harvester Secured for Otisco Lake to Combat Invasive Weeds

Thanks to County Executive Ryan McMahon, Save Otisco, and the Otisco Lake Preservation Association

Christening the NEW Harvester! In May 2025, OLPA purchased a weed harvester from Cazenovia Lake. The achievement was made possible through the leadership of County Executive Ryan McMahon, who secured the critical funding needed for the acquisition, and the dedicated advocacy of the Save Otisco group from the Otisco Lake Preservation Association (OLPA), which has worked to resolve the lake’s persistent weed problem.

To mark the occasion, community members, local leaders, and lake advocates gathered on Thursday, June 5th, for a celebration at Lakeside Vista on the shores of Otisco Lake. The event honored all who contributed to this significant step forward in preserving the health and beauty of the lake.

“This is a victory for the Otisco Lake community and for everyone who cares about protecting our natural resources,” County Executive McMahon has stated previously, “Collaboration between government and grassroots advocates is what made this possible.”

The acquisition of the harvester means lake maintenance can now be conducted locally, reducing invasive aquatic vegetation that impacts recreation, water quality, and wildlife. OLPA’s Save Otisco initiative has long highlighted the urgency of addressing these concerns to preserve the lake for future generations.

“The harvester is more than just a machine—it’s a symbol of what we can accomplish when we work together,” said an OLPA spokesperson. “This is the result of years of persistence, partnership, and belief in the importance of Otisco Lake.”