Beneath the Surface: A New Look at Skaneateles Lake

A collaboration between East of Nowhere and the Syracuse University Lake Research Group in the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences

Summer in Central New York often means calm mornings on the water and long afternoons by the lake. But beneath those peaceful surfaces, an invisible problem is growing. Across the world, harmful algal blooms (HABs), outbreaks of toxin-producing cyanobacteria, are becoming more frequent and severe, fueled by warming temperatures and nutrient-rich sediments. These blooms threaten ecosystems, wildlife, and human health, and they have become an increasingly urgent concern here at home.

Cyanobacterial blooms surged to record levels in the Finger Lakes this year, endangering recreation and water quality. (Photo: Getty Images)

A Lake Worth Protecting

Skaneateles Lake has long been known as one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. It supplies drinking water to the City of Syracuse and surrounding towns, supports local businesses, and defines the landscape of Central New York. But in recent years, even Skaneateles has seen the rise of harmful algal blooms, driven in part by phosphorus-rich sediments that collect on the lakebed.

When these blooms occur, they can close beaches, disrupt recreation, and make the water unsafe for both people and pets, cutting short the few months each year when residents and visitors can enjoy the lake. To protect this vital resource, scientists are working to understand what’s happening beneath the surface.

Mapping the Lake

Researchers from Syracuse University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences have launched a lakebed mapping project using a multibeam echo sounder system, a state-of-the-art sonar instrument that can scan a wide swath of the lake floor at high resolution. Mounted on the Dr. Robert Werner Research and Education Boat, this system, an R2Sonic 2026V, collects millions of soundings to build a detailed 3D model of the lakebed.

Bathymetric model of northern Skaneateles Lake

These maps show where fine-grained, phosphorus-rich mud has accumulated, potential hotspots for algal bloom activity. “The fine-grained sediment is one of the main reservoirs for nutrients,” explains Professor Christopher Scholz, who leads the project. “Phosphorus tends to glob on to those particles, and that can be the source of harmful algal blooms,” he told Syracuse University News in an October 1, 2025 article.

The research also provides hands-on experience for student researchers who are learning to operate advanced sonar and analyze sediment data.

Zoom in to see the lake floor in detail!

Beyond algal bloom research, the dataset has broad applications: it helps plan infrastructure upgrades such as potential water pipeline extensions, guides shoreline management, and even reveals cultural artifacts like shipwrecks. Among the discoveries are the 19th-century wrecks of the Ossahinta and the City of Syracuse, along with others still being processed.

Science Meets Art

East of Nowhere was invited to collaborate with the Syracuse University Lake Research Group to bring this extraordinary data to life through art. Using the newly acquired bathymetric data, we’ve created a series of fine-art prints that reveal the hidden shape of Skaneateles Lake, the ridges, basins, and channels that make up its unseen landscape.

Each design is a fusion of science and storytelling, transforming sonar data into vivid relief and shadow. The result is both a visual experience and a tribute to the research that made it possible.

A Shared Mission

A portion of proceeds from every Skaneateles Lake print supports ongoing lake research and harmful algal bloom prevention throughout the Finger Lakes. Your purchase directly contributes to the scientists and students working to safeguard these waters for generations to come.

This project is supported by a wide network of organizations and individuals, including the Skaneateles Lake Association and Legacy Fund, the National Science Foundation, Syracuse University’s Office of Research and College of Arts and Sciences, the New York State Water Resources Research Institute at Cornell University, and generous donors including Sam and Carol Nappi.

Looking Forward

The methods developed here in Skaneateles will help scientists study freshwater systems around the world, providing a model for identifying nutrient hotspots and protecting drinking-water supplies.

But locally, the impact is immediate. These maps, and the art they’ve inspired, are a reminder of how much life and beauty exist beneath the surface, and how fragile that balance can be.

Explore the Collection

Discover the Skaneateles Lake Bathymetry Series. Every print helps fund continued research in the Finger Lakes and supports the mission to keep our lakes clear, safe, and full of life.

Quotes and background information courtesy of Syracuse University News, “Safer Lakes, Cleaner Water” (October 1, 2025).