Residents living along Cross Lake in Cayuga County grow frustrated as flooding continues without relief

Cayuga County, New York – Frustration is running high among residents living along Cross Lake, where weeks of persistent flooding have transformed peaceful waterfront homes into soggy swamplands.

For nearly a month and a half, homeowners along the lake — which straddles the border of Cayuga and Onondaga counties — have watched helplessly as rising water levels swallowed docks, ruined property, and turned their backyards into breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

“This just isn’t normal,” said one local resident, standing next to what was once a functional dock but is now partially submerged. “We’ve lost personal belongings, we’re battling insects, and we’re not getting answers.”

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Residents blame the flooding on poor coordination among multiple agencies responsible for managing the Oswego River Basin. They argue that bureaucracy, outdated infrastructure, and slow-moving policy decisions are making the problem worse. Despite the release of a state report in 2023 that detailed specific solutions, locals say little has changed on the ground.

One of the main proposals — the restoration of the Montezuma floodplain — is underway, but it’s far from complete. Meanwhile, suggested modifications to the Baldwinsville Dam remain in the early planning stages. A legislative effort to streamline oversight by forming a single management authority for the basin was recently reintroduced in Albany, but many residents are skeptical that help will come soon enough.

“We’re stuck in a cycle of finger-pointing,” said another resident. “Everyone says it’s someone else’s responsibility. Meanwhile, we’re living with the consequences.”

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Some homeowners are now questioning whether they can continue living on the lake. With summer well underway, recreational activity has been severely restricted, and there’s growing concern about long-term property damage.

“This isn’t just a seasonal nuisance anymore,” a longtime resident said. “It’s a crisis of neglect, and people here are tired of waiting.”

As calls for accountability grow louder, residents are urging state officials and water management agencies to act swiftly — before yet another storm worsens the already overwhelming situation.