069— Geomorphic Characteristics of Canadice Lake, NY, Watersheds and the Anthropogenic Effects on Watershed Output and Sensitivity

Land use and size of watershed catchment areas affects the overall health and water quality of Canadice Lake. Methods in ArcGIS Pro were used for high resolution imagery and topography data to analyze the geomorphology of watersheds at Canadice Lake. Watersheds were mapped using ArcGIS Hydrology tools by constructing flow direction and accumulation grids. In each individual watershed, total area of the watershed, area of residential and agricultural land use, and total length of roads was determined to evaluate which watersheds are most sensitive to human impact and which watersheds are likely to contribute the highest flow discharge and sediment load based on their size. Initial results indicate that upland streams in the watersheds that intersect roads are diverted by drainage ditches and are vulnerable to human impact. Also, the East side of Canadice Lake has the most human impact, with the highest percentages of residential areas, agricultural areas, and roads. The watersheds with both, the largest area of land cover and the largest percent of residential, agriculture and roads, are the most vulnerable watersheds and most likely the largest contributors to contaminants into the lake.