CHAUTAUQUA LAKE ASSOCIATION

What CHAUTAUQUA LAKE ASSOCIATION does

The Chautauqua Lake Association (CLA) is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in 1953 in Lakewood, New York, that provides direct lake maintenance and ecosystem management services for Chautauqua Lake. The organization operates from three locations—Lakewood (headquarters and maintenance facility), Mayville, and Long Point—deployed around the lake's north and south basins. Its core technical operation is mechanical aquatic plant harvesting using a fleet of eight specialized harvesters, four work barges, three transport barges, eight dump trucks, loaders, and forklifts. Crews remove nuisance aquatic vegetation (e.g., Eurasian watermilfoil, curly leaf pondweed, starry stonewort), hazardous woody debris from storms, and near-shore vegetation for lakefront property owners, while a Watercraft Steward Program employs 10–13 seasonal stewards at seven public launches across Chautauqua Lake, Cassadaga Lake, Barcelona Harbor, and Dunkirk Harbor to inspect vessels and prevent invasive species spread. Year-round in-house equipment overhaul, welding, and winterization are performed by a chief mechanic.

CLA serves lakefront property owners, municipal and county government, the general public, and community/educational organizations. It does not charge transactional fees for lake maintenance; instead, the operating model is community-funded, with annual membership contributions from over 1,400 members as the primary revenue backbone, supplemented by local, county, and state government grants (including $1 million in federal ARPA funds approved in 2024 for equipment purchase), private foundation grants, corporate and individual donations, and event proceeds from the annual Denim & Diamonds Gala ($100/ticket) and Dragon Boat Festival ($600–$1,100 per boat). The organization is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors and is currently in discussions toward consolidating operations with the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium into a unified entity.

Name

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE ASSOCIATION

Legal name

Chautauqua Lake Association, Inc.

Website

https://chautauqualakeassociation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Chautauqua Lake Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1953 that performs mechanical harvesting, debris removal, and invasive species prevention on Chautauqua Lake, funded by 1,400+ members, government grants, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Lake Management Services

NAICS

Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Pollution Control & Environmental Remediation (Booming, Skimming, Shoreline Cleanup) (TLAHAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tree Debris & Storm Cleanup Hauling (Branches, Logs) (HSAIAOAB), Erosion Control & Stormwater BMP Maintenance (IMAIAIAG)

Keywords

• Lake management services
• Aquatic vegetation harvesting
• Waterway debris removal
• Invasive species prevention
• Watershed stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Lakewood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Contributions: Over 1,400 members donate to the CLA on a yearly basis. Annual fund drive is the backbone of the nonprofit association. Member contributions determine the size of fleet and crews deployed annually.
2. Government Grants and Support: Local, county, and state governmental entities provide supplemental funds. County legislature approved $1 million in federal ARPA funds for lake maintenance equipment purchase. Chautauqua County Occupancy Tax Program via Alliance provides grants.
3. Private Foundation Grants: Private foundations provide supplemental funding for annual programs and equipment purchases. Endowments augmented by specific grants.
4. Corporate and Individual Donations: Event sponsorships (Denim & Diamonds Gala), corporate donations (Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association donated $3,500 in 2026), and general contributions support lake operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CLA performs mechanical harvesting of nuisance aquatic plants, hazardous debris removal (fallen trees, logs, storm debris), near-shore vegetation cleanup for lakefront homeowners, and invasive species prevention via the Watercraft Steward Program. Operations are executed lake-wide from three sites (Lakewood, Mayville, Long Point) using an owned fleet of harvesters, barges, dump trucks, and support equipment maintained in-house year-round.

Product overview

The Chautauqua Lake Association (CLA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in 1953 that serves as the steward of Chautauqua Lake. CLA does not offer a software product but rather provides a comprehensive suite of lake management services including: Lake Maintenance (mechanical harvesting of nuisance aquatic plants), Hazardous Debris Removal (removing fallen trees and storm debris), Near-Shore Cleanup (shoreline vegetation removal), Invasive Species Prevention (Watercraft Steward Program), Scientific Support and Data Sharing (lake monitoring and research collaboration), Public Education and Outreach, Community Engagement, Advocacy and Collaboration, and Seasonal Employment. The organization operates three locations (Lakewood, Mayville, and Long Point) with a fleet of harvesters, barges, and shore crews. CLA also hosts two annual fundraising events: the Chautauqua Lake Dragon Boat Festival (an eighth-year event featuring dragon boat races, team building, and community paddling) and the Denim & Diamonds Gala (primary annual fundraiser with live music, auctions, and mystery prizes). CLA is the only entity performing actual lake maintenance work for Chautauqua Lake, operating since 1954 with an all-volunteer Board of Directors and over 1,400 members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lake Maintenance (Aquatic Plant Harvesting) Regular mechanical harvesting of nuisance aquatic plants to maintain a clean, navigable, and sustainable lake environment for recreational use, executed lake-wide by harvesting crews from three operational locations.
• Hazardous Debris Removal Annually clearing dangerous fallen trees, logs, and storm debris to maintain safe, navigable waterways before the boating season and after major storms, executed by shoreline and mobi crews.
• Near-Shore Cleanup In-lake vegetation removal and shoreline pickup services for lakefront homeowners to maintain healthy shores, improve water flow, and reduce odors from decaying plant material.
• Invasive Species Prevention (Watercraft Steward Program) Educating boaters and inspecting vessels at boat launches to prevent the spread of invasive plant species, with 10-13 stewards working weekends at seven launches on Chautauqua Lake plus Cassadaga Lake, Barcelona Harbor and Dunkirk Harbor from May through September.
• Scientific Support and Data Sharing Supporting and collaborating on lake ecosystem studies to guide effective management, including participation in the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) and water quality monitoring research.
• Public Education and Outreach Providing programs and materials to raise awareness about the importance of natural shorelines and environmental stewardship practices, including Libraries Love Lakes and Lake Days education events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,505 tons of nuisance aquatic vegetation removed in 2020 season
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Coordinating body working on shared lake management approaches. Hosting public information sessions with NYS DEC and GEI Consultants. Managing Chautauqua County Occupancy Tax Program grants that fund CLA equipment purchases.
• Chautauqua Lake Fishing AssociationsupportingOthers · 1 April 2026Consistent supporter for over 20 years, contributing more than $75,000 to lake maintenance efforts. Donated $3,500 in April 2026 to support 2026 lake operations including harvesting, debris removal, near-shore work and seasonal programs.
• Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy (CWC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024CLA and CWC held first-ever joint board meeting to discuss potential consolidation of the two organizations along with Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium. Goal is to form unified organization by January 2026 to streamline operations and create more cohesive effort to protect and manage Chautauqua Lake and area watersheds. Shared commitment to maintaining environmental health and addressing complex lake and watershed issues.
• Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium (CCC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate serving as important voice for protection of region's water. Being considered for merger with CLA and CWC to form unified organization. Already collaborates on public communications and serves on each other's boards.
• Jefferson ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Collaborative on tributary monitoring stations being installed on Chautauqua Lake tributaries. First of six stations opened April 2024. Stations monitor water quality conditions, water flow parameters, and weather conditions year-round.
• GEI ConsultantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLake consultant AJ Reyes of GEI Consultants providing independent expertise for collaborative management approaches. Part of panel discussions with NYS DEC and Alliance board members at public information sessions.
• AECOMsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerContractor component of US Army Corps of Engineers HABITATS (Harmful Algal Bloom Interception, Treatment and Transformation System) pilot study. Hosted at CLA Lakewood facility in August 2020 to test new technology for removing and disposing of HAB bluegreen algae.
• US Army Corps of EngineerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative on HABITATS pilot study for harmful algal bloom remediation. Scientists conducting research at CLA facility evaluating environmentally friendly options for removing localized HABs and nutrient removal.
• Racine-Johnson Aquatic EcologistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing scientific collaboration with researcher Robert L. Johnson on herbivore research and enhancement, plant colonies mapping and identification. Caddis fly study has proven invaluable for understanding changing plant presence.
• North Carolina State UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch plots studying aquatic plant management on Chautauqua Lake as part of proactive lake management efforts. CLA collaborating on research activities.
• Finger Lakes Institute / Hobart and William Smith CollegessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional facilitators of Libraries Love Lakes program that brings libraries and lake scientists together to educate community on healthy lakes. CLA participates as member of North American Lake Management Society (NALMS).
• Chautauqua InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to pursuing sustainable science-based solutions to improve water quality of Chautauqua Lake. Applauds collaborative efforts of lake organizations. Partner in shared work of caring for Chautauqua Lake and watershed.
• Robert Yates FarmsupportingOthersLocal farm in Ashville, owned by Town of North Harmony supervisor, processes harvested lake weeds into compost. Partnership spans decades with Yates utilizing nitrogen-rich weeds as agricultural resource, keeping green waste from county landfill.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lake Champlain Basin Program: Broader-scale lake and watershed management organization covering Lake Champlain across multiple states. Operates with similar scientific monitoring, invasive species prevention, and stakeholder engagement programs but at a multi-jurisdictional scale that exceeds CLA's single-lake focus.
• Solitude Lake Management: Commercial lake management services company providing aquatic weed control, algae management, and lake aeration services across the United States. Operates as a private-sector incumbent offering paid services that overlap with CLA's mechanical harvesting and vegetation management activities.

Others

• North American Lake Management Society (NALMS): Professional membership society of which CLA is a member; promotes lake science, publishes management best practices, and convenes practitioners. Functions as a peer ecosystem and industry association for lake management professionals.
• Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges: Regional research and education partner of CLA's Libraries Love Lakes program; provides scientific capacity for lake monitoring and community education across the Finger Lakes region, making it an enabling ecosystem peer.

Direct peers

• Lake Stewards of Maine: Maine-based nonprofit coordinating volunteer water quality monitoring and invasive plant prevention across numerous lakes. Closely comparable community-led lake stewardship model reliant on memberships, volunteer engagement, and grant funding.
• Candlewood Lake Authority: Connecticut-based lake management organization performing aquatic plant harvesting, water quality monitoring, and invasive species prevention on Candlewood Lake. Closely comparable operating model combining direct lake services with regulatory and educational programs.
• Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association: Finger Lakes lake association focused on water quality, shoreline management, and aquatic vegetation control on Seneca Lake. Operates as a community-led nonprofit with membership dues and donations funding lake stewardship activities comparable to CLA.
• Lake Hopatcong Foundation: Nonprofit lake association serving New Jersey's largest lake with similar mission of water quality monitoring, invasive species prevention, and community-based lake stewardship. Operates with comparable funding model of memberships, grants, and events.
• Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council: Finger Lakes lake association operating on Canandaigua Lake with similar focus on water quality, invasive species monitoring, and shoreline management. Comparable nonprofit structure with membership dues, donations, and community education programs.
• Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy: Direct peer and merger partner; CWC focuses on land and watershed conservation in the Chautauqua region. Shares overlapping donor base, geography, and the active three-way consolidation discussion makes it the most directly comparable organization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/chautauqualakeassociation
• Facebookfacebook.com/chautauqualakeassociation
• Instagraminstagram.com/chautauqualakeassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chautauqua-lake-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CHAUTAUQUA LAKE ASSOCIATION