Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance

Mobitracs have helped keep the shores of Chautauqua Lake clean since 2019. These amphibious machines are uniquely suited to near-shore cleanup operations, and give crews a versatile and powerful new tool to remove debris quickly and safely. The 2,800 pound ‘Mobis’ can be fitted with various attachments and have a 600 pound lift capacity. The program and its partnerships highlight the Alliance’s emphasis on collaborative and complementary management to improve the environmental and economic health of the lake.

Program Milestones

• 2019: The Town of Chautauqua initiates the Mobitrac program primarily within its own shorelines. The first two Mobitracs of the fleet are purchased using Town funds as well as a New York State grant awarded to Chautauqua County.
• 2020: Marks the first year of joint operations with the Chautauqua Lake Association, which supports Mobitrac crews by transporting and disposing of debris. A third Mobitrac is added using an Alliance Foundation grant, and the fleet is outfitted by the Alliance with GPS units thanks to a grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.
• 2021: The Town adds a fourth Mobitrac, once again utilizing funds from the Alliance’s Consolidated Local Funding Program. Operations are expanded to both the North and South Basins of the lake, covering ~42 miles of shoreline throughout the recreation season. A dredge pump system is also added to the Mobitrac fleet via Alliance grants using Holmberg Foundation and county funds. 
• 2023: Mobitracs continue to work lakewide, and are also used to manage infestations of invasive starry stonewort in Ashville Bay, a first of its kind pilot program. The Town and county worked together to purchase a new Mobitrac and shoreline conveyor.

Financial supporters of the work detailed above include The Lenna Foundation, the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the Holmberg Foundation, and the County of Chautauqua.

Year	Fleet Size	Joint Ops	North Crew	South Crew
2019	2	No	Yes	No
2020	3	Yes	Yes	No
2021	4	Yes	Yes	Yes
2022	4	Yes	Yes	Yes
2023	5	Yes	Yes	Yes

Additional Information