June 2007

Collecting solids at Syracuse's Inner Harbor

Began June 2002 and continues

If streams were avenues, Onondaga Creek would be the “Main Street” of Syracuse. It flows through dense neighborhoods and downtown's Armory Square and Franklin Square, ending at the Inner Harbor. It picks up and deposits trash that is blown in and that flows in from sewers—at the estimated rate of nearly two tons each month.

The trash that Onondaga Creek carries to the Inner Harbor contributes pollution to Onondaga Lake, and it is unsightly. It can also be harmful to watercraft and affect fish, birds, and other wildlife in the creek.

Efficient collection of floatables

Efficient collection of floatables

For nearly two decades, the Syracuse Inner Harbor has been the focus of interest for intense commercial and residential development. Onondaga County's objective is to keep a substantial volume of the floatables carried to the Inner Harbor by Onondaga Creek from entering Onondaga Lake and to improve the aesthetics of the harbor area.

Onondaga County studied alternative solutions to removing the debris from Onondaga Creek. First efforts focused on a boom structure that would prevent debris from reaching Onondaga Lake from the Creek. This approach proved infeasible.

Next, the County commissioned a specially equipped boat to collect floatables from the Inner Harbor. This boat skims the water in the Inner Harbor and every year since 2002 has removed several tons of debris.

Onondaga County has also implemented an education program to communicate to residents the importance of keeping debris out of storm sewers so that the debris won't reach Onondaga Creek.

The Inner Harbor of Syracuse is now cleaner and more welcoming for the thousands of people who use the area—helping to promote future development. And, the pollution load on Onondaga Lake has been visibly reduced.