Cooperstown summer resident Dennis Hannon swam the length of Otsego Lake for the fourth straight year last Friday, but this year's journey was different on many different levels.

With the late June flooding still keeping many boats out of the water for fear of debris, and most swimmers out of the water for fear of water contamination, Hannon found himself almost all alone on the lake.

"It was odd, but for swimming the lake it was great," said the 62-year-old Hannon, who lives in Arizona. "I didn't have to deal with wakes from boats and Friday was the perfect day on the lake. There was almost no wind and I could go in any direction."

Hannon cut almost 45 minutes off of last year's time, finishing the nine mile swim from Lakefront Park to the Public Landing in Springfield in four hours and one minute. Last year's time was four hours and 43 minutes.

"I've gotten faster every year, but I'll never have better conditions than I did this year," said Hannon, whose daughter, Peggy and a friend followed him in a boat to act as spotters and also timed the swim.

Hannon, who begin his swim at 9 a.m. and finished at 1 p.m., said as far as he could see, the lake was clear of debris and the water was clean. The lake reopened to swimmers this week, and Hannon said he checked with officials at the Public Landing before beginning his swim, and they assured him the water was safe.

"I just love this lake, and the thought of coming back here every summer is what keeps me motivated," Hannon said.

Hannon will have his name and time added to a plaque at the Clark Sports Center which documents all successful lake swims.