Lakes in New York
Besides the perennial beauty of Niagara Falls and unspoilt wilderness of the Adirondacks, the state of New York in endowed with numerous lakes which are used for recreation, agriculture, and trade. Lake Placid and Lake George (“the Queen of American Lakes”) in Upstate New York are the ultimate vacation getaways for New Yorkers. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are two of the Great Lakes that fall under the state borders of New York State.
Comprising roughly 9,000 square miles, Finger Lakes is a bio-region of waterfalls, wineries, gorges, and shoreline along with 11 pristine lakes. These long and narrow lakes resemble human fingers, therefore they are named Finger Lakes. The region lies between the cities of Rochester, Syracuse, and Ithaca. Through May to October, many festivals such as Ithaca Fest, Clothesline Art Festival, and Grass Roots Festival are held here. From east to west, the 11 Finger Lakes are –
- Otisco Lake
- Skaneateles Lake
- Owasco Lake
- Cayuga Lake
- Seneca Lake
- Keuka Lake
- Canandaigua Lake
- Honeoye Lake
- Canadice Lake
- Hemlock Lake
- Conesus Lake
With a surface area of 66.9 sq. miles, Lake Seneca is the largest of all Finger Lakes. Lake Cayuga (133 m) and Lake Seneca (188 m) are among the deepest lakes in the United States. The Cazenovia Lake is often referred to as the “12th Finger Lake”. Hiking, biking, swimming, wine tasting, shopping, and winter sports are enjoyed in and around Finger Lakes.
The nearby Oneida Lake is generally not considered among Finger Lakes. At about 21 miles long, five miles wide, and 55 miles of shoreline, it is the largest lake entirely within state of New York. Also, being a relatively shallow lake, it is popular for winter sports such as ice fishing and snowmobiling.
Site of the 1932 and the 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid lies in the Tri-Lakes region, along with Saranc Lake and Tupper Lake. Lake Champlain has roughly 80 islands and historical lighthouses along its shoreline in New York and Vermont State. Other popular lakes in New York are: Chautauqua Lake, Otsego Lake, Mirror Lake, and Saratoga Lake.