Keuka Lake
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| Keuka Lake | |
|---|---|
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| Coordinates | |
| Lake type | glacial |
| Primary outflows | Keuka Lake Outlet |
| Basin countries | USA |
| Max length | 20 miles (32 km) |
| Max width | 0.5-2 miles (1-3 km) |
| Surface area | 11,730 acres (47 km²) |
| Average depth | 101 feet (31 m) |
| Max depth | 187 feet (57 m) |
| Shore length1 | 60 miles (96 km) |
| Surface elevation | ~700 feet (213 m) |
| Settlements | Penn Yan, New York, Hammondsport, New York |
| 1 Shore length is an imprecise measure which may not be standardized for this article. | |
Keuka Lake is an unusual member of the Finger Lakes because it is Y-shaped instead of long and narrow. Because of its shape, it was referred to in the past as Crooked Lake.
Keuka Lake empties into another Finger Lake, Seneca Lake, from a stream, called Keuka Lake Outlet, at the lake's northeastern end in Penn Yan, New York. The stream empties into Seneca Lake at the village of Dresden. At one time the outlet was developed into a canal, the Crooked Lake Canal, connecting the lakes.
The lake is about 20 miles (32 km) long and varies in width from a half mile to two miles (1-3 km). The length of the shoreline is about 60 miles (96 km). It has a surface area of 11,730 acres (47 km²), and a maximum and mean depth of 186 feet (57 m) and 101 feet (31 m) respectively. This body of water possesses large and healthy populations of lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. The productive fishery is supported by huge numbers of baitfish, most notably alewives (sawbellies), and is a very popular lake with area fishermen.
The village of Penn Yan, New York is at the northeastern tip of the lake, and Branchport is at the northwestern tip. Hammondsport lies at the south end of the lake. Hammondsport was the home of Glenn Curtiss, a pioneer of naval aviation.
Much of the economy of this region is based on grape growing and wine production.
Keuka College is located in Keuka Park on the western shore of Keuka Lake.
Keuka Lake State Park is located at the northwest branch of the lake.
Keuka (local pronunciation: kyoo-ka) means canoe landing in the Iroquois language.
[edit] Further reading
- Beautiful Keuka Lake from the Elmira Daily Advertiser, 1902
- Along the Outlet of Keuka Lake by Frances Dumas
- An Excursion on the Keuka Maid by Richard Sherer
- The Mary Bell: The Queen of Lake Keuka from the Hammondsport Herald, 1892
- Keuka Cottage Boy by Robert V. Anderson
