Keuka Lake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Keuka Lake | |
|---|---|
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| Location | Finger Lakes, New York |
| Coordinates | |
| Lake type | Ground Moraine |
| Primary outflows | Keuka Lake Outlet |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 20 mi (32 km) |
| Max. width | 0.5-2 mi (1-3 km) |
| Surface area | 11,730 acres (47 km²) |
| Average depth | 101 ft (31 m) |
| Max. depth | 187 ft (57 m) |
| Shore length1 | 60 mi (96 km) |
| Surface elevation | ~700 ft (213 m) |
| Settlements | Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Branchport |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
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 (pronounced: kyoo-ka) means canoe landing in the Iroquois language.
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. This canal was developed into a bike trail.
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.
While the shore of the lake is primarily residential, Keuka College is located in Keuka Park on the western shore of the east branch and Keuka Lake State Park is located on the eastern side of the northwest branch of the lake. YMCA Camp Cory is located on the eastern side of the northeast branch of the lake. An important component of the economy of this region is based on grape growing and wine production and vineyards cover some areas sloping down to the lake.
The infestation of Zebra Mussels from Europe into bodies of water in North America has also affected Keuka Lake as well as other Finger Lakes in New York. Aside from their dangers in disrupting ecosystems within the lake, they can also be a nuisance to lake side homeowners. With their small size, they have the ability to clog water intake pipes.[1][2]
[edit] Wine Trail
List of vineyards included in the Keuka Lake Wine Trail:
- Keuka Spring Vineyards
- Rooster Hill Vineyards
- Barrington Cellars/Buzzard Crest Vineyards
- Ravines Wine Cellars
- McGregor Vineyard Winery
- Heron Hill Winery
- Dr. Konstantin Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars
- Stever Hill Vineyards
- Hunt Country Vineyards
[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
