Keuka Lake
Encyclopedia
Keuka Lake is an unusual member of New York's
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 means canoe
landing in the Iroquois
language and "lake with an elbow" in the Seneca 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 later replaced by a railroad branch line
which is now a hiking
and cycling
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, and is now the site of the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum
.
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. Camp Good Days and Special Times
is located on the western side of the northwest 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 European
Zebra Mussels
, which has impacted many North American
bodies of water, has also affected Keuka Lake and other Finger Lakes
in New York
. In addition to disrupting the lake's ecosystem, Zebra Mussels
can be a nuisance to lakeside homeowners. Their small size enables them to clog water intake pipes.http://www.keukalakeassoc.org/LBchapter4.htmhttp://100thmeridian.org/zm_locations.asp. Furthermore, their sharp shells can cause lacerations on the feet of bathers. Bathers may wish to wear water shoes when swimming in the lake.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes are a pattern of lakes in the west-central section of Upstate New York in the United States. They are a popular tourist destination. The lakes are long and thin , each oriented roughly on a north-south axis. The two longest, Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, are among the deepest in...
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 means canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
landing in the Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
language and "lake with an elbow" in the Seneca 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
Penn Yan, New York
Penn Yan is a village in Yates County, New York, USA. The population was 5,219 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Yates County and lies at the north end of the east branch of Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes....
. The stream empties into Seneca Lake at the village of Dresden
Dresden, Yates County, New York
----Dresden is a village in Yates County, New York, USA. The population was 307 at the 2000 census. The village was named after Dresden in Germany.The Village of Dresden is in the Town of Torrey and is twelve miles south of Geneva, New York...
. At one time the outlet was developed into a canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
, the Crooked Lake Canal
Crooked Lake Canal
The Crooked Lake Canal was a former canal in New York, USA. The canal linked two Finger Lakes: Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake. The name refers to the unusual shape of Keuka Lake, which was formerly called "Crooked Lake."...
, connecting the lakes. This canal was later replaced by a railroad branch line
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
which is now a hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and cycling
Bicycle Path
Bicycle Path is a historic road in Central Suffolk County on Long Island, New York, built in the late 19th Century in order to capitalize on the bicycle craze of that period...
trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
.
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
Lake trout
Lake trout is a freshwater char living mainly in lakes in northern North America. Other names for it include mackinaw, lake char , touladi, togue, and grey trout. In Lake Superior, they can also be variously known as siscowet, paperbellies and leans...
, brown trout
Brown trout
The brown trout and the sea trout are fish of the same species....
, rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
, landlocked salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
, smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...
, largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
, and yellow perch
Yellow perch
The yellow perch is a species of perch found in the United States and Canada, where it is often referred to by the shortform perch. Yellow perch look similar to the European perch, but are paler and more yellowish, with less red in the fins. They have six to eight dark, vertical bars on their sides...
. The productive fishery is supported by huge numbers of baitfish, most notably alewives (sawbellies), and is a very popular lake with area fishermen.
Penn Yan, New York
Penn Yan is a village in Yates County, New York, USA. The population was 5,219 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Yates County and lies at the north end of the east branch of Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes....
is at the northeastern tip of the lake, and Branchport
Branchport, New York
Branchport is a hamlet in the town of Jerusalem in Yates County, New York, United States. It is a "crossroads community" which contains about 85 dwellings, six stores, two churches, a library and a firehouse....
is at the northwestern tip. Hammondsport
Hammondsport, New York
Hammondsport is a village in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 731 at the 2000 census. The village is named after its founding father.The Village of Hammondsport is in the Town of Urbana and is northeast of Bath, New York....
lies at the south end of the lake. Hammondsport was the home of Glenn Curtiss
Glenn Curtiss
Glenn Hammond Curtiss was an American aviation pioneer and a founder of the U.S. aircraft industry. He began his career as a bicycle then motorcycle builder and racer, later also manufacturing engines for airships as early as 1906...
, a pioneer of naval aviation, and is now the site of the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum
Glenn H. Curtiss Museum
The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is a museum of local history with a focus on Glenn Curtiss. Located in Hammondsport, New York, the museum boasts a large collection of Curtiss' airplanes, motorcycles and many other items pertaining to the local Finger Lakes area such as boats and wine culture...
.
While the shore of the lake is primarily residential, Keuka College
Keuka College
Founded in 1890 and located on the shores of Keuka Lake in New York State’s Finger Lakes region, Keuka College is an independent, four-year, residential, coeducational college that places emphasis on career and pre-professional education....
is located in Keuka Park
Keuka Park
Keuka Park is a hamlet in Yates County, New York, United States. The hamlet is on the shore of the east branch of Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes region.Keuka College is located in Keuka Park next to the lake.- References :...
on the western shore of the east branch and Keuka Lake State Park
Keuka Lake State Park
Keuka Lake State Park is a state park located on the north end of the west branch of Keuka Lake in Yates County, New York. Keuka Lake is one of the Finger Lakes...
is located on the eastern side of the northwest branch of the lake. YMCA Camp Cory
YMCA Camp Cory
YMCA Camp Lawrence Cory, better known as "YMCA Camp Cory" or simply "Camp Cory," is a resident-style summer camp in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. It was founded in 1892 and established at its current location in 1921. The name comes from Lt. H...
is located on the eastern side of the northeast branch of the lake. Camp Good Days and Special Times
Camp Good Days and Special Times
Camp Good Days and Special Times, commonly called "Camp Good Days", is a residential summer camp which provides summer camping experiences for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges...
is located on the western side of the northwest branch of the lake. An important component of the economy of this region is based on grape
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
growing
Viticulture
Viticulture is the science, production and study of grapes which deals with the series of events that occur in the vineyard. When the grapes are used for winemaking, it is also known as viniculture...
and wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
production and vineyards cover some areas sloping down to the lake.
Lake Ecology
Humans, fish, and wildlife depend on the rich ecology of the lake habitat. The complex ecosystem is subject to contamination of the watershed, largely by storm water runoff. The Keuka Lake Association (KLA) monitors the water of the lake to ensure that it is suitable for its many uses, such as drinking, fishing, and swimming. Tributary streams, groundwater, and the lake itself are regularly tested for water quality. Additionally, KLA collects and publishes data about the lake level. To learn more visit http://www.keukalakeassoc.org].The infestation of European
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
Zebra Mussels
Zebra mussel
The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is a small freshwater mussel. This species was originally native to the lakes of southeast Russia being first described in 1769 by a German zoologist Peter Simon Pallas in the Ural, Volga and Dnieper rivers. They are still found nearby, as Pontic and Caspian...
, which has impacted many North American
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
bodies of water, has also affected Keuka Lake and other Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes are a pattern of lakes in the west-central section of Upstate New York in the United States. They are a popular tourist destination. The lakes are long and thin , each oriented roughly on a north-south axis. The two longest, Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, are among the deepest in...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In addition to disrupting the lake's ecosystem, Zebra Mussels
Zebra mussel
The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is a small freshwater mussel. This species was originally native to the lakes of southeast Russia being first described in 1769 by a German zoologist Peter Simon Pallas in the Ural, Volga and Dnieper rivers. They are still found nearby, as Pontic and Caspian...
can be a nuisance to lakeside homeowners. Their small size enables them to clog water intake pipes.http://www.keukalakeassoc.org/LBchapter4.htmhttp://100thmeridian.org/zm_locations.asp. Furthermore, their sharp shells can cause lacerations on the feet of bathers. Bathers may wish to wear water shoes when swimming in the lake.
Wine Trail
List of vineyards included in the Keuka Lake Wine Trail:- Barrington Cellars/Buzzard Crest Vineyards
- Bully Hill VineyardsBully Hill VineyardsBully Hill Vineyards is a vineyard and winery located in Hammondsport, New York, United States, in the Finger Lakes American Viticultural Area.-History:...
- Heron Hill Winery
- Hunt Country VineyardsHunt Country VineyardsHunt Country Vineyards is a vineyard and winery located near Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, USA.-History:Hunt Country Vineyards was founded in 1981 by Arthur C. Hunt and Joyce H. Hunt...
- Keuka Spring Vineyards
- Dr. Konstantin Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars
- McGregor Vineyard Winery
- Rooster Hill Vineyards
- Ravines Wine Cellars
- Stever Hill Vineyards
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