Rushford Lake
Encyclopedia
Rushford Lake is a small reservoir
in the western part of New York
, USA. The lake is in the northwest part of Allegany County, New York
, mostly in the Town of Rushford
, but the eastern part of the lake is in the Town of Caneadea
.
The lake has a crescent shape. Rush Creek feeds into the south end of the lake and an outlet on the east side feeds into the Genesee River
. The maximum depth is 120 feet (36.6 m).
Rushford lake was formed by a dam
on Caneadea Creek in 1927, resulting in the loss of the communities of East Rushford and Kellogville by flooding. The dam and resulting lake were originally owned and governed by Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) for the purpose to control the water level in the Genesee River. In 1981 the dam and Rushford Lake was transferred to the Rushford Lake Recreation District who currently manage the dam, lake and shoreline usage.
The angling public does have access to the lake in two spots. On the north side of the lake, the Balcom Beach area provides shore fishing access and a trailered boat launch. Launching for boats engaged in fishing only is free, seven days a week. Near the dam, an area off Dam Road provides shore fishing access. Rushford Lake is 585 acres (2.4 km²) in size. The lake is drawn down 40 feet (12.2 m) each winter and ice fishing is not allowed.
The communities of Balcom Beach (northern shore) and Hillcrest (western shore) are located near the lake. New York State Route 243
passes the northern end of the lake.
The lake is largely a recreational lake during the summer months.
It is also stocked yearly with brown and rainbow trout in the spring for quality fishing by the NYS DEC. Bass, crappie, carp, perch, suckers, bullhead and sunfish are also part of this fishery.
Rushford Lake is the setting of the 2004
movie Ghost Lake. In the film, the souls of village residents who drowned after the dam's construction return one hundred years later to avenge their death. Actual shooting took place on the lake.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
in the western part of 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...
, USA. The lake is in the northwest part of Allegany County, New York
Allegany County, New York
Allegany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 48,946. Its name derives from a Delaware Indian word, applied by settlers of Western New York State to a trail that followed the Allegheny River. Its county seat is...
, mostly in the Town of Rushford
Rushford, New York
Rushford is a town in Allegany County, New York, United States. The population was 1,259 at the 2000 census.The Town of Rushford is in the northwest part of Allegany County and is northeast of Olean, New York....
, but the eastern part of the lake is in the Town of Caneadea
Caneadea, New York
Caneadea is a town in Allegany County, New York, United States. The population was 2,694 at the 2000 census. The name is from the natives and means "where the heavens rest on earth."The Town of Caneadea is in the northwest quadrant of the county....
.
The lake has a crescent shape. Rush Creek feeds into the south end of the lake and an outlet on the east side feeds into the Genesee River
Genesee River
The Genesee River is a North American river flowing northward through the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York. The river provided the original power for the Rochester area's 19th century mills and still provides hydroelectric power for downtown Rochester....
. The maximum depth is 120 feet (36.6 m).
Rushford lake was formed by a dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
on Caneadea Creek in 1927, resulting in the loss of the communities of East Rushford and Kellogville by flooding. The dam and resulting lake were originally owned and governed by Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) for the purpose to control the water level in the Genesee River. In 1981 the dam and Rushford Lake was transferred to the Rushford Lake Recreation District who currently manage the dam, lake and shoreline usage.
The angling public does have access to the lake in two spots. On the north side of the lake, the Balcom Beach area provides shore fishing access and a trailered boat launch. Launching for boats engaged in fishing only is free, seven days a week. Near the dam, an area off Dam Road provides shore fishing access. Rushford Lake is 585 acres (2.4 km²) in size. The lake is drawn down 40 feet (12.2 m) each winter and ice fishing is not allowed.
The communities of Balcom Beach (northern shore) and Hillcrest (western shore) are located near the lake. New York State Route 243
New York State Route 243
New York State Route 243 is a short east–west state highway in the Southern Tier of Western New York. Despite its minimal length, it is an important route as it provides access to Rushford Lake.-Route description:...
passes the northern end of the lake.
The lake is largely a recreational lake during the summer months.
It is also stocked yearly with brown and rainbow trout in the spring for quality fishing by the NYS DEC. Bass, crappie, carp, perch, suckers, bullhead and sunfish are also part of this fishery.
Rushford Lake is the setting of the 2004
2004 in film
The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...
movie Ghost Lake. In the film, the souls of village residents who drowned after the dam's construction return one hundred years later to avenge their death. Actual shooting took place on the lake.