Skaneateles Lake
Encyclopedia
Skaneateles Lake (ˌskæniˈætləs, ˌskɪniˈætləs) is one of the Finger Lakes
in central New York
in the United States
. The name Skaneateles means long lake in one of the local Iroquoian languages
. The lake is sometimes referred to as "The Roof Garden of the Lakes" because its altitude (863.27 ft (263.1 m)) is higher than the other Finger Lakes. It is 16 mi (25.7 km) long (17 mi (27.4 km) long including the bogs at the south end of the lake) and on average 0.75 mi (1.2 km) wide, with a surface area of 13.6 sq mi (35.2 km²), and a maximum depth of 315 ft (96 m). The cleanest of the Finger Lakes, its water is so pure that the city of Syracuse
and other municipalities use it unfiltered. The City of Syracuse spends about 2.3 million dollars a year to protect lake quality, sixteen people inspecting (usually twice a year) each of the 2600 properties in the watershed, which is relatively small, compared to other Finger Lakes. William Henry Seward called it "The most beautiful body of water in the world."
The shores of Skaneateles Lake are in three counties: Onondaga
, Cayuga
, and Cortland
. The village of Skaneateles
(population about 2500) is at the northern end of the lake. Summer cottages appeared in 1881, increasing to more than 2000 residences around the lake in 2002. Generally new homes now are built for year-round occupancy rather than summer use and many summer cottages are replaced. The transient and seasonal population of this tourist destination and summer resort surges during the warmer months. Skaneateles is noted for its performing arts and amenities.
The lake has long been popular for recreational sailing. Regattas with yachts from other lakes as well as Skaneateles began in 1847. The Skaneateles Country Club now has a boating center. The Lightning
, a racing dinghy, was designed and produced in Skaneateles, as was the Comet
. There are few marinas or other commercial facilities on the lake shore. Controls are stringent, because the lake is a source of water for the City of Syracuse. There is a New York state public boat launch site located on the west side of the lake just south of the Skaneateles Country Club marina. The town of Spafford has a public boat launch near Borodino on the east side of the lake about four miles south of the Skaneateles Sailing Club. Glen Haven, at the head of the lake (The Finger Lakes flow South to North), offers a marina and docking. Cruises are available from the village. A mailboat serving cottages along the lake also carries passengers.
Landmarks and scenic features appear around the lake. Many historic buildings enhance the village of Skaneateles
. Carpenter's Falls are in a nature preserve accessible to the public near New Hope on the west side of the lake, where the New Hope Mill likewise may be visited. Opposite Carpenter Point is Ten Mile Point
, a favorite picnic destination. The southern end of the lake, bounded by high hills (below, right) differs in character from the north. Glen Haven
, a hamlet located there, once featured a large resort hotel but now offers smaller visitor accommodations and seasonal dining. On the west side, the high Town of Niles, New York
provides scenic prospects. On the east side, the high Town of Spafford, New York
offers panoramic views (above, right, and link below). Between these towns lies deep Glen Haven valley in the Town of Scott, New York
, in the third county. A splendid framed vista from Glen Haven northward up Skaneateles Lake appears in the Scott, New York
article, with views of other towns appearing their respective articles. The hamlet of Borodino
in Spafford retains an 1830 church, little altered, in the Federal style and noted as a center of the abolitionist movement where Frederick Douglas spoke.
Skaneateles Lake is separated from two other nearby Finger Lakes, Otisco
and Owasco
, by ridges some 600 feet above the waters, affording magnificent prospects on both sides. Much of the highland terrain is forested, with several large public preserves. Once more cultivated, this region was known for the teasel industry until 1930. Teasels were employed commercially by woolen mills to raise the nap on the material. Although some dairy farms remain in the highlands, occasionally remaining in the same family after many generations, much of the land no longer serves agriculture. There is some experimention with introduction of vineyards, which have proved so successful on the more western Finger Lakes
. Skaneateles Lake, however, at elevation 863 feet, may offer a less salubrious microclimate than larger, deeper and lower lakes, like Cayuga Lake
, at elevation 382 feet.
A large die-off
of bass in the spring of 2007 was later confirmed to be due to viral hemorrhagic septicema (VHS), a virus-caused fish disease that has killed millions of fish in the Great Lakes since its presence was noticed in the region in 2005. This is the second of the Finger Lakes found to be contaminated with the virus, after its presence was detected in the westernmost of the Finger Lakes, Conesus Lake
, in 2006. The virus and disease are not a threat to human health, but the state of New York is working to slow its spread to other lakes. New state bait regulations were announced on June 6, 2007, aimed at curbing the spread of VHS. VHS can be spread between bodies of water through live or frozen bait fish, roe, live wells, and ballast water, among other ways. Boats and fishing equipment should be disinfected before transfer from Skaneateles Lake to other bodies of water.
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 central 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 the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The name Skaneateles means long lake in one of the local Iroquoian languages
Iroquoian languages
The Iroquoian languages are a First Nation and Native American language family.-Family division:*Ruttenber, Edward Manning. 1992 [1872]. History of the Indian tribes of Hudson's River. Hope Farm Press....
. The lake is sometimes referred to as "The Roof Garden of the Lakes" because its altitude (863.27 ft (263.1 m)) is higher than the other Finger Lakes. It is 16 mi (25.7 km) long (17 mi (27.4 km) long including the bogs at the south end of the lake) and on average 0.75 mi (1.2 km) wide, with a surface area of 13.6 sq mi (35.2 km²), and a maximum depth of 315 ft (96 m). The cleanest of the Finger Lakes, its water is so pure that the city of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and other municipalities use it unfiltered. The City of Syracuse spends about 2.3 million dollars a year to protect lake quality, sixteen people inspecting (usually twice a year) each of the 2600 properties in the watershed, which is relatively small, compared to other Finger Lakes. William Henry Seward called it "The most beautiful body of water in the world."
The shores of Skaneateles Lake are in three counties: Onondaga
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Cayuga
Cayuga County, New York
Cayuga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was named for one of the tribes of Indians in the Iroquois Confederation. Its county seat is Auburn.- History :...
, and Cortland
Cortland County, New York
Cortland County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, named after Federico Van Cortlandt, president of the convention at Kingston that wrote the first New York State Constitution in 1777, and first lieutenant governor of the state. The county seat is Cortland...
. The village of Skaneateles
Skaneateles (village), New York
Skaneateles is a village in the town of Skaneateles, Onondaga County, New York, United States. The village is named from and located on the shores of Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. The village, as of the 2000 census, has a population of 2,616 residents. The main highway through the...
(population about 2500) is at the northern end of the lake. Summer cottages appeared in 1881, increasing to more than 2000 residences around the lake in 2002. Generally new homes now are built for year-round occupancy rather than summer use and many summer cottages are replaced. The transient and seasonal population of this tourist destination and summer resort surges during the warmer months. Skaneateles is noted for its performing arts and amenities.
Lightning (dinghy)
The Lightning is a sloop rigged sailing dinghy originally designed by Olin Stephens of Sparkman & Stephens in 1938 and was first sailed on Skaneateles Lake, Skaneateles, NY, USA. More than 15,000 Lightnings have been built since then...
, a racing dinghy, was designed and produced in Skaneateles, as was the Comet
Comet (sailboat)
The Comet dinghy is a , two-person, one-design class, racing sloop.With . of sail and a minimal keel-rocker hull, the Comet is able to plane in modest 10-15 knot winds. The mast is tall and is supported by a conventional three-stay rig with spreaders...
. There are few marinas or other commercial facilities on the lake shore. Controls are stringent, because the lake is a source of water for the City of Syracuse. There is a New York state public boat launch site located on the west side of the lake just south of the Skaneateles Country Club marina. The town of Spafford has a public boat launch near Borodino on the east side of the lake about four miles south of the Skaneateles Sailing Club. Glen Haven, at the head of the lake (The Finger Lakes flow South to North), offers a marina and docking. Cruises are available from the village. A mailboat serving cottages along the lake also carries passengers.
Skaneateles
Skaneateles may refer to, in the United States:* Skaneateles , New York, in Onondaga County* Skaneateles , New York, in Onondaga County* Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in New York State...
. Carpenter's Falls are in a nature preserve accessible to the public near New Hope on the west side of the lake, where the New Hope Mill likewise may be visited. Opposite Carpenter Point is Ten Mile Point
Ten Mile Point, New York
Ten Mile Point is a scenic area on the shore of Skaneateles Lake, New York, a popular picnic spot for lake outings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is located at the mouth of a ravine on alluvium. Onandaga County Road 72 runs through it and is locally known as "10 Mile Point Road"...
, a favorite picnic destination. The southern end of the lake, bounded by high hills (below, right) differs in character from the north. Glen Haven
Glen Haven
Glen Haven may refer to:In Canada:*Glen Haven, Nova ScotiaIn the United States:*Glen Haven, Colorado*Glen Haven, New York*Glen Haven, Wisconsin, a town*Glen Haven , Wisconsin, an unincorporated community...
, a hamlet located there, once featured a large resort hotel but now offers smaller visitor accommodations and seasonal dining. On the west side, the high Town of Niles, New York
Niles, New York
Niles is a town in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,194 at the 2010 census. The Town of Niles lies in the eastern part of the county southeast of Auburn, New York.- History :...
provides scenic prospects. On the east side, the high Town of Spafford, New York
Spafford, New York
Spafford is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,661 at the 2000 census. The town was named after Horatio Gates Spafford, a writer and founder of the local library....
offers panoramic views (above, right, and link below). Between these towns lies deep Glen Haven valley in the Town of Scott, New York
Scott, New York
Scott is a town in Cortland County, New York, United States. The population was 1,193 at the 2000 census. The town was named after General Winfield Scott. The Town of Scott is on the north border of Cortland County and is northwest of the City of Cortland.- History :Scott is within the former...
, in the third county. A splendid framed vista from Glen Haven northward up Skaneateles Lake appears in the Scott, New York
Scott, New York
Scott is a town in Cortland County, New York, United States. The population was 1,193 at the 2000 census. The town was named after General Winfield Scott. The Town of Scott is on the north border of Cortland County and is northwest of the City of Cortland.- History :Scott is within the former...
article, with views of other towns appearing their respective articles. The hamlet of Borodino
Borodino
Borodino is a rural locality in Mozhaysky District of Moscow Oblast, Russia, located west of Mozhaysk.The village is famous as the location of the Battle of Borodino, which occurred in what is now known as the "Borodino Battlefield" . The State Borodino War and History Museum and Reserve is...
in Spafford retains an 1830 church, little altered, in the Federal style and noted as a center of the abolitionist movement where Frederick Douglas spoke.
Skaneateles Lake is separated from two other nearby Finger Lakes, Otisco
Otisco Lake
Otisco Lake is one of the minor Finger Lakes, located at the eastern end of the Finger Lake District, southwest of Syracuse, New York.Otisco Lake is approximately six miles long. The outflow enters first Onondaga Lake via Nine Mile Creek and then Lake Ontario via the Seneca and Oswego Rivers...
and Owasco
Owasco Lake
Owasco Lake is the sixth largest and third easternmost of the Finger Lakes of New York in the United States of America . The name Owasco can be roughly translated from a Mohawk and Iroquois term meaning "crossing"....
, by ridges some 600 feet above the waters, affording magnificent prospects on both sides. Much of the highland terrain is forested, with several large public preserves. Once more cultivated, this region was known for the teasel industry until 1930. Teasels were employed commercially by woolen mills to raise the nap on the material. Although some dairy farms remain in the highlands, occasionally remaining in the same family after many generations, much of the land no longer serves agriculture. There is some experimention with introduction of vineyards, which have proved so successful on the more western 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...
. Skaneateles Lake, however, at elevation 863 feet, may offer a less salubrious microclimate than larger, deeper and lower lakes, like Cayuga Lake
Cayuga Lake
Cayuga Lake is the longest of central New York's glacial Finger Lakes, and is the second largest in surface area and second largest in volume. It is just under 40 miles long. Its average width is 1.7 miles , and it is at its widest point near Aurora...
, at elevation 382 feet.
A large die-off
Fish kill
The term fish kill, known also as fish die-off and as fish mortality, is a localized die-off of fish populations which may also be associated with more generalised mortality of aquatic life...
of bass in the spring of 2007 was later confirmed to be due to viral hemorrhagic septicema (VHS), a virus-caused fish disease that has killed millions of fish in the Great Lakes since its presence was noticed in the region in 2005. This is the second of the Finger Lakes found to be contaminated with the virus, after its presence was detected in the westernmost of the Finger Lakes, Conesus Lake
Conesus Lake
Conesus Lake is one of the minor Finger Lakes in western New York. It is western-most of eleven total Finger Lakes. The lake's outlet is in Lakeville, New York a hamlet in the Town of Livonia, New York in Livingston County, south of Rochester, New York. The lake's inlet is in the Town of Conesus,...
, in 2006. The virus and disease are not a threat to human health, but the state of New York is working to slow its spread to other lakes. New state bait regulations were announced on June 6, 2007, aimed at curbing the spread of VHS. VHS can be spread between bodies of water through live or frozen bait fish, roe, live wells, and ballast water, among other ways. Boats and fishing equipment should be disinfected before transfer from Skaneateles Lake to other bodies of water.