Otisco Lake

Location - Onondaga county, Southwest of Syracuse. Surrounding Communities - Otisco, Spafford, Onondaga, Marcellus, Marietta Maps - Google Map, Google Earth, Multi, Watershed/Land use viewer, Bedrock, Elevation GPS - Northern outlet [Nine Mile Creek] (N 42.90433 / W 76.31275), Southern inlet [Spafford Creek] (N 42.83670 / W 76.24864) Size - Area: 1878 acres, Length: 5.4 miles, Max width: 1 Mile, Max depth: 60 feet, Volume: 21 billion gallons. Water Quality - Good Elevation  - 788 feet Directions - Otisco Valley Rd. runs along the East side of the lake, while a series of roads, beginning with Rt. 174, line the west end. Use Google Maps to get turn-by-turn directions to Otisco Lake Park.

Description From the Iroquois name meaning "Waters Dried Away,"  Otisco Lake has a history of fluctuating water levels and periods of drought. Prior to damming it was much smaller and primarily marshland. It has been stabilized initially by the construction of a dam on the northern end (map) at Nine Mile Creek in 1869 to raise the water level by 9 feet, to store water for use by the Erie Canal. It was dammed once again in 1908, raising it another 4 feet for use as a water supply by the City of Syracuse and surrounding neighborhoods. The southern end of the lake is sectioned off by a rock causeway, built for use by wagons to traverse the lake rather than circumvent it (map). A gap in the causeway close to the west bank allows for boats to travel through, but this barrier causes and interesting phenomenon. Water retention on the southern tip is shallow primarily the result of the flooding due to damming the lake. The result is a mixing of the silt of the marshland once there and the lake's waters, gives the water south of the causeway a higher turbidity and a contrasting color. This phenomenon is illustrated very well in satellite photography. Today the causeway is a favorite fishing spot  offers a great view of the lake. Primarily lined by residential and agricultural properties, there is little undeveloped land in the lake's watershed. Yet the quick rate of renewal of the waters keeps the lake relatively clean. Clean enough for Onondaga County to use it as a water source, but after filtering. (Neighboring Skaneateles Lake's waters are not filtered).

Accessibility Otisco Lake County Park (Map) Dedicated in 2000, this developed park offers 3 acres of land and 600 feet of shoreline, but no swimming access. Seasons/Hours: Year-round, dawn until dusk Parking: 5 cars Pets: not allowed. Handicap accessibility: yes Accommodations: Restroom, benches, fishing, hand launch boating, This park is a carry-in/ carry out park. Otisco Lake Causeway (Map) Dedicated in 2000, this developed park offers 3 acres of land and 600 feet of shoreline, but no swimming access. Seasons/Hours: Year-round, dawn until dusk Parking: 8 cars Pets: not allowed. Handicap accessibility: limited Accommodations: fishing, hand launch boating Boat Launch:  On the west side of the causeway and at the county park(both hand launch).  There is a proposed site on state land, but access to the land is blocked by private property and funding is not available for development. Otisco Lake Marina is located at 1697 Otisco Valley Rd. in the village of Marietta.

Interesting Facts... Fish: Walleye, tiger muskellunge, sunfish, perch, rock bass, crappie, both large and small mouth bass, white bass, bullhead, brown trout, and carpli. Zebra Muscles: These non-native mollusks coat the rocks, docks and pretty much anything else that contacts the water. This invasive species was introduced by contamination by boaters and has since become a large problem for lake management. The sharp shells of this muscle can easily slice through skin, so it's recommended that swimmers or waders where foot protection.

Do not miss... The view from the causeway: an excellent spot to fish or photograph, the west side of the causeway offers a unique chance to see the lake from the surface. To the south is the shallows, an original portion of the lake, maintain by the damming of the north. This lake used to be seasonal and often just marshland. To the north is the clearer and deeper waters of the dammed portion of the lake. The Narrows. As the lake flows north, water reaches the Narrows, before it flows into Nine Mile Creek. The Narrows is names for the steep gradient of land that pinches the lake. This area is not an original part of the lake, and created when it was dammed. The View. Found east of Skaneateles Lake, the two lakes are separated by a high rolling hill that offers a great view of both lakes. The drive along East Lake Rd. is unforgettable.

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