Skaneateles Lake

Location - Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland Counties. Surrounding Communities - Skaneateles, Spafford, Marcellus, Scott Maps - Google Map, Google Earth, Multi, Topo, Watershed, Land use GPS - Northern Outlet [Skaneateles Creek] (N 42.94508 / W 76.42940), Southern tip (N 42.76415 / W 76.27263) Size - Area: 8,800 acres, Length: 15 miles, Max width: 1 Miles, Max depth: 300 feet, Volume: 424 billion gallons. Water Quality: Excellent Elevation  - 863 feet Directions - Rt. 41 runs along the East side of Skaneateles Lake and 41A runs along the West. To access the lake from the beautiful Shotwell Memorial, Thayer and Clift Parks in Skaneateles, take I81 to Rt. 20 and head West through the town. Use Google Maps to get turn-by-turn directions. Bahar Nature Preserve can be access from Appletree Point Rd off of Rt. 41A.

Description (pronunciation: "skany-atlas," preferred, or "skinny-atlas" common) From the Iroquois name meaning "Long Lake," Skaneateles is not the longest (Cayuga is), nor is it the deepest (Seneca), but its claim to fame is its crystal-clear water and beautiful small-town setting. The quaint town of Skaneateles on the northern cap of the lake offers residents and visitors a peaceful and friendly atmosphere amidst its historic setting. Tourists come for the unique shops, pubs, dining experiences or cultural festivals and are awestruck by the sparkling blue waters, often called the most beautiful in the world. The characteristic bluish-green waters of the lake is a result of at least 3 factors: The lake is deep, with gorge-like cliffs dropping right off the shore. The clarity of water allows for the easy penetration of blue light waves deep into the lake. These light waves bounce around the deep waters and reflect back. The inability of other wavelengths to penetrate so deeply, leaves just the blue, giving its bluish green glow. Another reason is its hardness, picking up lime and other minerals from the bedrock and tributaries helps accentuate the water's color. The lake also has a lack of biological systems (microbiological specifically), otherwise common to other lakes. The lake, a water source for the City of Syracuse and surrounding neighborhoods since the 1890s, is considered to be the cleanest of all the Finger Lakes. Though this status is a fragile one. Since the minority of the surrounding watershed properties are undeveloped and over 40% of the surrounding land is agricultural, polluted run-off easily finds its way into the lake. Although volunteer clean-agricultural programs are being encouraged by Cornell University and the State DEC, continued development of the area may threaten the lake's water quality. Teams of water quality inspectors constantly monitor lake conditions and work with property owners to ensure the quality of the water. Currently the lake maintains its cleanliness and the City of Syracuse takes advantage of this along with the Lake's high elevation and natural water pressure.

Accessibility Shotwell Memorial, Thayer and Clift, all adjacent parks in Skaneateles offer a great view of the lake from the North. Swimming and other accommodations are available at this location, but there may be a fee for out-of-towners. Picnicking is not allowed at this location at all. (Map) Parking: Metered along adjacent roads. Pets: not allowed. Handicap accessibility: yes Accommodations: Restrooms, benches, fishing, life guards, trash. New York State Public Access Site. Almost 3 miles from downtown Skaneateles along the west side of the lake on West Lake Rd. (Map), the state has set aside 3.72 acres of lakefront property for public recreation. Parking: plenty Pets: not allowed. Handicap accessibility: yes Accommodations: Restroom, boat launch, 2 docs, lighting Bahar Nature Preserve. The Finger Lakes Land Trust secured this property which contains the Swamp Bear Creek Gorge and Carpenter Falls (Map). There is a small area of the preserve that allows for access to the lake. Parking: none, roadside. Pets: not allowed. Handicap accessibility: no Accommodations: none Scott Park. Located on the south end of the Lake in the Town of Scott is a small community park with a boat launch on a tributary that leads to the lake (Map). There is a small area of the preserve that allows for access to the lake. Parking: yes, few cars Pets: unknown Handicap accessibility: yes Accommodations: restrooms, benches, trails, pavilions, trash bins Boat Launches:  There are multiple boat launch locations along the lake, each with their own restrictions.  An excellent summary of the access areas of the lake can be found here (PDF)

Interesting Facts... Fish: Rainbow trout, lake trout, yellow perch, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish, walleye, brown trout, landlocked salmon. Skaneateles: This historic town is the main draw for many visitors in the area. Buildings from the late 1790 onward have been restored and converted to shops and restaurants and the village enjoys a robust tourism industry, though by maintaining its small-town flavor, it barely shows. Every holiday season the Dickens' Christmas festival takes place, where the community takes on Dickens-era decor and personality and the visitors flood in to interact with the village's cast of characters. Water: Water from Skaneateles Lake is not filtered for distribution into the Syracuse area. Since the lake is oligatrophic (offers little to sustain life), the lack of biological systems (specifically bacterial) contributes to the cleanliness of the lake water.

Do not miss... Band music: During the summer, Friday and Saturday nights, the village of Skaneateles hosts free band concerts in at the gazebo in Clift Park on the lake. Dickens' Christmas: Starting the day after Thanksgiving and continuing every Saturday and Sunday (noon until 4) up until Christmas, costumed Dickens-era characters will greet visitors, sing Carols and re-enact favorite scenes. There are also free carriage rides, roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate. Village Tours: Walking tours by Historical Society members are available during summer months. Call 315.685.1360 or 315.485.6841 for more information.

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