Big Otter Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big Otter Lake |
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 Big Otter Lake
Location in New York Adirondack Park
Big Otter Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Herkimer County, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°43′45″N 75°06′26″W / 43.7292877°N 75.1070918°W |
| Primary inflows | North Inlet, Lost Creek, South Inlet |
| Primary outflows | Otter Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 245 acres (0.99 km2) |
| Average depth | 7 feet (2.1 m) |
| Max. depth | 26 feet (7.9 m) |
| Shore length1 | 5.3 miles (8.5 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,585 feet (483 m) |
| Islands | 5 |
| Settlements | Thendara, New York, Old Forge, New York |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Big Otter Lake is a beautiful lake located west of Thendara, New York. It's a great spot for fishing and enjoying nature. The lake is home to several types of fish, including brook trout, white sucker, different kinds of sunfish, yellow perch, and black bullhead. You can reach the lake by following the Big Otter Lake Trail, which starts near NY-28. To keep the lake peaceful and clean, no motorboats are allowed here.
Exploring Big Otter Lake
Big Otter Lake is nestled in Herkimer County, New York, within the amazing Adirondack Park. This park is a huge area of mountains, forests, and lakes in New York State. The lake is fed by several streams like North Inlet, Lost Creek, and South Inlet. Its water then flows out into Otter Creek.
Size and Features
Big Otter Lake covers an area of about 245 acres (which is about 1 square kilometer). It's not a super deep lake, with an average depth of 7 feet (about 2 meters). However, in some spots, it can get as deep as 26 feet (nearly 8 meters)! The shoreline of the lake stretches for about 5.3 miles (around 8.5 kilometers). The lake is also quite high up, sitting at an elevation of 1,585 feet (about 483 meters) above sea level. You'll find five small islands scattered across the lake, adding to its natural beauty.
What Can You Do There?
Big Otter Lake is a perfect place for outdoor adventures. Since motors aren't allowed, it's very quiet and peaceful. This makes it great for activities like:
- Fishing: As mentioned, there are many fish species to catch.
- Paddling: You can enjoy kayaking or canoeing on the calm waters.
- Hiking: The Big Otter Lake Trail offers a way to explore the area around the lake.
- Nature Watching: It's a wonderful spot to see local wildlife and enjoy the quiet of the Adirondacks.
The nearby towns of Thendara, New York and Old Forge, New York are popular spots for visitors to the Adirondacks. They offer places to stay and other activities for people exploring the region.
