Blue Lake (New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue Lake |
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| Sterling Forest Lake | |
 Blue Lake
Location in New York
Blue Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Orange County, New York |
| Coordinates | 41°09′48″N 74°15′35″W / 41.163288°N 74.259774°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Part of | Ramapo River Watershed |
| Primary outflows | Ringwood River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| First flooded | 1956 |
| Surface area | 115 acres (0.47 km2) |
| Max. depth | 26 ft (7.9 m) |
| Shore length1 | 2.3 mi (3.7 km) |
| Surface elevation | 650 ft (200 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Blue Lake, also known as Sterling Forest Lake, is a beautiful lake found in Sterling Forest State Park in New York. This lake is part of the Blue Lake Reservoir System. It provides drinking water to about 1,200 people. The system is managed by SUEZ North America.
Contents
Discover Blue Lake: A Park Gem
Blue Lake is the biggest lake among many smaller ones in Sterling Forest State Park. It's a great spot for nature lovers and outdoor activities.
Fish and Fishing Fun
The lake is home to many different kinds of fish. You can find Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Largemouth Bass here. Other fish like Chain Pickerel and Panfish also live in the lake.
Fishing is allowed at Blue Lake. It's the only place in the state park where you can launch a boat. However, please remember that gas motors are not allowed on the lake. This helps keep the water clean and the park peaceful.
Blue Lake's Past: How It Was Made
Blue Lake wasn't always here. It was created in 1956. This happened when a stream flowing from Little Cedar Pond was dammed. The dam caused the area to fill with water, forming the lake we see today.
Nearby Buildings and Their Stories
In 1960, a company called the International Nickel Company (INCO) bought land near the lake. They built an office and a research center there. This center was known as the Paul D. Merica Laboratory. INCO stopped using the facility in the late 1980s.
After being empty for many years, a new building was constructed in 2016. This new building became the world headquarters for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Another important building next to Blue Lake belongs to IBM. It was built in the early 1970s. Today, this IBM site is used as a special center for business support.
