Cayuga Inlet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cayuga Inlet |
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A sign for the Cayuga Waterfront Trail in Cass Park, Ithaca, New York. The Collyer boathouse is visible across Cayuga Inlet.
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Cayuga Lake Ithaca, New York, United States 42°26′45″N 76°30′44″W / 42.44583°N 76.51222°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 143 sq mi (370 km2) |
| Tributaries | |
The Cayuga Inlet is a river found in Tompkins County, New York. It flows into the southern part of Cayuga Lake near the city of Ithaca, New York.
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Fun Activities Along Cayuga Inlet
Many cool activities happen along the Cayuga Inlet. It's a great place for outdoor fun and sports.
Explore the Cayuga Waterfront Trail
Cass Park is a large park located right next to the Cayuga Inlet. The Cayuga Waterfront Trail is a special path that runs through Cass Park. This trail is 5.5 miles long and is perfect for walking, jogging, or biking.
The trail connects many popular spots in the area. You can use it to get to Stewart Park, the local Farmer's Market, and the Newman Golf Course. It's a great way to explore Ithaca's waterfront.
Boating and Rowing on the Inlet
The Cayuga Inlet is a popular spot for rowing and other water sports. Several college rowing teams use the inlet for practice and competitions.
Cornell University has its Collyer Boathouse on the east side of the Cayuga Inlet. This is where their rowing teams keep their boats. It's located just north of where Six Mile Creek joins the inlet.
Ithaca College also has a modern rowing center on the inlet. Their first boathouse was built in 1974. As the college's rowing program grew, they needed a bigger and better facility. The old boathouse was replaced in 2011. The new building, called the Robert B. Tallman Rowing Center, opened in 2012. It provides a great space for their rowers.
Protecting the Inlet's Environment
Keeping the Cayuga Inlet healthy is very important. Sometimes, plants that don't belong can cause problems for the local environment.
Dealing with Invasive Plants
In August 2011, a plant called Hydrilla verticillata was found in the Cayuga Inlet. This plant is also known as water thyme. It is an invasive species, which means it's not native to the area and can grow very quickly. Invasive plants can harm native plants and animals by taking over their habitat.
Luckily, this plant had not spread to Cayuga Lake itself. To protect the lake and the inlet, a special project started in 2012-2013. The goal of this project was to remove the hydrilla from the inlet. This helps keep the water clean and safe for all the plants and animals that naturally live there.
