Cazenovia Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cazenovia Lake |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Cazenovia Lake
Location in New York
Cazenovia Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Madison County, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°56′47.839″N 75°52′12.44″W / 42.94662194°N 75.8701222°W |
| Primary inflows | Swamplands to the north and underwater springs |
| Primary outflows | Chittenango Creek |
| Max. length | 3.9 mi (6.3 km) |
| Max. width | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) |
| Surface area | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2) |
| Max. depth | 45 ft (14 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,191 ft (363 m) |
| Settlements | Cazenovia |
Cazenovia Lake is a beautiful lake located in Madison County, New York. It's about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of the big city of Syracuse. The charming village of Cazenovia sits right by the lake's southeast side.
Contents
Discovering Cazenovia Lake's Past
Cazenovia Lake was formed a very long time ago. It sits in a valley that was carved out by huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, melting away at the end of the last Ice Age.
Before Europeans settled in this area, Native American tribes knew this lake well. The Oneida called it Owagehaga or Owahgenah. The Onondaga knew it as Hohwahgeneh. All these names mean "lake of the yellow perch," showing how important fish were to them! It was also once known as "Canaseraga Lake."
What Makes Cazenovia Lake Special?
Cazenovia Lake is about 3.9 miles (6.3 km) long and one-half mile (0.80 km) wide. At its deepest point, it goes down about 45 feet (14 m). The lake's surface is 1,191 feet (363 m) above sea level.
Water flows out of the lake from its southeast corner into Chittenango Creek. This creek then travels north, going over the amazing Chittenango Falls, before finally reaching Oneida Lake.
Fish and Wildlife
Cazenovia Lake is home to many different kinds of fish. You can find:
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Rock bass
- Chain pickerel
- Pumpkinseed
- Black crappie
- Bluegill
- Walleye
- Yellow perch
- White sucker
- Brown bullhead
The northern part of the lake is quite swampy, which can make it tricky to navigate with a motorboat.
Protecting the Lake
Like many lakes, Cazenovia Lake has faced challenges from invasive species. These are plants or animals that are not native to the area and can harm the local ecosystem. Two examples found here are Eurasian milfoil (a type of water plant) and zebra mussels (small shellfish). People work hard to protect the lake from these invaders.
Fun Activities on the Lake
If you want to bring a boat to Cazenovia Lake, you can get a permit to launch it at Lakeside Park in the village of Cazenovia.
For those who enjoy canoeing or kayaking, there's an unofficial launch spot at the undeveloped Helen L. McNitt State Park on the northeastern shore. There have been plans to make this launch even better for visitors.
