Cuba Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cuba Lake |
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 Cuba Lake
Location in New York
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| Location | Allegany and Cattaraugus counties, New York |
| Coordinates | 42°14′57″N 78°17′32″W / 42.2492°N 78.2922°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Rawson Creek |
| Primary outflows | Cuba Lake Outlet |
| Catchment area | 16,316 acres (66.03 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 454 acres (1.84 km2) |
| Average depth | 17 ft (5.2 m) |
| Max. depth | 49 ft (14.9 m) |
| Shore length1 | 6 mi (9.7 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,542 ft (470 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Cuba Lake is a large, man-made lake in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties, New York. It covers about 454-acre (1.84 km2). This lake is actually a reservoir, which means it was built to store water.
It was first called the Oil Creek Reservoir when it was created in 1858. Its main job was to keep the water levels steady for the Genesee Valley Canal. Today, Cuba Lake and the land around it belong to New York State. For many years, from 1912 to 2011, it was managed as the Cuba Reservation.
Now, the homes and cottages around the lake are part of the Cuba Lake District. People who live there officially lease their land from the state. Cuba Lake is a very popular spot for fishing and boating. You can find many different kinds of fish here.
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About Cuba Lake
Cuba Lake is a reservoir located just north of the village of Cuba. Most of the lake is in the town of Cuba in Allegany County. A small part of it reaches into Cattaraugus County.
The lake is about 454-acre (1.84 km2) big. It has an average depth of 17 feet (5.2 m) and can get as deep as 49 feet (14.9 m). In the winter, the lake's water level is lowered by about six to eight feet (1.8 to 2.4 m). Rawson Creek flows into the lake at its northwest end. The water then flows out through the Cuba Lake Outlet, which leads to Oil Creek. The area that collects water for the lake, called its watershed, covers a huge 16,316 acres (25.49 sq mi; 66.03 km2).
History of Cuba Lake
Cuba Lake was originally known as the Oil Creek Reservoir. It was built between 1852 and 1858. Its main purpose was to feed water into the Genesee Valley Canal. A 60-foot-tall (18 m) dam was built to create the reservoir, costing $150,000.
When it was first finished, the reservoir covered about 480 acres (1.9 km2). After being made deeper in 1864 and 1872, it grew to 708 acres (2.87 km2). At that time, it was said to be the biggest man-made lake in New York State!
In 1878, the Genesee Valley Canal Railroad was completed. This new railroad replaced the Genesee Valley Canal. However, the reservoir and part of the old canal were kept. They were still needed to help keep water levels up for the Erie Canal. Later, New York State wanted to drain the reservoir. But a former canal manager, Charles Wyvelle, worked hard to save it. The reservoir stayed at its high-water level until 1889. That year, the water level was lowered by 7.5 feet (2.3 m). This was done because people were worried after a big flood, the Johnstown Flood, happened that year.
Cuba Reservation Era
In 1912, the New York State government passed a law to create the Cuba Reservation. This meant the reservoir and the state land around it were put under the control of the New York State Conservation Commission. This group was in charge of taking care of the reservoir and encouraging people to use the area for fun.
When the reservation was set up, Cuba Lake covered 501 acres (2.03 km2). The state also owned an extra 221 acres (0.89 km2) of land around the lake. Before it became a reservation, many people had built vacation cottages on the state land. Even though these people didn't officially own the land, the Conservation Commission allowed them to stay. They offered five-year leases for the properties, costing $15 a year. They also set up rules for how the land could be used. By 1919, the state had sold almost 114 acres (0.46 km2) of land that wasn't needed for recreation. They also made plans to improve the roads and trees in the reservation.
In 1928, the job of managing Cuba Reservation was given to the new Allegany State Park Commission. This group reported to the Conservation Department. Later, the duties of the Division of Parks moved to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. This office managed the reservation until 2011. As of 2015, the reservoir and the state property around it are held by the New York State Office of General Services.
Cuba Lake District Today
In 1981, the Cuba Lake District was created. This group helps manage the lake and the cottages around it. Many of these cottages have become permanent homes in recent years. The Cuba Lake District officially rents the land from New York State. In turn, it collects lease fees from the residents.
The District also helps organize work to maintain the reservoir and its dam. They share important safety information and create and enforce rules for the lake.
Fun at Cuba Lake
Cuba Lake is a very popular place for boating and fishing in the region. You can get onto the lake using a boat launch managed by the state. It's located near where Rawson Creek flows in, on West Shore Road. If you like ice fishing in the winter, you can access the lake from South Shore Road near the dam.
Many different kinds of sportfish live in Cuba Lake. These include walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and northern pike. You can also find common carp, yellow perch, rock bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, and black crappie.
