Forked Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forked Lake |
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 Forked Lake
Location in New York Adirondack Park
Forked Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Adirondacks, Hamilton County, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°54′00″N 74°34′24″W / 43.9000324°N 74.5733513°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 7 mi (11 km) |
| Max. width | 3.8 mi (6.1 km) |
| Surface area | 893 acres (361 ha) |
| Average depth | 21 ft (6.4 m) |
| Max. depth | 74 ft (23 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,742 ft (531 m) |
| Islands | 2 |
| Settlements | none |
Forked Lake is a beautiful lake covering about 893 acres (361 hectares) in the amazing Adirondack Park in New York state. It's located about 7 miles (11 km) southwest of a small village called Long Lake. The lake has a unique shape, like an upside-down letter "T". It stretches about 5 miles (8 km) across its wider bottom part, but it's quite narrow, only about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) wide. The northern part of the lake is even narrower and about 3.8 miles (6.1 km) long.
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Exploring Forked Lake's Campsites
If you love camping, Forked Lake is a great spot! The state manages 80 campsites here. Most of these campsites can be reached by boat or by walking. However, three of them are special because they can fit larger vehicles, like recreational vehicles (RVs) up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) long.
What You'll Find at the Campsites
Each campsite at Forked Lake comes with some useful things to make your stay comfortable. You'll find strong metal boxes with locks, which are perfect for storing your food safely away from local bears. There are also fire pits where you can have campfires, picnic tables for eating, and outhouses for restrooms. Some campsites even have docks, making it easy to park your boat right at your site.
Boating on Forked Lake
The lake has a boat launch, but it's best for smaller boats. This helps keep the lake calm and safe for everyone enjoying the water.
Wildlife and Fish in Forked Lake
Forked Lake is home to many different kinds of animals, both in the water and on land. It's a great place for nature lovers!
Fish You Might Catch
The lake is full of various fish species. You can find:
- Brook trout
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Bullhead
- Yellow perch
- Pan fish
- Brown trout
The deepest part of the lake is about 74 feet (22.6 meters) deep, providing plenty of space for these fish to live.
Other Animals You Might See
Besides fish, many other animals live around Forked Lake. Keep an eye out for:
- Loons (a type of water bird)
- Otters
- Beavers
- Owls
- Deer
- Ducks
- Bears (remember to use those food storage boxes!)
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail
Forked Lake is an important part of a very long water trail called the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. This amazing trail stretches for 740 miles (1,191 km)! It starts in Old Forge, New York, and goes all the way to Fort Kent, Maine. It's a popular route for people who love canoeing and kayaking through beautiful forests and waterways.
