Keuka Lake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Keuka Lake
View of Keuka Lake.
Keuka Lake Location in New York Adirondack Park Show map of New York Adirondack Park Keuka Lake Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Steuben / Yates counties, New York, United States
Group	Finger Lakes
Coordinates	42°29′47″N 77°08′46″W / 42.49639°N 77.14611°W / 42.49639; -77.14611
Type	Ground moraine
Primary inflows	Keuka Inlet, Sugar Creek, Glen Brook, Wagener Glen Creek
Primary outflows	Keuka Lake Outlet
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	20 mi (32 km)
Max. width	0.5 to 2 mi (0.80 to 3.22 km)
Surface area	11,730 acres (47.5 km2)
Average depth	101 ft (31 m)
Max. depth	187 ft (57 m)
Water volume	.35 sq mi (0.91 km2)
Shore length1	60 mi (97 km)
Surface elevation	715 ft (218 m)
Settlements	Penn Yan Hammondsport Branchport
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Keuka Lake (KEW-kə) is one of the main Finger Lakes in the U.S. state of New York. It is special because it is Y-shaped. Most other Finger Lakes are long and narrow. Because of its unique shape, people used to call it Crooked Lake. The name Keuka means "canoe landing" in the Iroquois language. In the Seneca language, it means "lake with an elbow."

About Keuka Lake

Map showing Keuka Lake and the other Finger Lakes in New York

Keuka Lake has a distinctive Y-shape. It flows into another Finger Lake, Seneca Lake. The water leaves Keuka Lake through a stream called the Keuka Lake Outlet. This happens at the lake's northeastern end, near the town of Penn Yan. The stream then empties into Seneca Lake at the village of Dresden.

A long time ago, the outlet was a canal called the Crooked Lake Canal. This canal connected Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake. Later, a railroad line replaced the canal. Today, this old railroad path is a popular hiking and cycling trail. It is known as the Keuka Outlet Trail.

The lake is about 20 miles (32 km) long. Its width changes from one-half mile (0.80 km) to two miles (3.2 km). The total surface area of the lake is 11,730 acres (47.5 km²). The deepest part of the lake is 186 feet (57 m), and its average depth is 101 feet (31 m).

Lake Life and Environment

Keuka Lake is home to many different kinds of fish. It has large numbers of lake trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout. You can also find landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. Many baitfish, especially alewives, live in the lake. These small fish provide food for the bigger fish. This makes Keuka Lake a great place for fishing.

The lake's environment is important for humans, fish, and other wildlife. Sometimes, storm water runoff can carry pollution into the lake. The Keuka Lake Association (KLA) helps protect the lake. They regularly check the water quality of the lake and its streams. This makes sure the water is safe for drinking, fishing, and swimming. The KLA also keeps track of the lake's water level.

However, a tiny creature called the zebra mussel has caused problems in many lakes. These mussels are from Europe and have spread to many lakes in North America, including Keuka Lake. Zebra mussels can harm the lake's natural balance. They can also be a nuisance for people who live by the lake. Their small size allows them to clog water pipes. Also, their sharp shells can cut the feet of swimmers. If you swim in the lake, it's a good idea to wear water shoes.

Around Keuka Lake

William E. "Gink" Doherty flying the Langley Aerodrome over Keuka Lake in 1914.

Several towns are located around Keuka Lake. The village of Penn Yan is at the northeastern tip. Branchport is at the northwestern tip. Hammondsport is at the south end of the lake. Hammondsport was the home of Glenn Curtiss, who was a pioneer in naval aviation. Today, you can visit the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum there.

Most of the land around the lake is used for homes. But there are also some important places. Keuka College is on the western shore of the east branch. Keuka Lake State Park is on the eastern side of the northwest branch. Camp Iroquois, run by the New York State Sheriffs Institute, is on the eastern side of the bluff. YMCA Camp Cory is on the eastern side of the northeast branch. Camp Good Days and Special Times is on the western side of the northwest branch. The Garrett Memorial Chapel is located near the tip of the bluff between the two branches.

A big part of the local economy comes from growing grapes and making wine.

Keuka Lake Wine Trail

Many vineyards are part of the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. This trail lets visitors explore different wineries around the lake. Here are some of the vineyards on the trail:

There is also one winery on the lake, Domaine Leseurre, which is not officially part of the Keuka Lake Wine Trail.