Otisco Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Otisco Lake |
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Otisco Lake, looking south.
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 Otisco Lake
Location in New York Adirondack Park
Otisco Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Onondaga County, New York, United States |
| Group | Finger Lakes |
| Coordinates | 42°51′52″N 76°17′13″W / 42.86444°N 76.28694°W |
| Type | Ground moraine |
| Primary outflows | Nine Mile Creek |
| Catchment area | 38.7 sq mi (100 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 5.4 mi (8.7 km) |
| Max. width | 0.75 mi (1.21 km) |
| Surface area | 2,048 acres (8.29 km2) |
| Average depth | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Max. depth | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Water volume | .0191 cu mi (0.080 km3) |
| Residence time | 1.7 years |
| Shore length1 | 15.5 mi (24.9 km) |
| Surface elevation | 785 ft (239 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Otisco Lake is the lake furthest to the east among New York's eleven famous Finger Lakes. This beautiful lake, which covers about 2,048-acre (8.29 km2), is found in Onondaga County, just southwest of the city of Syracuse.
History of Otisco Lake
What's in a Name? The Meaning of Otisco
The name Otisco Lake might come from the Iroquois word Us-te-ke. This word describes the lake's outlet, Nine Mile Creek, and means "bitter-nut-hickory". Some older maps, like one from 1825, even spelled the name "Ostisco".
Another idea is that the name comes from ostickney, meaning "waters much dried away". Or it could be from the Onondaga word ostick, which means "the water is low".
Early Days: Native American Use and First Settlers
Before Europeans arrived, the Onondaga people used Otisco Lake for fishing and hunting during certain seasons. However, they did not build permanent homes right by the lake.
After the Revolutionary War, soldiers were given land around Otisco Lake as payment for their service. The very first house was built near the lake's southern end in 1804 by Oliver Tuttle. This area is now part of the Town of Otisco.
Making the Lake Bigger: Dams and Water Supply
In 1869, Otisco Lake became larger when a dam was built near where the water flows out. This dam helped the lake store water for the Erie Canal, an important waterway. The dam made the lake's water level rise by about nine feet (2.7 m). This rise flooded a road at the south end of the lake.
To fix the road problem, a new path was built using hemlock logs. This log path, called a causeway, was later damaged by storms. It was rebuilt in 1983.
Since 1908, Otisco Lake has been a source of drinking water for people in the southern and western parts of Onondaga County. In 1909, the dam was made even taller, raising the lake level by another four feet (1.2 m). This helped the lake hold more water. Today, the Onondaga County Water Authority manages the lake to make sure people have clean drinking water. In 2011, Otisco Lake provided about 17,280,000 US gallons (65,400,000 L) of water every day!
About Otisco Lake
Size and Shape of the Lake
Otisco Lake is about 5.4 miles (8.7 km) long and 0.75 miles (1.21 km) wide at its widest spot. The lake is usually about 33 feet (10 m) deep, but its deepest point reaches 66 feet (20 m). It covers an area of 2,048 acres (8.29 km2) and can hold a huge amount of water, about 21 billion US gallons (79,000,000 m3).
Water from Otisco Lake flows into Onondaga Lake through Nine Mile Creek. From there, it travels into Lake Ontario by way of the Seneca and Oswego rivers.
Where is Otisco Lake Located?
Otisco Lake is completely within Onondaga County. It touches the towns of Marcellus, Otisco, and Spafford. The area of land that drains into the lake, called its watershed, covers about 38.7 square miles (100 km2). This land is mostly rural.
About 42% of the watershed is farmland, 33% is covered by forests, and 9% is shrubland. Wetlands and open water make up about 13% of the watershed. Nearly half of the homes in the watershed are located right on or very close to the lake's edge.
Keeping the Lake Clean: Pollution and Invasive Species
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that Otisco Lake is affected by pollution that doesn't come from a single pipe or source. This type of pollution is called nonpoint source pollution. It comes from farms, homes, and eroding streambanks.
This pollution includes things like pesticides and fertilizers from farms. It also includes dirt and soil from erosion and poor farming methods. Runoff from septic systems, lawns, and construction sites can also add to the problem.
Currently, the lake is facing big challenges from zebra mussels. These tiny shellfish are an invasive species. They were brought into the lake by boats and can cause serious problems for the lake's ecosystem.
Fun Things to Do at Otisco Lake
Otisco Lake is the closest of the Finger Lakes to the city of Syracuse. This makes it a popular spot for fun activities in the summer.
Fishing and Boating at the Lake
If you love fishing, you'll be happy to know that an annual fishing derby is held here. It usually takes place around the end of the second week in June, on the first day of bass fishing season.
There is a county park and a public boat launch available for everyone to use. You can also find two private boat launches along the southeastern part of the lake.
