Otsego Lake (New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Otsego Lake |
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Southwest end of Otsego Lake
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 Otsego Lake
Location in New York Adirondack Park
Otsego Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Otsego County, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°45′23″N 74°53′46″W / 42.7564°N 74.8961°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Primary inflows | Hayden Creek, Shadow Brook, Trout Brook, Cripple Creek, Leatherstocking Creek, Willow Brook, Mohican Brook, Brookwood Creek, Glimmer Glen Creek |
| Primary outflows | Susquehanna River |
| Catchment area | 74 sq mi (190 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 7.8 mi (12.6 km) |
| Surface area | 4,046 acres (16.37 km2) |
| Average depth | 82 ft (25 m) |
| Max. depth | 167 ft (51 m) |
| Water volume | 117,000,000,000 US gal (440,000,000 m3) |
| Residence time | 3 years |
| Shore length1 | 20.3 mi (32.7 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,191 feet (363 m) |
| Islands | Sunken Island (sunken), Eel Island (sunken) |
| Settlements | Cooperstown |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Otsego Lake is a large, beautiful lake in Otsego County, New York. It covers about 4,046-acre (16.37 km2) of water. This lake is special because it's where the Susquehanna River begins its long journey. It's also the biggest lake in Otsego County.
The charming Village of Cooperstown is located at the southern end of the lake. On the northeastern shore, you'll find Glimmerglass State Park. This park is home to Hyde Hall, a grand mansion built in 1817 that looks out over the lake. The famous Glimmerglass Opera house, which opened in 1987, is on the western side of the lake.
Thousands of years ago, huge sheets of ice called glaciers shaped the valley where Otsego Lake now sits. As these glaciers slowly melted, they filled the valley with water, forming the lake we see today. The name Otsego comes from the Iroquois Native Americans. It means "place of the rock," referring to a large boulder near where the lake's water flows out. This rock is now known as Council Rock.
People in New York care a lot about Otsego Lake. They work hard to keep its waters clean and healthy. Organizations like the Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) and the Otsego Lake Association help protect the lake. Today, the lake is a popular spot for fun activities like boating and fishing.
Contents
Discovering Otsego Lake's Geography
Otsego Lake is about 7.8 miles (12.6 km) long. Its deepest point is 167 feet (51 m), but on average, it's about 82 feet (25 m) deep. The northern part of the lake is in the town of Springfield. The southern part is in the town of Otsego. The town of Middlefield borders the eastern shore.
The lake is the starting point of the Susquehanna River. This river flows south through New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Finally, it empties into the Chesapeake Bay. A dam built in 1905 helps control the lake's water level.
Exploring Sunken Islands
Otsego Lake has some interesting "sunken islands." One is called Sunken Island. It's a sandy area under the water near the western shore. It's about six miles (9.7 km) north of Cooperstown. People believe it's what's left of an island mentioned in old stories by James Fenimore Cooper. Today, it's marked with buoys to warn boats.
Another sunken island is Eel Island. It's about seven miles (11 km) north of Cooperstown. Eel Island is much deeper under the water than Sunken Island.
Bays and Points Around the Lake
Otsego Lake has many bays and points. Four of the bays have names.
- Blackbird Bay is at the south end, in Cooperstown.
- Muskrat Cove is north of Blackbird Bay. It was once a great place to find muskrats.
- Waterlily Bay is north of Muskrat Cove. It's named for the many water lilies growing there.
- Hyde Bay is at the northern end of the lake. Glimmerglass State Park is in this bay.
Many points along the lake also have names.
- Brookwood Point is on the southwest side.
- Three Mile Point is about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Brookwood Point. It's a park managed by Cooperstown.
- Five Mile Point is about 2 miles (3.2 km) further north. Mohican Brook flows into the lake here.
- Six Mile Point is just north of Five Mile Point.
- Hutter Point is about 1 mile (1.6 km) further north.
On the east side of the lake:
- Point Judith sticks out into the lake. It's home to the historic Kingfisher Tower. It was named after Judith Hutter from the book The Deerslayer.
- Point Florence is about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Point Judith.
- Cherry Tree Point is roughly 1 mile (1.6 km) further north.
- Gravelly Point is about 1 mile (1.6 km) further north.
- Peggs Point is just north of Gravelly Point.
- Clarke Point is on the north end of the lake, west of Hyde Bay.
Mountains Near Otsego Lake
Several mountains stand near Otsego Lake.
- Mount Wellington is on the north end, east of Hyde Bay. From Cooperstown, it looks like a "Sleeping Lion." It was named after a famous general, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.
- Red House Hill is on the west side of the lake, west of Six Mile Point.
- Mount Ovis is on the west side, behind the Farmer's Museum. It was named after Merino sheep, which were raised there long ago.
- Mount Vision is on the east side, near the south end. It's where an early settler first saw the lake.
History of Otsego Lake
How the Lake Was Formed
Between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago, huge glaciers covered this area. Otsego Lake was created when a large tongue of ice carved out the Susquehanna River Valley. As the glaciers slowly melted, they filled this carved-out valley with water. The glacier also uncovered limestone rock. This limestone helps protect the lake by making the water less acidic, even from acid rain.
People and the Lake's Past
Before Europeans arrived, Iroquois Native Americans lived around the lake. The name Otsego comes from their language and means "place of the rock." This refers to a large boulder called "Council Rock" near the lake's outlet. It's believed Native Americans used this rock as a meeting place. Today, it's part of Council Rock Park, open to everyone.
In 1779, during the American Revolutionary War, General James Clinton and his soldiers built a temporary dam at the lake's outlet. They raised the water level, then broke the dam. This created a flood that helped them move their boats down the river to meet another general. This event is mentioned in the famous book The Pioneers by James Fenimore Cooper.
In 1785, William Cooper settled at the south end of the lake. He founded the village that became Cooperstown. One time, when food was scarce, thousands of fish, probably American shad, swam into the lake. This helped the settlers survive.
Between 1817 and 1834, Hyde Hall was built at the north end of the lake. It's now a New York State Historic Site. In 1825, the Hyde Hall Bridge, a historic wooden covered bridge, was built nearby.
The first steamboat on Otsego Lake was launched in 1858. By 1894, ten steam-powered boats were on the lake, some carrying over 300 passengers. These boats helped people travel and transport goods.
In 1935, the New York State Conservation Department did the first scientific study of the lake. In 1968, the State University of New York at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) got a place on the lake to build a research center. Around the same time, the Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) was formed by local people worried about water quality. They work together to keep the lake clean. Glimmerglass State Park also opened in the late 1960s.
In 1999, the Glimmerglass Historic District was created. This large area includes the lake and surrounding towns, recognizing its historical importance.
Understanding the Lake's Geology
Otsego Lake is similar to the Finger Lakes in New York because glaciers carved both. However, Otsego Lake is much higher up (about 1,191 feet (363 m)) than the Finger Lakes (around 400 feet (120 m)). Also, the Finger Lakes flow into Lake Ontario, but Otsego Lake is part of the Susquehanna River watershed.
The lake is known for being very deep in some parts and having shallow areas near the shore. These shallow areas are formed by sediment from streams flowing into the lake. This is most noticeable at the north end where several creeks enter.
Water stays in Otsego Lake for about 3 years before flowing out into the Susquehanna River. This is called the "water residence time." Over time, tiny soil particles like clay and silt tend to stay in the lake longer than the water. This can slowly fill up the lake basin. Too many particles can also cause problems, like burying fish spawning beds.
The Otsego Lake Watershed
The Otsego Lake watershed is the area of land where all the water drains into the lake. It covers about 75 square miles (190 km2). This area includes parts of several towns in Herkimer and Otsego counties. The watershed is mostly farmland (44%) and forests (36%).
Otsego Lake is the starting point for the huge Susquehanna River watershed, which covers 27,510-square-mile (71,300 km2). The lake also provides drinking water for the Village of Cooperstown and people living along its shores.
Scientists regularly test the lake's water. They found that streams flowing into the lake are the main source of phosphorus, a nutrient that can cause too much algae to grow. Rain and snow also add phosphorus, as do some septic systems around the lake.
Protecting Otsego Lake
People have been working to protect the fish in Otsego Lake since 1870, when a fish hatchery was built. Over a million fish were stocked there, including whitefish, salmon, and trout. In 1935, the state did a big study of the lake's biology and water quality.
In 1968, State University of New York at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) opened a research center on the lake's west shore. They study the lake and its wildlife. The Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) also works to keep the water clean. Another group, the Otsego Lake Association, helps make sure the lake's management plan is followed.
In 2001, they cleaned out Clarke Pond at the northwest end of the lake. They also fixed a leaking dam to help control sediment. From 2002 to 2003, four wetlands in the watershed were restored. These projects help improve water quality. Since 1999, Cooperstown has used special buoys to mark a "no-wake zone" near the shore, meaning boats must go slowly to prevent large waves.
Dealing with Invasive Species
Zebra mussels are an invasive species that first appeared in Otsego Lake in 2007. By 2010, they covered many areas where lake trout lay their eggs. These mussels can harm fish eggs and also hurt native freshwater mussels. Other invasive species found in the lake include eurasian milfoil, japanese knotweed, and purple loosestrife. In 2020, another invasive mussel, the quagga mussel, was found.
To help stop the spread of these invaders, Cooperstown started a boat inspection program in 2003. All boats and trailers are checked before launching. If a boat has been in other waters, it's cleaned at a washing station.
Fighting Pollution
When Glimmerglass State Park first opened, its wastewater system sometimes let pollutants into the lake. But by 1977, a new, better filtration system was built. This helped reduce pollution.
In 1998, Cooperstown changed how it dealt with icy roads. Instead of just sand, they started using salt mixed with special deicers. This helped reduce phosphorus runoff into the lake. Also, old septic systems around the lake were a problem. In 2005, a program started to inspect and upgrade these systems to prevent pollution.
Fun Activities at Otsego Lake
Fishing in the Lake
Otsego Lake is a great place for fishing! People often try to catch lake trout, walleye, and yellow perch. The lake also has a lot of smallmouth bass. Other fish you might find include brown trout, rock bass, largemouth bass, and atlantic salmon.
Each year, thousands of young fish are added to the lake. This includes brown trout, lake trout, and walleye. Atlantic salmon are stocked every two years.
There are boat launches at both the north and south ends of the lake. The one in Cooperstown is open to everyone. The one at the north end is only for residents of Springfield. Sometimes, there are bass fishing tournaments where people compete to catch the biggest bass.
Scientists use special tags on walleye to study their populations. They found that yellow perch and walleye numbers have increased. Many of the walleye and smallmouth bass caught are big enough to keep.
Public Swimming Spots
Otsego Lake has several public swimming areas.
- Three Mile Point is a public beach about three miles from Cooperstown. It has changing rooms and picnic areas.
- Fairy Springs is about one mile from Cooperstown. It also has changing rooms and picnic areas.
- Public Landing is at the northern end of the lake. This spot is only for Springfield residents.
- Glimmerglass State Park has a beach, picnic areas, and pavilions.
Lakefront Park in Cooperstown
Lakefront Park is located right in the Village of Cooperstown, on the lake's shore. It's a nice place to sit on benches and enjoy the view. During the summer, concerts are held on a stage in the park. From here, you can see Mount Wellington across the lake, which looks like a "sleeping lion." The park also has docks where people can rent space to tie up their boats.
Otsego Lake in Books
Otsego Lake is famous for appearing in the novels of James Fenimore Cooper. He called it Glimmerglass in his books like The Pioneers, The Deerslayer, and Home as Found. Many real places around the lake, like Council Rock, Hutter Point, Gravelly Point, and Sunken Island, are mentioned in his stories.
In The Pioneers, Blackbird Bay is where a character is rescued from drowning. Gravelly Point is where a character has a fight with a Huron Indian in The Deerslayer. Peggs Point is where characters first arrive at the lake in that same book. Three Mile Point is also mentioned as a place where characters dock their boats.
Otsego Lake is also featured in The Secret of Mirror Bay, a book from the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series. In this story, Nancy Drew visits a cabin on Mirror Bay in Cooperstown to solve a mystery.
Images for kids
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Point Judith and Kingfisher Tower in 2006
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Looking north from boat launch with Mount Wellington in the background
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Plaque on the Monument at the site of General Clinton's dam
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View of Clarke Point from Thurston Hill Road
