Sylvan Lake (New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sylvan Lake |
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View of north end of lake from south
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 Sylvan Lake
Location in New York
Sylvan Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sylvan Lake, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°36′32″N 73°44′28″W / 41.60889°N 73.74111°W |
| Primary outflows | Sylvan Lake Brook |
| Catchment area | 0.81 square miles (2.1 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 116 acres (47 ha) |
| Average depth | 65 feet (20 m) |
| Max. depth | 140 feet (43 m) |
| Shore length1 | 1.8 miles (2.9 km) |
| Surface elevation | 323 feet (98 m) |
| Settlements | Sylvan Lake |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Sylvan Lake is a beautiful lake in Dutchess County, New York. It is near the community also called Sylvan Lake. This lake is the deepest in Dutchess County. It is also the second-largest lake there.
Many people enjoy Sylvan Lake for fun activities. You can find summer camps and a big private campground along its shores. People living nearby also love to use the lake for recreation.
Contents
Discover Sylvan Lake's Location
Sylvan Lake has a round, uneven shape. Its surface covers about 116 acres (47 ha). The lake is close to the southwestern edge of the town of Beekman. Tall hills, about 820 feet (250 m) high, rise to the northeast. These hills are 500 feet (150 m) taller than the lake itself.
The small community of Sylvan Lake is located to the southeast and east of the lake. A road called Dutchess County Route 10 runs along the lake's edge. This road helps people get to the nearby Taconic State Parkway.
Water Flow and Surroundings
To the southwest, the hills are lower. Water flows out of Sylvan Lake through a small brook. This brook first goes north through a 91-acre (37 ha) wetland. Then, it turns south. It carries water from the lake and its surrounding area, which is about 0.81 square miles (2.1 km2). The water travels a few miles to Fishkill Creek. From there, it reaches the Hudson River near Beacon.
The Chelsea Cove housing area is right next to the lake. All residents there can use the lake. There is a small beach where you can wade in. The water quickly gets very deep. Sylvan Lake Beach Park is a private campground on another part of the shore. The rest of the lake's 1.8-mile (2.9 km) shoreline is owned by homes and summer camps.
Deep Waters of Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake is very deep, reaching 140 feet (43 m). This makes it the deepest lake in Dutchess County. The lake used to be a quarry where people mined materials. Because of this, the lake bottom drops off very steeply. It reaches its deepest point quickly in the middle.
The water temperature changes a lot with depth. The cold layer, called the thermocline, is around 40 degrees F. If you want to scuba dive here, you need special training. Divers need to wear thick wetsuits, gloves, and hoods. Lights are also needed because the water can be cloudy.
Fun Activities at Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake is a great place for outdoor fun!
Swimming and Boating
The campground and camps have special areas for swimming. You can go boating on the lake, but only if your boat does not use a gasoline engine. Diving is also allowed for experienced divers because of the lake's depth.
Fishing Adventures
Fishing is a popular activity here. You can fish from a boat or from the shore. Just make sure you have a valid New York state fishing license. The lake has many bass in its warmer parts. The state's Department of Environmental Conservation also adds about 1,700 brown trout fry (baby fish) to the lake every spring.
Sylvan Lake is also a favorite spot for ice fishing in winter. There are special rules for fishing here. You can catch trout all year round. There is no minimum size for trout, and you can keep up to five fish per day. Some people have even caught trout as big as 10 pounds (4.5 kg)!
