Seneca Lake Homes

Seneca Lake

Overview
Seneca Lake is the 2nd longest of the Finger Lakes. The two main inlets are Catharine Creek at the southern end and the Keuka Lake Outlet. Seneca Lake outlets into the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, which joins Seneca and Cayuga Lakes at their northern ends. It is fed by underground springs and replenished at a rate of 328,000 gallons per minute. These springs keep the water moving in a constant circular motion, giving it little chance to freeze over. The city of Geneva sits at the North end of the lake. Watkins Glen sits at the south end of the lake.

Fishing
It is promoted as being the lake trout capital of the world, and is host of the National Lake Trout Derby. Seneca Lake is home to the following species of fish - lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, chain pickerel, rock bass, crappie, sunfish, bullheads, bowfin, white suckers, channel catfish, lake sturgeon, carp, alewives and smelt. The state does an annual stocking of lake trout, brown trout and landlocked salmon. The lake's rainbow trout population is sustained entirely by natural reproduction in Catherine Creek and its tributaries. So catch and release of rainbow trout in Seneca Lake is greatly encouraged.

Wineries
Seneca Lake’s natural combination of deep water (deepest of the Finger Lakes) and sloping hillsides provides the ideal microclimate for grape growing. Its unique geology and topography protect the growth of hardy native grapes and premium hybrids as well as more delicate varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. In 1986 the Seneca Lake Wine Trail was formed in the heart of New York State’s Finger Lakes Wine Country to attract more visitors to experience its rich history, beauty and production of world-class wines. Today, Seneca Lake Wine Trail is the largest and most active wine trail in New York State with a community of over 35 wineries, a distillery, two breweries and a meadery.

Did You Know
Seneca Lake has been a testing site for submarines because of its depth. There are numerous canal barges resting on the bottom of the lake. A collection of barges on the southwest end of the lake, near the village of Watkins Glen, is being preserved and made accessible for scuba diving by the Finger Lakes Underwater Preserve Association.

History
Over 200 years ago, there were Iroquois villages on Seneca Lake’s surrounding hillsides. During the Revolutionary War, their villages, including Kanadaseaga ("Seneca Castle") were wiped out during the Sullivan Expedition by troops that invaded their homeland to punish them for assisting the British. Today roadside signs trace Sullivan and Clinton’s route along the east side of Seneca Lake where the burning of villages and crops occurred. After the war, the land of the Iroquois was parceled out to veterans of the army in payment for their military service. A slow stream of white settlers began to arrive circa 1790. Initially the settlers were without a market nearby or a way to get their crops to market. The settlers’ isolation abruptly ended, though, in the 1820s with the opening of the Erie Canal. The Canal linked the Finger Lakes Region to the outside world. Steamships, barges and ferries quickly became Seneca Lake’s ambassadors of commerce and trade. The former, short Crooked Lake Canal linked Seneca Lake to Keuka Lake.

Keeping it Clean
In addition to its recreational value, numerous communities depend on Seneca Lake as a drinking water source. It is imperative that we all work to keep it clean. The purpose of Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association is to promote the understanding, preservation and improvement of the water quality, natural habitat and general environmental conditions of Seneca Lake and its watershed by sponsoring or undertaking scientific research, by collecting, preserving, publishing and disseminating information concerning Seneca Lake and its watershed and by encouraging and supporting the enforcement of laws and regulations and patterns of development and technology aimed at preserving and enhancing the water quality of the lake.

Personal
I have attended countless wedding receptions on Seneca Lake. The north end of the lake is home to some of the best lakefront spots for large events.

References:
Note: The information above was compiled from various websites. It is meant to provide a general overview of the lake. It does not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of the information.

Bob Markel
“Your Personal Guide For Lakefront Real Estate”