Keuka Lake is the only Y-shaped Finger Lake and the one of two Finger Lakes to drain into another Finger Lake, in this case, Seneca Lake. Keuka Lake derives its name from the Iroquois meaning for “canoe landing.” The region around Keuka Lake, and the Finger Lakes region in general, is known for its wine vineyards.
There is a lot to do and explore on and around Keuka Lake.
Keuka Lake has experienced harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the past but to a much lesser extent than nearby Canandaigua Lake. HABs are a concern because they are capable of producing cyanotoxins which can be. harmful to humans, pets, and wildlife. Nutrient runoff and weather conditions are most often associated with HAB formation. Lakeshore owners around Keuka Lake can help reduce the occurrence of HABs by limiting the use of fertilizers and maintaining healthy lakeshore buffers.
Keuka Lake is home to several invasive species, including Eurasian watermilfoil, Asian clam, and zebra mussels. The best method to prevent the spread of invasive species is to clean, drain, and dry your boat whenever launching or retrieving from a waterbody. If you are fishing Keuka Lake be sure not to dump bait buckets and to clean your gear before and after visiting. Some invasive species are difficult to see with the naked eye and can hide among fishing gear.
Land cover in the Keuka Lake watershed. Map created with Model My Watershed.
Open Water
18.48mi²
Perennial Ice/Snow
0.00mi²
Developed, Open Space
10.29mi²
Developed, Low
2.68mi²
Developed, Medium
0.86mi²
Developed, High
0.16mi²
Barren Land
Deciduous Forest
53.47mi²
Evergreen Forest
4.98mi²
Mixed Forest
25.92mi²
Shrub/Scrub
1.84mi²
Grassland/Herbaceous
0.53mi²
Pasture/Hay
27.41mi²
Cultivated Crops
25.55mi²
Woody Wetlands
2.89mi²
Emergent Wetlands
0.57mi²
10.52%
0.00%
5.86%
1.53%
0.49%
0.09%
30.43%
2.83%
14.75%
1.05%
0.30%
15.60%
14.54%
1.63%
0.32%
Stream network and watershed slope in the Keuka Lake watershed. Red areas indicate locations with steep slopes. Map created with Model My Watershed.
1st Order Streams
264.27mi
2nd Order Streams
61.00mi
3rd Order Steams
25.08mi
4th Order Steams
21.79mi
5th Order Streams
12.28mi
Length in agricultural areas
42.98mi
Length in non-agricultural areas
341.44mi
Total stream length
384.42mi
6.41%
4.02%
2.28%
0.12%
0.00%
Hydrologic soil groups in the Keuka Lake watershed. Map created with Model My Watershed.
A – High Infiltration
14.73mi²
A/D – High/Very Slow Infiltration
0.00mi²
B – Moderate Infiltration
18.37mi²
B/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
2.82mi²
C – Slow Infiltration
42.52mi²
C/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
10.24mi²
D – Very Slow Infiltration
87.01mi²
8.39%
0.00%
10.46%
1.61%
24.20%
5.83%
49.52%
Lake Protection Groups
Water Quality Data & Lake Management
Photo 1: Brian Holland, CC BY 2.0, Photo 2: Morgan Paul, CC BY 2.0
Physical Properties
This status does not necessarily represent the current status of HABs in the lake. It indicates whether HABs have ever been reported in the lake.
Keuka Lake has experienced harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the past but to a much lesser extent than nearby Canandaigua Lake. HABs are a concern
Harmful algal blooms, commonly referred to as HABs, occur due to the rapid growth of specific species of algae. HABs are most often the results
Invasive species are non-native organisms that outcompete native species when introduced to a new environment. They can be animals, plants, or disease-causing organisms. These species
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Saranac Lake, NY 12983
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