Lake Tiorati

Table of Contents

Overview

Lake Tiorati is one of seven lakes in Harriman State Park, and it is a popular destination for swimming, paddling, and fishing. The lake was formed by constructing a dam that flooded swamp land and connected two small ponds. The name is Algonquin in origin, meaning “blue like sky.” The lake offers good fishing for warm-water species such as largemouth bass, yellow perch, and chain pickerel.

Recreational Features
Public Access
Canoe/Kayak Launch
Camping
Hiking
Swimming Allowed
Fishing Allowed

Visit

Lake Tiorati is a popular destination for swimming and fishing:

  • Go swimming at Lake Tiorati Beach.

  • Lake Tiorati has good fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, bullhead, yellow perch, white perch, and chain pickerel. The NYS DEC Lake Tiorati bathymetric map can help you determine where in the lake to fish. Ice fishing is allowed in the winter.

  • The Tiorati Plateau or Cedar Pond campsites are open to youth organizations and require you to submit an application to make a reservation.

  • Hike the trails in Harriman State Park.

Lake Protection

Lake Tiorati is located in Harriman State Park, which is the second largest state park in New York. The lake is open to swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boats by permit only. Lake Tiorati does have invasive species present. Boaters launching or retrieving from Lake Tiorati should follow the Clean, Drain, Dry principles to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species. In addition, anglers visiting the lake should make sure their gear is clean and be sure not to dispose of bait fish in the lake. Taking these simple steps will help protect Lake Tiorati as well as surrounding lakes.

Interesting Facts

The body of George M. Perry was found in the lake in 1983. George was a wealthy arms dealer from New York City. He had been shot in the head and had weights tied to his legs. His murder remains unsolved but there are theories of international espionage and drug smuggling.

Watershed Characteristics

Land Cover/Land Use

Open Water
0.44mi²
Perennial Ice/Snow
0.00mi²
Developed, Open Space
0.07mi²
Developed, Low
0.02mi²
Developed, Medium
0.00mi²
Developed, High
0.00mi²
Barren Land
0.00mi²
Deciduous Forest
0.82mi²
Evergreen Forest
0.00mi²
Mixed Forest
0.01mi²
Shrub/Scrub
0.00mi²
Grassland/Herbaceous
0.00mi²
Pasture/Hay
0.00mi²
Cultivated Crops
0.00mi²
Woody Wetlands
0.01mi²
Emergent Wetlands
0.01mi²
31.77%
0.00%
5.35%
1.14%
0.37%
0.05%
0.00%
58.80%
0.07%
0.57%
0.00%
0.17%
0.00%
0.00%
0.82%
0.89%
A map of the land cover in the Lake Tiorati watershed

Land cover in the Lake Tiorati watershed. Map created with Model My Watershed.

 

 

Stream Network Statistics

1st Order Streams
1.21mi
1.54%
A map of the stream network and landscape slope in the Lake Tiorati watershed

Stream network and watershed slope in the Lake Tiorati watershed. Red areas indicate locations with steep slopes. Map created with Model My Watershed.

Hydrologic Soil Groups

A – High Infiltration
0.00mi²
A/D – High/Very Slow Infiltration
0.00mi²
B – Moderate Infiltration
0.08mi²
B/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
0.00mi²
C – Slow Infiltration
1.06mi²
C/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
0.01mi²
D – Very Slow Infiltration
0.25mi²
0.00%
0.00%
5.72%
0.35%
75.51%
0.52%
17.90%
A map of soil types in the Lake Tiorati watershed

Hydrologic soil groups in the Lake Tiorati watershed. Map created with Model My Watershed.

More Information & Resources

Water Quality Data & Lake Management


Summer view of Lake Tiorati
Photo Credits

Wilson Bilkovich on Flickr, Creative Commons License.

Physical Properties

Surface Area:
0.46mi²
Watershed Area:
1.54mi²
Maximum Depth:
62ft
Mean Depth:
12ft
Shoreline Length:
4.8mi

Lake Trophic Status

Unknown

Invasive Species

None

Harmful Algal Blooms

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.

Reported

Fish Species

Bluegill
Brown bullhead
Chain pickerel
Largemouth bass
Pumpkinseed
Smallmouth bass
White perch
Yellow perch

Recent Posts

What are invasive species?

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

Read More »