In the Iroquois language, Skaneateles means “long lake.” The lake is the fifth largest in the eleven Finger Lakes. Skaneateles lake has an oligotrophic trophic status and is one of the cleaner Finger Lakes, though the lake still has harmful algal blooms (HABs). The lake has fewer aquatic invasive species than other Finger Lakes as well, though it still has Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed, two common aquatic invasive plants.
Skaneateles Lake is known for its clear blue-green waters. Visitors to the region can enjoy spectacular fishing, boating, and the quaint Village of Skaneateles on the north end of the lake.
Skaneateles Lake has fewer aquatic invasive species than most other Finger Lakes, it is important that visitors to the lake follow the Clean, Drain, Dry protocols to prevent the introduction of new invasive species to Skaneateles Lake. Nearby Cayuga Lake has hydrilla in it, which is a notable threat to the surrounding Finger Lakes.
Lakefront property owners and other land owners in the watershed can help protect the high water quality of Skaneateles Lake by following lake-friendly practices, such as reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, reducing stormwater runoff, planting rain gardens, and maintaining natural shoreline buffers.
Land cover in the Skaneateles Lake watershed. This map may be shared with attribution to AllAboutLakes.org under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Open Water
13.87mi²
Perennial Ice/Snow
0.00mi²
Developed, Open Space
3.47mi²
Developed, Low
1.61mi²
Developed, Medium
0.32mi²
Developed, High
0.06mi²
Barren Land
Deciduous Forest
19.39mi²
Evergreen Forest
2.82mi²
Mixed Forest
2.49mi²
Shrub/Scrub
0.87mi²
Grassland/Herbaceous
0.20mi²
Pasture/Hay
8.81mi²
Cultivated Crops
16.72mi²
Woody Wetlands
2.01mi²
Emergent Wetlands
0.18mi²
19.04%
0.00%
4.76%
2.21%
0.44%
0.09%
26.63%
3.87%
3.41%
1.20%
0.28%
12.09%
22.96%
2.76%
0.25%
Stream network and watershed slope in the Skaneateles Lake watershed. Red areas indicate locations with steep slopes. This map may be shared with attribution to AllAboutLakes.org under CC BY-SA 4.0.
1st Order Streams
71.54mi
2nd Order Streams
6.83mi
3rd Order Steams
10.65mi
Other
0.99mi
Total stream length
90.01mi
4.40%
0.69%
0.00%
Hydrologic soil groups in the Skaneateles Lake watershed. This map may be shared with attribution to AllAboutLakes.org under CC BY-SA 4.0.
A – High Infiltration
1.73mi²
A/D – High/Very Slow Infiltration
1.22mi²
B – Moderate Infiltration
25.39mi²
B/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
13.41mi²
C – Slow Infiltration
3.81mi²
C/D – Medium/Very Slow Infiltration
2.42mi²
D – Very Slow Infiltration
24.85mi²
2.38%
1.67%
34.86%
18.40%
5.23%
3.33%
34.12%
Lake Protection Groups
Water Quality Data & Lake Management
Research & Reports
Monitoring and modeling of water quality in streams of Skaneateles Lake Watershed, NY
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.
72.83mi² Skaneateles Lake has fewer aquatic invasive species than most other Finger Lakes, it is important that visitors to the lake follow the Clean, Drain,
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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