Canadice Lake /ˈkænəds/ is the smallest Finger Lake of western New York. The lake is located approximately 30 miles (48 km) south of Rochester. The name is derived from the Iroquois word ska-ne-a-dice, meaning long lake.[2] The lake is part of the Genesee River watershed.

Canadice Lake
Skaneadice (Seneca)
Aerial view of Canadice Lake in fall 2006.
Canadice Lake is located in New York Adirondack Park
Canadice Lake
Canadice Lake
Location within New York
Canadice Lake is located in the United States
Canadice Lake
Canadice Lake
Canadice Lake (the United States)
LocationCanadice, New York
GroupFinger Lakes
Coordinates42°43′00″N 77°34′04″W / 42.71667°N 77.56778°W / 42.71667; -77.56778
TypeGround moraine
Primary outflowsCanadice Outlet
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length3 mi (4.8 km)
Max. width0.3 mi (0.48 km)
Surface area649 acres (2.63 km2)
Average depth55 ft (17 m)
Max. depth95 ft (29 m)
Water volume.011 cu mi (0.046 km3)
Shore length16.5 mi (10.5 km)
Surface elevation1,096 ft (334 m)[1]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Description

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Canadice Lake is three miles (4.8 km) long and 0.3 miles (0.48 km) wide at its widest point. The lake has a surface area of 649 acres (2.63 km2) and a maximum depth of 95 feet (29 m).[3] The lake drains out into Canadice Outlet, which merges with water from the neighboring Hemlock Lake.[4]

In 1873, the city of Rochester, New York was authorized to begin using the lake as a source of drinking water along with Hemlock Lake. A legal dispute with residents near the lake was resolved in favor of the city in 1886,[5] and a conduit line was constructed which brought water from the lake to the city beginning in 1919.[6] A treatment plant for the lake's water was opened in 1993.[7]

Recreation

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Canadice Lake in 1997.

The lake is still used as a water source for Rochester today. To protect the water quality, no houses are permitted on its shore and boats are limited to 17 feet (5.2 m) in length and a must have a 10-horsepower engine or less. Swimming, camping and contamination of the water are prohibited.[3] Previously, a free permit was required to fish or boat on the lake, but that permit system has been discontinued and they are no longer required.[8]

Canadice Lake features several trout species for recreational fishing, including lake trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. All three trout species are annually stocked in the lake by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Landlocked Atlantic salmon are occasionally stocked as well.[3]

An unimproved gravel boat ramp is available for launching boats on the lake's east side, and a cartop launch is available at the south end of the lake.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Canadice Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  2. ^ Beauchamp, William Martin (1907). Aboriginal Place Names of New York (New York State Museum Bulletin, Volume 108). New York State Education Department. p. 155. ISBN 9781404751552. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. "Canadice Lake". Dec.ny.gov. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  4. ^ "Canadice Outlet". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  5. ^ Matter of the Application of the City of Rochester to acquire the permanent and perpetual right to draw from Hemlock and Canadice lakes an amount of water sufficient for the use of said city and its inhabitants, etc, 40 Hun, 588, June, 1886, Supreme Court of the State of New York, General Term, Fifth Department
  6. ^ "Canadice Lake Turned In". Democrat and Chronicle. 1919-02-25. p. 17. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  7. ^ "A Pocket History of the Rochester Water Works". cityofrochester.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  8. ^ "City of Rochester | Rules for Watershed Visitation". cityofrochester.gov. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
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