| Quick Facts: | Lake Cayuga |
|---|---|
| Countries: | USA |
| Catchment area: | 2.033 km² (785 sq mi) |
| Surface area: | 172 km² (66 mi²) |
| Avg. Depth: | 182 ft (55 m) |
| Max. depth: | 435 ft (133 m) |
| Water volume: | 9.46 km³ (2.27mi³) |
| Surface elevation: | 381.9 ft (116.4 m) |
| Primary outflows: | Seneca River |
Cayuga Lake is one of the Finger Lakes in west central New York. It is the longest – about 40 miles (64 km – of the group, and the second-largest – about 66 square miles (171 sq km – with steep banks cut by inflowing streams. It averages 2 miles (3 km) wide.
The Seneca River, at its northern end, connects it with Seneca Lake to the west. This section of the river is canalized as part of the state barge system. The city of Ithaca, the home of Cornell University, lies at the southern end of the lake.
Surrounding Cayuga Lake is a farming and fruit-growing region with many resorts and recreational areas. Cayuga Lake State Park is near the village of Seneca Falls, at the north end of the lake. Taughannock Falls, Buttermilk Falls, and Robert H. Treman state parks are situated near Ithaca.
