Finger Lakes - Rochester, NY area
RochesterEnvironment.com
Consider the Finger Lakes and how each affects our local environment.
Page Contents:| Listing of Lakes | Resources |
The Rochester area is near all eleven of the Finger Lakes. These
lakes not only make our area one of the most beautiful, they also
frame the environment as one of water and wetlands and thousands of
plant and wildlife conducive to this type of ecology.
Finger Lakes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "The Finger Lakes are a chain of lakes in the west-central section of Upstate New York that are a popular tourist destination. The lakes mainly are linear in shape, each lake oriented on a north-south axis. The two longest, Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, are among the deepest in America. Both are close to 40 miles (64 km) from end to end, but never more than 3.5 miles (5,600 m) wide. Cayuga is the longest (38.1 miles, 61.3 km), but Seneca the largest in total area. Seneca is the deepest (618 feet, 188.4 m), followed by Cayuga (435 feet, 132.6 m), with the bottoms well below sea level. These largest lakes resemble the others in shape, which collectively reminded early map-makers of the fingers of a hand. Oneida Lake is generally not considered one of the Finger Lakes, but it is sometimes called the "thumb". "
SEARCH: Use search engine below to find anything posted since 1998.
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Finger Lakes in the local media
The NewsLinks below refer to NewsLinks on the collective lakes region. For separate NewsLinks for each lake, go to the individual lakes pages.
- WXXI: Fight Over Proposed Clay Mine (2011-10-26) ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - A group of concerned citizens in the Finger Lakes is fighting a proposed clay mine in the area. The group says plans by Seneca Meadows Landfill to open a new 120-acre soil mine will create health, air and noise issues. Glen Silver, president of the Concerned Citizens of Seneca County, says the industrialization of the Finger Lakes is going unchecked. (October 26, 2011) WXXI NewsRoom [more on Finger Lakes in our area]
- Conesus at center of pollution solution | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Techniques from weed-eating weevils to solar-powered pumps have been used to attack the nuisance weeds and algae that sometimes clog the waters of lakes such as Conesus, Honeoye and Keuka. None of them have proved to be a magic bullet. (August 16, 09) Democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [
- N.Y. state money woes plague Finger Lakes land deal with Rochester | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Rochester and New York state officials say they're progressing toward a state purchase of 7,100 city-owned acres around Hemlock and Canadice lakes, though questions remain about timing and funding for the long-discussed deal. (March 9, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
- Clinton seeks federal aid for Finger Lakes U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday introduced legislation that for the first time would confer federal status, federal protection and federal funding on the Finger Lakes. Her proposed Finger Lakes Initiative Act of 2002 would establish a department within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to oversee the environmental integrity and aid in development of cultural and economic resources of the 11 glacially carved lakes and surrounding communities, Clinton said during a teleconference Thursday from her Washington, D.C., office. --(October 4, 2002) Star-Gazette.com
- Democrat & Chronicle: Geneva gets Finger Lakes research center — Gouged out by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago, the 11 Finger Lakes stretch across a 75-mile-wide swath of New York state. Now, for the first time, one institute will serve as a hub of research and data about the region, which is nearly twice the size of Connecticut. (October 1, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
- Clinton pledges new plan for Finger Lakes U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton will introduce legislation to create an alliance to protect the environment and boost commerce. (August 31, 2002) Daily Messenger
- Algae Leaves Bad Smell A bad smell has left a bad taste in the mouths of people living along one of the Finger Lakes. Residents say an algae problem on Honeoye Lake has been worse this year than any other in recent memory. It's closed the beach to swimmers, and left a foul odor in the air for much of the summer. (August 29, 2002) R News: Your NewsChannel
- Bill awaiting OK from House would ban forest drilling HECTOR - A permanent ban on oil and gas drilling in the Finger Lakes National Forest is being sought. Sens. Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton last week announced Senate adoption of a bill that will ensure the forest is forever safe from the threats posed by drilling. (August 8, 2002) Finger Lakes Times
- Democrat & Chronicle: Open space, rec projects in Finger Lakes get funds — WATKINS GLEN — Six open space and recreation projects, including a new nature park in Watkins Glen, Schuyler County, will divide $654,000 in state and federal funding. (August 6, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle:
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Wildlife toxin may hit Finger Lakes
Researchers believe exotic species, such
as the zebra mussel, brought botulism to the Great Lakes.
Local biologists with the state Department of Environmental Conservation said this morning that a deadly toxin killing fish and birds in Lake Erie may eventually hit the Finger Lakes. (August 5, 2002) Daily Messenger - Democrat & Chronicle: Finger Lakes drilling ban tactics shift — WASHINGTON — With their bill that would permanently ban drilling in the Finger Lakes National Forest making no headway in the House, New York lawmakers are seeking a one-year extension of a temporary ban imposed last fall. Oil and gas exploration in the 15,000-acre forest would be barred through Sept. 30, 2003, under a Department of Interior spending bill that passed the House last week. That bill now heads for the Senate, where approval of the drilling ban extension is expected. (July 24, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle:
- Democrat & Chronicle: Key senator backs ban on Finger Lakes drilling (June 19, 2002) — New York's senators, Democrats Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, have picked up crucial support for their call for a permanent ban on oil and gas drilling in the Finger Lakes National Forest. Sen. Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, who is the leading advocate of oil and gas exploration on public lands, indicated at a Senate hearing Tuesday that he would support the New Yorkers' bill prohibiting drilling in the 16,000-acre forest, in Schuyler County north of Elmira. (June 19, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
- Democrat & Chronicle: Finger Lakes region still under drought watch — ALBANY -- The Finger Lakes region remains under a drought watch while conditions in some other regions have improved, according to members of the state drought task force. As a result of the average 5 inches of rain that fell in April, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has lifted its drought watch for 17 counties in the Adirondacks, Southern Tier and Susquehanna region. (May 9, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
- Finger Lakes area may join drought watch list ALBANY -- A state panel said Thursday that it intends to add the Finger Lakes area to the drought watch list, as a wet March did little to alleviate dry conditions across New York. (April 15, 2002) State Headlines
- Drill Proposal In Finger Lakes Met With Opposition Rochester, NY - A proposal to drill for natural gas in a New York forest is drawing some opposition. (July 12, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
- Finger Lakes stories --A six-month Democrat and Chronicle series last year documented that the lakes -- while healthy -- showed signs of strain.
- The tug of control grows over the waves of change Money short, many worries linger, but mood upbeat for the future (July 2, 2000) - -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
- Lakes region jazzing up ad campaign, hopes baby boomers take heed -- No one would confuse some past efforts to bring tourists to the Finger Lakes region as, well, ''hip.'' (July 2, 2000) - -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
- Personal Watercraft Might Not Be Welcome Personal watercraft, also known by the most popular brand name, Jet Skis, are familiar sights on the lakes in our area, but for how long? (July 2, 2000) RochesterToday
The Finger Lakes
(Of course, these are not all of the eleven Finger Lakes, but only the lakes that have appeared in Rochester-area news.)
- Honeoye Lake Get photographs of this Finger Lake, news, and resources, which include various environmental groups which help to maintain the health of this lake.
- Cayuga Lake Get photographs of this Finger Lake, news, and resources, which include various environmental groups which help to maintain the health of this lake.
- Canandaigua Lake Get photographs of this Finger Lake, news, and resources, which include various environmental groups which help to maintain the health of this lake.
- Seneca Lake Get photographs of this Finger Lake, news, and resources, which include various environmental groups which help to maintain the health of this lake.
- Keuka Lake Get photographs of this Finger Lake, news, and resources, which include various environmental groups which help to maintain the health of this lake.
- Conesus Lake Conesus Lake is one of Western New York's smaller Finger Lakes
- Hemlock Lake Located in southeast Livingston County, Hemlock Lake lies 25 miles south of Rochester. Hemlock is one of the two Finger Lakes whose shorelines are virtually undeveloped
- Canadice Lake Located in southwest Ontario County, Canadice Lake lies 30 miles south of Rochester. It is the smallest of the Finger Lakes whose shorelines are virtually undeveloped.
Check out this new resource for learning about our natural and cultural history of our area: Finger Lakes Cultural and Natural History Museum "Welcome to the Finger Lakes Cultural and Natural History Museum Project, a proposal to create a new museum that will showcase the 9,000-square-mile Finger Lakes Region of New York State. Exhibits are planned to include Native American culture, early colonization, and the histories of agriculture, viniculture, and commerce. Artifacts will range from antique boats and farm equipment to an immense freshwater aquarium containing the fish species that are native to the Finger Lakes. Outdoor exhibits will feature live specimens of native wildlife in natural settings like beavers, otters and the Seneca White Deer. Special focus will be given to invasive species such as lamprey eels, purple loosestrife and zebra mussels. "
Resources for Finger Lakes
Our Finger Lakes are a critical part of our regions environmental health. Check out these resources for protecting these precious resources
- The Committee to Preserve the Finger Lakes "Our committee is committed to preserving the natural beauty and the purity of the water in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Its scenic lakes and majestic landscape make the region worth preserving for future generations. We promote preservation by objectively identifying, informing and educating the general public, officials and administrators on environmental threats. "
- New York State Federation of Lakes Associations, Inc. "The New York State Federation of Lake Associations, Inc. (NYSFOLA) was founded in 1983 by a small consortium of lake associations concerned about a variety of problems facing their lakes. Water quality was of concern to nearly all of the lakes, and there was little information available on methods to combat the increasing presence of aquatic invasive species. With the assistance of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, NYSFOLA spearheaded the development of the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program. This model statewide volunteer lake monitoring program has since served over 200 New York State lakes, and it remains an important part of NYSFOLA's mission."
- Finger Lakes Museum | Cultural and Natural History Museum "Beginning in summer 2011 the Finger Lakes Museum will present its Inaugural Program, a three-part series telling the remarkable stories of Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, entitled Back from the Brink. The series consists of three presentations which will each be offered at multiple locations throughout the Finger Lakes Region. "