Finger Lakes Headline News (2024)

FAQs

What happened in the Finger Lakes? ›

History of the Finger Lakes

As the last ice age ended, the final glaciers covering what is now the northern reaches of the United States receded. The incredible grinding pressures of the receding glaciers gouged enormous holes in what is now the Finger Lakes region.

Seneca Lake is the deepest of the Finger Lakes (618 ft. depth).

For 325 million years, during the Paleozoic Era of geologic time, the Finger Lakes region was part of a vast inland sea. Gradually, bed after bed of sand, mud, lime and salt accumulated and were compressed into rocks reaching a total depth of about 8,000 feet.

The Finger Lakes—a group of long, roughly parallel lakes in upstate New York—got their name for obvious reasons. On a map, the narrow lakes look similar to outstretched digits. Seneca and Cayuga—the two largest Finger Lakes—are among the deepest lakes in North America.

And in 1845, the lake had been an excellent accomplice to murder. What lay at the bottom almost 175 years ago thrust Edward Howard Rulloff into the annals of history as quite possibly one of the most intelligent known killers in America.

CANANDAIGUA — In 1896, a steel-hulled, screw-driven steamboat called the Seneca Chief sank in Canandaigua Lake. That shipwreck was discovered by lake resident Scott Hill, the former commander of the Rochester Police Department's scuba squad and executive of the aerial imaging company Pictometry, on April 20, 2014.

The cleanest of the lakes is Skaneateles Lake, which is considered one of the cleanest in the United States and passes to homes unfiltered. There are waterfront restaurants to enjoy its crystalline lake views and designated swimming areas. At 16 miles long, it spans through Onondaga, Cayuga, and Cortland counties.

Onondaga Lake has been described as one of the most polluted lakes in the United States, primarily due to industrial dumping and sewage contamination.

But even though it may be the largest freshwater fish species in the state's inland waters, its conservation status is threatened. Lake sturgeon can be considered an inshore warmwater species, making it relatively easy to catch.

Hidden tunnels under the Finger Lakes were part of the Underground Railroad & Prohibition era bootlegging. Exploring these tunnels today remains off-limits but sparks many spooky theories and conspiracy tales. Vast and private, Finger Lakes tunnels host rumors of trafficking, so travelers should be cautious.

Are the Finger Lakes clean to swim in? ›

Water Quality Issues. It is an unfortunate reality that many waters across the country, including Cayuga Lake and all of the Finger Lakes, have experienced periodic hazardous conditions in specific locations associated with hazardous algal blooms (HABs) and/or elevated harmful bacteria levels.

With lakefront homes selling for upwards of a million dollars, Canandaigua Lake is arguably the most popular of the Finger Lakes. The City of Canandaigua to the north offers picturesque parks, plenty of shopping and dining options and Roseland Waterpark.

Oneida Lake has an east-west orientation and least resembles any of the Finger Lakes, but is sometimes referred to as its '”thumb,” probably because it appears fatter on a map than a Finger Lake. It is 21 miles long and 5 miles at its widest point.

What is the history of hidden tunnels in Finger Lakes? The tunnels are from the mid 1900's and were stripped of all the guns and services that were once there, now remaining as an urbex playground.

Lake Ontario: Lake Ontario is one of the Great Lakes, found north of Rochester. The Finger Lakes empty into Lake Ontario via the Genesee River and the Oswego River.

The legend goes “The Finger Lakes came into being when the Great Spirit looked upon this land with special favor and reached down to bless it, leaving the imprint of His hand.”

The Finger Lakes area was the last stop on the way to freedom. Christian Churches were the most common places of refuge for enslaved people and often had extensive tunnels constructed in the cellars. Supposedly, many of these tunnels ran under the lakes, but the entrance locations are difficult to ascertain.

We are ready to welcome you! Finger Lakes activities - including wineries, restaurants, and attractions - are open and ready for you to experience. We want you to Visit Confidently and we want to ensure that you will get the friendly, world-class service you have come to expect in the Finger Lakes.

The Office (TV Series 2005–2013) - Jim Carrey as The Fingerlakes Guy - IMDb.