Finger Lakes, Group of eleven lakes in New York, United States.
The Finger Lakes are a group of eleven long, narrow lakes in central New York between Rochester and Syracuse. The two largest, Cayuga and Seneca, run parallel to each other from north to south and are flanked by smaller lakes.
Glaciers carved these deep valleys during the last ice age about 10,000 years ago. As the ice melted, the depressions filled with water and created the present-day lakes.
The lake names come from the Iroquois Confederacy tribes who lived and fished here for centuries. Today visitors find wineries along the shores reflecting the influence of European settlers on the region.
Roads run along the shorelines connecting small towns with access to trails and boat launches. Most outdoor activities are possible from May through October when the weather is warm and the lakes are ice free.
Seneca Lake reaches a depth of 188 meters (618 feet) making it one of the deepest lakes in the United States. The bottom of the lake sits below sea level and stores enough heat to keep the shores ice free even in winter.
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