Lake George is above sea level and is situated between multiple mountains. Driving up these mountains and taking a photo is a wonderful idea for breathtaking shots. Are you interested in learning more about Lake George in New York? Keep reading to discover the depth, length, width, and five fun facts about the lake!
How Deep is Lake George?
The depth of Lake George changes depending on where you point. The average depth of this stunning lake is 70 feet. However, the deepest point of the lake is approximately 196 feet deep. Many mountain streams feed into the large glacier-made lake, including the Adirondack Mountains and the Black Mountains.
How Long is Lake George?
Lake George is a major lake and river system in New York, but it is not the largest or the longest. This lake is about 32 miles long and up to 2.5 miles wide at its maximum. The lake is also connected with another major lake in New York, Lake Champlain. Although Lake George is impressive, it does not come close to the longest lake in New York, Lake Erie. Lake Erie is at least 241 miles long and runs through New York.
Common Animals in Lake George
There is a diverse population of animals that live in Lake George as well as the surrounding areas and near the mountains. Lake George is a large and popular lake for fishers looking for trout, salmon, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, American eels, crappie, and minnows. Fish are just a small part of the diverse ecosystem in Lake George. Sharing the waters, you can also find beavers, minks, squirrels, red foxes, and river otters. They commonly feast on the fish by the shallow banks of the water. There are also dangerous animals you should watch out for while visiting the popular lake. Timber rattlesnakes, leeches, and black bears are also common near the lake. While most snakes hide within the mountains and trees, you can find them occasionally swimming in the water.
5 Incredible Facts about Lake George
There is a lot more to learn about this interesting and long-lasting lake! If you are ready to discover interesting facts about Lake George, keep on reading!
1. There are more than 170 islands on Lake George
Lake George is more than just a lake. Within this large volume of water, there are over 170 islands. The majority of them are small and not easy to access, but they have large and diverse wildlife populations. About 30 of these islands are privately owned. On the main islands, you can experience camping, fishing, and hiking.
2. Lake George has a long and old history
Long before Europeans came to North America, Lake George sat in the midst of the mountains. Researchers estimate Lake George is between 10,000 to 15,000 years old. Unlike other large lakes, it is natural and likely formed with the melting of ice glaciers. Father Isaac Joques, a French Jesuit missionary, was the first to discover and name this lake, according to reports. However, some evidence suggests Native Americans resided along the coast of the large lake for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
3. Georgie, the lake monster, lurks in the water
Most of us have heard of the Loch Ness Monster, but what about Georgie, the lake monster? The Lake George Monster was a hoax, which has become a large part of the lake’s story. In 1904, painter Harry Watrous and newspaper editor Colonel William d’Alton Mann made a bet to see who would catch the largest fish. Mann won the bet by cheating and purchasing a large but fake trout and posing it as real. Watrous reacted by using a 100-foot-long rope and other materials to create a scary ‘monster.’ For thirty years, Georgie the lake monster made appearances before he revealed his prank. Now, you can find the original Lake George Monster in the Clifton F. West Historical Museum. Funny enough, a replica of ‘Georgie’ is in Lake George.
4. There are multiple refreshing waterfalls at Lake George
Your eyes will widen, and your jaw will drop upon seeing the beautiful Lake George waterfalls. This large body of water sits at a high elevation between impressive mountains. Since the lake is already at a high point, it creates an amazing waterfall as it rushes down. In one waterfall, the drop is as small as 8 feet, while in others, the water falls at least 50 feet. To get to the waterfalls, you need to access a small trail by foot or by boat.
5. A president once wrote about the beauty of Lake George
As we stated previously, this lake has a long history! Actually, a famous president wrote a long letter about Lake George. Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter in 1791, “Lake George is without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw; formed by a contour of mountains into a basin… finely interspersed with islands, its water limpid as crystal, and the mountain sides covered with rich groves… down to the water-edge: here and there precipices of rock to checker the scene and save it from monotony.” Thomas Jefferson was a huge fan of Lake George and all of its possibilities. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison went on vacation to Lake George in 1791. They took a month off of their government positions to relax.
