CNY Waterfront Guide
The Connected System · Lakes · Rivers · Canals · Creeks · Islands
From the shores of Lake Ontario to the glacially cut Finger Lakes, from the Oswego River’s salmon runs to the historic Erie Canal, this region’s waterways have shaped its landscape, economy, and identity for thousands of years. Central In our CNY Waterfront Guide we’ll explain how every drop of water flows from CNY to the Atlantic.
Every creek, lake, and river here is connected — part of one great system flowing north to the Great Lakes and beyond.
Lakes
From Lake Ontario to hidden glacial gems
Lake Ontario
7,340 sq mi · 802 ft deep · CNY's northern border
The smallest of the five Great Lakes — but still continental in scale. Lake Ontario forms CNY’s entire northern boundary from Oswego County westward. Its southern shore offers dramatic bluffs, sandy beaches, and legendary salmon and trout fishing.
The lake moderates the regional climate — powering lake-effect snowbelts in winter and extending the growing season in summer. Oswego, CNY’s port city, sits at the mouth of the Oswego River on its eastern shore, giving the region a direct link to the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Oneida Lake
80 sq mi · NY's largest inland lake
The geographic center of CNY. Stretches 21 miles east-to-west across Madison & Oswego counties. World-class walleye, perch, and bass fishing.
The Finger Lakes
11 lakes · Seneca: 618 ft deep
Eleven glacially carved troughs forming CNY’s southern edge. Skaneateles, Otisco, Owasco, Onondaga, and Cazenovia are closest to the CNY core.
Signature Lakes
Skaneateles Lake
16 sq mi · Onondaga / Cayuga Co.
CNY’s crown jewel — waters so pure they supply Syracuse unfiltered. One of the cleanest municipal water supplies in the US. The charming village of Skaneateles anchors its northern tip.
Onondaga Lake
4.6 sq mi · City of Syracuse
The urban heart of CNY. Once among the most polluted lakes in America, Onondaga is now a remarkable restoration success — with a revitalized parkway, kayaking, and miles of trails.
Cross Lake
3.5 sq mi · Onondaga / Cayuga Co.
A shallow widening of the Seneca River corridor, connecting Cayuga Lake drainage westward. Popular for fishing, kayaking, and quiet boating.
Cazenovia Lake
2.6 sq mi · Madison County
Glacial gem east of Syracuse in the historic village of Cazenovia — clear waters, shoreline estates, and one of CNY’s most picturesque lakeside communities.
Local & Hidden Gems
Otisco Lake
2.4 sq mi · Onondaga Co.
Two rare meromorphic lakes in Green Lakes State Park. The vivid blue-green color comes from water layers that never mix — a geological rarity.
Owasco Lake
10.6 sq mi · Cayuga Co.
Finger Lake on CNY’s western edge. Drinking water source for the city of Auburn. Quieter than neighbors with a devoted seasonal community.
Panther Lake
0.3 sq mi · Oswego Co.
Quiet glacial lake near Constantia — forested, remote, and beloved by bass anglers who make the trip to find it.
Delta Lake
~1.7 sq mi · Oneida County (Rome)
A reservoir on the Mohawk River just north of Rome, created by Delta Dam. A popular destination for boating, fishing, and camping — and the gateway to the Erie Canal corridor.
DeRuyter Reservoir
~1.5 sq mi · Madison Co.
A reservoir at Onondaga County’s southeastern corner in the Tioughnioga watershed. Popular for fishing and quiet recreation.
Lake Neatahwanta
1.2 sq mi · Oswego Co.
A shallow lake in Fulton on the Oswego River corridor. Historic community lake with ongoing restoration efforts.
Rivers & Streams
The currents that connect the region
Major Rivers
Oswego River
24 mi · Oneida Lake → Lake Ontario · Oswego County
CNY’s great draining artery. The Oswego collects water from the entire Finger Lakes and Oneida Lake watershed and carries it north to Lake Ontario at the city of Oswego. A major Erie Canal route — world-class for smallmouth bass, walleye, and steelhead. Seven locks navigate the descent to the lake.
Seneca River
~65 mi · Cayuga Lake → Oneida River · Onondaga / Seneca Co.
The great east-west connector of CNY. Links the Finger Lakes system to Oneida Lake, collecting outflow from Cayuga, Cross, Otisco, Skaneateles, and Onondaga lakes as it winds through the lowlands. Part of the original Erie Canal corridor — Three Rivers Point is where it meets the Oneida and Oswego Rivers.
Oneida River
~18 mi · Oneida Lake → Oswego River · Onondaga / Oswego Co.
Drains Oneida Lake westward to its confluence with the Seneca River at Three Rivers Point, where together they form the Oswego River. A key link in the historic canal system, rich with walleye and perch especially during spring runs.
Onondaga Creek
~40 mi · Cortland hills → Onondaga Lake · Onondaga Co.
Flows north through the city of Syracuse into Onondaga Lake. Once impacted by combined sewer overflows, major restoration work has dramatically improved its health — now supporting migratory fish runs through the heart of the city.
Canals, Creeks & Tributaries
Erie Canal
363 mi total · runs through CNY · Albany → Buffalo
The canal that built America. Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal connected the Hudson River to Lake Erie and ran directly through CNY — through Syracuse, where it crossed Onondaga Lake.
The Old Erie Canal State Historic Park east of Syracuse preserves the original earthen channel for 36 miles. The canal is still navigable today as part of the New York State Canal System, used by recreational boaters and the Great Loop cruising route.
Oswego Canal
24 mi · Three Rivers → Lake Ontario · 7 locks
The north-south branch that completed CNY’s canal network — running from Three Rivers Point down the Oswego River corridor to Lake Ontario at the city of Oswego.
Seven locks lift boats between the lake and the interior. Still actively used by recreational boaters as part of the NY Canal System, and a key segment of the Great Loop — the popular circumnavigation of eastern North America by boat.
Chittenango Creek
~30 mi · Madison Co. → Oneida Lake
Flows west from Madison County through Chittenango Falls State Park — one of CNY’s most dramatic waterfalls. Home of the endangered Chittenango ovate amber snail
Butternut Creek
~25 mi · Madison Co. → Oneida River
A pastoral creek through farms and small towns in central Madison County, draining into the Oneida River. Known for trout fishing in its upper reaches.
Nine Mile Creek
~20 mi · Otisco Lake → Onondaga Lake
Drains Otisco Lake north through Onondaga County into the southwestern corner of Onondaga Lake. A popular trout stream through Marcellus and Camillus.
Skaneateles Creek
~20 mi · Skaneateles Lake → Seneca River
Carries Skaneateles Lake outflow north and west to the Seneca River. Among CNY’s cleanest streams — cold, clear, supporting native trout populations.
Limestone Creek
~20 mi · Madison / Onondaga Co.
Flows from Madison County through Fayetteville and Manlius before joining the Oneida River. A popular fishing and nature corridor in Syracuse’s eastern suburbs.
Fish Creek
~40 mi · Oneida Co. → Oneida Lake
Two historic waterways draining into the eastern end of Oneida Lake. Wood Creek was an early portage route; Fish Creek is prized for muskie and trout through Rome.