Oxbow Lake (New York)

Oxbow Lake is a 312-acre (1.26 km²) is a naturally-occurring lake located in the towns of Lake Pleasant and Arietta in Hamilton County, New York within the Adirondack Park. The lake is nearly two miles-long and is oriented in a northeast to southwest direction, with the widest part being at the northeast end, at nearly 0.6 miles (0.97 km) wide. The lake has 4.3 miles (6.9 km) of shoreline and no islands. NY Route 8 is located along the southeast shoreline, Oxbow Road crosses the lake inlet on the northeastern end, and Old Piseco Road (County Rt. 24) crosses the lake outlet on the southwestern end.[2][3]

Oxbow Lake
Northeast end of Oxbow Lake looking southwest. Oxbow Mountain (elev. 695 m [2280 ft]) is in the center.
Oxbow Lake Location within New York Oxbow Lake Oxbow Lake (the United States)
Location	Hamilton County, New York
Coordinates	43°26′33″N 74°28′54″W[1]
Type	Lake
Part of	Sacandaga River Basin
Primary inflows	Three (3) unnamed tributaries including the discharge from Airdwood Lake
Primary outflows	Unnamed outlet to Piseco Lake
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	1.9 miles (3.1 km)
Max. width	0.58 miles (0.93 km)
Surface area	312 acres (1.26 km^2)[1]
Max. depth	15 feet (4.6 m)
Shore length^1	4.3 miles (6.9 km)
Surface elevation	1,706 feet (520 m)[1]
References	[1.], [2.]
^1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The southeastern shoreline of the lake is lined with seasonal and some year-round residences. The remainder of the lake shore is generally undeveloped given the existence of extensive wetlands along the northeastern and southwestern ends and the fact that the entire northwestern shoreline (2.1 miles (3.4 km)) is located within the Jessup River Wild Forest.[3]

The lake is a warm-water fishery given its relatively shallow depth. It is recognized as being a top fishing water for both Largemouth Bass and Pickerel.[4]

References

1. "Oxbow Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
2. Lake Pleasant Quadrangle Map, New York-Hamilton Co., 7.5 Minute Series (PDF). U.S. Geological Survey. 2016.
3. Jessup River Wild Forest, Unit Management Plan, Environmental Impact Statement (PDF). Albany, NY: New York State Department of Environmental Conservations. 2006.
4. "Fishing Spots in Hamilton County". New York State, Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved August 11, 2018.

Oxbow Lake outlet, at the southwest end of the lake before it passes beneath Old Piseco Road.