Skaneateles Lake is a pristine jewel among New York's Finger Lakes, known for its exceptional water clarity and quality. Stretching 16 miles long with a maximum width of 1.5 miles, this glacial lake reaches impressive depths of up to 300 feet, with an average depth of 145 feet. At 863 feet above sea level, it's the highest of the Finger Lakes. The name Skaneateles comes from the Iroquois language, meaning Long Lake. Its extraordinary water quality is attributed to its oligotrophic classification (low in nutrients), which prevents excessive algae growth and keeps the water remarkably clear. This crystal-clear water serves as the drinking water source for approximately 220,000 people, including the town of Skaneateles and many Syracuse residents since the 1890s—making it one of only six unfiltered water sources in the country.