Cuba Lake
Cuba Lake is a 454-acre reservoir in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties, New York.
Originally known as the Oil Creek Reservoir, Cuba Lake was created in 1858 to help maintain water levels on the Genesee Valley Canal. The reservoir was impounded by a 60-foot-tall dam built at a cost of $150,000. The reservoir was deepened in 1864 and 1872 to reach a high-water area of 708 acres. At the time, it was claimed as the largest artificial lake in New York State.
In 1878, The Genessee Valley Canal Railroad was completed, making the canal obsolete. At first, the reservoir was retained to help water levels on the Erie Canal. It was then saved by the lobbying of the former canal superintendent, Charles Wyvelle. The water level was lowered by 7.5 feet in 1889 to relieve fears raised by the Johnstown Flood that had occurred that year.
Cuba Lake and its surrounding land is owned by New York State and was managed as the Cuba Reservation between 1912 and 2011. Today, cottage and home sites on the lake are officially leased from the state as part of the Cuba Lake District. Cuba Lake is a regionally popular fishing and boating destination, with several sportfish and panfish species available. Learn more on Wikipedia
