The Land Central New York has many diverse landforms. For example, the Helderberg Escarpment. The Helderberg Escarpment is southwest of Albany. An escarpment is a steep line of cliffs. Here, thousands of feet of tunnels and caves dig into the rocks. Some of these caves are only a few feet tall, and many of these caves are filled with bats. Central New York is also known for its rolling hills and beautiful farmlands.
The Waterways In Central New York, the Mohawk River meets the Hudson River in three cities: Albany, Schenectady, and Troy. The Mohawk River is the largest tributary of the Hudson River. A tributary is a river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake. Oneida Lake is 80 square miles of water sandwiched, or positioned between two sections of the Erie Canal. Oneida Lake is the hub, or center of water culture in Central New York. Water from over 80,000 acres in parts of five counties flows into Oneida renowned, or known for for its bounty of fish such as walleye and perch since the 1940s. Another lake, Otsego, is one of Central New York’s largest lakes and it is the source for the Susquehanna River. Otsego is also well known for its lake trout, walleye and bass fishing.
Seasons and Weather This region has four distinct seasons and its famous for its fall foliage. The average winter temperature is around 18 to 20 degrees. The average summer temperature is around 68 to 70 degrees. Central New York stands in a path of cold winter air masses that cross Lake Ontario and pick up heat and moisture. Therefore, this area receives more snow – over 225 inches a year – than any other place in the country east of the Rocky Mountains. This effect is known as lake-effect snow. In addition, the often harsh winter climate restricts farming here.
Tourism and Points of Interests There are many things to do in the central region of New York! You can visit the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. You can also visit the Fennimore Art Museum. If you like exploring rocks and caves, you can visit the amazing rock formations and caves at Howe Caverns in Howes Cave, Schoharie County, New York. You can also visit the Chittenango Falls State Park where will see a 167 foot waterfall!