Oneida Lake is the largest lake entirely within New York state, with a surface area of 79.8 square miles. The lake is located northeast of Syracuse and near the Great Lakes. It feeds the Oneida River, a tributary of the Oswego River, which flows into Lake Ontario.
The area to the north of Oneida Lake is heavily forested, while south of the lake is a combination of pasture/hay and crop land.
Brewerton is located on the western side of Oneida Lake and is bordered by the Oneida River which feeds into the Oswego River. This area is fairly flat with only modest rises of hills around the marshy areas at the end of the lake.
The Old Erie Canal has long been bypassed by the Barge Canal which runs into Oneida Lake about 10 miles to the north, but it still is a prominent feature in Canastota.
Hinckley Lake is a reservoir located by Hinckley, New York. The lake serves water to 130,000 people in the greater Utica, New York area, is a source of hydropower, and supports recreation during all seasons. It provides flood control and helps ensure the Erie Canal has sufficient water all summer long. The lake is located in the towns of Russia in Herkimer County, and Remsen in Oneida County.