374 H. L. FAIRCHILD — GLACIAL LAKES OF WESTERN NEW YORK. 



called the West Danby lake. When the ice -front had passed the north 

 point of South hill, in the city of Ithaca, the West Danby lake fell only 

 about 50 feet to the level of the lower lake in the southeast valley, and 

 then began the major stage of the Ithaca lake. 



The main Lake. — This level must have been preserved during the con- 

 siderable time which was required for the front of the glacier to retreat 

 more than half way down the Cayuga valley, or until the crest of the table- 

 land east or west of the valley was uncovered at an altitude less than the 

 White Church outlet. The waters then probably fell about 85 feet to the 

 level of the Watkins lake, thus forming a part of lake Newberry, and 

 subsequently to any lower levels of the great lake which covered all of 

 northwestern New York until the ice was removed from the Mohawk 

 valley. 



The Ithaca lake was the largest and deepest of the local glacial lakes 

 of western New York. At its maximum it was probably 35 miles long 

 and perhaps from 5 to 10 miles wide. Its depth was more than 600 feet 

 over the present level of Cayuga, and at the north end the total maximum 

 depth was over 1,100 feet. This would seem to be sufficient proof of the 

 competency of glacial ice to act as a barrier retaining a great depth of 

 water. 



