They have a remarkable surface that's easy to see, but a long history deep below that few may know. Matt Jarchow takes us to Green Lakes State Park, where a pair of lakes provides visitors breathtaking views.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.Y. -- It's tucked away and surrounded by forest, but a closer look at Green Lakes reveals an extraordinary setting.
Two lakes, formed during the glacial age, that are crystal clear and yet oddly colorful.
"It is my favorite spot in New York State,” said Green Lakes Park Manager Laura Tully. "These lakes are a beautiful teal, blue, green color."
A color giving this lake its name, and a color helped created by its remarkable depth -- once thought to be bottomless, now measured at more than 150 feet.
"It's what they call a meromictic lake, meaning the top and bottom layers of the lake do not mix. Most lakes will mix at least once a year, they'll turn over. This lake never turns over,” said Tully.
Which helps bring a great color to the surface, and also captures centuries of history below. It's a feature that's made it one of the most studied lakes in the country.
"The sediment and the material at the bottom of the lake has been there and it doesn't move, it doesn't shift, it doesn't float. It has been there since it was dropped there, so it's really kind of cool,” Tully said.
Down a stream from Green Lake is Round Lake, which has every bit the history of its counterpart, but is more of a hidden gem.
"We don't allow fishing, we don't allow boating, we don't allow swimming. We want to maintain this for generations to come. It's a very special spot. It's beautiful and it's untouched,” Tully said.
But it's certainly not unseen. The park and the lakes draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
"In Central New York, this is our gem,” said Tully.