Sucker Brook (Canandaigua Lake)

Sucker Brook
EtymologyFrom White Sucker fish
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
RegionFinger Lakes
CountyOntario
TownCanandaigua
Physical characteristics
SourceWetland near Bliss and Wool House roads
  coordinates42°51′19″N 77°19′58″W / 42.85528°N 77.33278°W / 42.85528; -77.33278
  elevation1,020 ft (310 m)
MouthCanandaigua Lake
  coordinates
42°52′26″N 77°16′32″W / 42.87389°N 77.27556°W / 42.87389; -77.27556
  elevation
680 ft (210 m)
Length6 mi (9.7 km), NE, SE
Basin size6.9 sq mi (18 km2)
Discharge 
  locationmouth
  average14 cu ft/s (0.40 m3/s)
  minimum5 cu ft/s (0.14 m3/s)
  maximum300 cu ft/s (8.5 m3/s)

Sucker Brook is a short stream that drains into the northwest corner of Canandaigua Lake, New York, United States. It flows in a 6-mile (9.7 km) hairpin-shaped course from uplands in the town of Canandaigua to the lake, in the eponymous city. The name comes from the white sucker fish abundant in its waters.

It may have originally drained into another body of water prior to the formation of the lake, which changed its outlet through stream piracy. Lime dissolved in its waters from the limestone bedrock it flows over creates rare oncolites known locally as "water biscuits' on the north shore of Squaw Island, one of two islands in the 11 Finger Lakes, near its mouth. The brook has seen some pollution issues in recent years, as the channel at its mouth has been widened to increase recreational opportunities available in the area.