The Crooked Lake Canal, in operation from 1833 to 1877, connected Penn Yan to Dresden along the north side of Outlet Creek. Twenty-seven locks were required to negotiate the 270-foot drop through the 8-mile gorge between Keuka Lake, also called Crooked Lake, and Seneca Lake. During its heyday, Outlet Creek was the most heavily industrialized creek in the East. Birkett Mills, the world’s largest producer of buckwheat products, is the only mill still in operation, but the remains of many mills, ponds, and races can still be seen along the outlet.