Many local Schroon Lake residents, particularly those whose homes are on the shore of the lake or southern extension of the river, will recall the summer of 2023. That summer, the Schroon Lake Watershed received a historical amount of rainfall, including two systems that brought more than five inches of rain each. In a watershed area of 202,000 acres, that is nearly 5 ½ BILLION acres of rain that will make its way into our river and lake. It is no wonder, then, that many waterfront properties had their docks and beaches underwater.

Schroon Lake Association and Schroon Lake Park Commission received many comments that summer, urging the Starbuckville Dam to be fully opened. However, it had been opened fully, and we learned of a number of possible reasons that contributed to the flooding and slow draining of the excess rain. In order to better understand where the problems lie SLA asked a local environmental engineering firm to undertake a quantitative study of the lake and river flow under extreme conditions. There is some evidence that the Glendale Road bridge and geomorphic conditions on the bed of the river, south of the lake, could be acting to restrict flow during high water, but this evidence needs to be studied and evaluated by a professional hydrologist.

SLA and East Shore Schroon Lake Association (ESSLA) applied for a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) to cover the study, but were not awarded funding this year. After much discussion the Schroon Lake Association has made the decision to fund the $75,000 study on our own, with a contribution of $10,000 from ESSLA. These funds come from the support we get from memberships and fund- raising efforts. 

C.T. Male Associates, from Latham, NY, will begin the study in late summer, and will evaluate their findings and submit a report in early 2027.

We understand any potential correction of the issue could cost significant money, but to be considered for future remediation grants a professional study must be completed first. In addition, the Town of Schroon is in the beginning stages of seeking New York State Climate Smart Community certification, which would open the possibility of further funding.

Schroon Lake Association, East Shore Schroon Lake Association, and the Schroon Lake Park Commission look forward to the results of the study, and to sharing these with the impacted Town Boards and the local community.