Welcome to the Fulton Chain of Lakes Association

Fulton Chain of Lakes

The eight lakes of the Fulton Chain of Lakes are on the Middle Branch of the Moose River. The Moose River is a principal tributary of the Black River which drains the eastern slopes of the Tug Hill and the western slopes of the Adirondack Mountains, a 1,914-square mile area.

The Fulton Chain of Lakes begins at Eight Lake, about 15-miles northeast of Old Forge, and ends at the Old Forge Dam at Old Forge. The outflow from Eight Lake flows through a 1-mile-long natural channel into Seventh and Sixth Lakes, the 0.4-billion cubic feet reservoir formed by the Sixth Lake Dam. The outflow from the dam flows down the river for about 0.5-miles into Fifth Lake in the hamlet of Inlet, and then through the “Channel” in Inlet into Fourth Lake. First through Fifth Lakes are the 1-billion cubic feet Old Forge Reservoir formed by the Old Forge Dam located about 11-miles southwest from Inlet and Fifth Lake.

Fourth Lake is the largest in the Chain. About 5-miles from Inlet, at its southwestern end, it connects to Third Lake through another short navigable channel. A 1.3-mile-long channel called the Narrows and the Old Forge Pond at the end of the Narrows are the navigable connection between First Lake and the Old Forge Dam.

About 10-miles downstream from the Fulton Chain and Old Forge the Moose River joins the South Branch of the Moose River and then continues for another 18-miles to the Black River at Lyons Falls. Below Lyons Falls the Black River flows north past Lowville and Carthage, turns westward through Watertown and into Lake Ontario.

The Fulton Chain of Lakes has a fascinating history that was shaped by many of the important changes in our country over the last two hundred years. We have prepared a brief summary of this history.

Please, as you enjoy the lakes, be respectful of the environment and help us continue to keep our waters safe and clean.

We hope that you enjoy the Fulton Chain of Lakes and that you find this region of the Adirondacks, as we do, a special part of our world.