More Info The Fulton Chain of Lakes are a true natural wonder. Surrounded by lush forests and towering mountains, they offer breathtaking views and endless opportunities for outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to swim, boat, kayak, or simply relax while taking in the scenery, an Adirondack Lake is the perfect destination for nature lovers. We must take care of our lakes. 2025 FCLA Newsletter.pdf 2026 FCLA Newsletter.pdf 2024 FCLA Newsletter.pdf 2023 FCLA Newsletter.pdf 2022 FCLA Newsletter.pdf Link The Fulton Chain of Lakes Association has pledged its support of the Boon Family's Maintain the Chain annual events devoted to preserving the magnificent lakes and watershed of the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Join us July 1st-August 31st 2026 for the 6th annual MTC event and help protect the ADK!

"Boat Smart from the Start" Below please find a concise equipment checklist. If you have questions consult the NYS Boaters Guide at https://www.nxtbook.com/newyorkstateparks/nysparks/ny_boatersguide_24/index.php#/p20

Terms of Use Welcome to the Fulton Chain of Lakes Association website. This section outlines the terms of use for our website. Here, you will find information about how the website may be used, the type of content we publish, and any additional features such as making donations or contacting us with concerns. We believe in transparency, which is why we have provided a detailed policy to build trust with our visitors. Our straightforward language aims to gain your trust and ensure that you keep coming back to our site! Support Our Cause Donate Now

Boating and Navigating the Fulton Chain of Lakes The beauty of the Fulton Chain of Lakes is special and unique, and there is no better way to enjoy our lakes then from their waters. Eight lakes, all accessible by public launches makes the “Numbers Chain” a wonderful water sports playground. Whether you are paddling in the waters in a kayak, canoe or stand up paddle, the lakes are beckoning to be explored, enjoying the flora and fauna along the shorelines as well as the still of the morning or evening quiet times. If your pleasure is motoring the lakes on your personal watercraft, pontoon boat or powerboat the lakes are yours to delight in three seasons long. Fishermen are out from the crack of dawn until the sunset hoping to catch a trophy trout, large or small mouth bass, Atlantic salmon, yellow perch, tiger muskie or northern pike. Finally, any windy day finds sailboats in full sails silhouetted on the waters.Our goal is to have all boaters enjoy the beauty of the Fulton Chain’s waters while keeping them clean and safe for everyone’s pleasure. This means: know and obey NYS navigation and community laws, be courteous of fellow boaters whether power, sail or paddle, beware of swimmers, do not litter or deface waters or shorelines, and always boat responsibly . Below are some of NYS boating navigations laws that are particularly important to our lakes. For a complete Guide on New York State Boating Be aware that as of January 1,2025. all operators, regardless of age, will be required to have a safety certificate to legally operate a motorized vessel. The certificate must be carried. Boating Safety Courses Approved courses include those offered by NYS Parks, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Boating/US Sailing or America's Boating Club. Find a boating safety course at the link below. Click here for more info Age and Education Requirements ALL Operators must have a boating safety certificate and be at least 10 years old. The certificate must be carried. Click here for more info Alcohol and Drugs There are severe consequences for boating under the influence of drugs or while intoxicated. Underage drinking will not be tolerated. Click here for more info Be courteous to others Observe all New York State boating laws. Be courteous of others. Drive at a safe speed. Avoid playing loud music. Observe shoreline regulations. Respect property owners and do not create a disturbance near shore. Boating While Intoxicated Our lakes are a place into enjoy family and friends socially and responsibly. Boating while intoxicate is neither. NYS law says no one may operate a vessel on the waters of NYS while impaired or intoxicated either through the consumption of alcohol or drugs. An operator with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher is considered legally intoxicated. New York law prescribes heavy fines, imprisonment, and the suspension of operator privileges for violators. In New York, if you are stopped for the suspicion of impaired operation and refuse to voluntarily submit to a breath test, your privilege to operate may be immediately suspended, pending a hearing. Click here for more info Buoys There are many buoys on the lakes. They indicate channels, dangers and speed limits. Click here for more info Fishing Fisherman should avoid fishing in or near channels. Boaters should avoid boats that are fishing so that lines aren’t damaged. Click here for more info Life Jackets (PFDs) All boats operating in New York waters must have a wearable Personal Floatation Device (PFD) on board for each passenger. Throwable floatation devices are required on all boats greater than 16 feet except canoes and kayaks. There are also requirements when it is mandatory for both children and adults to wears PFDs. Click here for more info Noise Boaters should be considerate of other people around the lake. New York State has established noise levels for recreational boats. Boats must be less than 75 decibel Click here for more info Personal Watercraft All operators must have a boating certificate and be at least 14 years old. The certificate must be carried. Click here for more info Right of Way There are boating rules for how to avoid other boats on the water, just like there are rules of the road on highways. Click here for more info Safety Equipment There are safety equipment requirements that vary by size and type of boat. Click here for more info Speed Limits 45 MPH maximum daytime, 25 MPH maximum nighttime 5 MPH maximum:• In channels• Within 200 feet of shore from Old Forge Pond through 5th Lake• Within 100 feet of shore 6th-8th Lake The lakes are our lifeblood, and it's our responsibility to protect them for future generations. We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Mission The Fulton Chain of Lakes Association was founded in 1968 (over fifty years ago) with a mission to protect the waters of the Fulton Chain of Lakes in New York's Central Adirondacks. On this website you will find helpful information about our organization and how you can help us preserve and protect the unique environment of the Lakes and the surrounding woodlands, streams and wetlands. We are actively involved in numerous issues such as boater safety, water quality and invasive species. Click here for our membership application - we hope you will join us in supporting our mission! The Association Today The organization has been and continues to be instrumental in water safety issues on the lake including watercraft speed limits and noise levels. The FCLA prints and distributes a navigation map and water safety brochure for the benefit of all residents and visitors in the area. The Association has assisted the local Sheriff departments in purchasing decibel level meters, GPS, radar for their patrol boats and other support and safely equipment. The FCLA has given and continues to provide monetary assistance to local students who study and participate in environmental pursuits. The organization has received many awards from local, state, and national sources. They include a Congressional nomination for the “President’s Volunteer Action Award”, a Commendation from the Environmental Protection Agency and the “Adirondack Centennial Stewardship Award” from New York State . The Association partners with other lake associates and now is a leading member of the Adirondack Lake Alliance which works as a resource to strengthen and assist other Adirondack lake and river associations. All this could not and cannot exist without the countless hours of work and dedicated by our all- volunteer Board of Directors. And it is certainly not without the generous support of the membership that the organization continues to accomplish its goal to preserve and protect the unique environment of our lake and the watershed basin. Help us continue protecting The Fulton Chain of Lakes by becoming a member! To become a member and/or make a donation, please go to our membership page. .

Publications & Links Watch for articles in the Adirondack Express related to preserving and improving the quality of our waters and safe boating. During the summer months, we run ads in the local papers to remind people of actions they should take to protect and improve the quality of our waters. We encourage property owners to adhere to all NY State laws when they use fertilizers on their lawns. We highly encourage everyone, particularly visitors, to get their boats inspected for invasive species before launching them and wash, drain and dry as necessary. We run ads reminding boaters of some of the laws pertaining to navigation on the lakes. We also run ads encouraging everyone who enjoys the Fulton Chain of Lakes to join FCLA. Preserving and Protecting our waters is everyone responsibility. Be Informed homeowners_guide 15 simple strategies for sustainable lakeshores & landscapes to protect the Fulton Chain of Lakes. NYS Boaters Guide A handbook of registration, operation and safety information for the prudent boater in New York State.Basic rules and regulation pertaining to navigation on the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Aidrondack Watershed Institute The mission of AWI’s AIS Spread Prevention Program commonly known as the Stewardship Program is to prevent the introduction of new invasive species into Adirondack waters and to prevent the spread of established invasive species between Adirondack waters following Clean, Drain, Dry best practices. AWI accomplishes this mission by providing voluntary boat inspections, free boat wash stations , and public education. Diet for a Small Lake The expanded guide to New York State Lake and Watershed Management Aquatic Plant Survey This report consists of summary tables, aquatic plant maps, and supplemental reference materials pertaining to the aquatic plant survey performed on the Fulton Chain of Lakes by the Adirondack Watershed Institute of Paul Smith's College. Water Quality Monitoring DEC programs collect monitoring data on rivers, streams, and lakes. Results are analyzed and evaluated for quality assurance, used to inform applied research and reporting, and made publicly available through the online data portal and waterbody assessments . Adirondack Lakes Alliance The ALA provides a forum for lake and river associations to share information and resources and to make recommendations to appropriate state, county and local agencies, and educational and other relevant non-profit organizations, regarding environmental and ecological issues threatening Adirondack lakes and rivers. Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program APIPP works with a dedicated network of 30+ cooperating organizations to protect the adirondack region from the negative impact of invasive species.

President's Update As another season arrives on the Fulton Chain, I’m reminded of just how much this community accomplishes when we work together. Whether you’re here year-round or eagerly anticipating summer on the water, our chain of lakes continues to inspire everyone who visits or calls this region home. On behalf of the Board of Directors, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the annual newsletter of the Fulton Chain of Lakes Association. Because of your membership dues, volunteer hours, and generous donations, 2025 was a productive year. Our water-quality sampling efforts continued with vigilant volunteers collecting data at multiple consistent sites throughout the chain and combining this data with decades of record keeping. These records form the foundation of our advocacy, allowing the Association to track long-term changes and speak confidently on behalf of the lakes when policy or development proposals arise. Our Lake Stewardship continued to encourage and support the Adirondack Watershed Institute in their role to defend against aquatic invasive species, inspecting thousands of boats at launches on the Chain. The vigilance of their stewards continues to make a measurable difference. Each clean boat protects the lakes and waters downstream. Community participation remains one of our greatest strengths. Through the efforts of the Maintain The Chain volunteer event, local residents, seasonal visitors, and businesses came together for shoreline cleanups, educational events, and workshops on sustainable boating and septic and watershed maintenance. It’s always encouraging to see families and newcomers join long-time members in these efforts. The more people experience the lakes’ fragility firsthand, the stronger our collective stewardship becomes. As we look ahead, the FCLA Board will continue to strengthen our partnerships with neighboring lake associations and institutes such as the Adirondack Watershed Institute. Collaboration remains our most powerful tool for safeguarding the entire watershed. There is still much to do: Stormwater management, invasive species monitoring and response, and the advocacy for education and patrolling for safe respectful boating practices; but the shared dedication of this community gives me confidence that the Fulton Chain will remain one of the finest examples of Adirondack beauty throughout the Park. As we continue to face challenges, to meet them, we need voices, many of them. Robust membership makes for a stronger advocacy voice. When we speak as a united community, decisionmakers listen. Each new member amplifies our ability to secure grants, influence environmental policy, and protect water quality and the ability for all of us to safely enjoy and respect this Fulton Chain of Lakes. Your continued involvement is essential to that vision, so please, if you haven’t already, renew your 2026 membership today, and invite a friend, or neighbor to join. Encourage newcomers to get involved, attend meetings, or simply help keep conversations about lake preservation alive among friends and neighbors. Every action counts. Together, our combined energy can shape the future of the lakes for generations. On behalf of the Board and our volunteers, thank you for your continuing support and stewardship. May this season bring you clear waters, and the simple joy that comes from being part of something bigger than ourselves—Our Mission To Preserve and Protect the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Mark Steigerwald - President

what about the Septic System The Town of Webb and Inlet routinely inspect septic systems. At some point you may have a knock on your door asking to perform a dye test. The dye is flushed down your toilet then the area around your home (and/or waterfront) is examined for the appearance of the dye water. This testing doesn't take but a few minutes in your home. For the sake of your family and neighborhood, please cooperate to keep our environment clean and safe. Maintain your System 1. Regularly inspect your system and pump your tank as necessary. 2. Don't dispose of household hazardous water in sinks or toilets. 3. Care for your drainfield. Do you know where it is? Plant only grass or low groundcover on it. Don't drive over it. 4. Use water efficiently. When to call a Professional Pooling water or muddy soil around the tank or drainfield or in your basement. Bad smell coming from any aspect of your system. Toilet or sink backs up into your house.

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A Brief History of the Fulton Chain The First Dam Before white settlers came to the Adirondacks the Fulton Chain of Lakes in the Black River watershed was an unnamed group of small lakes strung chain-like along the Middle Branch of the Moose River. Some of the lakes became larger and more navigable in about 1799 when John Brown, a developer from a prominent family in Rhode Island, had a dam built below First Lake to power his settlement’s grist and saw mills. Using paths created by Native American hunters and trappers to portage between lakes, white sportsmen and their guides used the lakes as a water-way and point of entry into the Adirondack wilderness. The Erie Canal The Erie Canal required a constant inflow of water. The 60-mile long summit section between Utica and Syracuse, because of its length, elevation and location (and locks that released water at both ends of the section), was especially difficult to supply. To reduce the occurrence of troublesome and costly periods of low water levels, the canal commissioners looked far and wide for new supplies that would flow to this section. In the mid-1800s the then remote Black River on the western side of the Adirondacks was tapped. The water was diverted from the river with a dam and feeder canal at Forestport. It entered the Mohawk River watershed below the Village of Boonville and flowed south in the Black River Canal, one of the Erie’s lateral canals, into the summit section at Rome. New Dams and Reservoirs Water diverted from the Black River was essential for the operation of the Erie and Black River Canals. In the mid to late 1800s the State of New York built about ten dams and reservoirs in the watershed to increase its reliability by storing water when the flow in the river was high and releasing it in a controlled and coordinated way during low flow periods. Around 1880 the State of New York enlarged Brown’s dam at Old Forge and built a new dam at Sixth Lake. The flow from the dams and reservoirs at Old Forge and Sixth Lakes did not directly supply the diversion (its location at Forestport is upstream of the confluence of the Black and Moose Rivers) but it helped the State compensate the downstream mill owners on the Black River who had complained for years that they were hurt financially by the loss of water to the canal. Logging In the late 1800s intensive logging and fires decimated large areas in the Adirondacks and concern was growing that the forests would be ruined as a source of water for downstate, especially for navigation in the still commercially important Erie Canal. After the logging companies harvested the trees, they often stopped paying their property taxes and, consequently, the State of New York was acquiring thousands of acres of forest land. Speculators, many with plans to sell lots on the shorelines of lakes and reservoirs, were buying large sections of cheap land from the loggers and at state auctions. New Uses for the Reservoirs The Forest Preserve Act of 1885 and the landmark “forever wild” clause in the amendment to the state constitution that created the Adirondack Park in 1894 eventually ended intensive logging on state land in the Adirondacks and Catskills. As logging declined reservoirs in the Black River watershed, especially the two reservoirs of the Fulton Chain of Lakes, began to change. The industrial revolution was creating new jobs and many of these people, relatively prosperous and no longer tied to a farm, were eager to leave the disease and pollution of the cities and spend some quality time in the wilderness. Dr. William Seward Webb, a wealthy New York City financier and son-in-law of railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, owned large areas of land in the vicinity of Old Forge. He and other speculators subdivided the land on the shorelines and sold lots that were used to build hotels and summer homes. In 1892 Webb built the railroad to Old Forge and, for a time, he owned steamboats that provided transportation and carried food and mail from the train to the hotels and camps. By the early 1900s the Fulton Chain of Lakes was becoming an important summer and early fall recreation destination for all types of people, not just sportsmen. Eventually there were over 40 hotels on the lakes. Herkimer County’s Town of Webb where Old Forge is located, is named for Dr. Webb. Eventually the increasing commercial and recreational use of the reservoirs began to conflict with their original purpose, augmenting low flow in the Black River by releasing stored water. As early as 1910, shoreline property owners and local public officials complained and threatened to sue when the water in the lakes was released to supply downstream mills during the dry months of summer and early fall. Eventually the importance of tourism and recreational use and the significant property and sales tax revenue these generated was recognized and water levels were kept high until September and early October. Hydroelectricity and River Regulating Districts The growing importance of hydroelectric power began to impact the Black River watershed and the Fulton Chain of Lakes in the early 1900s. New laws and amendments to the state constitution helped the hydropower industry by making it easier to build dams and reservoirs on Forest Preserve land. The Burd Amendment of 1911 allowed 3-percent of the Forest Preserve to be used for flow-regulating dams and reservoirs and the Machold Storage Law of 1915 permitted private and public organizations to petition the State to form public benefit corporations called “river regulating districts” to build and operate these dams and reservoirs. Today the Hudson River Black River Regulating District still maintains and operates the dams at First and Sixth Lake on the Fulton Chain. The Burd amendment had weakened the effectiveness of the state constitution’s forever wild clause. Consequently, the Black River watershed became, in the 1940s and 50s, the backdrop for an epic dispute between conservationists and the proponents of new dams and reservoirs working with the river regulating districts. The legal and political battles of this period have been called the Black River Water War. The dam proponents pointed to how disgruntled shoreline owners on the Fulton Chain had made flow-regulation using existing reservoirs more difficult and they touted public benefits like flood control, but flow-augmentation during dry periods to enhance hydropower was always a key objective. The conservationists eventually won the conflict in the 1950s with new amendments to the state constitution that limit how commercial interests, such as hydropower companies, can use the land and water in the Adirondacks. Robert Fulton The Fulton Chain of Lakes is named for Robert Fulton, the inventor of the first commercially successful steamboat on the Hudson River. In the early 1800s, before the Erie Canal was built, Fulton was politically prominent, and a member of the state commission assigned to determine the best location for a state canal. Some (Donaldson [70]) believe that he travelled north, perhaps as far as Old Forge, to look for a canal route north to Lake Ontario and Montreal. Apparently, no usable route was found or recommended but after his death in 1815 the lakes northeast of Old Forge on the Middle Branch of the Moose River became known to many, if not initially by the State of New York, as the Fulton Chain.

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