By CHRISSY PRICHARD

Express News Staff

Water is an integral part of the Adirondacks, and plays a big part in the region’s popularity as a tourist getaway. The abundance of lakes and rivers has given the area a reputation for beautiful landscapes and endless recreational opportunities that has spread across the country and around the world.

Much of the economy in the area is driven by people who come here to enjoy the water. This is no big secret. This time of year, most people around here are wondering when the Fulton Chain will have enough water in it for boating. Another thing on people’s minds are the water levels in the rivers, particularly anyone with a business that involves whitewater rafting, canoeing or kayaking. With Memorial Day plenty of people will took to the lakes and rivers, so it’s important to local businesses that water levels be where they should. Visitors and residents alike look forward to getting out on the water and making the most of the season.

Reaching the target water level in the Fulton Chain is usually accomplished around the end of May, according to Dave Berkstresser, Chairman of the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District. And although there was less runoff than usual this year due to a lack of snow, the spring rains have been adequate. He predicts that the reservoir will be ready on schedule, if not a little early this year. “The Fulton Chain typically refills pretty easily,” he said. “It should be full by mid-May.”

According to the HRBRRD website, the Fulton Chain reached an elevation of 1,706.86 feet in the first week of May, just below the top of the dam’s flashboards, that sit at an elevation of 1,707 feet.

Keeping the lakes at optimum levels is only half of the equation. Reservoirs like the Fulton Chain and Stillwater Reservoir are also used regulate the flow of water in the rivers downstream to prevent flooding during wet weather, and to augment the flow of sluggish rivers during the drier summer months.

Not only are these rivers used for practical purposes, such as wastewater treatment and the generation of hydroelectric power, both of which require consistent water flow, the whitewater rafting industry relies heavily on keeping this water flowing.

Gary Staab, of Adirondack River Outfitters, says that things got off to a slow start this spring, but are starting to pick up now that water levels have come up a bit. His season begins in early April each year, when rivers are usually running at their highest. This year, most of the snowmelt was already gone by then. “Between the runoff being gone before we even started and the lack of rain in the early spring, the water started off lower this year,” says Staab.

He says this is the first time he can remember that they haven’t been able to use the Moose River for spring rafting and have had to run just the Hudson River. Depending on the season, different water levels appeal to different kinds of rafters. The more serious rafters enjoy the rushing whitewater in the spring, but lower, calmer waters are actually preferred by many of the less experienced rafters he sees in the summer. “We weren’t off to the best start this year, but it’s a long season,” says Staab. “Things are already turning around.”

Many people forget, or don’t even not realize, that many of these bodies of water were not created by nature alone. The Fulton Chain of Lakes and Stillwater Reservoir would simply be rivers if it were not for the dams that were built years ago. These reservoirs have become part of our culture are widely used for boating, swimming, and fishing. Homes have been built on their shorelines for easier access to the beauty and recreation afforded by these lakes. The lakes also provide transportation routes, some of which are just as important today as they were decades ago.

The HRBRRD has the task of maintaining target water levels in both the reservoirs and the rivers that flow out of them. This delicate balance requires constant monitoring of water levels and flow rates.

Throughout the year, the levels of these reservoirs are controlled by their dams. Starting in the fall and continuing through the winter, the water levels in the reservoirs are lowered to allow space for the spring snowmelt and rainfall. When spring comes, it is time to start refilling the reservoirs to their summer levels. This is accomplished through the natural collection of runoff, and by reducing the flow that is let out of the dams.  

As the water level is brought up on the Fulton Chain of Lakes, it is monitored closely. The water level is held about two feet below its summertime level until “ice out” has taken place. After this, the water level can be brought the rest of the way up without the danger of ice damage.

According to HRBRRD Chief Engineer Rob Foltan, waiting for ice out before filling the reservoir is unique to the Fulton Chain. The reason for waiting is to avoid ice damage to docks and shoreline structures. This “waiting period” can potentially make it more difficult to refill the reservoir, though. During this time, much of the runoff that could be collected is instead allowed to flow into and back out of the reservoir. This year, what little snow there was melted quickly and was washed away by the time the ice was gone. “We had about 50 percent of the usual snowmelt coming in, and it came about two to three weeks early,” said Foltan. “We stored as much of this as we could.”

Next time you’re swimming in the Fulton Chain of Lakes or canoeing down the Moose River, remember that the water you’re enjoying might not be there if it weren’t for the careful controls man has placed on these waterways. Although it may seem unnatural to try and control nature in this way, it helps protect our natural resources and our way of life in the long run.