Lows Lower Dam Rehabilitation

[Dave Bourque]

DEC Announces Start of Lows Lower Dam Rehabilitation in Town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence County

Public Access Road to Remain Closed as Critical Repairs Are Made to Lows Lower Dam Campers and Paddlers Encouraged to Find Alternative Water Access The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the gate on the access road leading to the Bog River Dam, also known as Lows Lower Dam, will be closed starting Dec. 6, to allow for construction to maintain the dam. The road will remain closed through the 2023 field season. All vehicles must be removed from the access road to dam and parking area near the dam by 12 p.m. Dec. 6. The project is necessary to bring the dam into compliance with New York State dam safety regulations. Construction activities will affect recreational users of the Horseshoe Lake, Hitchins Pond, and Lows Lake areas, including the cartop boat launch and parking area at the Lower Dam. The river access and parking area at Lows Lower Dam, located near the end of State Highway 421, will be closed beginning Dec. 6, and the road will remain closed for the duration of the construction project. Construction activities may take place seven days per week and are expected to last at least through the 2023 field season.

[dundee]

Yup, wilderness/forest preserve!

[TCD]

I know. I was going to say "but, but, but Marcy Dam..." LOL at the inconsistency.

[stripperguy]

Hmmmm,
I guess I never thought about the inconsistency
Cedar Lakes, Marcy Dam, Duck Hole all gone or nearly so
Meanwhile, both dams at Lows, Cedar River Flow are maintained??
I suppose there must be some rationale that I’m not privy to…

[Zach]

I think I heard something about dam repairs being prioritized by how big of a problem would be caused downstream if the dam failed suddenly, but I don't think that was in NY, maybe somewhere out west. I can't think of anything terrible that would happen if Low's lower dam failed, other than that it might wash away the stone bridge on Route 421.

[TrailBlaser]

It would be a very different paddling trip with the dams no longer there.

[DuctTape]

Hmmmm,
I guess I never thought about the inconsistency
Cedar Lakes, Marcy Dam, Duck Hole all gone or nearly so
Meanwhile, both dams at Lows, Cedar River Flow are maintained??
I suppose there must be some rationale that I’m not privy to…

Is it possible the rationale used by the State is the dams at Lows and Wakely are not in Wilderness Areas?

[TrailBlaser]

Is it possible the rationale used by the State is the dams at Lows and Wakely are not in Wilderness Areas?

That may be the case, considering there will be trains going right through the area.

[billconner]

Any idea if you can portage around dam/construction site or better not to do the Whitney Loop till work is finished? Thanks.

[Wldrns]

I'll plan on taking the old Horseshoe access road to the upper dam, or Chair Rock tail to Gras Pond via Darning Needle and Fishpole Pond from Cranberry.