Sacandaga River
Encyclopedia
The Sacandaga River is a 64 miles (103 km) river
in the northern part of New York
in the United States
. Its name comes from the Native American Sa-chen-da'-ga, meaning "overflowed lands".
The Sacandaga River is a tributary of the Hudson River
, flowing into it across from Lake Luzerne
, at the border of Saratoga County
and Warren County
.
. From Sacandaga Lake, the river follows a short moving course or path known as the Sacandaga Outlet (under New York Route 8) into Lake Pleasant. The Sacandaga River drains Lake Pleasant at a location next to the public beach in the village of Speculator. The river then follows a winding path through some wetlands and various ecosystems through the county. In Speculator the Sacandaga River Community Park, built by local volunteers, has a number of boardwalks and pathways that follow the course of the river.
Near the town boundary between Wells
and Lake Pleasant, the river flows into a series of ponds. The Sacandaga River course takes a steep path flowing over a series of cataracts including Christine Falls and Auger Falls.
The East Branch joins the trunk stream in the town of Wells. After flowing through Wells, the river enters Lake Algonquin, a manmade impoundment constructed in the 1920s to stimulate the community’s tourist industry. The East Branch goes through Johnsburg
in Warren County and flows parallel to, in part, NY Route 8, passing the communities of Oregon in Johnsburg and Griffin in the town of Wells.
The Sacandaga flows out of Lake Algonquin into a hydro-electric plant and follows a course of rapids to Great Sacandaga Lake through the towns of Hope
and Benson
.
, finished in 1930, located by the west town line of Hadley
, greatly expanded the width of the river, creating Great Sacandaga Lake
, formerly called the Great Sacandaga Reservoir.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in the northern part of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its name comes from the Native American Sa-chen-da'-ga, meaning "overflowed lands".
The Sacandaga River is a tributary of the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
, flowing into it across from Lake Luzerne
Lake Luzerne, New York
Lake Luzerne is a town in southern Warren County, New York, United States. The town is located within the Adirondack Park. The town is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. Lake Luzerne is west of the city of Glens Falls. The town population was 3,219 at the 2000 census.- History...
, at the border of Saratoga County
Saratoga County, New York
Saratoga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 219,607. It is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Ballston Spa...
and Warren County
Warren County, New York
Warren County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 65,707. It is named in honor of General Joseph Warren, an American Revolutionary War hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill...
.
- Photo views: Panoramio: Sacandaga River
- Video: Gather.com: Sacandaga River Video
River course
The Sacandaga River’s headwaters north of Sacandaga Lake begin in the town of Lake Pleasant, New YorkLake Pleasant, New York
Lake Pleasant is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 876 at the 2000 census. It contains the county seat of Hamilton County, which is also called Lake Pleasant....
. From Sacandaga Lake, the river follows a short moving course or path known as the Sacandaga Outlet (under New York Route 8) into Lake Pleasant. The Sacandaga River drains Lake Pleasant at a location next to the public beach in the village of Speculator. The river then follows a winding path through some wetlands and various ecosystems through the county. In Speculator the Sacandaga River Community Park, built by local volunteers, has a number of boardwalks and pathways that follow the course of the river.
Near the town boundary between Wells
Wells, New York
Wells is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 737 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Joshua Wells, a land agent, who built the first mills in the area....
and Lake Pleasant, the river flows into a series of ponds. The Sacandaga River course takes a steep path flowing over a series of cataracts including Christine Falls and Auger Falls.
The East Branch joins the trunk stream in the town of Wells. After flowing through Wells, the river enters Lake Algonquin, a manmade impoundment constructed in the 1920s to stimulate the community’s tourist industry. The East Branch goes through Johnsburg
Johnsburg, New York
Johnsburg is a town in the northwest corner of Warren County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 2,450 at the 2000 census. The town is named after John Thurman, an early settler and founder. Johnsburg is the largest town in...
in Warren County and flows parallel to, in part, NY Route 8, passing the communities of Oregon in Johnsburg and Griffin in the town of Wells.
The Sacandaga flows out of Lake Algonquin into a hydro-electric plant and follows a course of rapids to Great Sacandaga Lake through the towns of Hope
Hope, New York
Hope is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 392 at the 2000 census.The Town of Hope is in the southeast corner of the county and is northwest of Schenectady.- History :...
and Benson
Benson, New York
Benson is a town in Hamilton County, New York, USA. The population was 201 at the 2000 census.The Town of Benson is on the south border of Hamilton County and is northwest of Schenectady.The current Town Supervisor is Ermina Pincombe.- History :...
.
Dam and reservoir
The Conklingville DamConklingville Dam
The Conklingville Dam, in Hadley, New York, holds back the Great Sacandaga Lake which has a 129 mile perimeter. Boating, fishing, swimming and water sports are favorite summer fun activities. Many summer rentals of homes and boats are available....
, finished in 1930, located by the west town line of Hadley
Hadley, New York
Hadley is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,971 at the 2000 census. The town was named after Hadley, Massachusetts.The Town of Hadley is in the northern part of the county and is west of Glens Falls....
, greatly expanded the width of the river, creating Great Sacandaga Lake
Great Sacandaga Lake
The Great Sacandaga Lake is a large lake situated in the Adirondack Park in northern New York in the United States. The word Sacandaga means "Land of the Waving Grass" in the local native language. The lake is located in the northern parts of Fulton County and Saratoga County near the south...
, formerly called the Great Sacandaga Reservoir.