New York has started a major reconstruction project on two aging dams in the western Adirondacks, aiming to improve flood protection, water management and recreation.
Construction is now underway on the Old Forge and Sixth Lake dams, a $16.4 million state-funded effort in Herkimer and Hamilton counties to rehabilitate century-old infrastructure that regulates the Fulton Chain of Lakes.
What the project includes
State officials say the multi-year project will modernize both dams to meet current safety standards while preserving their historic character.
Work will include replacing spillways with new high-capacity “labyrinth” spillways, installing new water control gates, rebuilding downstream concrete aprons and adding emergency standby generators. Crews will also make embankment improvements and construct new gate enclosures designed to match the existing architecture.
Construction is expected to continue through the end of 2027.
Minimizing disruption for residents
Project planners say they designed the work to limit impacts on lake levels and nearby communities.
Temporary coffer dams will allow crews to rebuild spillways in phases without draining or lowering the lakes. At Sixth Lake, construction sequencing will preserve seasonal parking during the summer and improve an existing bulkhead and dock used by residents.
At Old Forge, the project aligns with the Town of Webb’s waterfront revitalization plan, adding improved access, lighting and docking facilities.
Boost for recreation and safety
Both sites will gain new hand-launch access points for paddlers, including those traveling the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which runs 740 miles from Old Forge to Maine.
Once complete, officials say the upgrades will reduce water-level swings, improve downstream flood protection and provide long-term reliability for recreation, tourism and ecological health across the region.
State environmental officials said the investment strengthens dam safety while protecting lives, property and natural resources. Local leaders and lake associations also praised the project, calling it critical to the region’s economy and quality of life.
Long-term investment
The funding was approved in the 2023–24 state budget and reflects a broader push to modernize aging infrastructure across New York.
State officials said the goal is to ensure the Old Forge and Sixth Lake dams remain safe, functional and community assets for decades to come.
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