Loughberry Lake

Loughberry Lake
Loughberry Lake in 2023
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Location	Saratoga Springs, NY
Coordinates	43°05′49″N73°45′36″W / 43.097°N 73.76°W / 43.097; -73.76
Type	Dammed Reservoir
Part of	Saratoga Lake Watershed
Primary outflows	Spring Run
Built	1871
Max. length	5,207 feet (1.587 km)
Max. width	849 feet (0.259 km)
Surface area	76 acres (0.31 km2)
Average depth	11 feet (3.4 m)
Water volume	260,000,000 US gallons (980,000 m3)
Surface elevation	286 feet (87 m)

Loughberry Lake is a reservoir in the city of Saratoga Springs, New York. It is approximately 5,207 feet (1.59 km) long, about 849 feet (0.26 km) wide at its widest point, and has an average depth of about 11 feet (3.4 m). ^[1]

The reservoir is located entirely within the city of Saratoga Springs. It has been the primary source of the city's drinking water since the late 19th century.

The dam is located at the southern end of the reservoir, with New York State Route 50 running along it.

History

By 1868, the city of Saratoga Springs was growing exponentially in population, and a central, more reliable source of water was needed to support it. The Loughberry Stream was chosen by three commissioners of construction to be Saratoga Springs' main water source in 1870, after much deliberation between different political groups, who favored Lake Desolation and Granite Lake as the city's water supply. ^[2] The reservoir was completed in 1871, and has served as Saratoga Springs' main water supply ever since.

Fishing and Recreation

For the general population, fishing and recreational activities such as swimming and canoeing are prohibited in Loughberry Lake. ^[3] The only private group that is permitted to use boats of any sort on the reservoir is the Environmental Science Department of Skidmore College.

References

1. Reinert, Ted (2007-10-27). "Water source in the balance". Saratogian. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
2. Horne, Field (2015). Saratoga Springs : a centennial history. [Saratoga Springs, N.Y.]: Kiskatom Publishing. pp. 323–325. ISBN   9780974798585. OCLC   1359390433.
3. "City of Saratoga Springs, NY: Prohibited acts". City of Saratoga Springs, NY Code. Retrieved 2023-03-27.