Alder Lake (New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alder Lake |
|
|---|---|
 Alder Lake
Location in New York
Alder Lake
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Ulster County, New York |
| Coordinates | 42°2′56.3″N 74°40′35.6″W / 42.048972°N 74.676556°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Surface area | 45 acres (18 ha) |
| Average depth | 8.9 feet (2.7 m) |
| Max. depth | 22 feet (6.7 m) |
| Surface elevation | 2,211 feet (674 m) |
Alder Lake is a beautiful lake located in Hardenburgh, Ulster County, New York. It's part of the lower Hudson Valley region. This lake is special because it's found within the Balsam Lake State Forest Preserve. This preserve is a larger area known as the Catskill Forest Preserve. Unlike many lakes, Alder Lake was actually built by people! The Coykendall family created it in the early 1900s. Today, it's a popular spot for fun outdoor activities and family trips.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Alder Lake was created in 1901 by a man named Samuel D. Coykendall. He was a very important businessman in the area. Samuel owned parts of the Delaware and Ulster railroad.
Along with the lake, the Coykendall Lodge was built nearby. This was a huge, three-story house. It was built on a strong stone foundation. The Coykendall family used it as their summer vacation home.
After Samuel passed away in 1913, his sons took over his businesses. They also inherited the lodge and the lake. The land stayed with the Coykendall family until 1945.
Over the years, the lodge and lake had several different owners. Finally, the state of New York bought the land in 1980. By 1988, the lodge was in bad shape. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) suggested tearing it down.
However, many people wanted to save the lodge. So, the demolition plan was stopped. Even though it was saved, the lodge kept getting worse. Its condition did not improve.
Then, in December 2008, the lodge was finally torn down. Today, only the stone foundation of the Coykendall Lodge remains. Wint Aldrich, a New York official, said that they "ran out of ideas" to save it. He felt that if they had found a use for it earlier, something might have been done.
About the Lake
Alder Lake is located high up, about 2,211 feet (674 m) above sea level. The average depth of the lake is about 8.9 feet (2.7 m). At its deepest point, Alder Lake is about 22 feet (6.7 m) deep. The entire lake covers an area of 45 acres (18 ha).
Fun Things to Do
Alder Lake is a great place for outdoor adventures!
Hiking Trails
There is a special trail around the entire lake. The "Alder Lake Loop Trail" is maintained by the state. It is 1.5 miles long, perfect for a walk.
Fishing Fun
You can find Brook trout in Alder Lake. However, there are special rules for fishing here. This is because it is a man-made lake. The fishing season runs from April 1 to September 30. You can only catch three fish per day. Also, any fish you keep must be at least 10 inches long.
Swimming
Swimming is allowed in Alder Lake. There is no sandy beach or lifeguard on duty.
Boating
You can use boats on Alder Lake. However, only non-motorized boats are allowed. This means no boats with engines.
Camping
If you want to stay overnight, camping is an option. There are about 7 to 10 simple campsites available. These campsites are given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
