Lows Lake (New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lows Lake |
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Low's Lake, looking southwest from Grass Pond Mountain
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 Lows Lake
Location in New York Adirondack Park
Lows Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Colton, New York and Long Lake, New York |
| Coordinates | 44°06′22″N 74°40′35″W / 44.1061036°N 74.6763094°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Bog River Flow |
| Primary outflows | Bog River Flow |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 2,845 acres (11.51 km2) |
| Average depth | 5 feet (1.5 m) |
| Max. depth | 55 feet (17 m) |
| Shore length1 | 30.4 miles (48.9 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,742 ft (531 m) |
| Islands | 30 |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lows Lake is a beautiful lake located in the Adirondack Park in northeastern New York. It's part of the New York State Forest Preserve and the Five Ponds Wilderness Area. The lake is about 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Tupper Lake.
The Adirondack Park Agency calls Lows Lake a "Primitive Area." This means it feels like a wild place, but it does have some man-made structures and private land. Lows Lake is also known as Bog River Flow. This is because it was created by building a dam on the Bog River. The area is also home to Sabattis Scout Reservation, a large summer camp for Boy Scouts.
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How Lows Lake Was Created
Lows Lake was created by a person named Abbot Augustus Low. He built dams on the Bog River to form a reservoir. A reservoir is like a large, artificial lake used to store water.
Building the Dams
The first dam, called Lows Lower Dam, was built in 1903. Its purpose was to make electricity for a company called Horseshoe Forestry. A second dam, called Lows Upper Dam, was added in 1907.
This second dam created Lows Lake. It joined together smaller bodies of water like Mud Lake, Bog River Flow, Tomar Pond, and Grass Pond. These dams were part of Mr. Low's businesses. He also owned railways and produced maple syrup and lumber.
Remembering Abbot Low
There is a special plaque on a granite ledge above the second dam. It honors Abbot Low's memory. His ashes were spread from this very spot.
Fun Activities at Lows Lake
Lows Lake is a great place for outdoor activities. It has about 35 simple campsites where you can stay. You can get to the lake by a short gravel road. This road leads to Lows Lower Dam, where you can launch small boats by hand.
Fishing at the Lake
Fishing is popular here, especially for largemouth bass. You might also catch brown bullhead and brook trout. Be aware that strong winds can make the water rough. This can be a bit tricky for small boats.
Exploring the Area
At the western end of the lake, there's a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) portage. A portage is a path where you carry your boat between two waterways. This portage leads to the Oswegatchie River. Along the way, you'll pass Big Deer Pond and a long esker, which is a ridge made of sand and gravel.
Scouting Adventures
On the eastern side of Lows Lake, along the northern shore, is Sabattis Scout Reservation. This is a large summer camp for Boy Scouts. It's owned by the Longhouse Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Sabattis is also home to the James "Marmaduke" Seton Trek Center. This center is a starting point for exciting backcountry trips throughout the Adirondack Mountains.
Protecting Lows Lake
Lows Lake is a very important place for loons. It is one of the largest areas in New York where these beautiful birds build their nests.
Boat Rules
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has rules for boats on the lake. Boats with motors are not allowed between the upper and lower dams. The plan for the Adirondack Park states that Lows Lake is part of a "wilderness canoe route." This means that floatplanes and public motorboat use are generally not allowed. However, some private landowners who have property along the lake still use motorboats. The northeast shore of the lake is private land, along with a few other small areas.
Geography of Lows Lake
There are two mountains near Lows Lake that offer great views.
Nearby Mountains
- Grass Pond Mountain: This mountain is 2,240 feet (683 m) tall and is located north of the lake. It has amazing views from its top.
- Graves Mountain: This mountain is 2,300 feet (701 m) tall. It's named after a hunter from Tupper Lake who lived in the 1800s. After a forest fire in 1906, the southern side of the mountain was eroded. This exposed a large granite rock face. There's a survey marker at its peak.
Floating Bogs
Lows Lake also has two large floating bogs. A bog is a type of wetland that has a lot of peat, which is partly decayed plant matter.
