Silver Lake (Woodridge, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silver Lake |
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View of lake from southeast end, near dam
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 Silver Lake
Location in New York
Silver Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sullivan County, New York |
| Coordinates | 41°42′18″N 74°33′16″W / 41.70500°N 74.55444°W |
| Type | Artificial |
| Primary inflows | Sandburg Creek |
| Primary outflows | Sandburg Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 3,500 ft (1,100 m) |
| Max. width | 1,000 ft (300 m) |
| Surface area | 85 acres (34 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 1,060 ft (320 m) |
| Dam | Silver Lake Dam |
| Settlements | Woodridge |
Silver Lake is a beautiful lake located in Sullivan County, New York. It's one of three lakes with the same name in the county. You can find it just southeast of the village of Woodridge. This lake wasn't always here naturally. It was created a long time ago, in the 1840s.
About Silver Lake
Silver Lake was formed when a stream called Sandburg Creek was blocked by a dam. This was done to make sure there was enough water for a very important waterway called the Delaware and Hudson Canal. The canal needed a steady water supply for its highest section, which was between Wurtsboro and Napanoch.
After the canal stopped being used, the lake became a popular spot. It was first called Woods Lake. People visiting the Jewish summer resorts in the Catskill Mountains loved to come here. The lake covers about 85 acres when it's full.
What the Lake Looks Like
Silver Lake has an interesting, uneven shape. It stretches for about two-thirds of a mile from northwest to southeast. On the south side, there's a small bay. An old railroad path crosses over this bay. A stone tunnel, called a culvert, goes under the path and connects the bay to the main part of the lake.
The northwest end of the lake is inside the village of Woodridge. The village has built a small park there. This park includes a beach that has been popular since the early days of the resorts. Another beach formed at the opposite end of the lake, just north of the dam. Some houses and businesses are right on the lake's edge. However, most of the shoreline is still natural and undeveloped.
Fixing the Dam
In 1999, there was a big problem with the dam. Water started to get underneath parts of the original dam. This caused a break, and the lake almost completely drained. It shrank to only one-quarter of its normal size. This was very bad for local businesses that relied on the lake.
The village worked hard to get money from the state and federal governments. They wanted to fix the dam and bring the lake back to its full size. However, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had to approve the repairs. The DEC is in charge of making sure dams are safe. They needed to decide if the dam should be classified as a higher risk. If it was, the repairs would cost more and need a new design.
Eventually, the DEC gave its approval. The village planned a new design for the dam that would keep its historic look. But then, they faced another challenge. The lowest price they received from construction companies was $1.5 million. This was almost twice what they had planned to spend on the project!
Keeping the Lake Clean
The village is also working on a new project to keep the lake clean. They are building a wastewater treatment plant. This plant will clean water from homes and businesses before it goes into the lake. It will be located on the south side of the lake, near the park.
Back in 2006, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) told the village they needed to stop water pollution. This was because dirty water was often spilling into the lake when it rained heavily. The village had been using a treatment plant in a nearby town, but it wasn't enough to handle all the water. The new plant will help protect Silver Lake and keep it healthy for everyone to enjoy.
