New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Herkimer COunty

Adirondack Voices: Residents Speaking Out For Environmental Protection

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Adirondack Voices newsletter from the Residents Committee to Protect the AdirondacksI recently came across copies of Adirondack Voices from the 1990s, published by the Residents’ Committee to Protect the Adirondacks (RCPA). This organization was founded in 1990 by full-time residents of the Adirondack Park intent on trying to keep some peace in the Adirondacks.

RCPA believed that the integrity and economic viability of the Adirondack communities they lived and worked in could be enhanced while preserving their unique wilderness and wild forest landscape. [Read more…] about Adirondack Voices: Residents Speaking Out For Environmental Protection

$600,000 in Mohawk River Watershed Grants Awarded

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Paddler on the Erie Canal Mohawk River near Utica$600,000 in grants have been awarded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to implement the goals and objectives of the Mohawk River Basin Action Agenda 2021-2026. The Action Agenda is a five-year plan advancing efforts to conserve, preserve, and restore the Mohawk River and its watershed and the grants will support local partnerships and initiatives throughout the region. [Read more…] about $600,000 in Mohawk River Watershed Grants Awarded

Forest Rangers Have Busy Week Making Rescues Around New York State

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Potash Mountain rescue in August 2023New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Have Busy Week Making Rescues Around New York State

The Naming of Twitchell Lake in the Adirondacks

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Copenhagen to Twitchell Lake, Google Maps“Toponym” is the technical term for a place name, especially one derived from a topographical feature.  I’m hooked on toponyms. My starting point is Twitchell Lake in Big Moose, located in the town Webb, Herkimer County, NY, in the Adirondacks where six generations of my family have vacationed in a cabin since the early 1900s.

Debate on our lake’s name has reached a crescendo as a history committee collects our stories for a Twitchell book. This article explores the fascinating connection between our lake’s name and the Twitchell family of Copenhagen, in Lewis County, NY. This map traces the 50-mile route from Copenhagen through Lewis County, across the Black River, and then up the Number Four Road into the Adirondack Mountains. Which leads to my question: How on earth did this dairy farming family get its name attached to this lake? [Read more…] about The Naming of Twitchell Lake in the Adirondacks

Helicopter Rescues Two Adirondack Hikers Within An Hour

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Injured hiker hoisted from Basin MountainOn July 22 at about 4:15 pm, Ray Brook Dispatch received calls for a hiker with a knee injury on Basin Mountain and a hiker with an ankle injury on Mount Colden. New York State Police Aviation was called in to assist with both rescues, which took place in the town Keene, Essex County, NY. [Read more…] about Helicopter Rescues Two Adirondack Hikers Within An Hour

Stillwater Reservoir Boat Launch Gets New Docks

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Stillwater Reservoir Boat Launch in 2023 (DEC Photo)DEC Region 6 Operations staff in Lowville recently rehabilitated the Stillwater Reservoir boat launch docks in Herkimer County. The existing docks had deteriorated with age and significant use and needed to be repaired to ensure public safety and access as the boat ramp is the only location for launching of trailered boats on the reservoir. [Read more…] about Stillwater Reservoir Boat Launch Gets New Docks

Adirondack Foothills Unit Management Plan Comments Sought

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Adirondack Foothills UMPThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public comment on the draft Adirondack Foothills Unit Management Plan (UMP). The draft UMP includes six State forests — Hogsback, Popple Pond, Woodhull, Punkeyville, Black Creek, and Hinckley — as well as 24 separate parcels of detached Forest Preserve in Oneida and Herkimer counties and will guide management of these properties over the next 10 years. [Read more…] about Adirondack Foothills Unit Management Plan Comments Sought

Rangers Rescue Several Hikers Over July 4th Week, Including 4 Incidents In Keene

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forest ranger logoNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Rangers Rescue Several Hikers Over July 4th Week, Including 4 Incidents In Keene

NYS Road Salt Plan Still Stalled While DOT Plans Another Season of Polluting Adirondack Waters

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Salt Plow Truck courtesy Adirondack CouncilRoad salt pollution in Adirondacks lakes has been well documented over the last three decades and spotlighted for political action over the last decade. Contamination of residential and small business drinking water wells in lands downslope of heavily salted roads have also been documented, and in some communities is on the rise. [Read more…] about NYS Road Salt Plan Still Stalled While DOT Plans Another Season of Polluting Adirondack Waters

3-Year-Old Lost in Adirondacks Located; Angler Rescued From Icy Waters; Rescues in Ulster, Greene Schoharie Counties

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Forest Ranger Rusher with injured hiker on Plateau Mountain in May 2023New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about 3-Year-Old Lost in Adirondacks Located; Angler Rescued From Icy Waters; Rescues in Ulster, Greene Schoharie Counties