New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers responded to multiple backcountry incidents from August 18th through August 22nd. These included lost and injured hikers, stranded and injured boaters, an injured cliff jumper and more. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Respond to Lost, Injured Outdoor Recreationists
Stillwater Reservoir
Hikers Rescued From Whiteface Mountain, Santanoni Range, Catskills
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Hikers Rescued From Whiteface Mountain, Santanoni Range, Catskills
Rangers Rescue Six Hikers, Four Paddlers & Four UTV Riders
New 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 and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Rangers Rescue Six Hikers, Four Paddlers & Four UTV Riders
Rescuers Go Through Ice Responding To Snowmobile Accident
On Saturday, February 17 at about 10:35 am, a group of four snowmobilers were traveling southbound on Indian Lake in Hamilton County when the first rider in the group struck a 16-inch high-pressure crack. The rider and snowmobile were thrown 73 feet through the air before crashing to the ice, and rolling end over end. [Read more…] about Rescuers Go Through Ice Responding To Snowmobile Accident
Recent Projects on New York State Lands in the Adirondacks
Throughout 2023, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been improving trails, campsites, access roads and trailhead parking lots on New York State lands. [Read more…] about Recent Projects on New York State Lands in the Adirondacks
“Running the Rapids” by Twitchell Lake’s Poet Laureate
One of the titles I have earned as an adult is “Poet Laureate of Twitchell Lake.” Along with the title goes a hat someone crafted out of old sugar-free Tab cans, this writer posing with it here.
Strange hat isn’t it! One of the community-building activities on our lake in Big Moose, New York, is a Fourth of July “Poet’s Potluck,” an event hosted by the Conable family. [Read more…] about “Running the Rapids” by Twitchell Lake’s Poet Laureate
Stillwater Reservoir Boat Launch Gets New Docks
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
Lake Ice Related to Snowmobile Death, Serious Accident
According to New York State Forest Ranger Lee, on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 4:30 pm, he overheard radio traffic from Herkimer County 911 reporting a snowmobile accident on Stillwater Reservoir in the Town of Webb. Herkimer County 911 indicated there were two accidents and both victims were at the Stillwater Restaurant. [Read more…] about Lake Ice Related to Snowmobile Death, Serious Accident
Early Settlers of the Beaver River Country
Settlement came slowly to the upper Beaver River valley in the west central Adirondacks. John Brown Francis, governor of Rhode Island and grandson of John Brown, the original titleholder, built the first road from Lowville to Number Four in 1822 with the hope of starting a village there. To spur settlement he gave 100 acres each to the first ten families willing to clear the land and establish farms. A number of pioneers moved in, the first of which was a man named Orrin Fenton who arrived in 1826. By 1835 there were about 75 residents. Gradually all attempts at farming failed. By 1864 the settlement of Number Four was nearly deserted. [Read more…] about Early Settlers of the Beaver River Country