Please be advised that we will begin to refill Kinderhook Lake on Monday, April 1, 2024, in accordance with our DEC Drawdown Permit. Changes in the water level during the refill are weather dependent: more rain & snow melt = quicker refill; less rain and snowmelt = slower refill.
While it’s sad to see the water level dropping to winter levels, just remember how much fun you had this past summer and that next summer will be here before you know it. Fall is a beautiful season and is also time for a few important reminders.
- Do NOT rake leaves into the lake bed, as rotting leaves create nutrients for weed and algae growth. Also, if you can, please remove fallen leaves from the lake bed.
- Do NOT throw brush or branches into the lake, as they end up floating to the dam, clogging the sluice gate debris rack and inhibiting control of the water level.
- If you have any shoreline projects, please complete them this Fall, as the water can rise quickly in the Spring depending on snowmelt and rain. Plus, our DEC Permit requires that we raise the lake back to summer levels as soon as the ice is off the lake in the Spring.
- Please secure any outdoor furniture and loose equipment. In the Spring, we often find deck chairs, carpets, water toys, dock parts, and boat and fishing gear stuck in the sluice gate debris rack at the dam.
This is an early reminder that on October 15 we will begin to lower the lake to winter level. The water will be lowered to approximately 52″ below the average summer level in accordance with our DEC permit. The purpose of the drawdown is to protect shoreline areas and docks from damage during ice and snow thaw. The lower lake level has the added benefit of allowing time for shoreline and dock maintenance projects, although we suggest you complete any such projects in the fall as it is often difficult to control the rising water level in the spring due to rain and snowmelt. The speed of the drawdown depends on the weather – a lot of rain will slow the drawdown, while little rain will hasten the speed. We reverse the process and return the lake to summer water level following ice-out in the spring.
On April 1st we will begin the process of refilling the lake to summer level in accordance with our DEC permit. The sluice gate will be lowered and the flashboards will be reinstalled atop the dam. As always, the time it takes to reach summer level is weather dependent.
Shoreline residents are asked to finish any shoreline projects and also clean their lakebeds by April 1st. Decaying leaves create nutrients for algae and invasive species to grow. Floating branches and twigs are a hazard to boating and often end up floating down to the dam and clogging the sluice gate.
We will begin lowering the lake to winter level on October 15th. Winter water level is approximately 52-inches below the average summer water level. Depending on rainfall, winter water level is usually attained by early- to mid-November. The drawdown occurs annually in accordance with our DEC permit in an attempt to protect shorelines and docks from ice damage during the winter. This also allows riparian owners time to repair and/or improve their shorelines and docks. Shoreline projects are best completed in the fall, as rising water levels in the spring can be unpredictable due to snowmelt and rain events.
Spring has arrived!! This time of year is always exciting as we anticipate warmer weather and, as always, the rise of the lake back to summer level. Contingent on full ice melt, this rise will likely begin sometime in early April. Riparian property owners are reminded to clean their lakebed of any debris (leaves, twigs, branches, etc.) and if you have any unfinished shoreline projects, please make sure they are completed quickly.
The lake is finally approaching its winter drawdown level. As an annual reminder to shoreline property owners, please do not rake leaves into the lakebed as they provide nutrients to feed invasive weed growth and algae. If possible, rake and remove any leaves that have blown into the lakebed. Branches and twigs should be removed as they tend to end up clogging the sluice gate at the dam and provide a danger to boaters and swimmers. Also, remember that the water level can rise quickly in the spring depending on rainfall and snowmelt, so please try to complete any shoreline projects this fall. 
This is an early reminder that on October 15 we will begin to lower the lake to winter level. How fast the water level drops depends on the weather. We suggest you plan to complete any shoreline projects this fall as it is often difficult to control the rising water level in the spring due to rain and snowmelt. For newbies around the lake, the winter water level is approximately 52″ lower than the average summer level and we usually begin to bring the water back up to summer level shortly after ice-out in the spring.
Every spring, shortly after the ice is off the lake, we crank down the sluice gate, add the flashboards back on top of the dam, and begin to raise the lake to summer level in accordance with our DEC permit. This year, that activity will start on April 3rd. Depending on the weather and water flow through the Valatiekill from our 41 square mile watershed, raising the lake fully will take anywhere from a week to over a month.
If you are a shoreline owner, please take some time before April 3rd to rake and clean out the lake bed in front of your property. Rotting leaves provide nutrients that spur the growth of aquatic invasive species and twigs and branches can float down to the dam and clog the outlet as well as create a hazard for boaters.
On October 15th, in accordance with our DEC drawdown permit, we will begin to lower the lake to winter level. Winter level is approximately 52-inches lower than the average summer level and depending on weather conditions could take a few weeks to attain. Please be sure to complete any shoreline projects this fall while the lake is low, as springtime water levels are often difficult to control due to snowmelt and rain. As always, please remember not to rake leaves, twigs, and branches into the lake in the fall. If you can, please remove fallen leaves from the lake bed. Rotting leaves provide nutrients for aquatic invasive species and branches and twigs end up clogging the dam sluice gate.
We have been lucky to have some warm and sunny days this fall. Please enjoy the next week on the lake and remember to have your boats out by October 15th. If you have any questions, feel free to contact your area board member.
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