- 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.
Hopefully, you have been taking some great pictures around the lake this summer. Don’t forget to submit your best photos for the Calendar Contest with the required forms before October 1, 2023.
If your picture is selected as a winner, it will be featured as one of the months on the KLC’s 2024 Calendar and you will receive a free calendar. No purchase is necessary to enter or win!
The forms are available below and submissions or questions can be sent to klphotocontest@gmail.com. Good luck.
Photo Contest Rules
Photo Contest Entry Form
Photo Contest Model Release Form
Photo Contest Property Release Form
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July 4th, Independence Day, is two weeks away. It is one of the best days to be on Kinderhook Lake. And, of course, the KLC will be hosting the usual array of fun events, all to take place on Tuesday, July 4th.
Kayak Rally
This event is open to all non-motorized vessels – kayaks, rowboats, canoes, paddleboards, rafts, etc. Between 8:30 and 11:30 AM collect tickets from the orange-flagged locations spread around the lake. Write your name and phone number on each ticket. Don’t forget a pen and a plastic bag to keep your tickets dry.
Bring your tickets to the tan and green metal building at 9 OLD West Shore Dr in Valatie by 12-noon to be entered into the prize drawing for KLC merchandise.
To make this event even more fun, we could always use a few more lakeshore owners to fly orange flags and hand out raffle tickets. If you would like to help out, please call Pete at 914-217-6770, and he will provide flags and raffle tickets.
Boat Parade
Decorate your boats and meet at One Tree Island at 1:30. Follow the lead boat as you parade around the lake, hootin’ and hollerin’ all the way. Prizes will be awarded to the Most Patriotic, Most Unique, and Funniest boats.
Ring of Fire
Light your flares and torches along the shoreline at 9:00 pm for a lovely bright ring around the lake. The more flares, the better.
Note: As always, flares and KLC merchandise will be available from 9:00 am to noon on Tuesday, July 4th at the tan and green metal building at 9 OLD West Shore Dr in Valatie. If you need them sooner, please call Pete at 914-217-6770.
Back by Popular Demand!
KLC is once again hosting a calendar fundraiser this year! All you have to do is submit your favorite pictures of Kinderhook Lake with the required forms before October 1, 2023. If your picture is selected as a winner, it will be featured as one of the months on the KLC’s 2024 Calendar and you will receive a free calendar. No purchase is necessary to enter or win! The forms are available below and submissions or questions can be sent to klphotocontest@gmail.com. Good luck.
Photo Contest Rules
Photo Contest Entry Form
Photo Contest Model Release Form
Photo Contest Property Release Form

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.
For those KLC members who were not able to attend the annual membership meeting on Saturday, August 27, here is a very brief review of committee reports and member discussions.
- The Treasurer presented and explained the Statement of Activity by Class for 2022 through July 31, along with total available cash in savings and checking accounts.
- The Membership Committee reported on a total of 326 paid KLC members through July 31, 2022, falling slightly short of 2021 memberships but ahead of 2020 memberships, and that only about 55% of lakeshore owners are KLC members.
- The Fish Committee reported on the potential to stock largemouth bass next spring in various weedy locations around the lake.
- The Weed Committee reported on last year’s success in eradicating Eurasian Milfoil and what weed species are now present in the lake. Live samples of eight different weed species found in the lake this summer were available in water-filled containers for members to view.
- The Water Quality Committee reported on the copper sulfate treatments to control the growth of blue-green algae and the ability to keep the water clarity at a 4.5- to 5.0-foot depth for most of the summer, a preferred depth to help reduce an overabundance of weed growth. A final copper sulfate treatment is tentatively scheduled at the end of Labor Day weekend, on the final day treatments are permitted by our DEC permit.
- The Merchandise Committee reported on total merchandise sales and profit to date.
- The Fundraising Committee reported on another successful Community Lake Day at One Tree Island. Raffle prize winners were recognized and total profit from the day was reported.
- The Ad Hoc Committee assembled to review the Town of Chatham Comprehensive Plan reported on the Position Paper presented to the Town at the end of 2021. The Paper discussed how and why water quality issues could be affected by development within the Kinderhook Lake watershed, requested that land within the watershed be designated as an environmental district, and asked that the KLC be designated as an interested party in potential development within the watershed.
General discussions before the meeting was adjourned included information about the differences between the KLC and KLIA, ways to increase lakeshore owner membership, why the KLC cannot require lakeshore owner memberships, a request for more KLC public events, and more.
Thorough minutes of the annual meeting will be available to KLC members in August of next year.
You are all invited to the KLC’s annual Community Lake Day on Saturday, August 6th, from 12 to 2 pm on One Tree Island. This is a celebration for the entire community. Everyone is invited and you do not need to be a KLC member to attend. Enjoy some time with your family and neighbors and by all means, make a few new friends. KLC Directors will be available to discuss any lake-related issues.
Burgers, dogs, and soft drinks are all on the house. Lake Day Raffle tickets are available in advance from any KLC Director for $5 each or $20 for five tickets. $250, $150, and $50 cash prize. The prize drawing will take place at 2 pm. Money raised from the raffle will be used to support the many KLC programs that help improve the lake and dam.
Mark your calendars and be sure to join us for Community Lake Day on August 6th. Just in case, the rain date is August 7th. Keep your eyes on our Facebook page for any last-minute changes.
July 4th weekend has come and gone with beautiful weather, fun, and festivities galore.
The Kayak Rally included 22 entrants collecting tickets from 34 orange-flagged locations around the lake. Winning tickets went to Teri Gallucci ($50 KLC merchandise), Patty Boson ($30 KLC merchandise), and Mark Begausch (sp?) ($20 KLC merchandise).
The Boat Parade included many beautifully decorated boats. According to the vote tally, the three best boats included the Enchanted Garden (
the Toop family), Nightmare Before Christmas (the Fitzpatrick family) and the Eagle (Jade Ng). Congrats to all the winners.
You can find more photos on the GALLERY page.
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