Kinderhook Lake Corporation

Starting around October 15th, the KLC will start dropping the water to winter levels – 33-inches below the spillway, which is approximately 4.5-feet below summer water level. Next spring, the KLC will begin raising the lake as soon as possible after ice-out, so we encourage you to do your shoreline projects this fall.

The drawdown is the best method of exposing Eurasian milfoil to freezing temperatures. To be most effective at killing the weeds, frost needs to be at least 4 to 6-inches deep for 2 to 4 weeks. If you’re sick of battling weeds along the shoreline, pray for very cold weather before any snow accumulates (which insulates the ground).

Please do NOT rake leaves into the lake or burn leaves in the lake bed; both of these activities add nutrients that aid in the growth of more weeds, something we all want to avoid. If possible, rake leaves OUT of the lake bed. If you are so inclined, pull weeds out by their roots from shoreline areas in front of your property and dispose of them far from the lake. Also, please don’t throw twigs, branches or tree limbs into the lake bed, as these tend to drift down to the dam and clog the sluice gate, hampering control of the water level.

The KLC Board has listened to the many member requests for a new dock at the member’s only launch on Rt. 28. The dock was constructed in pieces by Bill Cleary. Installation this morning was aided by Bernie Kelleher, Rick Theriault, Mike Franceour, Drew Nelson and sons and Dan Langer. Just a few minor finishing touches are needed. The old dock was relocated closer to the bridge for use by car-top boaters. Thanks for everyone’s help.

Now that the lake level is down and the leaves are off the trees, here is a quick reminder to shoreline property owners and residents. Please do NOT rake your leaves into the lake or burn them in the lake bed. Doing so creates a huge source of nutrients to feed nuisance and invasive weed growth. Additionally, if you’re in an area where the drawdown leaves the lake bed exposed in front of your property, raking and removing the leaves from the lake bed would be helpful. These is a very simple, no-cost, preventative measures to help reduce the spread of nuisance and invasive weeds in our beautiful lake. Thanks for your support.

Just a reminder that around October 15th the KLC will open the sluice gate at the dam and drop the level of the lake about 5-feet. The purpose of this drawdown is to protect shoreline areas and docks from damage during snow and ice thaw over the winter. In addition, the drawdown permits time for shore-line maintenance and inhibits shore-line weed growth.