Fulton Chain Lakes

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The Fulton Chain Lakes are a string of eight lakes located in the Adirondack State Park in upstate New York in the United States of America. These lakes are located in Herkimer County and Hamilton County. This string of lakes begins near Old Forge and ends before it reaches Raquette Lake.

The lakes in the chain have been given ordinal designations: First Lake, Second Lake, Third Lake, Fourth Lake, Fifth Lake, Sixth Lake, Seventh Lake, and Eighth Lake. The chain begins with a small lake not counted in the series called Old Forge Pond. In reality, First, Second, Third, and Fourth Lake are one long lake separated by narrow straits. At the east end of Fourth Lake, by Inlet in Hamilton County, a stream allows access to the small Fifth Lake. A portage is necessary to arrive at Sixth Lake, which is also connected by a narrow strait to Seventh Lake. Another portage is required to gain access to Eight Lake.

Beyond Eighth Lake is Raquette Lake and another string of lakes in Indian Lake, New York.

The lakes were expanded from 2,762 acres to 3,481 acres in 1798 when the Moose River was dammed at Old Forge.[1] The present dam at Old Forge holds back 6.8 billion gallons of water. This reservoir is managed by the HR-BR Regulating District. In the late 1800's, the State Water Power Commissioner made an agreement with Fulton Chain cottage owners and recreational users to maintain the water level during the summer season, an agreement still in effect.[2]