About
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The Lake Abanakee Civic Association, Inc. (LACA)
was established in 1990 by community members united by a shared concern for the future health and preservation of the lake.
The Lake Abanakee Dam
The Lake Abanakee Dam, built in the mid-1950s, is owned and operated by the Town of Indian Lake. The Town conducts timed “pulsing” water releases from the dam to support commercial whitewater rafting. These releases typically occur over a two-hour period and are designed to create a wave that carries rafts down the Indian River and into the Hudson River, ending at the take-out point in North River.
History of the Lake Abanakee Dam
Constructed in the 1950s, the Lake Abanakee Dam in Hamilton County, New York, has played a key role in shaping the hydrology of the region. Since 1997, regularly scheduled water releases from the dam have enabled consistent whitewater rafting on the Indian River. These controlled releases now allow rafts and kayaks to access the Hudson River Gorge throughout the summer season, making the area a popular destination for adventure tourism.
Structure and Early Impact
The original Lake Abanakee Dam is a gravity dam of earthen construction, measuring approximately 15 feet in height and 240 feet in length. It has a maximum discharge capacity of 6,870 cubic feet per second. The dam's normal storage volume is 3,660 acre-feet, with a total capacity of 6,110 acre-feet.
Beyond its structural role, the dam brought economic activity to the central Adirondacks from the start. In the summer of 1950, Hamilton County raised $60,000 to fund land acquisition, site clearing, and the construction of the dam. The project employed approximately 40 men, providing a significant boost to the local workforce.
Source: NYSkiBlog – Lake Abanakee Dam
Lake Abanakee Dam photo courtesy Indian Lake Museum
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