Great Sacandaga Lake Permit System

The Regulating District maintains a New York State owned buffer zone around the Great Sacandaga Lake between the high flow line of the Reservoir (elevation 771’) and the original New York State property line (with an average elevation of 778’).

The Regulating District, through its Permit System, provides Access Permits for use of this State land to nearby landowners. These Access Permits are temporary, provisional, and revocable. The Regulating District, on an annual basis, issues approximately 4,532 Non-Commercial permits to residents either adjoining or within one (1) mile of such land, 59 Commercial permits to businesses located around the Great Sacandaga Lake (such as marinas, restaurants, etc.) and 87 Special permits to non-profit clubs and associations, churches, schools, local governments and other groups.

Regulations Governing Use of State Owned Property at Great Sacandaga Lake

The Regulating District’s rules and regulations governing use of this land are more particularly set forth in Title 6, Part 606 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules, and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR)

Great Sacandaga Lake Historic Properties Management Plan

The development of the Great Sacandaga Lake Historic Properties Management Plan (HPMP) is a requirement of the Hudson River - Black River Regulating District’s (Regulating District’s) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for the Great Sacandaga Lake Project, Project No. 12252, Saratoga, Fulton and Hamilton Counties, New York.  The HPMP outlines the historic significance and the responsibilities for the Regulating District and everyone involved with the State land known as the Great Sacandaga Lake.  On September 30, 2005 a letter was mailed to all Access Permit Holders along the Great Sacandaga Lake and is currently available on our website: Great Sacandaga Lake Historic Property Management Plan Letter

Regulating District Conducts Permit System Survey

Current permit holders should have received a survey with their 2007 Application for Renewal of Access Permit at Great Sacandaga Lake. The Board of the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District is asking all current and new permit holders to complete and return a survey. If you have questions about the survey or if you need another copy of the survey, please use one of the links below or contact our Sacandaga Field Office at (518) 661-5535.

Frequently Asked Questions About Permit System Survey

Survey for Non-Commercial Access Permit Holders

Survey for Commercial or Special Access Permit Holders

Please note: The Regulating District is revising the rules for the Great Sacandaga Lake Permit System. Information regarding the proposed rules can be found on our website: Proposed Rules