1895: The concept of flood protection in New York State through dams and reservoirs is first suggested.
1913: The New York State Legislature passes the Burd Amendment allowing the use of 3% of the New York State Forest Preserve for the purpose of creating reservoirs to regulate stream flow.
1915: The New York State Legislature passes the Machold Storage Law, enabling the creation of a river regulating district.
1919: The Black River Regulating District is formed.
1922: The Hudson River Regulating District is formed.
1924: The Stillwater Reservoir on the Beaver River in the Black River Area is enlarged by raising an existing dam to increase capacity and control.
1930: The Conklingville Dam on the Sacandaga River in the Hudson River Area is constructed creating the Sacandaga Reservoir.
1959: The New York State Legislature combines the Hudson River and the Black River Regulating Districts to form the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District.
2002: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues a FERC license to the Regulating District for the Great Sacandaga Lake, which incorporates the Upper Hudson/Sacandaga River Offer of Settlement.
2005: On September 26, 2005 the Regulating District celebrated the 75th anniversary of the completion of the Conklingville Dam and the creation of the Great Sacandaga Lake.