Cranberry Lake Purchase Connects Miles of Trails, Rivers and Trout Streams

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has acquired more than 965 acres along the Oswegatchie River that connects portions of the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest in the Adirondack Park with nearby conservation easements.

The purchase preserves approximately 2.3 miles of the river and provides the public with new and enhanced paddling and fishing opportunities, including nearly 2,200 additional brook and brown trout stocked into the 137-mile-long Oswegatchie River.

Approximately three miles of other classified trout streams are on the property, including Peavine Creek and Thomas Brook.

The lands in the Cranberry Lake and Newton Falls in the town of Clifton, St. Lawrence County, NY, were prioritized by The Conservation Fund. DEC purchased the 965.8-acre parcel from the Fund using $870,000 from the State’s Environmental Protection Fund.

In an announcement sent to the press, DEC Region 6 Director Randall Young said, “Securing the river corridor is imperative for the long-term conservation of vital aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Additionally, as with all DEC land acquisitions, the expansion will broaden recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to the North Country.”

Identified as a priority project in the State’s 2016 Open Space Conservation Plan, this acquisition consolidates portions of the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest, connecting the Buck Mountain and Webster Tracts and the Cranberry Forest and Conifer-Emporium Conservation Easements.

The 25,671-acre Cranberry Lake Wild Forest is made of four parcels to the west, northwest, and east of Cranberry Lake; it contains 6.2 miles of administrative roads, 26.9 miles of foot trails, 9.3 miles of snowmobile trails, 12.6 miles of ski trails, a 0.4-mile canoe carry, and three Adirondack lean-tos.

Visitors can access the new property through the 4.5 miles of road frontage along New York State Route 3 and Tooley Pond Road. Established car-top boat launches provide access to the river from Tooley Pond Road.

The acquisition complements a recent 7,000-acre working forest conservation easement north of Cranberry Lake Village. That property is now owned by a local family business. Future working forest conservation easements are expected to be finalized nearby.

Watch a video about the new purchase here. Learn more about the Cranberry Lake Complex here.

For more information about conservation efforts in the area, visit the TCF website.

Illustrations provided.