Changes to public use facilities at the Fourth Lake Day-Use Area and enhancements to the Alger Island Campground are proposed under the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) draft Alger Island Campground Unit Management Plan (UMP). The day-use area and campground are located in the Herkimer County Town of Webb.

The public is invited to comment on the draft plan by April 30th. The plan is expected to guide management of the campground and day-use area for the next five years.

The Fourth Lake Day-Use Area draft plan calls for replacing two visitor docks, upgrading an access road and parking lot, and making a land classification change. For Alger Island, the draft plan includes repairing 500 feet of wood and stone cribbing, addressing waste management, campsite improvements and repairing two docks on the east end of the Island.

Alger Island Campground (45 acres) and Fourth Lake Day-Use Area (10.5 acres) are located on the Fourth Lake of the Fulton Chain of Lakes, approximately five miles northeast of the Hamlet of Old Forge. The 17 campsites on Alger Island are only accessible by water and are primitive in nature.  Parking and boat launching access (car-top boats only) are gained from the adjacent DEC‑owned fishing and waterway access site at the Fourth Lake Day-Use Area at the west end of the lake, or from private boat launches at Old Forge and the DEC-operated boat launch site at Inlet.

The public can view the draft management plan on DEC’s website. Draft plans are also available on computer disc and may be obtained by calling (518) 457-2500.

Public comment on the draft Alger Island Campground UMP will be accepted through April 30 and can be submitted by mail to NYS DEC Bureau of Recreation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-5253 or via email at campinfo@dec.ny.gov.

Photo of the Alger Island Campground courtesy DEC.