Measures Being Taken to Assess St. Lawrence County Dam Leak
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 6 announced lower than usual water levels may be observed at the lower Bog River (Lower Lows) dam on the downstream side of Hitchens Pond in the town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence County. DEC is lowering the water to assess a leak in the dam.

The lower Bog River (Lower Lows) dam has a leak through a concrete training wall above the auxiliary spillway. The water level is lowered using the two wooden sluice gates located to the left of the auxiliary spillway. The water level will be lowered at least as low as the auxiliary spillway crest.

The gate on the lower dam road is currently closed for mud season. DEC anticipates that after the water is lowered, recreational users will be able to paddle canoes and kayaks from the dam up through Hitchens Pond, although the channel will be narrower and more obstructions will be visible.

Railroad crossing over Bog River. Photo by Phil Brown/Almanack archive