Lake Flower, artificial lake in upstate New York
Lake Flower is a reservoir near Saranac Lake in New York, created when a dam was built on the Saranac River in 1827. The lake is bordered by streets and roads, and today serves visitors for boating, fishing, and observing the surrounding landscape.
Pliny Miller built a dam on the Saranac River in 1827 to power his sawmill, creating a pond for log gathering and processing. After the area was cleared in 1910, the site was renamed Lake Flower in honor of Governor Roswell P. Flower, marking its shift from industrial facility to community gathering place.
The lake takes its name from Roswell P. Flower, a New York governor who provided funds to clear the area in 1910. The name has remained rooted in the community for over a century, connecting early regional history to its present identity.
The shoreline is easily accessible by car via River Street, Lake Flower Avenue, Kiwassa Road, and Riverside Drive, which border the area. Visitors should know that the water freezes in winter and that walks along the shores are most peaceful in early mornings or late evenings.
The dam was built in 1937 and is relatively small at about 5.8 meters tall, yet simple in design with stone and soil construction and no controllable gates. Water flows naturally over the spillway, adding to the site's unaltered beauty and helping maintain the natural balance.
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