Delta Lake, reservoir in New York also known as Delta Lake
Delta Lake is a large reservoir in New York that extends mostly north of Rome and features four islands visible from the shore. The water body is controlled by a dam on the Mohawk River that maintains steady water levels throughout the year.
The reservoir was created in 1908 when a dam was built on the Mohawk River, originally constructed to supply water to the Erie Canal. The flooding submerged the village of Delta and permanently altered the landscape and local community.
The lake takes its name from the original village of Delta that once stood on the west side of the river before being flooded by the dam. Local stories and memories keep this vanished settlement alive in the community's sense of place and connection to the land.
The lake is easily accessible via New York Route 46, about 5 miles north of Rome, with two concrete boat ramps available at Delta Lake State Park. The park provides parking for about 70 trucks and trailers plus a small marina for boat use.
The reservoir holds about 2.7 million cubic feet of water and plays a key role in flood control for the entire region. Today management focuses on preventing flooding, whereas historically its primary purpose was supplying water to the Erie Canal.
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