The Fulton Chain of Lakes is part of a river system originally dammed at Old Forge in about 1798. Water flowing through the Fulton Chain starting at 8th Lake enters the Middle branch of the Moose River at the Old Forge Dam. The North branch of the Moose River joins the Middle Branch below the dam. The river then flows past the town of Lyons falls to the Black River, northwest to Carthage then on to Watertown, and finally into the Black River Bay on Lake Ontario.

The present dam at Old Forge holds back 6.8 billion gallons of water. This reservoir is managed by the Hudson River - Black River Regulating District. In the late 1800s, the State Water Power Commission made an agreement with Fulton Chain cottage owners and recreational users to maintain the water level during the summer season, an agreement still in effect.

The lower Fulton Chain starts at Old Forge Pond, travels the 1 mile channel or "Narrows" to First Lake then to Second and Third, through a channel to Fourth Lake then 7 miles to the Towns of Eagle Bay and Inlet - a 14 mile trip.

The Chain continues through to Fifth lake, from there one must portage their boat to Sixth and Seventh Lakes, which are navigable from one to the other. Eight Lake is accessible once again by portage only.

Please as you use the lakes, be respectful of the environment and help us continue to keep our waters clean.

We hope you will enjoy these waters and that you find this region of the Adirondacks a special part of our world.