Harnessing Nature

In 2017, the Great Sacandaga Lake Advisory Council (GSLAC) released the documentary Harnessing Nature: Building the Great Sacandaga, which chronicles the creation of the Great Sacandaga Lake, New York State’s largest reservoir.

The film illustrates the history of the Sacandaga Valley, the reasons for the creation of the reservoir, and the impact on valley residents. In keeping with the original intent that this film be used for educational purposes, the GSLAC is making an abridged, 56-minute version of this film available to the public.

Nestled in the majestic foothills of the Southern Adirondack Mountains is the Great Sacandaga Lake, the largest man-made body of water in New York State. THis is the story of how the people of the Sacandaga Valley had to sacrifice their homes, their farms, and their livelihoods for the greater good. It is the story of their heartbreak, rebirth, and a remarkable engineering project in its own right.

When the need for regulation of the upper Hudson River became obvious, the decision to build a reservoir in the Sacandaga Valley was an unpopular but necessary solution. Harnessing Nature chronicles the incredible journey of this undertaking including firsthand accounts of valley residents and original documents describing this amazing feat of engineering. For the residents of the Sacandaga Valley, the loss of their homes and communities was devastating. For the residents downstream who had suffered staggering losses from years of flooding, it was long overdue. For those who live along its shores today, it is important to understand the story of the Great Sacandaga Lake.