Conservation Commission 125 



by the water level together with an allowance of three feet above 

 such level for times of high water. A traverse was run approxi- 

 mating this contour. When the dam was raised, subsequent ap- 

 propriations were made in the same way. The present boundary 

 of the State land appropriated follows a contour about ten and 

 one-half feet above the present water level. The width of the State 

 property not flooded depends upon the slope of the shore. In 

 some places, it is very narrow, but where the shores are less abrupt 

 this strip widens out; and along the main inlet of the reservoir 

 the State property extends back one and one-quarter miles from the 

 present shore line. 



The first work in connection with the administration of this 

 property was to locate the boundaries. A set of thirteen maps, 

 which showed three original traverse lines, was found in the Barge 

 canal office, western division, at Rochester; descriptions of the 

 lands appropriated were found in the county clerk's office of the 

 respective counties ; a book of field notes in the Division Engineer's 

 Office at Rochester furnished notes of the appropriation line of 

 two parcels on the northerly side of the lake. This data furnished 

 two starting points for survey. The boundary of the State's prop- 

 erty is made up of 186 lines, varying in length from less than 

 one chain to thirteen chains. Aside from the appropriation for 

 the lake property, other appropriations were made for the feeder 

 channel from the dam to the canal, and along the outlet. 



The best use of this property has been under discussion for 

 some time. The question of the safety of the dam is of first im- 

 portance. Our experts have reported that the dam is in a 

 safe condition, but in need of slight repair. There is a possibility 

 of water storage and generation of power. The use of this reserva- 

 tion for recreation purposes has already become established. There 

 are already erected upon State land 150 cottages, while there is 

 room for at least 125 more. 'Cuba lake is the only large body of 

 water in that section of the State. There are, within easy dis- 

 tance, several cities and towns, a portion of the population of 

 which is using these premises for the summer season. The law 

 authorizes the Commission to plot the lands, and make leases for 

 a period of not exceeding five years. The leases are now being 



