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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



and machinery at that point. The outlet of Skaneateles lake is 

 a very rapid stream, descending in a distance of nine miles nearly 

 500 feet, and furnishing frequent waterfalls, many of which 

 have been improved by the erection of large manufacturing estab- 

 lishments, dependent for their propelling power upon the water 

 of the outlet. 



The water of Skaneateles creek was appropriated to feed Erie 

 canal in its first construction, and a dam across the creek and a 

 raceway or feeder were constructed at or near the village of 

 Jordan. It will be understood that the original State" construction 

 of a dam and feeder at the village of Jordan did not in any way 

 interfere with the reservoir dam constructed as stated in 1824 at 

 the foot of the lake itself. The canal authorities, however, claimed 

 that the effect of the dam at the outlet, and other dams on the 

 stream where power development had been made, was at times 

 such as nearly to prevent the flow of any water into the canal : 

 hence, it was found necessary during the dry period of nearly 

 every year to resort to Skaneateles lake itself to procure a tem- 

 porary supply of water for the canal. For the use of this water 

 as taken from year to year the State for many years paid dam- 

 ages to the owners of the hydraulic privileges at the outlet of 

 the lake. Thus payments were made in December 1833, Decem- 

 ber 1835, June 1837, and in 1840, this latter payment being on 

 appraisement made pursuant to chapter 150 of the laws of 1839 

 for the use of water from 1824-30, inclusive. Payments were also 

 made in 1840 and 1841, the whole amount paid for temporary use 

 of water from the lake up to 1841 being $13,154. 



In 1844 the Canal Commissioners, in a report submitted to the 

 senate in response to a resolution asking for information as to 

 how much had been awarded to the mill owners and others on 

 Skaneateles creek for water drawn from that stream and lake 

 for the use of the canal, etc. reported that in their opinion 

 measures should be taken without delay to secure independent 

 control of the waters of Skaneateles lake, thus severing the injur- 

 ious connection between the interests of the State and those of 

 private individuals. The commissioners also say in this report 

 that the Canal Board had, in 1841, passed a resolution permanently 

 appropriating 1 he waters of Skaneateles lake as a reservoir and 



