Sylvia Lake, NY
Upcoming Sylvia Lake Summer Activities
All activities are organized by volunteers. Consider being one!
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August 30 - Light up the Lake (light up your boats & docks at dusk.}
Your dues provide funds for lake management projects, support for community social activities, this website, an online store, newsletter mailings, contests, & and awards. This is an all-volunteer organization.
Donate online - or mail to:
5 North Shore Road,
Gouverneur, NY 13642
Please donate $25.00 dues to support our community activities.
Consider a donation to the cause.
Burn ban extended through Aug. 27 in St. Lawrence County
St. Lawrence County has extended its county wide burn ban through Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 6:00 p.m. unless rescinded or extended.
The burn ban applies to all of St. Lawrence County with the exception of a small campfire built in fire rings to confine and contain the fire.
Managing the Flow at the Outlet
A small group of lake residents manage the water
flow at the outlet dam with a simple board system.
This system has kept our lake clean and healthy for generations. Please do not remove or adjust the boards on your own. If you would like to get involved or have questions please contact Mike Hatch, Greg Kirby or any board member.
The SLA Board thanks you for your support.
Since 2003, the website has collected stories and documented summer events. "More Stories" is a collection of many of these stories, organized into years. Select a year to see the stories from that year.
6th Annual Paddlepalooza '25
On a beautiful Saturday, August 16, a memorable Sylvia Lake day with blue skies and warm temperatures. Many friendly people gathered on the water and received the 2025 Paddlepalooza sticker.
2025
Since 2003, the website has collected stories and documented summer events. "More Stories" is a collection of many of these stories, organized into years. Select a year to see the stories from that year.
11th Annual Nori Grout Regatta
It was a hazy, breezy Sunday for the 2025 Nori Grout Annual Regatta. This is a wonderful way to remember Nori Grout, who, for many years, taught Sylvia Lake kids how to sail.
2025
Sylvia Lake History
& Current Events
The website has published Sylvia Lake stories and documented summer events since 2003.
You can select a year and see the stories from that year... or use the search tool for an event or person. Many entries, but not all, have video.
Browse past boat parades, fishing derbies and all the events that make Sylvia so special to so many.
Click the button to browse them all.
SYLVIA LAKE – Joanne M. Orford, age 91, of Gouverneur, NY passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at her home under the loving care of her children and Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley. Joanne's husband, Stan, passed away on May 2, 2025.
Calling hours will be at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur on Saturday, August 30, 2025 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Her funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Hailesboro Cemetery.
Joanne & Stan Orford - 2015
Photo: Lea Dickson
In 2024, all operators of motorized vessels born on or after January 1, 1978 need to carry a safe boating certificate while operating. Now, starting January 1, 2025, a safety certificate will be required of all operators, regardless of age. Get your safe boater certificate online:
Click to view
NOTE: There are a number of ways you can get your boating safety certificate online. The one above is just one found when googling "NYS Safe Boating Course." Try for yourself. Some courses cost more than others.
Sylvia Lake Community Health & Safety Tips
EMERGENCY?
Call 911. Don’t forget to post your 911 address in a prominent location on your property and camp. Be sure you are registered... call the 911 operator from your camp phone to verify the directions to your place. Tell them “This is not an emergency...” then give them your location information.
NEW YORK STATE BOATING RULES OF THE ROAD
DEC officials and the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Dept. regularly patrol Sylvia Lake. Some general rules of the water are:
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All boat operators regardless of your age, are required by New York State to complete a boater safety course before operating their vessel.
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You may not ride within 500 feet of a marked swim area except when going directly to or from a launch site. Speed is restricted to 10 MPH.
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In New York State, speed is limited to 5 MPH when within 100 feet of the shore, a dock, pier, raft, float,or an anchored or moored boat.
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A PWC (jet ski) is subject to all the laws that motorboat operators must follow.
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You may not ride between sunset and sunrise and times of restricted visibility.
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Weaving in and out of traffic, jumping boat wakes, splashing others is dangerous and illegal.
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You must have and carry your boating safety certificate on board.
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One life saving device for each person aboard.
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Use lights after dusk.
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Be smart and carry an extra line, paddle and anchor.
SWIMMING
Swim with a buddy, have a boat with you when swimming long distance. Look before leaping.
Do not wash your hair/body/clothing in the lake unless you use environmentally neutral soap.
SUBMERGED ROCKS AND DEBRIS
Be aware of their locations. Water level changes, storms and ice break-up create new hazards every year. Some hazards may not be marked.
AVOID GAS AND OIL SPILLAGE
Check your motor for leaks. Fill up the tank away from the water.
CAMP ROADS
Use slow speed (15 mph is recommended) Please be courteous, ATV riders please use good judgement and avoid roads where you may be considered a nuisance. If you think violations have occurred, identify the violator and call the sheriff or state troopers. Call parents when appropriate. Please remind family and guests to not use the woods to discard bottles, cans and garbage. Be a good neighbor and keep the woods beautiful.
OUR PETS & OWNERS
The Town of Fowler has a Leash and Nuisance Law. Dogs may not run at large, bark habitually, or chase or intimidate any person. Complaints may be filed with a peace officer, Town Justice or Fowler Dog Warden, Dan Moyer at (315)528-7988
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Watch for suspicious activity, trees falling, evidence of broken pipes or anything unusual. Be aware that smoky campfires can drift through neighbor's windows. Be considerate, noise carries over water ... so remind your guests or renters of the "quiet time." We share this beautiful space and each of us enjoys different ways to recreate. Have a great season!
Suggested “quiet time” around the lake is from 10:00 PM until 10:00 AM.
PROBLEMS WITH BEAVERS?
There are three different Nuisance Beaver permit types a landowner or organization can apply for.
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Beaver Removal permit allows for the lethal removal of beaver on the permittee’s property outside of the regulated trapping season.
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A Dam Removal permit also allows for lethal removal of beavers, plus the breaching or removal of a beaver dam no more than 2 years old.
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A Culvert Maintenance permit is a type of blanket permit that allows the permittee to address flooding concerns by removing dams and other beaver-related materials that are immediately adjacent to culverts and bridges. This permit type is only available to certain organizations and allows for work to be done on any property the permittee owns or maintains a right-of-way on.
All nuisance beaver permit types are valid for the calendar year in which they are issued. If a permit is needed for multiple years, the permittee must reapply annually. Visit our online permitting system to apply for a Nuisance Beaver Permit.
Beaver Damage Control Techniques Manual
Region 6 - information
Region 6 - Information
(315) 265-3090 Potsdam
Frequently referred to as ‘ecosystem engineers’, beavers create quality wetland habitats for various species of birds, mammals, fish, invertebrates, and more. However, occasionally beaver activity can lead to conflicts with humans by causing flooding and damaging trees.
Beavers and beaver dams are protected under the Environmental Conservation Law. Section 11-0505 states that “no person is allowed at any time to disturb a beaver dam, house, or den without obtaining a permit from DEC”. This permit provides options for landowners experiencing damage related to beavers and beaver activity.
The Gouverneur Country Club offers a 60 day unlimited golf pass for seasonal local residents.
Recycling with the
Town of Fowler Supports:
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Playground & Community Facilities
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The Town's SOS Food Program
(Support Our Seniors)
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And the Town's HAP Food Program
Find drop-off bins at the Town Highway building. Call the Town Offices for more information.
New York Septic System Replacement Fund
The State of New York still has allocated money to replace deficient septic tanks on specific bodies of water in the County of Saint Lawrence.
If you own a house within 250 feet of Cranberry Lake, Star Lake, Sylvia Lake, or almost any river in the Adirondacks and your septic tank is too small, breaking down, or otherwise deficient, you may be eligible for funds through the New York Septic System Replacement Fund.
View/download the letter from Bradley Johnson, St. Lawrence County Public Health Sanitarian.
If you believe you are eligible, please call or email Bradley Johnson, and his office will send you the appropriate paperwork. Their goal is to protect the waterways of Saint Lawrence County.
TESTIMONIAL FROM RALPH UNDERCOFFLER:
St. Lawrence County still has grant money available for residents of Sylvia Lake to upgrade their septic systems (information is posted above.) Grants can be as much as $10,000. Our family applied for the grant last summer to replace the septic system at our camp on the North Shore Road and we received approval within 3 days. The process is easy and the benefit is great! Please consider taking advantage of this rare opportunity to help keep Sylvia Lake cleaner and safer for generations to come. 5/22/25
