Loughberry Lake is the reservoir that sits entirely within the city of Saratoga Springs and supplies its drinking water. Right here you can imagine the long, narrow waterbody stretching roughly 5,207 feet (1.59 km) from end to end, about 849 feet (0.26 km) across at its widest point, and averaging just under 11 feet (3.4 m) deep. By 1868 the city was growing exponentially in population and needed a more reliable, central water supply.
After debate among political groups that also favored Lake Desolation and Granite Lake, three commissioners of construction chose Loughberry Stream in 1870. The reservoir was completed in 1871 and has served as Saratoga Springs’ main drinking water source ever since, a role it has played since the late 19th century. The dam lies at the southern end of the reservoir, and New York State Route 50 runs along it, a reminder of how water and transport meet here.
For your safety and the city’s supply, fishing and recreational activities such as swimming and canoeing are prohibited for the general population. Notice the dam at the southern end, where Route 50 runs alongside the water.