History of Ballston Lake

Ballston Lake, a 3.5 mile narrow lake is one of a few “meromitic” or stagnant cycling lakes in the United States. What this means is that water near the bottom has been there for centuries, creating an ecosystem that Union college decided to research several years ago leading to the theory that some places are bottomless as well as a network of caves similar to Howe Caverns. Because of the unique ecosystem Ballston Lake creates, it is known for its wonderful fishing, with record setting bass, pike and the occasional 100-pound snapping turtle.

While Ballston Lake is an important resource to the local people for fishing, skiing, boating, and various winter sports, it was considered sacred to Native Americans who called it “Shenantaha” or “Long Lake”, believing its waters carried magical energies that promoted healing-not so different from the sparkling water that made Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs famous in the early 1900’s.