| At
the start of the 20th. century, the area we know as Higley Flow
consisted of the Raquette river and running through pasture land and
cranberry marshes. The timber industry had cut the larger trees
and the only sizeable stand left was in what was to become 'stump bay'. Stump bay was actually a surveying error. That land was supposed to be above the flood plain, so the trees were not cut. After the bay was created, crews were allowed to cut the trees in winter, leaving the submerged stumps behind. They're a navigational hazard, but the lack of motorboats makes bathing at the State Park more enjoyable. |
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 Floating Island going over the dam
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In 1912, the first 46 foot high dam was built at Higley, creating the lake and flooding the cranberry bogs. In later years, as the bogs began to break free, they formed 'floating islands' which created problems for the power company as they went into and over the dam. Eventually, crews were hired to cut up the 'islands' to reduce the size to manageable levels. |
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| Some of the old stone cribs that supported the cables to hold back the floating islands in Big Bay. | Photos taken during the dam repair in 1985. Thanks to Clark Trerise, who's grandparents, Cora & Sam McEwen, originally owned the property. |
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| August 2011: Clark just sent in this
eary shot of Big Rock, photographed about 100 years ago. (Thanks once
again, Clark!) |
And,
here's how Big Rock looks today. A bit more folage, but some
things don't change. |
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