The wilderness designation is the park’s most restrictive category, and prohibits the use of motorized vehicles.
Critics of the court ruling fear that it could force state officials to treat other water bodies in the Adirondacks as wilderness, including popular waterways like the Raquette River.

Legislator Scott Sutherland tells the newspaper that the classification was set by a midlevel judge, and the APA doesn’t agree with it and already plans to appeal it. Sutherland says St. Lawrence County legislators are just asking the APA to quote, "vigorously appeal it."

Lows Lake is a man-made lake, created by the construction of two concrete dams. It’s in the towns of Colton and Clifton in St. Lawrence County and the town of Long Lake in Hamilton County.