Potsdam, NY, Apr 06, 2012 — Earlier this week the village of Potsdam unveiled its long-awaited plan to revitalize its waterfront and downtown areas.

It includes a facelift for the village's Ives Park and improvements in recreational access to the Raquette river; and construction of an open-air pavilion where an expanded farmers market would take place.

It calls for a big new hotel in the village; streetscape improvements in the downtown and waterfront areas; a riverfront walkway; and public restrooms. And there would also be a big marketing effort and a new Potsdam website.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, May 05, 2011 — The most recent rainfall is worsening the flooding situation in many North Country communities. The latest community to declare a state of emergency is the village of Potsdam, after the Raquette River poured over a major retaining wall in the Evans & White parking lot early Wednesday morning. Officials say that's the first time that's happened since 1971.
David Sommerstein visited Potsdam yesterday evening and has this report.  Go to full article

Colton, NY, May 04, 2011 — Brookfield Renewable Power says it's steadily releasing water down the Raquette River to make room for the latest rainfall. In a press release, the company says it'll be several days before an "appreciable decline" in water levels is seen. In the town of Colton, the river's receded several inches over the last few days. But that's likely to change due to last night and today's heavy rain. Meanwhile, some residents are pointing fingers at the company that operates the Raquette's many dams. David Sommerstein was in Colton yesterday and has this report.  Go to full article

Jan 16, 2009 — We're all shivering from the arctic cold, but village of Potsdam officials aren't complaining. Half of the Raquette River is being diverted as workers build a second hydroelectric plant in the village. The four megawatt project will bring the village new revenue and green energy when it goes online next summer. But officials worry another thaw could interfere with the project. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Oct 13, 2008 — Last month, the Adirondack Nature Conservancy announced that it had inked a deal to buy Follensby Pond, near Tupper Lake. The pristine lake was once the site of the fabled "Philosopher's Camp," visited by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The Nature Conservancy paid $16 million for the property. The group hopes the 14,000-acre parcel will eventually be purchased by the state of New York and added to the forest preserve. Follensby has been off-limits to the public for more than a century and it could be months or even years before hikers and paddlers are allowed into the area. But last week, Brian Mann was invited to spend an autumn day paddling Follensby Pond. He was the first journalist to visit the property and sent back this exclusive audio postcard.  Go to full article

Jan 02, 2008 — The High Peaks offer some of the most dramatic and scenic back country skiing in the Northeast. But trails on the eastern side can be crowded, even a little congested, especially on busy holiday weekends. Brian Mann went for a solitary ski recently on the western side of the High Peaks, making the 8-mile round trip to Raquette Falls near Tupper Lake. Here's Brian's audio postcard.  Go to full article

May 02, 2005 — This is the time of year when paddlers are getting out on the north country's lakes and rivers. The ice is gone and in most places the black flies and mosquitoes haven't yet begun to swarm. Bob Martin, from Saranac Lake, spent a weekend on the Raquette River recently, with his 9-year-old daughter Samantha. He sent this audio diary.  Go to full article

Sep 30, 2002 — The Raquette River has seen several incarnations of economic development in the North Country: first fishing and logging, then sandstone mining and hydroelectric generation. A group of businesses and citizens want to start a new economic era for the state's second largest river based on tourism and recreation. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

May 27, 2002 — Hiking trails in the North Country are generally considered good ways to get away from human society, gateways to the unspoiled natural world we're lucky to live so close to. But a new trail along the Raquette River south of Potsdam takes hikers on a different sort of trip. The Red Sandstone Trail highlights both the natural beauty of the area and the ways people have shaped the river and its valley over time. David Sommerstein explored the trail with John Ohmohundro early this spring.
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