The Swinging Bridge Property Owners’ Association is inactive at this time.

UPDATE: June 2023: A problem has developed at Toronto Reservoir which affects Swinging Bridge Reservoir. Read more...

UPDATE January 2022:  It has come to our attention that we need to activate our Association very soon in order to have representation and to ensure all our hard work, and thousands of dollars spent over the last five years -- was not in vain.

This past week, the City of New York came out of nowhere and submitted a Supplemental Comments document which, simply put, asks FERC to “release more water from Swinging Bridge and the other Eagle Creek lakes so NYC can release less water”.  If NYC’s request is accepted by FERC, it will result in lower water levels in Swinging Bridge and all of our work and money will literally go 'down the drain.' 

Here is the conclusion statement from the NYC filing:

CONCLUSION The analysis of the proposed operating parameters set forth in the Offer of Settlement reveals that the use of a single flow target at Callicoon regardless of hydrologic conditions has the potential to accelerate commencement of drought conditions within the Delaware River Basin, exacerbate drought conditions, and potentially extend the duration of such conditions. It is neither reasonable nor consistent with common practice to disregard hydrologic conditions in setting flow targets. Accordingly, the Commission should not accept the Callicoon flow target set forth in proposed License Articles 40D-1 and 40E. Moreover, the Commission should direct Eagle Creek and other signatories to the Offer of Settlement to modify the Offer of Settlement as discussed herein. 

As we have done over the last five years, SBPOA will continue to work with HOOT (Homeowners on Toronto) and with our attorney, and the joint technical consultant to examine the matter and file answering documentation.  We hope that NYC’s objection will be thrown out.

It's obvious that without an active Association, Swinging Bridge homeowners will have no representation, whether before FERC or at any other time.  As stated in an email sent to members last August (below), without new candidates to fill board positions, SBPOA will be an inactive organization after the completion of the license process this spring.  The new license will be in effect for the next 50 years (with regular meetings to update policies).  As SBPOA exists today (Jan. 13, 2022), you have NO representation as homeowners.  So, we ask residents to consider the impact of this loss of representation, and we urge each of you to PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING THE SBPOA BOARD! Those of us who are currently involved with the licensing process will continue in that role, but we need fresh faces and new energy to keep SBPOA actively "on the map."  If you'd be willing to share a few hours per month to help represent Swinging Bridge homeowners, please EMAIL US and we’ll get back in touch with you. This is one of those 'now or never' decisions that will have long-lasting consequences if we do nothing. Thank you to those who consider stepping up and said 'yes.'

Jan. 13, 2022: Here's a current update regarding the ongoing lake license renewal: With respect to the current license, it will expire in two months.  Last year SBPOA, working with a number of affected groups, submitted to FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) a recommended proposal for the license renewal which was agreed upon by all participants.  After hundreds of hours of work and tens of thousands of dollars spent on consultant’s and legal fees, we were satisfied that the sections involving water releases from Swinging Bridge would provide more acceptable lake levels during the recreational season.  It is a requirement that all lakes that empty into the Delaware River release water to maintain levels in the river.

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August 2021: For the past several years, the Association has been involved in the most expensive and time-consuming event in our history.  Specifically, this was the 50-year renewal of the federal operating license for the lake.  Endless hours were spent attending meetings (live and online) discussing items such as lake levels (our major concern)) to dwarf wedge mussels.  We have spent most of our treasury (about $80,000) for technical and legal consultants.  We are pleased with the final submission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) which should result in more acceptable levels during the recreational season.

Officers are elected for a two-year period.  The time and effort involved has exhausted the present officers who will not continue in that capacity. Because we have been unable to develop a slate of prospective board members for the new term starting this summer, the current officers have elected to suspend operations and minimally maintain the Association until such time as a new group will come forward and resume full operations.

We will continue to monitor email communications and if possible, provide information when requested.  Please make certain to update any changes in your address.  It is also planned that pertinent lake information can be communicated to residents through our emailing list.  Any resident can request to have their information added to that list.

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The Swinging Bridge Property Owners Association (SBPOA) seeks to continually improve the quality of life within our community by protecting the environment and water quality of Swinging Bridge Lake. Our Mission Statement reads: To protect and improve the quality of life within the Swinging Bridge community by promoting civic pride in home development and ownership, developing sound civic policies, protecting the lake environment, and maintaining positive communication with the local and state governing bodies.

Our organization is also concerned with water quality of the lake, optimal water levels for recreation, and zoning issues that could affect the overall quality of life around the lake. We educate our members regarding lake ownership, lake edge property lines, dock building permit procedures, water level fluctuation notices, information on safe boating practices, and new boating laws and guidelines, and more. All property owners on or near Swinging Bridge Lake are invited to join the SBPOA. Click HERE for membership info.

Swinging Bridge Lake is located near Monticello, New York, in Mongaup Valley. This picturesque reservoir is nine miles long and ideal for boating, fishing, swimming and other water activities. A dam at the southern end of the lake generates hydroelectric power for the lake's current owner, Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, soon to be owned by Ontario Power Generation.

Please take precautions about bears!

From spring to fall, bears have been known to be in and around the Swinging Bridge Lake area. This young black bear (below) saw a bird feeder on a homeowner's deck and was bold enough to climb the stairs to reach it. After being scared away, he came back! PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE GARBAGE OUTSIDE except in secure garbage bins for the shortest time possible on trash pickup days! Or better yet, keep your garbage indoors until you can take it to the Monticello landfill. The bears learn quickly where to find food and will keep coming back as long as a food source is available. Bears will usually choose an easy meal like bird seed, sunflower seeds -- or garbage -- over foraging for berries, etc. Remember, bears are WILD ANIMALS and are potentially dangerous. Never approach a wild animal! NEVER FEED THE WILDLIFE––EVEN DEER. If you are out walking with your dog(s), keep them on a leash for their safety. And it might be wise to bring a loud whistle, a walking stick, and a can of bear spray just in case you encounter a bear. :-)