When we think about protecting Upper Saranac Lake, we often focus on water quality, shoreline development, invasive species, and watershed management. But there is another important part of a healthy lake that is easy to overlook: native aquatic plants.

Good news for Upper Saranac watershed property owners: new funding is available to make upgrading failing or outdated septic systems more affordable while helping protect water quality and public health.

On the second Sunday of September, hundreds of paddlers made their way across Upper Saranac Lake during the final day of the 2026 Adirondack Canoe Classic, better known as the 90-Miler. Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) staff and shore-owners were out on the water to help keep paddlers safe—and cheer them on as they completed the final leg of their journey.

The way we manage our shorelines can have a significant impact on both wildlife and water quality. The condition of the land surrounding a lake directly affects what reaches the water, with development, vegetation removal, and impervious surfaces contributing to increased runoff, pollution, and sedimentation.

In recognition of SepticSmart Week, September 14–18, the Upper Saranac Foundation is highlighting the important role that properly maintained septic systems play in protecting the health of our lakes and watersheds.

In recent years, Double-Crested Cormorants have been increasingly observed on Upper Saranac Lake. Although cormorants are native to New York, they have not traditionally been common on Upper Saranac Lake. They are more familiar sights along New York’s marine coast, the St. Lawrence River, and Lake Champlain.

Each September, hundreds of paddlers take on the legendary Adirondack Canoe Classic, better known as the 90-Miler. This three-day, 90-mile race follows the historic Northern Forest Canoe Trail from Old Forge to Saranac Lake, passing through some of the Adirondacks’ most iconic waterways.

Over the summer, numerous communities across the East Coast experienced intense rainstorms that caused significant flooding. While the Upper Saranac region also experienced periods of heavy rain, we did not see flooding to the same extent as many nearby urban areas. One reason is that our watershed still has extensive natural areas that can absorb, store, and slow stormwater.

Before sunrise, Watershed Stewards were already at work at Back Bay, preparing to protect Upper Saranac Lake as anglers arrived for the Upper Saranac Lake Bass Tournament. Boats and trailers began arriving around 5:00 a.m., with many coming directly from Lake Champlain, where numerous aquatic invasive species (AIS) are present but have not yet been found in Upper Saranac Lake.

Join the Upper Saranac Foundation on Thursday, August 27, from 5:30–8:00 p.m. at the Santa Clara Town Hall (5359 NY-30, Saranac Lake) for an informative evening on how properly functioning septic systems protect your property and our watershed. Learn about septic system maintenance, repair and replacement options, available septic replacement funding

In partnership with the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC), the Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) continues to protect common loons and improve nesting success on Upper Saranac Lake. Again this summer, USF partnered with ACLC to deploy an avian guard at a vulnerable nesting site. This temporary structure provides shade during periods of extreme heat, reduces nest visibility, and helps deter predators, giving loon eggs a better chance of hatching successfully.

With summer temperatures on the rise, harmful algal bloom (HAB) season has begun across the Lake Champlain Basin.

Although no HABs have been detected in the Upper Saranac watershed, several beaches on Lake Champlain have already been closed due to toxic cyanobacteria. These closures serve as an important reminder that protecting water quality requires ongoing vigilance.