The Upper Saranac Foundation (USF), in collaboration with the Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI), is pleased to announce the release of the 2025 Upper Saranac Watershed Stewardship Program Report.
This annual report highlights a full season of coordinated efforts to protect Upper Saranac Lake and the surrounding watershed from aquatic invasive species (AIS)—a growing ecological, social, and economic challenge across the Adirondacks and New York State. The program combines watercraft inspections, education and outreach, and hot-water, high pressure decontamination to reduce the risk of AIS entering or leaving the watershed.
2025 season highlights include:
- 254 days of stewardship coverage at two key public boat launches
- 3,503 watercraft inspections and 6,258 visitor interactions
- 13 intercepted boats carrying AIS
- Continued expansion of AIS education and Clean, Drain, Dry outreach
- Ongoing success of hot-water, high-pressure decontamination services
The report demonstrates that sustained stewardship and statewide prevention policies is working. Upper Saranac Lake and Fish Creek Campground—once considered high-risk AIS vectors—are now showing clear reductions in AIS transport and improved boater awareness.
As watercraft continue to arrive from a wide range of AIS-impacted waterways, the report underscores the importance of continued education, prevention, and collaboration to protect the Upper Saranac watershed for future generations.
Click Here to Read the full report.
