A discovered invasive species, the Asian Clam—also known as the golden clam—was found in Lake Champlain recently. Asian Clams can outcompete native species and are known to increase occurrences of algal blooms. This marks the first sighting of the clam in Lake Champlain, but makes it the 52nd invasive species identified there.
Each year, dedicated volunteers survey the waters of the Upper Saranac Watershed to monitor for Asian Clams. Prevention remains the top priority, but early detection is crucial for swift eradication if invasive clams are ever discovered in our waters. These annual surveys play a vital role in confirming whether Asian Clams have been introduced. In the event of their arrival, immediate detection would allow for rapid eradication efforts.
Originally introduced to the U.S. likely through the bait and aquarium trade, Asian Clams can spread quickly, hitching rides on watercraft or bait buckets. Native to Asia and Africa, these clams can produce hundreds of offspring per day—up to 35,000 each breeding season. With no natural predators in our ecosystem, their numbers can grow unchecked allowing population densities to reach as high as 6,000 clams per square meter.
The clams were first spotted in the Champlain Canal near Hudson Falls in 2008 and later in Lake George in 2010. To date, no other Adirondack Park water bodies are known to contain them. Lake George invested nearly $2 million in attempts to eradicate the clams, but due to delays in starting the effort, it saw limited success; currently, about 50 locations in Lake George are infested.
This recent discovery highlights the critical role of cleaning, draining, and drying boating equipment, along with the dedicated efforts of Watershed Stewards, in preventing the spread of invasive species.
