The Upper Saranac Foundation’s Fish Creek Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Project is in its third year of the program. The intent is to reduce the spread of AIS and improve the water quality by removing Eurasian watermilfoil and Variable-leaf milfoil, two AIS found in the waterbodies of the NYSDEC Fish Creek Campground. Divers remove the aquatic plants by manually hand harvesting each plant and root system. In the first two years of the project, 17 tons of AIS was removed. Divers this year will be working into the beginning of October.
For a full understanding of the project, visit the Upper Saranac Foundation’s web page at: https://usfoundation.net/programs/fish-creek-ais-management-project/
And the Project’s Management Report at: https://usfoundation.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/The-Fish-Creek-Aquatic-Invasive-Species-Management-Project-2017-Report.pdf
Aquatic invasive species pose a significant threat to the Adirondack environment and economy. For more than a decade, the Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) has worked to address invasive species on Upper Saranac Lake (USL) through coordination, prevention, education, detection, and management initiatives. The USF has had unprecedented success in managing AIS, and is considered a leader in AIS management techniques.
The Fish Creek Aquatic Invasive Species Management Project (FCAISMP) is part of a larger watershed protection program, recently developed by the USF, that uses a combination of AIS prevention, monitoring, control activities and education to inhibit AIS spread. The USF is committed to the long-term success of maintaining the water quality of the Upper Saranac Watershed.
The intent of this program is to combat invasive species to improve water quality and maintain native species in their natural habitats, ensuring the sustainability of our natural public resources for future generations. The program protects economic value through recreation, tourism, sportsmanship and second home ownership by providing clear waterways. Removal and control of AIS in the USL watershed at Fish Creek protects downstream waters from infestation, and helps prevent the export of AIS to non-infested waters.
