The Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) Dive Team has completed another productive season managing aquatic invasive species (AIS) through hand-harvesting, marking its third year of independent operations. Prior to forming its own dive team, USF relied on independent contractors, but this in-house approach has proven to reduce costs and improve efficiency by allowing for direct management and coordination.
Since the inaugural removal of 20 tons of Eurasian watermilfoil in 2004, the number of invasive plants in Upper Saranac Lake (USL) and Lower Fish Creek Pond has steadily declined. Over the last three years, the amount of milfoil retrieved has remained under 75 pounds annually, representing the lowest levels to date.
Despite this success, some wonder why milfoil harvesting continues given the dramatic reduction. First, the time required to harvest milfoil in Upper Saranac Lake has been significantly reduced, allowing resources to be redirected to other high-risk areas. Second, without routine monitoring and management, the milfoil population could quickly rebound to problematic levels, threatening the ecosystem’s balance.
In addition to our work in Upper Saranac Lake, our divers have been managing AIS in Follensby Clear Pond and Fish Creek Campground, both tributaries of the lake. This year alone, they removed over three tons of milfoil from Fish Creek and its tributary, and 600 pounds from Follensby Clear Pond. Since efforts began in Follensby in 2020, nearly nine tons of invasive plants have been extracted.
Managing invasive species in upstream tributaries is a critical part of USF’s strategy to prevent infestations from spreading downstream into USL. This approach is proving effective in safeguarding the watershed and protecting the investments of shoreline property owners.
Beyond Upper Saranac Lake, the USF also provides AIS harvesting services to Lake Placid and Moody Pond in the Village of Saranac Lake. These partnerships not only help offset costs for USF but also allow neighboring communities to benefit from the foundation’s expertise in invasive species management. USF’s success in combating AIS has gained national recognition, and the organization remains committed to helping protect Adirondack waters from the threat of invasive species.
