The Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) continued its commitment to protecting the watershed through the Boat Launch Stewardship Program, which operates at two New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) public boat launches: Upper Saranac Lake at Back Bay and Fish Creek Public Campground. The program plays a vital role in educating boaters, preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS), and maintaining water quality in the Upper Saranac watershed.
In 2024, Adirondack Watershed Institute Watershed Stewards engaged with 5,274 launch users, providing information on AIS spread prevention. They conducted 2,786 watercraft inspections and performed 154 high-risk watercraft decontaminations using the USF’s high-pressure hot-water decontamination unit at the Back Bay launch. These efforts help reduce the introduction of AIS into the lake from boats coming from potentially infested waters.
One of the most significant accomplishments of USF’s AIS management program is the continued success of AIS removal efforts at Fish Creek Campground. Data from stewards at the Fish Creek launch indicate a 90 percent decrease in the number of boats found with AIS when retrieved or taken out of the water between 2016 and 2024. This decline is credited to USF’s AIS harvesting management efforts, which have greatly reduced the presence of invasive species in the campground’s waters.
The report also reveals that boat launch stewards intercepted AIS just four times in 2024, a relatively low number compared to previous years. However, the importance of maintaining a strong AIS management presence cannot be overstated. Without vigilant monitoring and prevention measures, the lake remains vulnerable to new invasive species, some of which may pose greater threats than Eurasian watermilfoil.
Funding for the Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) Watershed Stewards program comes from NYSDEC, supplemented by grants from the Lake Champlain Basin Program and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, in collaboration with USF and the Town of Santa Clara.
Through continued stewardship, education, and AIS management, the Upper Saranac Foundation remains committed to preserving clean water, sustaining aquatic ecosystems, and ensuring recreational opportunities for future generations.