The Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) has been awarded a $19,000 grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) to support ongoing efforts to control and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the Upper Saranac Lake watershed. This funding strengthens the Fish Creek AIS Management Project, which builds on USF’s long-standing commitment to effectively remove and limit the spread of invasive species.
Since 2016, USF has actively managed AIS at Fish Creek Campground, but this marks the first year that the USF has received LCBP grant funding specifically for the campground. These additional resources will enable more rigorous management efforts, addressing AIS proliferation caused by plant fragmentation and propagation from upstream sources.
USF has a strong track record of successful AIS prevention and management, with a history of LCBP-supported projects dating back to 2011. Early grant funding for AIS management at Upper Saranac Lake helped transform the lake into a national model for invasive species control, reducing AIS from a dominant plant to a rare species in the 5,000-acre waterbody. Similarly, USF’s six-year AIS management initiative at Follensby Clear Pond, a tributary to Upper Saranac Lake, resulted in the removal of over 8.65 tons of Eurasian watermilfoil, turning abundant infestations into a scarcity.
Ongoing LCBP grants also support the Adirondack Watershed Institute’s Watershed Stewards Program, which plays a vital role in AIS spread prevention at Upper Saranac Lake and Fish Creek Public Campground boat launches. Stewards inspect watercraft, educate boaters, and perform high-risk decontaminations using USF’s high-pressure hot-water decontamination unit.
The Fish Creek AIS Removal Project strengthens USF’s broader watershed protection strategy by integrating prevention, monitoring, control, outreach, and education. Proactive management of upstream areas like Fish Creek Campground is vital to preventing the spread of invasive species into Upper Saranac Lake, helping protect shoreline property values and supporting the long-term health and resilience of the watershed.
Funding for this initiative is provided by the Lake Champlain Basin Program and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. To learn more about the Upper Saranac Foundation’s AIS management programs, visit https://usfoundation.net/ .
