The Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program to help underwrite the cost of expanding successful efforts to control and prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in the Upper Saranac Lake (USL) watershed.
Invasive management of upstream tributaries such as Follensby Clear Pond prevent the export of AIS downstream toward USL, protecting shore owner’s investments from infestation.
The Follensby Clear Pond AIS Removal Project will enhance USF’s larger watershed protection program that uses a combination of AIS prevention, detection, monitoring, control activities, outreach, and education to inhibit AIS spread.
“Recent plant surveys conducted by USF determined that 18 acres of the 495-acre Follensby Clear Pond are infested with Eurasian watermilfoil,” said Guy Middleton, USF’s lake manager. “With AIS propagating through fragmentation, Follensby Clear’s infestation, located next to the pond’s outlet near the newly enlarged culvert, is considered a priority location.”
USF has been successfully managing AIS since 2004. Through the efforts of hand harvesting by divers, the annual poundage removed on USL has been reduced from 18 tons in 2004 to under 300 pounds in 2019. Further expansion of AIS within the watershed will assist in decreasing AIS impacts on USL.
This project is consistent with USF goals of providing clear waterways and ensuring the sustainability of our natural public resources for future generations. USF is committed to the long-term sustainability of this project and will support ongoing AIS management efforts at this location past the initial harvest period.
Funding for the grant is provided by the Lake Champlain Basin Program and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. For more information on the Upper Saranac Foundation and AIS control please visit our website: www.usfoundation.net.
