The 2022 Upper Saranac Lake Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Report is now available to the public. The Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) is pleased to demonstrate another successful season of AIS management. AIS pose a significant threat to the Adirondack environment and economy. For more than a decade, USF has worked to address invasive species on Upper Saranac Lake (USL). The Foundation has had unprecedented success in managing AIS and could arguably be considered the leader in management techniques.
Management of AIS on USL has helped prevent its spread and has proven to be effective, providing clear waterways and restoring USL back to its natural state. This program promotes healthy ecosystems, and protects economic value through recreation, tourism, sportsmanship, and home ownership. The first whole-lake AIS control program in the Adirondacks was established on USL.
In 2004, USF initiated an aggressive three-year intensive management project to remove AIS from USL. In that initial year, 20 tons of Eurasian Watermilfoil was harvested from the 5,200-acre lake. Since then, yearly maintenance has reduced milfoil from a predominant plant to a rare species.
In past years, USF contracted independent companies for this AIS management service. In 2022, USF took over AIS operations by employing and supervising our own divers. The shift in administration reduced the expense to USF while providing a direct management approach that further increased efficiency.
USF divers devoted eight weeks, or 897 work hours, into harvesting AIS in USL in 2022. Less than 50 pounds of milfoil was found and harvested from the lake. Over time, USF has reduced diver time and expenses of harvesting on the main lake without jeopardizing control.
The Upper Saranac Lake AIS Management Project is part of a larger watershed protection program, developed by USF, that uses a combination of AIS prevention, monitoring, management, control activities, and education to inhibit AIS spread. To view the complete report click here.