The 2023 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 AIS management services. Beginning 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.
The report includes project activities that can be summarized in the following key points:
- Two AIS found and targeted for removal in the water bodies of Upper Saranac Lake are Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and variable-leaf milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum).
- Eurasian watermilfoil was first discovered on Upper Saranac Lake in 1996 and variable-leaf milfoil was first found in lower Fish Creek Pond in 2014. Eurasian watermilfoil and variable-leaf milfoil are the most widespread aquatic invasive species across the Adirondacks.
- In 2023, the USF devoted 804 work hours into harvesting AIS in USL. This is a reduction from 2022 when 897 hours was devoted to AIS harvesting.
- There was a total of 45.3 pounds of milfoil removed from USL in 2023. This is just up from 2022 when 44.6 pounds were removed.
- Over time, the USF has reduced diver time and expenses of harvesting without jeopardizing control.
- AIS, once a prevailing problem on USL, has been reduced to infrequent occurrences. In 2004, the USF removed 20 tons of milfoil at a cost of $450/littoral acre. This is a dramatic contrast compared to 2023, when 45.3 pounds were removed, and the cost was reduced to $33.50/littoral acre.
- The largest concentrations of Eurasian watermilfoil was found in Little Square Bay and Buck Island.
- The largest concentration of variable-leaf milfoil was found in Lower Fish Creek Pond.
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 Upper Saranac Lake AIS Management Project Report click here.