Upper Saranac Lake has experienced high water levels this summer, following an unusually wet season. The National Weather Service at Lake Clear reports that each of the summer months—June, July, and August—recorded above-average rainfall, totaling 16.99 inches. This makes it the third wettest summer on record for the region.
June exceeded its average rainfall by 1.46 inches, July by an even more significant 2.31 inches, and August added 1.24 inches more than usual. Notably, a one-day rainfall of 2.59 inches on July 10th set an all-time record for that date.
In response to this heavy precipitation, Upper Saranac Lake’s water levels have remained above average since early June. The highest recorded level this summer followed Tropical Cyclone Beryl, peaking on July 17th with water levels reaching 15.72 inches above the crest of the Bartlett Carry Dam. While this was 7.54 inches above the seasonal average, it still fell short of the historic high of 19.6 inches recorded on May 1, 2011.
Typically, Upper Saranac Lake sees its highest water levels in April and May, with levels declining by September. However, this year’s pattern has been quite different. The lake saw its lowest levels in May and June, with July recording the highest, a stark contrast to historical norms.
Despite this summer’s fluctuations, the changes in Upper Saranac Lake’s water levels remain relatively moderate compared to other regional lakes like Long Lake, Lake Champlain, and Indian Lake, where levels can vary by several feet. On average, Upper Saranac experiences a fluctuation of 6.41 inches throughout the year. So far in 2024, the total variation has been 8.16 inches, indicating a slightly more dynamic shift than usual.
For those interested in learning more about the lake’s water levels, up-to-date data can be found on the Upper Saranac Foundation’s website at https://usfoundation.net/programs/water-quality/lake-level/.