Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose a significant threat to the Adirondack environment and economy. For more than a decade, the Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) has worked to address invasive species on Upper Saranac Lake (USL) through coordination, prevention, education, detection, and management initiatives. The USF has had unprecedented success in managing AIS and could arguably be considered the leader in AIS management techniques. We are now expanding USF’s successful AIS hand harvesting program for the Saranac watershed into tributary waters at Follensby Clear Pond.
The expansion of the USF’s successful AIS spread prevention and management program into the headwaters of the watershed at Follensby Clear Pond, will further address the threat of AIS and protect citizens’ investment in public and private owned lands.
The 495 acre Follensby Clear Pond is a source for spreading AIS throughout the region. While the long term objective is to eradicate AIS in Follensby Clear Pond, it is anticipated that each successive year of management will yield less AIS plant growth from the pond and a year-to-year decline in total area and amount of plant material removed.
This project is part of a watershed protection program recently developed that uses a combination of AIS prevention, monitoring, and control activities to inhibit AIS from establishing and spreading in the watershed. The project, designed to combat invasive species will improve water quality and maintain native species in their natural habitats, ensuring the sustainability of our natural public resources for future generations. The program protects economic value through recreation, tourism, sportsmanship and second home ownership by providing clear waterways.
