For many of us, summer means that we get to explore this
AmazingPark in a different way than other seasons offer. We can launch our kayaks, canoes or motorboats into the vast expanse of Adirondack waterways and, if we’d like, even camp along the way!
As we plan our summer adventures in the water, it’s important to remember not to pick up any aquatic hitchhikers along the way in the form of invasive plants or animals! Without even knowing it, we could be harming the Park’s water quality, as well as native plants or wildlife. That is why the increase of boat washing stations throughout the Adirondacks is so important, affording us all an opportunity to rid those hitchhikers and help protect the quality of the water and the Adirondack environment.
Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Image Courtesy of APIPP
Due to some regional cooperation and a grant from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), you can now bring your boat to get inspected for invasives and cleaned before going into the water.
The stations are located along major roadways and close to where people are launching their boats. There are 14 stewards from the Adirondack Watershed Institute of Paul Smith’s College who will be stationed at many of the boat launches who will be collecting data on the invasives they are spotting. For where there aren’t stewards, please remember to voluntarily wash your boat!
Water Chestnut, Image courtesy of APIPP
According to the NYS DEC, here is the list of where the boat washing stations exist, or will exist in the near future:
Now Open:
- Town of Lake Pleasant, Hamilton County: NYS Rte. 30/8 Department of Transportation (DOT) pull-off south of Speculator
- Town of Northampton, Fulton County: Great Scandaga Lake, DEC Boat Launch, NYS Rte. 30 in Northville
- Town of Ellenburg, Clinton County: Chateaugay Lake, DEC Boat Launch
- Town of Webb, Herkimer County: NYS Roate 28, DOT pull-off for Okara Lakes
- Towns of Clifton/Fine, St. Lawrence County: Intersection of NYS Rte 3 and County Rte 60 east of Star Lake
- Town of Horicon, Warren County: Schroon Lake, DEC Boat Launch
- Town of Brighton, Franklin County: Intersection of NYS Rte 30 and 86 across for Paul Smith’s College
Newly Opened or Opening Soon:
- Village of Saranac Lake, Franklin County: Municipal Property next to Lake Flower Boat Launch
- Town of Saranac, Clinton County: NYS Rte 3 in Cadyville or Saranac
- Town of Colton, St. Lawrence County: NYS Rte 56 Pull-off south of Colton
- Town of Tupper Lake, Franklin County: DEC Boat Launch
- Town of Arietta, Hamilton County: NYS Rte 8 in Piseco Lake
Thanks for doing your part by protecting the Adirondacks from unwanted visitors!
-AC
