Friday, July 14, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (7/14): High-water and muddy trails advisory in effect in ADKs

outdoor conditions logoThe following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

NEW THIS WEEK

A high-water and muddy trails advisory is in effect until further notice: Recent heavy rains have washed out numerous roads, bridges, and trails. The extent of damage is still being assessed. More thunderstorms bringing potential heavy rain are forecast throughout the remainder of the week. Users are advised to avoid recreating near and in streams and rivers due to fast moving currents and floating debris. Users are advised to avoid high elevation trails to protect the thin soils and fragile habitats until things dry out and harden.

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Friday, July 14, 2023

Latest news headlines

Here’s a look at news from around the Adirondacks this week:

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Thursday, July 13, 2023

Road salt, conservation projects hot topics at Black River Watershed Conference

Rob Williams, St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management reviews eDNA applications for the early detection of invasive species.

CARTHAGE – Road salt and Conservation District projects were hot topics at The Black River Watershed Conference held at Zero Dock Street Restaurant in Carthage on June 14.  Just under 100 people attended the thirteenth annual event to discuss issues that face the Black River, and learn how to become better watershed stewards.

THE WATERSHED
The Black River Watershed includes over sixty communities in Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, and Oneida counties. While each community’s character is unique and has its own diverse needs, landowners and visitors share the Black River and the desire to keep it, its tributaries, and its watershed healthy and vibrant.

EVENT HISTORY
The annual Black River Watershed Conference stems from the completion of the Black River Watershed Management Plan in 2010.  Organizers include the New York State Tug Hill Commission, the Lewis County Soil and Water Conservation District and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 6.

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Thursday, July 13, 2023

Central Adirondack Flooding: How You Can Help

 

flooding: Town of Long Lake

One of the defining truths about the Adirondack region is that people look out for one another. We saw it during the pandemic. We saw it during Tropical Storm Irene. As we watch the updates come in from the Central Adirondacks, we see it again: emergency responders, public safety officers, federal and state agencies, businesses, and volunteers coming together to assess the damage. Central Adirondack communities have been battered by the recent deluge, especially Long Lake and the Indian Lake hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake. Roads are closed, a dam has been breached, and businesses disrupted.

And, there are already bright spots of generosity. Everywhere, Adirondackers are helping one another in ways big and small.

The situation is evolving, but our team here at Adirondack Foundation is in conversation with local leaders and our nonprofit partners to help coordinate a philanthropic response. We know the work will be just beginning as the water recedes.

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Thursday, July 13, 2023

The Sembrich releases event roundup

 

Evelyn Nesbit

Bolton Landing, NY – The Sembrich staff has recently announced a roundup of events to suit a variety of interests including the following programs, The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing – Evelyn Nesbit and the Scandal, Murder and Trial of America’s Gilded Age, Alma Mahler and Her Charmed Circle, and “A Tribute to David Smith” with Hub New Music. See below for additional details about these events.

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Thursday, July 13, 2023

New York State Postpones North Country Bond Act Listening Session

Event to be Rescheduled Due to Ongoing Flood Response in the Region

Following extensive flood damage to North Country communities earlier this week, the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act listening session scheduled for July 14 in Saranac Lake at North Country Community College is being postponed. As many community leaders across the region continue to focus on restoring critical roads, infrastructure, homes, and businesses, New York State is postponing the event and will work to reschedule the session later this summer.

New Yorkers interested in learning more about the Bond Act can find general information about the $4.2 billion landmark initiative at www.ny.gov/BondAct. In addition, resources being provided at the listening sessions, such as general information about state and federal funding programs and state funding opportunities available now to assist with infrastructure improvements complimenting the objectives of the Bond Act are posted on the website. This includes grant applications being accepted through July 28, 2023, for $425 million through the Environmental Facilities Corporation — $200 million of which is being made available with the first investments under the Bond Act. An additional $78 million is available through the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Water Quality Improvement Program as part of the millions of dollars currently available through the Consolidated Funding Application also until July 28, 2023.

The State also created a new web-based survey as part of the ongoing efforts to involve stakeholders and all New Yorkers during the Bond Act rollout. The survey is not a formal funding application but instead helps users share potential project ideas and other feedback on the state’s funding mechanisms to help collect feedback about the types of projects communities may be seeking to support with Bond Act resources.

The next Bond Act listening session is in the Capital Region on Thursday, July 20, at the University at Albany, followed by a virtual listening session on July 26. To register for these and other sessions planned in coming weeks, go to www.ny.gov/BondAct.

 


Thursday, July 13, 2023

Update on North Creek Ski Bowl Development at Gore Mountain

North Creek ski bowl

Olympic Authority Board approves amendment to the agreement with Town of Johnsburg

Project to break ground in 2024 with completion in 2025 of new lodge, lift, and anchor attraction 

At New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) Board of Directors meeting, two resolutions related to the North Creek Ski Bowl were approved.  With these approvals, the projects will resume, and the Olympic Authority with Gore Mountain will break ground in the spring of 2024 for the North Creek Ski Bowl Lodge, a new Hudson chairlift, and a zip coaster. The lift is projected to be available for the ’24-25 ski season and the completion of the lodge is slated for 2025.
“The Ski Bowl project will provide a year-round boost to the business community of North Creek,” stated Mark Smith, Supervisor, Town of Johnsburg. “The Ski Bowl redevelopment is a significant project that strengthens the position of North Creek as a year-round destination.”

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Thursday, July 13, 2023

Ironman Community Liaison Offers Information and Assistance

lake placid ironman

Road closures and traffic delays expected on July 23

The 24th Ironman Lake Placid will take place on Sunday, July 23. Ironman Lake Placid has established a community liaison, based on the importance and success of last year’s position, to assist businesses and community members with issues related to pre-event training, along with addressing specific race-day issues.

The community liaison is the primary point of contact regarding road closures, traffic delays, and any other inquiries or concerns. This position is expected to work closely with race officials and other local agencies to quickly mitigate any issues that arise.

Recognizing the potential temporary disruptions caused by hosting a large-scale event like Ironman Lake Placid, a task force was established after the 2021 event to uncover and address community concerns, improve safety and logistics, and establish ways to communicate more effectively with community members and participants. One important outcome was the establishment of the community liaison position to assist with addressing business, community, organizer, volunteer and participant concerns ahead of the race, along with mitigating specific race-day challenges.

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Wednesday, July 12, 2023

DEC Adirondack Outdoor Recreation Bulletin

A high-water and muddy trails advisory is in effect until further notice: Recent heavy rains have washed out numerous roads, bridges, and trails. The extent of damage is still being assessed. More thunderstorms bringing potential heavy rain are forecast throughout the remainder of the week. Users are advised to avoid recreating near and in streams and rivers due to fast moving currents and floating debris. Users are advised to avoid high elevation trails to protect the thin soils and fragile habitats until things dry out and harden.

This bulletin provides only the most recent notices. Check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for more detailed information on access, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and conditions.

Muddy flooded Whiteface trail

Emergency Situations: If you get lost or injured; keep calm and stay put. If you have cell service, call 911 or the DEC Forest Ranger Emergency Dispatch, 833-NYS-RANGERS.

Welcome to the Adirondacks. The Welcome to the Adirondacks webpage provides information about the Forest Preserve, conservation easement lands, outdoor recreation, and Leave No Trace™.

Love Our New York Lands: All New Yorkers and visitors should be able to access, enjoy, and feel welcome on state lands. While enjoying these shared spaces, be respectful of other visitors. Share trails, treat people with kindness, and leave things as you found them for others to enjoy. All of us have a responsibility to protect state lands for future generations. Learn more about how you can Love Our New York Lands.


Wednesday, July 12, 2023

A perfect day just outside the Adirondack Park

plaque for Italian Oven in Little Falls
A friend and I prepared a jam packed itinerary last Saturday.
We began at the original Beaversprite. We saw Dorothy Richards’ home, listened to the babbling brook, spotted a deer, many wildflowers and butterflies.
The Utica Zoo is now in charge of Beaversprite.  We drove to the nature center at Belden’s Corners where we found walking trails, more wildflowers, and more butterflies.
We filled our water jugs at the Dolgeville spring, then toured the Violet Festival.  Homes were decorated in violet bows, flowers, lights, etc.  We went through the Daniel Green Mill to ooh and ahh over the flower show. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolge_Company_Factory_Complex
Next, we were awed by the hundreds(?) of varieties of African violets, begonias, and orchids at the Lyndon Lyons Greenhouse. The owner explained that there are not many violet greenhouses like his left in the US.  This greenhouse even sends hundreds of violets to the Virginia Beach Botanical Gardens! I never even knew this jewel was right in our backyard. https://www.lyndonlyon.com/

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

DEC: Give Trout a Break This Summer

Rock dam

You know who isn’t a huge fan of summer? Trout! Summer heat waves impose serious stress and can even cause death. Trout and salmon that are already heat-stressed may not recover after being caught and released.

You can help these fish survive the summer by following a few simple tips (PDF).

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Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Body of possible drowning victim found in Cedar River Flow, 12-year-old injured by boat propeller on Raquette Lake

forest ranger reportTown of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue:
 On July 4 at 2:35 p.m., the Johns Brook Lodge caretaker contacted Ray Brook dispatch about a sick hiker on Yard Mountain. As Forest Rangers responded, the caretaker reached the hiker and reported the subject was experiencing persistent vomiting, weakness, and could not hold down water. Due to the subject’s significant heat stroke and location, Rangers requested New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation. Rangers on the ground packaged the subject and at 5:50 p.m., NYSP Pilot Kotronis and Ranger Lewis successfully hoisted the hiker to be flown to the hospital. Rangers on the ground walked the subject’s hiking partner nearly two miles back to his vehicle. Resources were clear at 9 p.m. Rangers checked on the subject the following day and he made a complete recovery.

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Tuesday, July 11, 2023

White Pines: Colossal in Many Ways

white pine

The eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) isn’t really a crop-bearing tree, but it has borne priceless “fruit” for American democracy. Physically as well as culturally massive, there are many accounts from the early 1800s of white pines over 200 feet tall being harvested. One credible report pegs a white pine at 247 feet, and unverified accounts have claimed that 300-foot-tall leviathans were cut back then. It’s a long-lived species, with 400 years considered a rough maximum. Working for a tree service in the Adirondacks in the early ‘90s, I once tallied 450 rings on a storm-thrown specimen.

The white pine is the official tree of Maine and Michigan, with the current U.S. champion standing at 180 feet, 10 inches in Cook Forest State Park in Pennsylvania. Sadly, one of New York State’s tallest white pines, which I visited several times, toppled in 2021. At 160 feet, 10 inches, it was in a stand of old-growth habitat near Paul Smith’s College. In today’s second- and third-growth forests, the average mature white pine is often between 100 and 130 feet tall, with diameters of 25-35 inches.

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Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Hague’s 2023 Music in the Park Summer Concert Series runs through Aug.

Hague's 2023 Music in the Park Summer Concert Series schedule/graphic.

Music lovers of all ages are welcome to enjoy a free concert series presented by the Town of Hague throughout the summer of 2023. The concert series will be held in the Hague Town Park on Wednesday evenings beginning in July and running through August. All performances will be about 2 hours in duration and begin either at 6 or 6:30 p.m. (Please see above photo for a full schedule of performances.)

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Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Inlet: 47th Annual “Arts in the Park” set for July 15 & 16

Arts in the Park guests at a previous event.

The Town of Inlet is proud to celebrate their 47th Annual “Arts in the Park” on July 15 & 16. Nearly 60 artists and craftsmen, including some new vendors, will be at Arrowhead Park selling their wares.  They will offer pottery, quilts, handmade/hand-embroidered apparel, soaps, floral designs, jewelry, wall hangings, wooden items, furniture, photography, lawn ornaments, wine, beer, and more. Vendors come from all over New York State, and many of the vendors will be demonstrating at their booths.

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