Tag Archive for "Lake George" - The Adirondack Almanack

The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has received a grant of $190,000 from the Helen V. Froehlich Foundation in continued support of focused conservation projects and initiatives to help protect the land that protects the lake forever.

The grant is expected to be used on priority projects, including $100,000 towards the LGLC’s Indian Brook/Northwest Bay Conservation Initiative, which includes focused land protection efforts in the Indian Brook and Northwest Bay watersheds in Bolton.

“Studies indicate that although Indian Brook is showing some impacts from development and other human activity, the watershed is still below the threshold of containing less than 10% of impervious surface, which is an indicator of overall health. Much of the watershed’s sensitive land is currently unprotected, however, leaving water quality vulnerable,” an LGLC press announcement said. » Continue Reading.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

First Adirondack Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation Confirmed

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that “a minor infestation” of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) was confirmed on Forest Preserve lands in the town of Lake George in Warren County on July 1. This is the first known infestation of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in the Adirondacks.

A small cluster of early stage HWA was detected on one branch of an old-growth Eastern hemlock tree on Prospect Mountain during a field trip by a Senior Ecologist from the Harvard Research Forest. » Continue Reading.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Peg Olsen, Robert Singer Join LGLC Board

The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has announced the recent addition of two new directors to its Board, Peg Olsen and Robert Singer.

Peg Olsen’s history with the LGLC goes back to its origins. In the late 1980s, Olsen was co-partner in the firm, Environmental Communication Services, Inc. of Troy, and was hired as a consultant by the Lake George Association Fund. Her initial task was to conduct a survey of landowners in the watershed with land over 10 acres to determine the desire and need for a local land trust. The response was strong enough that the Lake George Association Fund put together a separate board of directors and incorporated the LGLC in 1988. » Continue Reading.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Adirondack Experience To Honor Jefferson Project

The board of trustees of the Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake will honor The Jefferson Project at Lake George with the 2017 Harold K. Hochschild Award at its annual benefit gala on Saturday, July 29 from 6 to 9 pm.

The Jefferson Project – a collaboration between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, IBM Research and The FUND for Lake George – plans to use technology and science to help protect Lake George.

The Jefferson Project recently collaborated with Adirondack Experience to install an interactive video tower highlighting the project in the museum’s newest exhibit, which officially opened July 1st. » Continue Reading.

Friday, July 7, 2017

A Call For Citizen Scientists To Remove Asian Clams In Sandy Bay

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Last year, 475 Asian clams — a small clam, less than 1.5 inches in size, that can spread rapidly — were removed from Lake George, thanks to a half day of work from about 20 volunteers as part of the Lake George Association’s Asian Clam Citizen Science Day in Sandy Bay.

The association hopes for a similar result this year from 10 am to 1 pm Monday July 10 when it holds its second Asian Clam Citizen Science Day as part of New York’s Invasive Species Awareness Week July 9 through 15. » Continue Reading.

Friday, June 30, 2017

Effort To Find Pollution Impacting Million Dollar Beach Expands

Add The Fund for Lake George and its Lake George Waterkeeper program to the list of groups working diligently to discover what may be causing E.coli to show up in water testing at Million Dollar Beach. The beach — as of Thursday — is open, though water testing by DEC continues daily.

The Fund was invited to its first meeting about the problem last week and signed on to provide technical leadership, “expertise and advice,” said Chris Navitsky, Lake George Waterkeeper and a licensed engineer. » Continue Reading.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

E.coli Testing Continues At Reopened Million Dollar Beach

Million Dollar Beach reopened again Saturday, June 24, after E.coli tested at a level safe for swimming, according to a DEC press release that also said if the levels rise again, signs will be posted at the beach letting swimmers know of a closure. Daily sampling of the water will continue.

The town, village, DEC and a number of other local organizations concerned with the lake water continue to try to identify a possible source of E.coli affecting the beach.

Patrick Dowd, director of communication for the Lake George Association, said the agencies have had some success eliminating potential sources. For instance, dye-testing was completed on some of the main lines on the east side of the lake on Beedy Road, Rose Point Lane and Front Street. The town and village also used a closed circuit camera to rule out breaks and cracks in storm and sanitary lines and approved a contract to continue the testing of more lines. » Continue Reading.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Lake George ‘Million Dollar Beach’ Closed Again by E coli

After several false starts this season, Million Dollar Beach in Lake George is closed again — just two weeks from the Fourth of July holiday — as a number of concerned towns and agencies run tests to determine the source of E. coli in the lake.

“This is an unprecedented occurrence on our lake that demands a swift response,” said Lake George Mayor Robert Blais in a news release from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. “The Village of Lake George has committed all available staff and resources and is working closely with DEC to resolve the problem and protect our beautiful lake.” » Continue Reading.

Friday, June 16, 2017

Lake George Steamboat Company Celebrating Bicentennial

by Diane Chase

Although commercial steam-boating began well over 200 years ago, it was in 1817 that Lake George began to utilize the service as a means to connect its small shoreline settlements. Now 200 years later, The Lake George Steamboat Company is still operating pleasure cruises along the shores of Lake George.

After the Civil War the steamboat company became part of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad. This merger allowed passengers traveling between New York City to Canada to take the railroad from Glens Falls to Lake George and then cross the lake to Ticonderoga for the continuation of their train journey.

Through the Great Depression the business slowly declined until World War II brought the commercial side of the business to a close. The business was downsized and changed hands before landing with Captain Wilbur Dow. After renovating and rebuilding the traditional steamboats, the Lake George Steamboat Company passenger service was reinvented and is still owned and operated by members of the Dow family. » Continue Reading.

Monday, June 5, 2017

More Rec Development For Lake George’s Eastern Shore

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Town of Fort Ann have announced efforts to improve parking on Shelving Rock Road, and access along Dacy Clearing Road in the Lake George Wild Forest.

Town of Fort Ann crews is planning to construct a new parking area on DEC managed Forest Preserve lands along Shelving Rock Road and rehabilitate the eight existing parking areas. Together, the nine parking areas will provide parking for 92 vehicles.

The popular Shelving Rock Day Use Area on the eastern shore of Lake George provides access to Shelving Rock Bay, Shelving Rock Falls, the summits of nearby Buck, Sleeping Beauty, and Shelving Rock Mountains, and climbing routes on Shelving Rock and Sleeping Beauty Mountain. » Continue Reading.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Lake George Beach Upgrades; Swimming Banned at ‘Dog Beach’

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that a new gate, sidewalk lighting, increased access, and extended hours are all planned for Lake George (aka Million Dollar) Beach this summer. The improvements to the gates, lighting, and signage cost an estimated $33,000.

In addition to these changes at Lake George Beach, DEC announced that swimming will be prohibited along the shoreline between West Creek and the beach – the area commonly referred to as “Dog Beach” for its popularity among dog owners. The Village of Lake George is currently building a dog park at the recreation area on Route 9N near the transfer station. The new facility, which will have separate areas for large (over 50 pounds) and medium / small dogs, is expected to be open by July 4th. The free Dog Park will be open from dawn until dusk and feature water, shade, and benches. » Continue Reading.

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Lakes to Locks Passage: New York’s Great Northeast Journey

Lakes to Locks Passage has completed the third in the series of Waterways of War guidebooks. Waterways of War: The Turning Point of the American Revolution focuses on the 1777 northern campaign of British General John Burgoyne. The book is also the centerpiece of a broader initiative to develop the Turning Point Trail, a narrated driving tour from Plattsburgh to Albany. » Continue Reading.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

E Coli Gone, New Access At Million Dollar Beach In Lake George

Lake George Beach – or as absolutely everyone knows it, Million Dollar Beach – will safely reopen this season after a not-so-great bout with unsafe bacteria levels last summer determined to come from sewage waste. The good news, aside from safe, now-clean water, is the beach will reopen with some new amenities also – lighting, a new entrance and another entrance through which people can enter the beach. It opens May 27.

“The first thing to consider is the health and safety of the public,” said Bob Stegemann, regional director for the DEC’s Region 5. “These are all good moves to improve the experience at Lake George for the public.” » Continue Reading.

Monday, May 22, 2017

A Chance To Fly During Lake George Hike-A-Thon