Great Sacandaga Lake Steward Hits the Ground Running
On his first day in the field, AWI Watercraft Inspection Steward Erik Gutowski intercepts a water chestnut nutlet, helping protect Great Sacandaga Lake from aquatic invasive species.
Where to find Brook Trout
Brook trout require cold, well oxygenated water. Although we won’t give up our favorite fishing spots, we will share more about this iconic northeastern species that is found here in the Adirondacks.
Harmful Algal Blooms 101
Harmful Algal Blooms in the Adirondacks typically develop under sunny, warm weather conditions with low wind activity. Warm temperatures and sunlight increase growth rates, and calm conditions allow the cyanobacteria to rise and congregate at the surface without being mixed into the water column by wind and wave energy. When these factors combine with sufficient nutrient levels, they create the perfect environment for blooms to occur.
Nitrogen in Our Watersheds
In the Adirondacks, nitrogen has historically entered Adirondack lakes and ponds through acid deposition, otherwise known as acid rain. Acid rain primarily occurred when large scale industry in the midwestern United States released excessive amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) as a byproduct of production.
What is a Secchi Disk?
If you’re familiar with oceanography or limnology, perhaps you’ve heard of a Secchi Disk. Otherwise you’re probably imagining something like a CD or frisbee, and you wouldn’t be too far off. A Secchi is a flat, weighted, disk like instrument, lowered on a tether to measure light penetration and transparency, a proxy for turbidity, in bodies of water.
Adirondack Lake Ice Observation Network
Lake ice is essential to Adirondack culture. On any given day when lakes are frozen over, you can see anglers, ice skaters, snow mobilers, and more covering the frozen lakes. It is also hard to imagine having winter without the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. None of this is possible without lake ice.