Water Watch

For over 30 years, our community has worked to sustain the long-term health of Blue Mountain Lake for swimming, boating, fishing and other aquatic activities. Equally critical to this mission is protecting the lake's water quality so that it may continue to serve as the town's main source of drinking water. 

The discovery of variable leaf milfoil (VLM) in Utowana Lake in 2019 posed a dire threat to the health of all three lakes in the Eckford Chain (Blue Mountain, Eagle and Utowana). An invasive species, VLM is an aggressive invader that is transported by humans from lake to lake (most often hitchhiking on boats and motors). It grows exceedingly quickly. Left unimpeded VLM snares swimmers and boat propellers, depletes oxygen for fish and provides a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes .

Thankfully our community rallied in 2020 and donated the needed funds for a multi-year plan that is working to eradicate VLM from Utowana Lake, while also preventing its spread more widely. The first year of hand-harvesting resulted in pulling 370 gallons of VLM out of Utowana. In 2021 the amount was reduced to 125 gallons. Last summer we only harvested 38 gallons. Yet, the threat remains not only from the presence of VLM but from other equally harmful invasive plants and species. 

We are fortunate that our community has prioritized monitoring for these threats, while also addressing any infestation early.  Around the Adirondack Park some lake associations have seen VLM spread so widely that they are spending upwards to $500k/year just to manage the issue. In some areas these invasive plants are too widespread to be contained. We are very fortunate to not be in this situation, but ongoing yearly monitoring will be necessary to stay ahead of this possibility.

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The Water Watch Committee is working to develop successful partnerships with other ADK lake associations, New York State agencies and leading environmental groups to raise funding and awareness regarding various threats to our lake and drinking water supply.  ​

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With the continued support of friends and neighbors we are committed to preserving the health and immeasurable beauty of our lakes for generations to come.