Greta Jimenez
Lake George in New York is a drainage lake with a very long water retention time. While the lake is considered to have high water quality and is rated Class AA-Special by New York State, it is also on the state's list of impaired water bodies due to pollution from silt and sediment caused by stormwater runoff and erosion. The lake is threatened by indirect flows of leaking septics and urban runoff, and researchers have found an increase in the amount of chlorophyll in the lake, indicating the presence of algae or cyanobacteria. However, the Lake George Park Commission and other organizations are actively working to address these issues and protect the lake's water quality.
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Stormwater runoff
The Lake George Park Commission has enacted updated stormwater management regulations to address this issue. The Commission's goal is to prevent any increase in stormwater runoff from development, reduce flooding, siltation, and streambank erosion, and protect the water quality of Lake George. Local stormwater regulatory programs have been approved for the Towns of Queensbury, Lake George, Bolton, and the Village of Lake George.
To reduce stormwater runoff, landowners can implement practices such as rain gardens or bio-infiltration areas, which capture, infiltrate, and treat stormwater. Planting and maintaining a natural shoreline buffer can also help to reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff and prevent shoreline erosion. Additionally, volunteers can help by keeping storm drains free of debris, litter, and pollution.
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Erosion
Lake George in New York is considered one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. It is fed by mountain streams and sits close to its source, which keeps it from being polluted. The lake is also surrounded by constitutionally protected "Forever Wild" forest preserve, which limits pollution in the region. However, Lake George is also on New York's list of impaired water bodies due to stormwater runoff and erosion.
Stormwater runoff is the greatest human contributor to water quality decline in Lake George. When rain falls on impervious surfaces like roads, driveways, and parking lots, it flows across these surfaces and carries pollutants such as phosphorus, soil, and road salt into the lake. This can lead to increased algal growth, including Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), and can also impact the health of plants, fish, and other aquatic life.
To address these issues, the Lake George Association and other organizations are working on various projects. They are partnering with landowners in the watershed to implement practices such as planting vegetative buffer strips, creating sediment retention ponds, and using stormwater separators. The state has also invested resources in reducing sedimentation through dredging projects, although there is still no daily load plan in place to address the issue comprehensively.
While Lake George faces threats from erosion and stormwater runoff, it remains one of the cleanest and clearest large lakes in the world. The surrounding forest and mountain slopes act as a protective barrier, filtering sediment and slowing runoff into the lake. The depth of the lake also helps to dilute any pollutants that may enter.
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Climate change
Lake George in Upstate New York has long been a popular vacation destination, bringing in around $1 billion in tourism each year. However, the lake is facing threats from pollution and climate change.
Firstly, Lake George is threatened by indirect flows of pollution, such as leaking septic systems and urban runoff. Urban runoff, or stormwater, occurs when rain or melting snow sweeps up pollution, like fertilizers, and spills it into the lake. This has resulted in increased levels of orthophosphate in the lake, which has fuelled a rise in chlorophyll, giving algae its green colour. While there has never been a confirmed harmful algal bloom in Lake George, the warming waters due to climate change provide an ideal environment for algae and cyanobacteria to grow.
Secondly, the watershed around Lake George is also contributing to the decline in water quality. When trees and vegetation are cleared for development, the soil quickly erodes down the steep slopes that have been protecting the lake, sending pollutants such as phosphorus, soil, and road salt into the lake.
In addition to the impacts of pollution, climate change is also having a direct effect on Lake George. Data shows that mean temperatures in the upper waters of the lake have risen by 1.8°C, or 0.05°C per year. This warming, combined with increased pollution, provides an ideal environment for algae and cyanobacteria to thrive, potentially destroying the lake's famous water clarity and causing health issues for people and animals.
To address these issues, organizations like the Lake George Association and the Lake George Park Commission are working to implement projects and update regulations to reduce stormwater runoff, improve wastewater treatment, and prevent pollution from entering the lake. Additionally, the "smart lake" initiative by Rensselaer's Darrin Institute, the nonprofit Fund for Lake George, and IBM aims to monitor the impacts of climate change and land use on the lake using high-tech gadgets and sensors.
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Bacterial pollution
Lake George in New York is a drainage lake with a long water retention time. This means that while the lake's depth allows for a certain amount of dilution, the pollutants that enter the lake remain there for a long time.
The lake is considered to have very high water quality and is rated Class AA-Special by New York State. However, it is also on New York's 303(d) list of impaired water bodies due to silt and sediment caused by stormwater runoff and erosion. Stormwater runoff is the greatest human contributor to the decline in water quality in Lake George. When rain or melting snow sweeps up pollution, such as fertilizers, it spills uncontrolled into the lake. This is known as urban runoff or stormwater.
The Lake George Beach Report identified nearby storm and sanitary sewer systems, possible unlawful and unidentified discharges of wastewater into storm sewer systems, and two overflows from the town of Lake George's wastewater sewer systems as potential sources of human bacterial contamination, including E. coli. In 2016, elevated bacteria levels in the southern end of the lake resulted in several closures of Million Dollar Beach. The New York State Department of Health initiated an investigation to determine the sources of bacteria, which included sampling for E. coli at multiple locations along the beach shoreline and its tributaries.
In addition to bacterial pollution, Lake George also faces threats from local pollution and global climate change. Researchers have found an increase in the amount of chlorophyll in the lake, indicating the presence of either algae or cyanobacteria. Blooms of these bacteria can reduce water clarity and even become toxic to humans and animals.
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Invasive species
Lake George is a drainage lake with a very long water retention time. While the depth of the lake allows for some dilution of pollutants, the retention time means that any pollutants that enter the lake stay there for a long time. The lake's water quality is also affected by the surrounding land use. For example, when trees and vegetation are cleared for development, the soil quickly erodes down the slopes that have been protecting the lake, and stormwater runoff from roads, parking lots, roofs, and other impervious surfaces sends pollutants such as phosphorus, soil, and road salt into the lake.
One of the main concerns related to invasive species in Lake George is the presence of sediments and nutrients that can create ideal habitats for invasive species and promote the growth of algae, including Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). The increase in algal growth can have negative impacts on the lake's ecosystem, affecting plants, fish, and other aquatic life. Sediments can also form deltas, impeding navigation and access to the lake.
Another issue is the introduction of new and potentially invasive species through landscaping, boating, fishing, or other recreational activities, which can alter the organic matter in the lake. The presence of invasive species can disrupt the natural balance of the ecosystem and have negative impacts on native species.
In addition, polluted stormwater, which carries various pollutants, including sediments, nutrients, and chemicals such as phosphorus, can create favourable conditions for invasive species to establish themselves. The intensified, heavier rains wash phosphorus from lawns, driveways, and parking lots into the tributaries of Lake George and then into the lake itself, contributing to the growth of harmful algal blooms.
While Lake George is known for its clear water and high water quality, the presence of invasive species and the ongoing threats of pollution and climate change highlight the importance of proactive measures to protect and preserve the lake's delicate ecosystem.
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Frequently asked questions
Lake George is rated Class AA-Special by New York State, and in 2024, it was named the cleanest lake in the US. However, it is also on New York's 303(d) list of impaired water bodies due to silt and sediment caused by stormwater runoff and erosion.
Lake George's water quality is high, and the lake is popular for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and water skiing. However, there are concerns about declining water quality due to changing land use in the watershed and the lake's long water retention time.
The main sources of pollution in Lake George are stormwater runoff, erosion, and local pollution from unchecked road salt, phosphorus-based fertilizers, and leaking septics.
The Lake George Association and the Lake George Park Commission are working to address the pollution in the lake. They have updated stormwater regulations, banned the use of phosphorus-based fertilizers near the shore, and are educating residential and commercial property owners about their roles in protecting the lake. The Town of Lake George has also received grants to improve water quality.
