Shoreline Restoration and Delta Reduction

Projects Completed:
Foster Brook Delta

Projects in Progress:
Finkle Brook Delta
Hague Brook Delta

In partnerships with local towns, the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District, Lake George Watershed Coalition and Department of State, the LGA is helping to remove some of the large deltas that have formed around the Lake. Delta sediments have been (or will be), removed from the existing shoreline outward to a four-foot water depth. The intention is not to remove all of the sediment in the entire delta, but to restore navigability and improve the recreation and fisheries of the area. Projects that have already been completed include Foster Brook on the east side of the Lake at Huletts Landing. Dredging plans and permitting are now mostly complete for Finkle Brook in Bolton and Hague Brook. 

These projects require considerable planning and permitting. In addition, upland projects, like stream remediation, are completed prior to delta reduction, to ensure that delta growth is slowed.

HISTORY.  Over the last half century, human activity in the Lake George watershed has significantly increased. Growth within the watershed increases the quantity of sediments and suspended solids carried by the tributary brooks and streams of Lake George. Excessive sedimentation has been caused by upland development, highway sand spreading, land clearing and logging, and other human activity. In 2002, the LGA began a lake-wide delta remediation and shoreline restoration project to address the problem.

The project was presented in a Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement presented by the LGA in December 2003 (2003 LGA Environmental Impact Statement - pdf). The Impact Statement was prepared by the LGA. Pubic comments were addressed in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) and its implementing regulations (6 NYCRR Part 617).

PROJECT BENEFITS.
Boaters. Decreased water depth in deltas makes boat navigation difficult. Sufficient draft is not available for boaters, even for small pleasure boats with relatively shallow drafts. Many locations have a relatively short transition from “deep” water to the shallow water of the delta. Unsuspecting boaters may abruptly run aground on the shallow delta sediments, potentially causing serious injury. 

Shoreline property. Due to the shallow water depth of the deltas, boat docks are extended farther out into the lake. Boat moorings have moved farther from the shoreline and floating docks have been installed. In many instances the length of these structures has been so excessive that it has exceeded Lake George Park Commission regulations. Without these structures, shoreline owners cannot use their boats. Extended boat docks, moorings, and floating docks result in a potential boating navigation hazard.

Fisheries. Reducing a delta can restore the natural shoreline habitat; access to the mouth of the stream is improved. After the reduction of the Foster Brook delta, smelt ran in the mouth of brook for the first time in years.