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Alternative Wastewater Treatment Systems / Boating & Docks / Camping - Reservations, Best practices, Firewood / Feeding Ducks & Geese Fishing / Ice-in Ice-out Dates / Is that foam pollution? / Invasive Species - how to deter the spread? / Landscaping - Fertilizer, Cutting Trees, Pet Waste /
Lodging & Tourism Info / Natural Resource Projects / Permits, Zoning and Planning Regulations: stormwater and dredging / Plants - Aquatic & Terrestrial / Water Quality Concerns and Testing

Lake George Facts

How long does it take the water to reach the outflow? Lake George flows south to north.  It takes about 8 years for the water to reach the outflow at the northern end of the lake.

How many mountains surround Lake George? Ten mountains surround Lake George, Tongue, Shelving Rock, Buck, Little Buck, Pilot Knob, French, Black and Cook.

What is a watershed?  A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into the same place.  Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. They cross county, state, and national boundaries. In the continental US, there are 2,110 watersheds; including Hawaii Alaska, and Puerto Rico, there are 2,262 watersheds (USGS).

Can you drink the water in Lake George?  Yes.  Lake George is designated a Class AA-Special water body in New York State.  This designation prohibits the disposal of floating solids, oil, sludge, toxic wastes, other deleterious substances or wastes, heated liquids, sewage, or other waste effluents in the water.

How is the lake level managed?The lake level is managed at an outlet dam (the "A Mill" dam) and a penstock (a pipe ten feet in diameter) located at the hydroelectric power plant at the entrance of the La Chute River in Ticonderoga. The dam, built in 1903 and currently owned by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, is located about three-quarters of a mile beyond the natural rock dam at Ticonderoga. When the water level is high, the dam and penstock offer a means of discharging the excess water into the river and out of the Lake.

At present, the Lake George Park Commission is responsible for managing the lake level under an agreement with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in cooperation with La Chute Hydro, Inc.  The lake level typically varies between 319 and 320 feet above sea level with flood stage at 320.5 ft.

Lake level is monitored in real time by the US Geological Survey through a gauge station north or Rogers Rock. Official records of lake levels on Lake George date back to July of 1913.

Alternative Wastewater Treatment Systems

Who designs alternative wastewater treatment systems? 
(The Lake George Association does not endorse  firms or products.)

Who installs alternative wastewater treatment systems?
(The Lake George Association does not endorse firms or products.)

Puraflo Systems
Chris Crandall
(518) 793-0431

Advantix Systems

Boating & Docks

How do I register my boat and/or dock?  Lake George Park Commission  518-668-9347

Are there public boat launches on Lake George? Yes. Check the list of public launches at http://www.lgpc.state.ny.us/faq.html

How old do you have to be to operate a boat and/or PWC and do I need a boating certificate?  NYS requires all persons regardless of age must complete a safe boating course to operate a PWC.  Anyone between 10 and 18 years of age must complete an approved eight-hour safety course to operate a power boat without direct adult supervision.

Where do I find information about Safe Boating Courses? 
The Lake George Association offers safe boating courses every spring and summer.  For the schedule, check our calendar of events.  For more details about the courses, read our news release, or contact us at 518-668-3558.  Information can be obtained by accessing the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website.

How do I contact Marine Boat Patrol on Lake George? 911 is used for emergencies only. For all other calls, use channel 16 on VHF or contact the Lake George Park Commission, M-F, 8 am – 5 pm, 518-668-9347.

Are there restricted zones for boats on Lake George? Yes, anchoring, mooring, and rafting is prohibited in Paradise Bay.  Sandy Bay has 60 mooring buoys available to boaters.  Only one vessel per buoy and no tethering between boats.  Please check http://www.lgpc.state.ny.us/Regs.html for further information.

Are there speed limits on Lake George?
Yes, contact the Lake George Park Commission, 518-668-9347, http://www.lgpc.state.ny.us/Regs.html

Are there special boating rules for Lake George?
Yes, contact the Lake George Park Commission, 518-668-9347, http://www.lgpc.state.ny.us/Regs.html

Do I need a sealed head on my boat to launch it on Lake George? Yes, by law all boats having toilet facilities must have a sealed holding device to prevent discharge into Lake George. Many marinas around the lake are equipped to with pump-out facilities to empty holding tanks.

What marinas have pump-out facilities?

Who must I contact before I build or rebuild my dock or boat house? 
You may have to call up to FOUR PLACES, depending upon your dock's configuration and where you live.
1. Start here: Lake George Park Commission 518-668-9347  http://www.lgpc.state.ny.us/permits.html.  Ask the Park Commission if you need to call your town, the DEC and the APA.

2. Many Towns, Villages and State Agencies around Lake George also have rules and regulations governing dock and boathouse construction.  Call before you build.

3.  New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) 518-623-1240

4. Adirondack Park Agency (APA) 518-891-4050

Camping Best Practices

How do I reserve a state campsite on the islands or state campground?  Please visit the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation or Reserve America web pages or by calling 1-800-456-CAMP to find information about the islands on Lake George. You may also contact the NYS DEC Camping facilities directly at Long Island: 518-656-9426; Glen Island: 518-644-9696; Narrows: 518-499-1288.

When I rent or camp, what can I do to help protect the Lake?

• Wash your boat, kayaks, canoes & paddles before you put them in the lake - remove all traces of vegetation, even if dried, and any zebra mussels. Milfoil, zebra mussels, and didymo are among the organisms that threaten Lake George. They may be carried on your hull, motor or trailer.
• Keep oil and gas out of the lake - Use oil absorbent pads in the bilges; clean the boat away from the water. Keep motors properly tuned.
• Run the dishwasher only when it is fully loaded - Dishwashing detergents may contain large amounts of phosphorus which feeds lake-damaging algae.
• Do not bathe in the lake - Soap contains phosphorus, and threatens water quality.
• Don't feed the ducks - They are a major source of parasites (swimmers' itch) and phosphorus.
• Keep chemicals out of the lake - don't use chemical toilet cleaners, or put toxics down the drain. All can end up in the lake. Buy only environmentally friendly cleaning products.
• Obey all boating safety regulation.
• For further information, contact the Lake George Island Campers Association.

Why can’t I bring firewood to a campsite from more than 50 miles?

Over the past 10 -15 years, exotic insects like Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer and hemlock wooly adelgid have killed millions of trees in cities and woodlots from Long Island, New York to upper Michigan.  Firewood has been shown to be especially troublesome, as it is frequently moved long-distances by campers and others, with new discoveries of invasive pest infestation subsequently showing up in and around campgrounds.

To see where you can purchase firewood if you are camping in at a Lake George Campsite, refer to the following maps:

Lake George Battleground Park
Hearthstone Point Campground

Lake George Islands -
Glen Island Group
Long Island Group
Narrow Island Group
Rogers Rock Campground

Feeding Ducks & Geese

Why can’t I feed the ducks and Canada Geese? You may think you are helping them by offering bits of bread, potato chips or other types of food, but you are not.  When you feed ducks and geese you are likely giving them food that is not nutritious. While they seem to love bread, it is not that nutritious and generally just fills them up.

Feeding ducks and geese also makes them dependent on hand-outs and makes them tame. Ducks are wild birds that should not rely on humans to feed them. They also need to learn how to get their own food.  When they become tame and used to humans, they may not be able to protect themselves from predators.

Another reason not to feed them is because of the waste that is left behind. Their droppings can contain bacteria that is not healthy for humans. Too much bacteria in the water and on the land where the ducks are attracted to can be detrimental to your health.

Don't forget, in many areas ducks and geese should migrate to different areas at different times of the year. If you feed them you may be delaying their migration. Go ahead and watch the ducks, but remember, it's not a good idea to feed them.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) warns that swimmer's itch, also known as cercarial dermatitis, affects humans that swim in water infected by wildlife - namely birds. It is caused by a parasite that lives in infected swans, ducks, geese, and sea gulls. It is thought that waterfowl contract the parasite by being artificially fed (by humans).

Fishing

Do I need a license to fish in Lake George? Yes, persons 17 or over must have a license.  They can be purchased at local bait shops and town and village offices.

When do ice shanties have to be removed from the ice surface? NYS/DEC requires all shanties must be removed from the ice surface no later than March 15th.

For additional information about fishing on Lake George, please see the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation website and the Lake George Fishing Alliance website.

Ice-in / Ice-out Dates

As of 2004, the Darrin Freshwater Institute has tracked the ice-in and ice-out dates for Lake George. Prior to 2004, the Warren County Dept. of Public Works kept these statistics. See the data, since 1908, here.

Is that foam pollution?

What is the foam/soap suds on the surface of the water? Is it pollution?  Most of the time, we find that this material which looks like soap suds is caused by a natural phenomena involving amorphic glucosidal compounds found in plants. As plant material, especially leaves, decay in the water saponins are released. Aeration of water containing saponins releases gases and results in the foam condition we see on streams and lakes.

Invasive Species

How can I help deter the spread of aquatic invasive species?
- Don’t transport water, animals or plants from another lake, river or any other body of water to Lake George.
- Empty your bait bucket on land never into Lake George.
- Never dump live fish from another water body into Lake George.
- Wash your boat, tackle, downriggers and trailer with hot water when you get home, never around the shores of Lake George.
- Remove plants and animals from you boat trailer and accessory equipment (anchors, centerboards, trailer hitch, wheels, rollers, cables, axles, fishing and scuba gear.

- Read more about invasive species here.

Landscaping

What's the best thing to do with yard or pet waste?  Do not burn yard waste, the ashes are high in nutrients.  Use your yard waste as mulch or compost, or dispose of it off site.  And do not dump it in the lake or a stream.  Clean up pet waste to prevent nutrients and bacteria from washing into the lake.

Can I fertilize my lawn?  Most soil contains sufficient quantities of phosphorus to support a lawn.  If you choose to fertilize, use fertilizer without Phosphorus.  (Phosphorus fertilizers are no longer legal if you reside in the village or town of Lake George.)   Click here for a list of area outlets that sell no/low phosphorus fertilizers. 

Can I cut trees on my property or shoreline?  The Adirondack Park Agency  (518) 891-4050 http://www.apa.state.ny.us/Regulations/index.html

Lodging & Tourism Info

Looking for lodging and tourist information for the Lake George Region?
Lake George Chamber of Commerce 518-668-5755 or Bolton Chamber of Commerce 518-644-3831

Natural Resource Projects

Who can I contact if I need assistance with a natural resource project? 
Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District, 394 Schroon River Road, Warrensburg, NY 12885, (518) 623-3119, district@nycap.rr.com

Permits, Zoning, and Planning Regulations

Questions regarding zoning or planning regulations?
Call the town/village planning/zoning offices where you propose the project.  Always call before you build.

Town of Bolton 518-644-2893   planning@town.bolton.ny.us 
Town of Dresden 518-499-7982
Town of Ft Ann 518-639-8929
Town of Hague 518-543-6161  zoning@townofhague.org
Town of Lake George 518-668-5131  lgpbzba@ycap.rr.com 
Village of Lake George 518-668-5771
Town of Putnam 518- 547-9540 
Town of Queensbury 518-761-8220 - planning  518-761-8238 – zoning
Town of Ticonderoga 518-585-9851

Who do I contact regarding stormwater permits? 
If your project is in the towns of Ticonderoga, Dresden or Ft. Ann, call:  Lake George Park Commission 518-668-9347 or visit their web site. If you reside elsewhere, contact your town. See the list above.

Who do I contact for dredging project permits? 
CONTACT THREE PLACES: DEC, APA and the town or villlage where you reside.  
1.  New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) 518-623-1240 - they have joint application with the Army Corps of Engineers
2.  Adirondack Park Agency (APA) 518-891-4050    
3. Your town or village (see numbers above)

Plants - Aquatic & Terrestrial

Can I pull weeds around my dock and shoreline? The Adirondack Park Agency has guidelines for property owners. Please follow the link:  http://www.apa.state.ny.us/Documents/Flyers/Hand_Harvest_Invasives.pdf

Need help identifying an aquatic plant?  Call Lake George Association at 518-668-3558, visit the LGA Eurasian watermilfoil page, or RPI/FWI at 518-668-3541.

I need help with native plants. Where can I purchase them?  Click here for native plant information on the LGA website,  or call the LGA Office at 518-668-3558.

I want to plant a buffer along my stream and/or shoreline.  What plants should I use? Native plants should be used for your buffer.  Click here for more information about native plants or call the LGA 518-668-3558 .

Water Quality Concerns and TestingQuality Concerns and Testing

Who do I contact if I have concerns about water quality?
It depends...
For advice on how to fix an erosion problem, or on alternative septic solutions, call us! Lake George Association 518-668-3558.
To find out if water in your area of concern has been tested recently, call: Darrin Fresh Water Institute    518-644-3541.
To report a septic problem or violation: NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation   518-623-1240.
To find out how you can tell if your water is safe to drink: NYS Dept. of Health  518-793-3893.
To report an erosion problem or violation on the Lake: Lake George Park Commission 518-668-9347.

Where can I get my water tested?
Darrin Fresh Water Institute 518-644-3541
Town of Queensbury Water Department 518-793-8866