Keep Aquatic Invasive Species Out!
Important Update from Water Watch Committee of the Blue Mountain Lake Association
This is a red flag summer. Absolutely no motorboats should travel beyond the first half of Utowana Lake. Please turn back before the buoy denotating turnaround. There is really no way for motorboats to safely traverse this area without the threat of chopping up plants and carrying them back through all 3 lakes. We also suggest that motorboats, if possible, avoid Utowana Lake altogether, including the channel leading to it from Eagle Lake.
In the Fall of 2025, tall, large, mature beds of variable leaf milfoil (VLM) were discovered in Utowana Lake, from the camp halfway up the lake (on the right) to the dam, with many plants in the middle of the lake. VLM was found for the first time the channel between Eagle and Utowana.
Water Watch is redoubling its efforts in Utowana this summer—with increases in surveying and harvesting.
The good news: Thus far this season, there is NO aquatic milfoil in Blue Mountain Lake or Eagle Lake. The bad news: invasive milfoil has increased in Utowana Lake and is now present in the eastern part of the lake and channel leading to it from Eagle Lake.
DO: Avoid the orange buoys marking its location.
DON’T: Go into the Channel to the Carry with a motor boat. If paddling, stay in the middle.
DO: Hand an energy bar to the Aqualogic crew, who are surveying for and removing the milfoil. They are working each month from May-October, thanks to the contributions of all who donated to Water Watch!
Please Avoid Orange Buoys
If you are bringing your personal boat to use in Blue Mountain Lake or you plan to fish, please do your part to keep the lake free of invasive species.
CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY your boat, motor, bilge water, well, fishing gear, and paddles before launching into our pristine lake. Clean and dry your trailer (5 days drying time recommended).
Boat Wash Stations
Use a free Boat Wash Station before arriving at Blue Mountain Lake. A full wash/decontamination takes less than 15 minutes! Available Tues – Sun 8:30 to 4:30 pm
The wash station at the Glens Falls rest stop on the Northway (Rt 87) is open most days, while the boat washing station on Rt 28 (near the Lake Durant campground) is typically open Fri-Sat from 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.
To find a station:
https://www.adkwatershed.org/boat-wash-stations
Required Certification
NY State law requires motorized boat users to obtain certification that they have inspected and removed aquatic invasive species before launching in waters in, and immediately adjacent to, the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
The certificate can be obtained from a boat wash station, a boat steward, or self-completed procedure.
https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/selfissuedcertificate.pdf
Bait Procedures for Fishing
Prevent the spiny water flea from entering Blue Mountain Lake. This species is present in Indian Lake. Prevention is the only means to stop it – once this flea is in a lake, it cannot be removed.
Spiny water fleas spread by attaching to fishing lines, downriggers, anchor ropes, and fishing nets and hitching rides to other waterbodies. They can also be transported in bilge water, bait buckets, live wells, and the bottoms of canoes and kayaks.
—CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY your boat and trailer prior to entering new body of water.
—Only use certified disease-free bait purchased from a licensed dealer.
—Never move bait or other fish from one water body to another.
—Soak fishing gear and equipment in hot water (140 degrees F) for 2 minutes prior to entering new body of water.your boat, motor, bilge water, well, fishing gear, and paddles before launching into our pristine lake. Clean and dry your trailer (5 days drying time recommended).