Harris Bay Hustle: Preserve Lake George's Natural Beauty

Summers in Lake George have always been special to me. Seeing the Minnie-Ha-Ha ferry pass by our boat while tubing, learning how to waterski and wakeboard, going cliff-jumping and hiking, and learning how to drive a boat are only some of my core memories from summers here. My family has been spending summers at Lake George since the 1800s, and Lake George is not only a special place to my family and I personally, but it has many unique qualities as well.

It is considered one of the clearest and cleanest large lakes in the world, due to the mountains surrounding it creating a slight watershed, keeping it clean. However, due to an increase in usage of chloride in road salts, the algae has increased by 33% and invasive species are slowly working their way in– killing the beautiful natural ecosystem. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “Lake George is without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw; formed by a contour of mountains into a basin... finely interspersed with islands, its water limpid as crystal, and the mountain sides covered with rich groves... down to the water-edge: here and there precipices of rock to checker the scene and save it from monotony.”

We are raising money to support the Lake George Association (LGA), the preeminent Lake-protection entity dedicated to safeguarding The Queen of American Lakes in Upstate New York. The LGA has architected and advanced a science-guided, partner-driven model of freshwater protection designed for adaptation and scaling across the country and world-wide.

The LGA brings together the world-class science of the The Jefferson Project freshwater research partnership and the Lake George Waterkeeper, ​​with input from our Council of Science Advisors; the dedicated volunteer efforts of our Community Scientists; bold public and private protection partnerships; community education; public policy advocacy; and direct investments in protection programs and activities to deliver an unsurpassed level of care for a Lake unrivaled in its beauty and cleanliness.

Right now, more than ever, Lake George needs your help!