Watershed Stories

Keep up with the work of Ausable River Association staff. These stories share information about our stewardship and monitoring work, natural stream restoration, and culvert replacement techniques by highlighting specific projects in the Ausable and Boquet River watersheds of northern New York. They also give you fun facts about the plants and wildlife that live in these watersheds, as well as tips for enjoying responsible, low-impact recreational opportunities.

Apr

2020

When a River Floods, Fish Shelter In Place

As snows melt and April showers fall down across the landscape, streams and rivers rise to flood stage. What about the fish?

Brook Trout

Apr

2020

Whitewater paddling the Ausable watershed

Whitewater paddling is not for everyone. To enjoy it safely you need hours of proper training, a variety of specialized equipment, and a group of experienced people with whom to paddle. Those who have made the investment, however, have something to look forward to during mud season.

Recreation

Mar

2020

Take a Deep Breath, Now, Thank the Diatoms

A group of single-celled organisms ubiquitous in freshwater lakes, streams, rivers, as well as marine environments is responsible for 20-50% of the oxygen you breathe.

Ecology

Mar

2020

Why Do Rivers Flood?

When rain falls somewhere in a watershed, an amazing amount of water moves downhill. More than half of it is retained by soils to be used by plants or it seeps into groundwater storage, where some of it will recharge streams. The rest moves into a series of small then increasingly larger stream channels. Flooding occurs when the flow of water in a stream increases to the point of filling the channel and overtopping its banks. But there's more to it than that.

Ecology

Feb

2020

Remembering Randy

It was the threat to water quality that really got Preston hooked on the salt issue, Scozzafava said. To Preston, the Ausable River was Wilmington's lifeblood.

Road Salt

Feb

2020

Road Salt Science Is Clear, Time To Take Action

Road salt pollution is a problem we created in our own backyard; it is up to us to address it. Unlike many other environmental problems, we aren't dependent on the federal government or international partners to implement solutions.

Road Salt

Feb

2020

Best Snowshoe Hikes Near Lake Placid

In the winter months, Lake Placid is transformed into a snow sports playground. Snowshoeing is one of the more popular and easily accessible ways to experience the outdoors this time of year. Here are our picks for the five top snowshoe hikes in the Lake Placid area, all of which are free, open to the public, and less than a 10-minute drive from Main Street.

Recreation

Feb

2020

How Do Fish Survive Winter in Rivers and Streams?

To survive through a northern winter in a frozen stream or lake, trout metabolism decreases, enabling them to survive longer between meals. Trout and other stream fish move to areas of better winter habitat, including deep pools and areas with stable ice conditions and slow currents.

Brook Trout

Jan

2020

How Do Ice Jams Form?

Ice jams form when the amount of ice moving in the river exceeds the river channel's transport capacity – its ability to move materials downstream. The process begins when cold winters create thick bank to bank ice on streams. Bank spanning surface ice...

Ecology

Jan

2020

Adirondack Lake Ice Safety

As a general rule of thumb, ice is safe to walk on when there is 4 inches or more of clear ice. It is important to understand that different types of ice varying in their strength.

Recreation

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Our mission — is to help communities protect our streams and lakes.

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We greatly appreciate our business partners for their support and commitment to the health of the Ausable River watershed. To find out how you can partner with the Ausable River Association, click here.

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