Lake George Association Partners with Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association to Install Native Plant Shoreline Buffer


Looking out to Lake George from the Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association property in Bolton.

The Lake George Association has partnered with the Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association to install a native plant buffer along a section of the association’s shoreline along the Lake. In addition to wanting to buffer the shoreline to help protect the Lake from any potential stormwater runoff in the area, the association is also hoping that the buffer will help keep Canada geese off their property.

“We were very excited to partner with the homeowner’s association on this project. Complaints about Canada geese are nothing new around the Lake. In fact, earlier this summer we partnered with USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services to begin a Canada goose survey of the Lake as a first step in developing a management plan,” said Emily DeBolt, LGA’s Outreach Coordinator. “However, there are steps that property owners can take on their own as well,” said DeBolt.


A view in from the lake.

One such step is maintaining – or re-creating – a more natural shoreline. When geese have a direct line from the Lake to tasty, green grass, it is like an open invitation for them. “We can’t really blame the geese,” said DeBolt. “I know it isn’t what people want to hear, but we have created an ideal scenario for them and they are just obliging.”

Luckily, the homeowners at the Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association listened to what DeBolt had to say. The shoreline buffer installed at the Norowal Homeowner’s Association property will hopefully help with the goose problem come spring. By then, the native perennials installed this fall will be getting established, and will be tall enough to deter the geese, but not so tall as to impede the view of the Lake for the homeowners that use the property. “We were thrilled to work with the LGA staff to make this project happen,’ said Cheryl Lamb, Association member. “We have wanted to address our shoreline area for a while now, but we just weren’t sure where to begin. The LGA’s expertise made it possible. We can’t thank them enough for all their help.”


Native blue flag iris is planted on the left. Invasive yellow iris appears on the right.

Another important part of this project was first removing a large section of yellow iris that had taken hold along the shoreline. Yellow iris is an extremely invasive plant that is found along the shorelines of the Lake. The seeds float, so the water carries them, allowing the plant to pop up anywhere the wind takes it. “What was interesting about this yellow iris was that on the same section of shoreline there was also the native blue flag iris as well just a few feet away. You could really tell the difference between the two in terms of size when they were next to each other like that. We were sure to remove the invasive yellow iris but keep the native blue flag iris as part of the new buffer,” said DeBolt. “We will be sure to monitor the planting next year to see if any bits of yellow iris pop back up as well. We did our best to remove it all, but it is always a good idea to monitor an area for a few years just to make sure you got it all.”

“This buffer had many different components to it that will benefit the Lake. We were able to not only remove invasive species, but also then plant native species to both better stabilize the shoreline to prevent erosion and provide a buffer before stormwater runoff reaches the lake. And as if all that wasn’t enough, it will also discourage geese from using the area,” said DeBolt. “We really wish everyone would consider buffering their shoreline with native plants. It’s not only an investment in your property, but it’s also an investment in the Lake. We can’t think of a better win-win than that.”

LGA Nuisance Canada Geese Lakewide Survey


Canadian geese are a growing problem on Lake George. (Photo – Lake George Association.)

Nuisance resident Canada geese are a growing problem on the Lake for private properties and the Lake’s water quality. Just 1 goose can produce about 1 lb of droppings per day! Droppings contain bacteria and nutrients including phosphorus, both of which can impact water quality. Unfortunately, there often isn’t much that can be done to help homeowners with the problem other than suggest a shoreline buffer or some other goose deterrent ideas.

However, the Lake George Association hasn’t given up on addressing this issue over the years – and are happy to be able to tell you that now they are working with USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services staff to conduct a lake-wide survey of the Canada Goose population on Lake George this month. A census of the current population is the first step in moving forward with a lake-wide management plan.

It is a big lake – so the LGA needs your help! They know that some areas on the lake are prone to more goose problems than others. If you know of an area (like your front lawn) where the geese are constantly hanging out – they would like to know about it. This info will greatly help them get a more accurate picture of the goose population on the Lake during their survey.

The LGA would like to know:
1. where you see the geese (address and description from the water would be good since we will be on a boat to conduct the survey),
2. about how many geese are in the flock,
3.and how frequently they are there (are they always in the same place every day – do they have a daily routine?, etc) .

Please email this info to Emily at edebolt@lakegeorgeassociation.org or call the office at 518-668-3558 by Monday August 18th.

See the DEC handout on geese here.

Morning Surprise

I went outside this morning and almost tripped on this turtle which appeared to be sitting on its eggs. It looks like its shell has a break in it and the pictures capture a bit of its tail, which is very reptilian. (Click images to see full-scale.) Not wanting to disturb it any further, I left it alone.

Bald Eagle Sighting: Lake Champlain South Bay Bridge

Many thanks to Dave Richards who emailed me these pictures of a bald eagle taken from the Lake Champlain South Bay Bridge, on Sunday morning, December 8th, about 9:00 am.

Dave luckily had his digital camera on hand. Looks like the eagle was feasting on a fish.

While our local bald eagle population is improving, it’s hard to catch them on camera.

Thanks again go out to Dave for sharing these great shots!

Huey, Dewey, and Louie?


I saw these three ducks bobbing for their breakfast a few days ago and almost got them all with their tail ends in the air at the same time.

Bits of Everything

Watch Out, The Top 7 Summer Health Hazards

From WebMD, what you need to be careful of in the summertime.

DEC to Spend $3 million on Porous Pavement Project

The New York State Department of Conservation plans to move forward with a $3 million project to reconstruct a section of Beach Road on State lands and the Lake George Beach parking with porous asphalt and other storm water management features to protect water quality.

“Hoofprints Walk Of Fame” Unveiled at Saratoga Race Course

Man o’ War or Secretariat? The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the Saratoga 150 Committee today unveiled a new attraction designed to pay homage to the 30 most accomplished thoroughbreds to compete at Saratoga Race Course during its 150-year history.

New Tick-Borne Illness Could be Worse Than Lyme Disease

From CBS New York, a new disease spread by deer ticks has already infected 100,000 New Yorkers since the state first started keeping track.

A Tree Frog


I saw this cute little tree frog on my way to the Post Office this morning and was amazed at its camouflaging.

Click image to see larger view.

The Sun Brings Out All

Finally, the sun is shining today. I spotted this chipmunk down by the water and it was quite content to sit and pose. So it looks like it the animals are enjoying the sun also.

(Click image to see full-scale.)