Survey Work Has Begun!

Divers began surveying the Asian Clam site located in Boon Bay on Monday.  Survey work will continue for the next few weeks and will be followed by installation of benthic barriers to smother the clams.

In Water Asian Clam Survey Work Begins Next Week!

Divers from the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum will be back in Lake George next week to begin Asian clam work for the 2012 season.  Survey efforts will begin at Boon Bay, the largest site that needs treatment in 2012.  Let's hope that the warm weather comes back!

The plan for Boon Bay:

1.  Divers will survey  the southern and northern ends of the infested area in Boon Bay to ascertain the limits of the infestation.

2. Based on survey results, a dive crew will install benthic barrier mats. Mats will be installed side by side from one end of the infested area to the other, in a piano-key formation. This treatment may be disruptive to boat and resort owners. To minimize the disruptions, mats will be put into the Lake as soon as feasible in April, to begin the 45-day clock as early as possible. Up to 500-600 mats may be needed.

3. Special mats with ports for measuring dissolved oxygen (DO) will be installed at regular intervals. The Darrin Fresh Water Institute will monitor these ports during the treatment. Maintenance of the mats will occur weekly.

4. If feasible, all mats will be removed by late June.

5. In September, Boon Bay will be re-surveyed and all locations with live clams will be marked for treatment. The task force is planning only “spot” treatments in the fall and not another large treatment.

6. Installation of mats will begin in September. Installation of some mats in near-shore areas where they may disrupt tourism facilities could be delayed until after Columbus Day weekend.

7. Mats will be removed in early December.