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Environmental Problems in the Lakes of the Adirondack Mountains

The Adirondack Mountains in northeastern New York state are sometimes associated with the Appalachian Mountains but are more similar to Canada's Laurentian Mountains. The mountains are a protected state park, but scientists are concerned about environmental problems, including acid rain, exurban development and chemical contamination.

  1. Acid Rain

    • Acid rain typically refers to a mix of wet and dry material from the atmosphere that contains a lot of nitric and sulfuric acid that typically comes from the combustion of fossil fuels in factories. In the Adirondacks, it falls from the sky and collects in the many lakes surrounding the mountains.

      Acid rain can have a devastating effect on local wildlife. The tainted water kills fish and amphibians and leaves the lakes and ponds around the Adirondacks devoid of life. Other wildlife, such as otters and birds of prey, leave the area due to a lack of food. Acid rain also kills the spruce trees that cover the landscape. The acid rain also may leach into drinking water and the food chain, spreading the toxicity.

    Toxic Substances

    • Power plants and industrial facilities also discharge the toxic chemical mercury into the surrounding environment. Mercury can harm fish-eating birds in a variety of ways, ranging from eggs with weaker shells to fundamental changes in bird behavior.

      Road salt and deicing compounds also find their way into Adirondack waters, which can be toxic to certain plants and animals at high concentrations.

    Exurban Development

    • Exurban development, or "back-country sprawl," refers to the construction of new homes in wild-land areas. The natural beauty of the Adirondacks makes it an attractive spot for new development, but that also brings to the region new roads, power and water lines, pets and other things that might disrupt the local environment. With new development comes more runoff and erosion, which leads to sedimentation and pollution in the Adirondack waters.

    Invasive Species

    • The lakes of the Adirondacks face threats from numerous non-native plant and animal species that act as competition to native species. Water chestnut, zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil are a few examples of some invasive species that have found a home in the Adirondacks.

      Recreational boats are a common culprit because people bring them from all over the country and some plant or animal species living in the boat may end up being released when the owner puts the boat into the water. Some towns and villages have installed boat-washing stations to combat the problem. Also, fishermen sometimes introduce invasive fish species by dumping leftover bait fish into the lakes.

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