Timber and Oakley Cruising the North Basin

Boating season is upon us and the Conservation Committee of the Loon Lake Homeowners Association wants to remind everyone, especially motorboaters, that it is incumbent on all of us to protect our lake from aquatic invasive species and shoreline erosion, as well as to protect other boaters and swimmers in the lake. The items below are necessary to protect the lake environment and boaters’ and other lake users’ safety. They are also New York State Law. While Loon Lake is a private lake, that does not mean that it is exempt from New York Laws that apply to all bodies of water in the Adirondacks or the state more generally. Apparently, the DEC does undertake some enforcement on Loon Lake; we heard from a local resident that the DEC was on Loon Lake and that he was questioned while ice fishing this winter, and it was not his first time.

Boating Safety Certification

Brianna’s law states that, effective January 2025, all motorized boat operators in New York State must take a safe boating course and earn their safe boating certificate. Operators of motorized boats must carry their certificate with them when operating a boat on any New York state waters, including Loon Lake. The state law also provides the opportunity to have an anchor decal added to you drivers license in lieu of carrying the certificate.

This course will not only teach you safe boating, but will cover the topics related to the conservation concerns discussed above. Any person who operates a motorized boat on Loon Lake must have a safe boating certificate and obey all state and local laws while operating a boat on our beloved lake.

Boating Education
https://parks.ny.gov/boating/education.aspx

Find a Safe Boating Course
https://www.register-ed.com/programs/new_york/252-new-york-safe-boating-course

Obtain your Certificate
https://www.boatus.org/newyork

New York State Boater’s Guide
https://www.nxtbook.com/newyorkstateparks/nysparks/ny_boatersguide_24/

Shoreline Erosion

Motor boats are a major contributor to shoreline erosion on Loon Lake, especially in the narrows and the smaller bays and inlets. In New York State, a no wake zone has been established where vessel speed is limited to 5 mph when within 100 feet of the shore, a dock, pier, raft, float, or anchored boat. The purpose is twofold: to minimize the impact of wakes on shoreline erosion and to protect the safety of people and property. Where no speed limit is posted, vessels must always be operated in such a fashion so as not to endanger others. A vessel must be able to stop within a distance appropriate to the prevailing conditions. By New York State law, a vessel operator is responsible for any damage caused by the vessel’s wake. We ask you to adhere to the no wake zone speed limit of 5 mph when operating your boat on Loon Lake. Please be considerate of other boaters and swimmers at all times. Our lake is only two miles long, so it doesn’t take long to go anywhere. Please slow down and protect the shoreline and the safety of others.

Invasive Species

The Loon Lake Homeowners Association has requested that renters not be permitted to bring their own motorized boats to Loon Lake to stop the introduction of invasive species to the lake. All boat owners who use their boats in any bodies of water outside of Loon Lake are responsible to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boat before launching their boat on Loon Lake. This includes both motorized and non-motorized boats (kayaks, canoes, rowboats, etc.). By New York State law all motor boats launched in any body of water within the Adirondack Park, or within 10 miles of the park’s border, must have a certificate that the boat has been cleaned and decontaminated. Certification can be obtained from the steward at DEC decontamination locations including Lake Placid, Upper Saranac Lake, Upper St Regis Lake, and Second Pond. There is also a self-certification process and the Conservation Committee will make self-certification forms available at the boat launch. All persons who launch their motorboat on Loon Lake must have a certificate for Loon Lake, Remember, once invasive species are introduced to Loon Lake, we will have extraordinary expensive control costs for years to come. Please be considerate and follow the law to protect our lake. The links below offer additional information about invasive specifies and the process for decontaminating your boat:

A New York Boaters Guide to Cleaning, Drying and Disinfecting Boating Equipment
https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/boatdisinfect.pdf

Invasive species regulations at boat launches
https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/boating/aquatic-invasive-species-regulations-at-launching-and-fishing-sites

DEC Rules on Motor Boating
https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/boating

NYS Public Boat Launches with Boat Stewards or Decontamination Services – Map
https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html