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A Look Under The Ice

Watershed Stories

Keep up with the work of Ausable Freshwater Center (AFC) 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.

Oct
01
2020
Best Flies for the Ausable River
The West Branch Ausable River is one of the premier fly fishing destinations on the east coast. On opening day for fishing in the Adirondacks, you find novice and expert anglers alike walking the scenic shoreline and wading the pristine waters of the Ausable as they eagerly await their first trout of the season. To get you ready for your next fly fishing adventure, here are our picks for the best flies for the Ausable River.
Recreation
Sep
17
2020
A Day in the Life: American Mink
When rivers flood their banks, the water that moves into the forest and wetlands is essential to these special ecosystems. Flood waters bring nutrients, plant debris, and soil-building sediments that nourish habitats
Ecology
Aug
31
2020
Building a Culvert that Frees a Stream
Ever wondered what it takes to build a culvert that is flood-resilient, fish-friendly, and gives new life to a stream? The practical answer is planning, surveys, design, engineering, permitting, thoughtful construction, native materials and plants, and the engagement of stakeholders. The secret sauce, however, is in the intention....
Restoration
Aug
21
2020
How Does Hot Weather Affect Trout Fishing?
Many anglers know that when trout streams get too warm, the fishing can go south quickly. Fish either aren’t feeding or are seemingly nowhere to be found. Trout are stressed in these hot temperatures.
Brook Trout
Aug
13
2020
Best Backcountry Camping Near Lake Placid
Backcountry camping is a great way to enjoy the Ausable River watershed. Outdoor enthusiasts can experience the fresh air, glorious mountains, and clear lakes and streams during an overnight camping trip. Here are our picks for the best backcountry camping near Lake Placid, all of which require a little effort in exchange for solitude.
Recreation
Aug
06
2020
Native and Invasive Plant Lookalikes in the Ausable Watershed
It’s summer in the Ausable River watershed. The mud and the blackflies of the spring are gone, making room for gorgeous summer weather and blue skies. All that sun and warmth means terrestrial and aquatic plants can reach the peak of their blooming cycle. To assist with identification, here's is a list of invasive species and their native look-alikes to help you in your own invasive species surveying.
Invasives
Jul
29
2020
Impact of Climate Change on Lakes: Lake Browning
In the coming years, we should expect to see continued declines in lake water transparency and increased browning of lakes in the Adirondacks.
Climate Change
Jul
23
2020
Best Places to Stand Up Paddleboard Near Lake Placid
Whether you're out for some exercise, ready to soak up the sun, or simply want to drift around and relax, your search for the best stand up paddleboarding near Lake Placid ends here. Check out this list of our favorite lakes and ponds with the calmest waters and best mountain views in the area.
Recreation
Jul
15
2020
What Type of Pool is That?
What type of pool is that? Stream scientists describe ten types of pools, learn more...
Restoration
Jul
09
2020
Impact of Climate Change on Lakes: Floods and Droughts
We should expect lake levels to go up, flooding frequency to increase, an increased incidence of algae blooms, and a gradual browning of many of our lakes. These are all changes that are less than desirable to most of us. We can mitigate some of these effects by focusing on good watershed stewardship.
Climate Change

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Our mission — is to help communities protect our streams and lakes.
Threats
Threats
The Ausable River is a river on the edge.
Programs
Programs
AsRA is working hard to protect the Ausable River.
Explore
Explore
Explore the recreational resources of the Ausable.
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