What is a watershed?
A watershed consists of all the land which contributes water to a lake - it involves far more than just the shoreline. To outline watershed boundaries, connect the points of highest elevation around a lake on a topographic map. Water falling within this “catchment basin” flows by gravity, in streams and groundwater, to the lake. Any substance within the watershed which can be transported by water eventually reaches the lake and affects water quality.
Please contact the Adirondack Park Agency by calling (518) 891-4050, or the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) at (518) 897-1200 or (315) 785-2238, before underatking any activities on or near a shoreline.