Saratoga Lake Association Urges Municipal Action Following New Road Salt Study

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — The Saratoga Lake Association (SLA) is calling on all municipalities within the Saratoga Lake watershed to adopt urgent measures to reduce road salt use, following the release of a new study that documents patterns of chloride pollution that could threaten the lake’s long-term health.

Conducted by a team of Environmental Science seniors and Faculty at Skidmore College and sponsored by the SLA, the comprehensive study of watershed-scale salinity patterns found that road salt runoff—primarily from urban areas such as Saratoga Springs and Malta—is significantly elevating chloride concentrations in tributaries feeding Saratoga Lake. The Saratoga Springs storm sewer outflow can exceed 4,000 parts per million (ppm) of chloride, while conductivity readings more than 10,000 µS/cm were recorded, indicating levels known to be toxic to aquatic life.

“This is a wake-up call,” said John Cashin, SLA Board Member. “The scientific evidence is now unequivocal: road salt is polluting our lake. Municipal leaders must act now to protect the health of our watershed.”

The study further revealed that there was an expected positive relationship between the amount of development in the watershed and both chloride and conductivity levels. Tributaries such as Spring Run and Geyser Creek—both flowing from the heart of Saratoga Springs and corresponding with the areas of highest road density—were identified as major contributors of salt pollution entering the lake.

SLA provided funding for ten state-of-the-art conductivity sensors that enabled continuous monitoring throughout the winter of 2024–2025. The study’s findings reinforce growing concerns across New York State about the ecological toll of winter deicing practices. Though Saratoga Lake has historically been considered a recreational and ecological gem, the data now show meaningful interventions, like those recommended by the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Taskforce, should be considered by the municipalities in the Saratoga Lake Watershed.

Public sentiment appears to be ahead of policy. A community survey conducted alongside the study found that 94% of respondents support the use of alternative snow and ice removal methods, provided safety is maintained. “Residents are ready for change—they understand the stakes,” said Cashin. “What’s needed now is municipal leadership.”

The SLA is urging local governments to:

• Implement best practices in salt application, including calibrating equipment and using brine pre-treatment.

• Apply for DOT Grants for funding of road salt reduction initiatives.

• Reduce overall salt use in sensitive watershed areas.

• Increase public education around the environmental consequences of road salt.

• Partner with SLA and other stakeholders to expand monitoring and promote coordinated watershed management.

“We commend the Skidmore students for their rigorous, timely research and are proud to have supported their efforts,” Dr. James DeMasi the SLA President said. “Their work gives us the data—and the mandate—to move forward.”

The Saratoga Lake Association encourages all residents to read the full study and join in advocating for environmentally responsible winter maintenance practices. The future of Saratoga Lake depends on the collective action of our communities today.