New Saratoga Lake Studies Show Road Salt Threat to Water Quality — Local Highway Departments Recognized for Leadership and Innovation

The Saratoga Lake Association (“SLA”), in collaboration with the Environmental Studies Department at Skidmore College, has released a series of new scientific studies documenting the growing impact of winter road salt on the water quality, soils, and aquatic ecosystems of Saratoga Lake and its watershed.

The reports, completed during 2025 and 2026, found elevated chloride and conductivity levels in tributaries and within Saratoga Lake itself, confirming that road salt pollution has become a persistent environmental issue affecting the lake system year-round. The studies also concluded that chloride from road salt accumulates in soils, groundwater, tributaries, and lake sediments over long periods of time and may contribute to the mobilization of heavy metals in aquatic environments.

Importantly, the Saratoga Lake Association emphasized that the studies are not intended as criticism of local highway departments but rather demonstrate the importance of continued collaboration and innovation in balancing public safety with environmental protection.

“Some municipalities in the Saratoga Lake watershed have shown meaningful leadership and a willingness to adopt modern salt reduction technologies and practices,” said John Cashin, Board Member of the Saratoga Lake Association. “These highway departments deserve substantial credit for recognizing the issue and proactively implementing improvements while continuing to maintain safe winter roads.”

The studies highlighted the efforts of the highway departments in the Towns of Wilton, Greenfield, Malta, and Saratoga for adopting or advancing best management practices designed to reduce unnecessary salt use.

Among the accomplishments recognized:

• The Town of Wilton Highway Department under Highway Superintendent Mike Monroe has implemented extensive salt reduction initiatives, including the use of salt brine systems, computerized application technology, GPS-assisted spreading calibration, and “live edge” segmented plow blades that adjust to varying road surfaces and reduce waste. Wilton has also incorporated environmentally safer additives for low-temperature applications.

• The Town of Greenfield Highway Department under Highway Superintendent Darren Barss continues advancing a comprehensive sustainable salt reduction strategy developed with WIT Advisers. Greenfield is transitioning toward liquid applications and installing GPS-integrated metering systems on its fleet. The Town is also upgrading Road Weather Information System (RWIS) stations that provide real-time pavement and atmospheric data to improve application precision.

• The Town of Malta Highway Department under Highway Superintendent Roger Crandall has participated in regional salt reduction initiatives and continues evaluating technologies and operational practices including “live edge” plow blades designed to optimize application rates while maintaining roadway safety.

• The Town of Saratoga Highway Department under Highway Superintendent Ryan Campbell demonstrated one of the strongest downward trends in municipal salt purchases over the 2019–2026 study period, suggesting meaningful progress in salt management practices.

The Skidmore studies found that tributaries associated with developed areas and heavily traveled roadways showed the highest conductivity and chloride concentrations. Researchers documented winter runoff spikes at levels considered harmful to aquatic life and warned that chloride pollution can remain in freshwater systems for decades.

The SLA also released a separate analysis of municipal road salt purchase data from the four municipalities contiguous to Saratoga Lake. The data showed that approximately 82,861 tons of road salt were purchased between 2019 and 2026. At the same time, municipal costs for road salt have risen sharply, reinforcing that salt reduction strategies can provide both environmental and financial benefits.

The Saratoga Lake Association stressed that safer and more efficient winter road management practices are achievable through modern technology, calibration, brining, operator training, and better real-time weather data.

“These highway departments are proving that environmental stewardship and public safety are not mutually exclusive,” Cashin said. “Their willingness to innovate should serve as a model throughout the Saratoga Lake watershed and across New York State.”

The Saratoga Lake Association and Skidmore College plan to continue monitoring Saratoga Lake and its tributaries in future winter seasons to better understand long-term chloride accumulation and evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing reduction efforts.