Faq

Q: I would like information about camping on Lake George? Where can I find information?
Q: Are there public boat launches on Lake George? Where can I launch my boat?
Q: Do I need to register my boat for use on Lake George?
Q: What is my boater registration fee used for?
Q: What information will I need to provide in order to register my boat on Lake George?
Q: How do I contact the Marine Patrol if I need help?
Q: How old do I have to be to operate a PWC " jetski" on Lake George?
Q: Where can I find information on NYS Boater's Safety Courses?
Q: Do regulations apply for the construction, modification and repair of docks?
Q: I am building a small addition onto my house. Do I need a stormwater management permit?
Q: How is the lake level managed if/when it is too high?
Q: How do I know which side of the boat the channel markers should go on when boating on Lake George?
Q: I have found what looks like foam/soap suds on the surface of the water? Is it pollution?

Q: I would like information about camping on Lake George? Where can I find information?

A: Please visit the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation or Reserve America web pages or by calling 1-800-456-CAMP, to find information about the islands on Lake George. You may also contact the NYS DEC Camping facilities directly at Long Island: 518-656-9426; Glen Island: 518-644-9696; Narrows: 518-499-1288.

Q: Are there public boat launches on Lake George? Where can I launch my boat?
A: Yes, there are public boat launches on Lake George. (Click here to get a list of public boat launch sites)

Q: Do I need to register my boat for use on Lake George?
A: Yes. State Law requires that, in addition to registration required by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, any vessel 18 feet or longer and any vessel mechanically propelled by 10 h.p. or greater, must register with the Lake George Park Commission and display a registration decal.

Q: What is my boater registration fee used for?
A: All fees are deposited into the Lake George Park Trust Fund, a special fund in the custody of the State Comptroller. Money from the trust fund can only be used for programs to preserve the resources of the Lake and the safety of its users.

Q: What information will I need to provide in order to register my boat on Lake George?
A: To register your boat with the Lake George Park Commission please provide your name, address, make, model and color of boat, NYS DMV registration number and berthing location. There are various locations around the lake to register your boat or at the Commission Office. Contact the Commission if you would like information on where you can register your boat.

Q: How do I contact the Marine Patrol if I need help?
A: If you have an emergency call 911, for all other assistance contact the marine patrol at marine Channel 16 on the VHF, or contact the Commission during normal business hours at 668-9347.

Q: How old do I have to be to operate a PWC " jetski" on Lake George?
A: Subjects must be least 14 years of age to operate a personal water craft within all the waters of New York State. ( NYS Navigation Law provides for a phase in of this law for persons less than 14 years of age that took the safety course before the law was passed This phase in extends until January 1, 2009.) Contact the Commission to find out if your under 14 operator is eligible) In addition, all PWC operators, regardless of age, must take an approved NYS boater safety course and carry their safety certificate with them while operating.

Q: Where can I find information on NYS Boater's Safety Courses?
A: Information can be obtained by accessing the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website www.nysparks.com

Q: Do regulations apply for the construction, modification and repair of docks?
A: Yes. Please contact the Commission office for an individual consultation before repairing, altering or constructing a dock, wharf, or mooring.

Q: I am building a small addition onto my house. Do I need a stormwater management permit?
A: Contact the Commission to determine if your addition requires a stormwater management permit from the Lake George Park Commission or your local municipality.

Q: How is the lake level managed if/when it is too high?
A: The lake level can be managed at an outlet dam (the "A Mill" dam) and a penstock (a pipe ten feet in diameter) located at the hydroelectric plant at the entrance of the LaChute River in Ticonderoga. The dam, built in 1903, is located about three-quarters of a mile beyond the natural rock dam at Ticonderoga. When the lake level of water is high the dam and penstock offer a means of discharging the excess water into the river and out of the Lake.

Q: How do I know which side of the boat the channel markers should go on when boating on Lake George?
A: Under the uniform state waterways marking system, Red channel markers are kept to the right (starboard) side of the vessel when traveling toward the “head of navigation” on an inland water body and Green channel markers are kept to the left (port) side of the vessel.

"Red Right Return" On Lake George the “head of navigation” is the Southern-most end of the lake (Lake George Village). When traveling toward the “head of navigation” (Lake George Village), keep red buoys to the right (starboard), when traveling away from the Head of Navigation (Ticonderoga), keep red buoys to the left (port). While exiting Dunham’s bay, Harris Bay or Warner Bay you are heading toward the “head of Navigation” so keep red buoys to the right (starboard).

Q: I have found what looks like foam/soap suds on the surface of the water? Is it pollution?
A: Most of the time, we find that this material which looks like soap suds is caused by a natural phenomena involving amorphic glucosidal compounds found in plants. As plant material, especially leaves, decay in the water saponins are released. Aeration of water containing saponinis releases gases and results in the foam condition we see on streams and lakes.

Although most occurrences of foam will be natural as explained, please report observations to NYSDEC or the Lake George Park Commission and where it occurred. Preventing any unnatural conditions such as septic tank or laundry water overflows into Lake George or its watershed is very important to the protection of its water quality.