"A lake's watershed encompasses all the surrounding land that drains into it.  Human activities on the land within the watershed affect water quality, because pollutants such as soil, fertilizer, animal and human waste are carried into the lake by stormwater runoff.

 

Hundreds of New York lakes have been impacted by polluted runoff."

 

This photo comes from a report prepared by the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District in December, 2000. 

 

Certain parts in particular of Lake Luzerne are potentially polluted by old septic systems installed before the lake's watershed was understood or appreciated. 

 

Every homeowner owes it to future generations to protect this watershed.