Boating on Star Lake

BOATING ON STAR LAKE

BEFORE launching a boat or any other watercraft (including kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, jet skis, et.al.) into the Lake:

If you (or your guests or renters) have had your boat or any other watercraft on another body of water, please follow the DEC’s “How to protect your waters from invasive species” procedures below to avoid contamination of the lake: (quoted and adapted from the DEC’s website; for more detail follow QR code on the right)

“Boats, trailers, waders, and other fishing and boating equipment can spread aquatic invasive species from one waterbody to another unless properly cleaned, dried or disinfected after use. State law requires boaters to take these steps before launching their watercraft (e.g., motorboats, canoes, kayaks, jet skis) into public waterbodies. Although some invasive species such as Eurasian water-milfoil are readily visible to the human eye, many others are too small to be easily noticed. To avoid spreading invasive species please use the guidelines below:

CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY

Clean any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transporting equipment. Remove pieces of aquatic vegetation and dispose of them on land well away from the water.
Wash the boat, motor, oars, and trailer with hot (140^o F) water or steam at a decontamination station or car wash preferably shortly after taking the boat out of the water; definitely before launching in Star Lake! Note, there currently is a decontamination station at the corner of Rt. 3 and the Benson Mines Rd.
Drain all water holding compartments including ballast tanks, live wells and bilges on land, well away from the shore. Note, waterskis and wakeboards sometimes have ballast tanks; be sure to drain them. Flush them with 140^o F water.
Don’t release unused bait into the water and don’t dump your bait bucket water into the lake. Don’t release fish caught in other lakes or streams into Star Lake either. Fish not native to Star Lake may be undesirable species that will negatively affect the ecosystem of the lake. We’d add, don’t ever use baitfish from other than Star Lake or Little River.
Dry boats, trailers, and all equipment before use in another waterbody. The most effective way to ensure that no invasive species or fish diseases are transported to a new body of water is to completely dry your boating and fishing equipment. A minimum of 5-7 days’ drying time in dry, warm conditions is recommended. Disinfect anything that came into contact with water if it cannot be dried before reuse.”

Additional Resource: NYS Boaters Guide to Cleaning, Drying and Disinfecting Boating Equipment (PDF)

Note: boaters operating any kind of motorized watercraft in the Adirondack Park and within ten miles of the Blue Line are required by law to possess certification that, before launching, their vessel has undergone measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by following the Clean.Drain.Dry standards. These certificates can be acquired by visiting a DEC designated aquatic invasive species inspection station where boat stewards are present to inspect or decontaminate vessels and to provide boaters with a certification card. Alternately, boaters may preform Clean.Drain.Dry steps themselves and then complete a self-issued certificate. (Quoted from: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/invasive-species/resources-regulations/regulations#blueline)

Invasive species have been found on neighboring lakes and ponds, so it is up to all of us, owners, renters, day visitors, to be extremely vigilant about following these steps prior to launching watercraft or using fishing equipment in Star Lake!

New York Boaters' Guide

For a comprehensive and informative guide to New York boater safety regulations, click here (or visit SLPA website; see QR code on the right).

It is in .pdf format, so you can save your own copy or print it for yourself.

Please Study the Star Lake Map

The Star Lake Map identifies rock shoals, shallows, and sand bars to help boaters avoid damaging props, keels, or centerboards. It also includes a 5 mph/100 foot from shoreline marking in critical areas around the lake to assist in keeping appropriate speeds, maintaining safety and minimizing erosion. Specific areas of concern are mentioned on the next pages of the Handbook. For more information, see Rules of the Lake, on SLPA website. (See QR code on the right.)

Right of Way and Counter-Clockwise Direction of Travel

The SLPA established guidelines for safe boating that included counterclockwise travel around the island (Lulu/Long/Hiawatha Islands). It is particularly important for fast boats, jet skis (personal watercrafts), and water skiers to observe this rule to avoid accidents and maintain safe traffic flow. Other slower vessels that choose to travel opposed to the general traffic should stay out of the main channels, particularly in “blind” areas where oncoming traffic might not be seen until it’s too late.

This counterclockwise “rule” is widely followed by long-time boaters on the lake; therefore, it important that, if you have guests or renters, please inform them of these general guidelines. If you have children boating on the lake, please make sure they are observing the rights of others and that they are aware of proper boating safety rules.

State of New York Boater’s Safety Course

New York boating safety laws indicate that motorized boats, jet skis (personal watercrafts) and motorized rafts must yield right of way to sail boats and boats engaged in fishing. Sailboats must stay out of the way of boats engaged in fishing. All slower traffic should keep to the right, out of the main traffic channels.

A NY Boaters’ Safety course is now required for everyone, regardless of age, operating a motorized vessel. See the NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website for a listing of available classroom and online courses.

Speed Regulations, Safety, Boat Wakes and Other Considerations

New York has boating laws which, when followed, strike a balance between safety, boating enjoyment, and infringement on the environment. Let’s all be good neighbors and respect the rights of lake users by trying to follow some basic, common-sense rules. The following are excerpts from The New York State Boater’s Guide.

“…speed is limited to 5 mph when within 100 feet of shore, dock, pier, raft, or anchored boat.” Some counties have added swimmers to the list, and this is probably a good idea. Swimmers who are a considerable distance from shore (swimming across the bay or lake, for example) should make sure they are extra visible to boaters.

Look at your wake from time to time. Five mph is a fast walking speed and the intent here is not only safety, but a minimizing of wake and the impact it has on shorelines and property. “… you must operate your boat so it will not endanger others. Your boat must be able to stop safely within the clear space ahead. A skipper is responsible for damage caused by his wake… ” Some heavier, larger boats leave a bigger wake at 5 mph than if they were going full speed! When going through the cut between second and third lake, around small islands or into narrow bays, it’s best to put the bow of the boat right down into the water and run at slow, idle speed; not half throttle with your “bow up” leaving a three-foot wake! Please use good judgment and observe your wake from time to time, whatever the speed. All boat owners should instruct those who use their boat about safety, wake damage and consideration for others.

For an idea of what 100 feet is, the mouth of Post Office Bay is a little more than 200 feet wide, so one half of this is just over 100 feet. The enclosed map marks the 100-foot limit in critical areas of the lake with a 5-mph symbol. There are some specific problem areas on the lake regarding the 100-foot limit:

Lulu Island. The distance from the end of the island to the mainland is about 125 feet, so the speed limit there is 5 mph. Water skiing around the island, while traditional, is technically illegal since it violates the 100-foot rule. While skiers have traditionally skied around the islands, there is severe shore erosion on the islands. Those little islands can’t afford to lose any more shoreline! Entrances to most smaller bays and around islands fall within the 100-foot, 5-mph rule.
Sunset Bay. While technically there appears to be “room,” the sandbar poses a safety problem when water skiing into and out of the bay and avoiding the 100-foot limit on Scott’s Point.
Post Office Bay. The mouth is just over 200 feet wide. The bay then opens up for a short way but closes to 205-215 feet for several hundred feet. This means that there is only a 5-15 foot legal “channel” through that stretch. If there is other traffic in the channel, then there is a problem with towing a water skier and still being 100 feet from shore. We suggest when water skiing, that you take a quick look before entering or leaving the bay. If there is traffic in the channel, then circle around or bypass the bay until it’s clear. Slower traffic should keep right, out of the main channel. Swimmers should make sure they are clearly visible to boat traffic and should be very careful when crossing the channel.
“The Cut.” People should not ski or speed through this area for several reasons. First and most important, there are often people using their beach and dock in that area and safety is an issue. Second, it is difficult to determine if there is traffic on the other side at the speed required to ski; and last, there is the obvious erosion problem. This is clearly a 5-mph area.
Sandbar area. The rapid approaches to the sandbar, including when dropping off water skiers, is highly dangerous given the number of people at the sandbar and the presence of children and pets. Properties near the sandbar are experiencing erosion due to the large wakes this creates. In addition, speed into and through the small bay in Sunset Bay and through Kilbourn’s Bay should be reduced to 5 mph because of their small width, swimmers and kayakers traversing the bays, and the erosion of land.

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