AID Diver Chris Burnham is seen here harvesting Euroasian watermilfoil. (Photo provided)

During the last week of June, the Upper Saranac Foundation Aquatic Invasive Divers dove headfirst into the waters of Moody Pond to check for milfoil growth, spread and acting accordingly to keep it under control.

Each morning during the week of June 27, beginning at 8 a.m., two divers and one top monitor began their work.

That week they spent close to 130 hours focusing on hand-harvesting milfoil before plants matured and fragmented. The divers were able to remove 69 pounds of Eurasian watermilfoil.

Just last year, these same divers removed over 800 pounds of the invasive species from the pond.

In addition to the community’s continuous support in donations, making this possible for Friends of Moody Pond to do each year is the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, which has had a hand in sponsoring the divers.

A second week of diving work is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 12-15.

Next month, Friends of Moody Pond will be hosting their third annual Ice Cream Social on Aug. 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. — rain date Aug. 7 — at 331 Forest Hill Ave. in Saranac Lake. This is a free, community-wide event with free ice cream and a variety of live music.

“Everyone is invited and we hope to see you there,” said FMP Board Member Susan Rdzanek.

The Friends of Moody Pond’s third annual silent auction is also in full swing. The auction went live on July 6 online and will conclude on Aug. 6 at the Ice Cream Social.

“This is one of our most popular events and it’s packed with thousands of dollars’ worth of donated items from local businesses. There is something for everyone to choose from,” said Rdzanek.

The Friends of Moody Pond kicked off their 2022 events in May with their very first “Friends of Moody Pond Yard Sale.”

“To our delight, the event was a great success, with even better weather, drawing in local crowds of all ages –a true kick-off to summer,” said FMP Board Member Jay Federman.

All donations received during this event will be used towards next year’s Eurasian watermilfoil removal.

“We want to thank the community for their continuous support, especially for this event, a first of its kind for Friends of Moody Pond,” said Federman.

Friends of Moody Pond anticipates that one additional week of harvesting will be required in 2022, and two more weeks for general maintenance in 2023.

They welcome donations, which can be made online by clicking the “Donate” button located on the homepage of their website, www.friendsofmoodypond.org, or by check, payable to “Saranac Lake Rotary Foundation.”

Reference “FMP” in the payee line or elsewhere on the check. Updates are available on Instagram and Facebook.