Since 1986, Save The River has worked with volunteers and the Thousand Islands Association (TIA) to mark the most dangerous shoals along the St. Lawrence River. During the 2024 summer season, STR and over 60 volunteers marked over 100 shoals on the American side of the Thousand Islands.
With the 2025 boating season upon us, STR is seeking able-bodied members of the community to assist in this important volunteer effort. Multiple sites from Cape Vincent to Grindstone Island to Alex Bay need markers and are available for adoption. Volunteers are given all materials, including the marker, chain, and concert blocks, and they are responsible for season deployment and removal of the marker.
Please call (315)686-2010 or email programs@savetheriver.org if you would like more information about becoming a shoal marking volunteer. You can also learn more about the program here.
This program would not be possible without help from TIA, which marks the shoals on the Canadian side of the River. TIA also provides annual funding to support STR’s shoal marking efforts.
Since it is impossible to mark every shoal, and many shoals are not in the water yet, STR encourages all boaters to refer to navigational charts when traveling on the St. Lawrence River.
If you have located a marker that has washed ashore or see one floating away from its mooring, please return it to the STR office in Clayton or contact STR to arrange for pick-up. Returning found shoal markers to STR helps reduce program costs and ensures the program’s success.