• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

409 Riverside Drive | Clayton, NY 13624 | (315) 686-2010

DONATE NOW!
Save The River! Thousand Islands – Clayton NY on the St. Lawrence River

Save The River! Thousand Islands - Clayton NY on the St. Lawrence River

Save The River! is a non-profit, member-based environmental organization whose mission is to preserve and protect the ecological integrity of the Upper St. Lawrence River through advocacy, education and research.

  • Home
  • River Info
    • River Facts
    • St. Lawrence River Ecosystem
    • Issues
    • Current River Conditions
    • Water Levels
  • About Us
    • Our Mission & History
    • Riverkeeper
    • Staff
      • Current Job Openings
    • Board of Directors
    • Latest News
    • Contact
  • What We Do
    • Advocacy
    • Events
      • Run for the River™
      • Trash Free River Cleanups
      • Winter Environmental Conference
    • River Watch
  • Education
    • In The Schools
    • Programs
    • Learning Resources for Home and School
  • Get Involved
    • Membership
    • Make A Donation
    • Take Action
    • Volunteer
    • File A Report
  • Shop
    • Cart

Clean up the Ballast

You are here: Home / What We Do / Advocacy / Clean up the Ballast

Aquatic invasive species are one of the biggest threats to River health today. Save The River’s Clean-Up the Ballast Campaign is focused on stopping aquatic invasive species introductions by tackling the primary source – ship ballast tanks.

The Link Between Ship Ballast and Invasive Species Introductions

More than 190 aquatic invasive species have been documented in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River system. A new invasive species introduction is reported in the Great Lakes every 6 1/2 months, the highest rate of introductions for any ecosystem with long-term data.

Since 1959, when the St. Lawrence Seaway opened the River and Lakes to direct ocean-going shipping, 65% of species discovered have been attributed to ballast water release. Scientists have shown that the rate of discovery of invaders is directly correlated with shipping activity.

Economic Impact of Aquatic Invasive Species

The cost to the regional economy from invasive species is estimated to be billions of dollars per year. The cost of zebra and quagga mussel control alone is estimated at $500 million per year over the next five years.

Save The River was designated the Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper and is a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. The Waterkeeper Alliance is the world’s fastest growing environmental movement, with more than 300+ local Waterkeepers patrolling rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on 6 continents

Footer

Save The River
409 Riverside Drive
Clayton, NY 13624

(315) 686-2010
info@savetheriver.org

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube