May 09, 2013 — While often seen as an economic lifeline of another era, New York's canals are poised to have a big year for moving freight; almost two centuries after goods were first transported on the upstate New York waterway.

As the state's network of canals opens this week for its 189th official season, commercial traffic along the waterways is expected to be at a two-decade high.

The Canal Corporation, the agency that oversees the 524 miles of canals, expects more than 100,000 tons of freight to move through upstate by way of the Erie Canal and its other canals.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Feb 12, 2013 — It looks like the decision on whether to allow large-scale hydraulic fracturing in New York state will probably be delayed. In a letter this afternoon, State Health Commissioner Nirav Shah wrote his department needs more time to investigate fracking's potential health impacts. Shah said that's because the issues they're considering are very complex.  Go to full article

Burlington, VT, Oct 08, 2012 — Discovery of the spiny water flea in Lake George has heightened worries that the invasive species will eventually move into Lake Champlain.

And it's brought new attention to the danger of the Champlain Canal, an open waterway between Lake Champlain and the Hudson River.

This past summer, spiny water fleas were found in the canal, and in several areas of Lake George as well. That triggered a quick response from a task force of New York and Vermont experts.  Go to full article

Paul Smiths, NY, Sep 27, 2012 — In an earlier conversation on the natural world, Martha Foley and Dr. Curt Stager talked about the longevity of atoms, and how atoms within our body may have once been in the bodies of dinosaurs. But the question remains, is that true of water? How old is it, really?  Go to full article

Syracuse, NY, Sep 07, 2012 — Onondaga Lake sits right next to downtown Syracuse, and after that city's factories poured countless toxic chemicals and sludge into the water over more than 100 years, Onondaga became known as the most polluted lake in America. But today the final stage of a cleanup is underway.  Go to full article

Stony Brook, NY, Aug 16, 2012 — A new study says there are shortfalls in dealing with the massive amounts of contaminated water created through hydraulic fracturing.

The study by Stony Brook University finds the highest risk of flowback water contaminating water supplies occurs during the disposal process.  Go to full article

Saint-Armand, QC, May 02, 2012 — Missisquoi Bay is in the northeast corner of Lake Champlain, along the Vermont-Quebec border. The bay has some of the highest phosphorus concentrations in the lake and is frequently plagued by blue/green algae. In 2008, the US government asked the International Joint Commission, a bi-national body that helps manage US and Canadian boundary waters, to assist in reducing phosphorus levels in the bay.

They've now completed a study that identifies where the phosphorus is coming from and how it gets to the lake. Two public hearings are underway to discuss the results. Sarah Harris was at last night's meeting in Saint Armand, Quebec and has more.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Apr 19, 2012 — The North Country is no stranger to the awesome power of water. We saw what it could do last spring and summer, when spring floods, and later Irene, swept through the area. Our economy depends on water in various forms: agriculture needs just the right amount, fisheries need to be healthy and clean, the mountains need snow in the winter.

Journalist Charles Fishman writes about how we're handling water issues in America today and what we need to be doing in his new book, The Big Thirst. Fishman will speak at SUNY Potsdam on April 25. He told Nora Flaherty the world has all the water it needs, and it's infinitely renewable even if it's absolutely filthy--it just needs to be cleaned.

Charles Fishman will speak at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25 in Sara M. Snell Music Theater at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music. The presentation is free and open to the public. To reserve a seat, (315) 267-2515.  Go to full article

Dec 28, 2011 — It's been a wet, warm December and that's tough news for skiers and snowshoers. But the long autumn has extended the hiking season. So Brian Mann set off last week to explore the trail to Roaring Brook Falls just outside of Keene Valley.

It's one of the shortest, easiest hiking trails in the Adirondacks, and the pay-off in views and scenery may be one of the most spectacular. Here's Brian's audio postcard.  Go to full article

Watertown, MA, Dec 20, 2011 — Over the fall, North Country Public Radio was one of a group of public radio stations that partnered in a special series from WBEZ in Chicago. The ongoing project, called Front and Center, looks at the Great Lakes, from a variety of angles. This week, we're sampling some of the Front and Center stories.

The Great Lakes contain 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water. But can this precious resource can be harnessed to help reverse the region's economic decline and put people back to work. Brian Mann led off the series near Lake Ontario.  Go to full article