Read the 2008 Report: Read the full report (2 MB PDF file) Background Documents: Many of the technical references in the report can be read or linked to from the LCBP website. Ecosystem Indicators and an Environmental Score Card for the Lake Champlain Basin Program, LCBP Technical Report #46 Additional Ecosystem Indicators Matrix Lake Champlain long-term monitoring data (link to VT DEC). Updating the Lake Champlain Basin Land Use Data to Improve Prediction of Phosphorus Loading. LCBP Technical Report #54. LCBP technical reports for cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) monitoring program. Links to Lake Champlain fish consumption advisories for NY, VT and Quebec. "Mass balance assessment for mercury in Lake Champlain" in Environmental Science & Technology. Vol. 40 #1 pp 82-89. (2006) Conserving Lake Champlain's Biodiversity, The Nature Conservancy, 2006.(TNC website) Lake Champlain Sea Lamprey Control website and lampicide schedule. (NYSDEC website). Lake Champlain Basin Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan - 2005. 2007 Vermont Water Chestnut Management Program Summary (VT DEC website).

In recent years, the State of the Lake Report has been the resource for the public and lake managers to learn about the health of Lake Champlain. LCBP staff and partners compile this report to answer frequently asked questions about the lake and to track progress on lake conditions. This report was first published in 1998 and then in 2005 and 2008 (see below for details on each report). The LCBP anticipates publishing this report on a three-year cycle and has already begun gathering information for a 2011 update.

If there are any questions or concerns about the lake that you would like to see addressed in the next edition, please let us know!

2008 Report

The LCBP released the State of the Lake and Ecosystem Indicators Report – 2008 at a press conference in June 2008. This 32-page report answers important questions frequently asked by the public and lake managers about the health of Lake Champlain. It covers issues in three key areas: phosphorus and algae; human health and toxins; and biodiversity and aquatic invasive species. For each issue, the report presents details about the status or condition of the issue, pressures that are contributing to the problem, and some of the management responses to alleviate the problem. The 2008 report also includes an ecosystem indicators scorecard that summarizes the health of each of the Lake’s five major areas or segments: Missisquoi Bay, Northeast Arm (Inland Sea), Malletts Bay, Main Lake, and South Lake by issue. For 2008, nine issues were scored and trends were established for five of those issues.

Read the 2008 Report [2 MB]

Press Release for 2008 Report

2005 Report

The 2005 State of the Lake Report, titled Lake Champlain in 2005 - A Snapshot for Citizens, was released in June of that year. The report focused on important public interests in water quality, health and safety, fish and wildlife habitat, and aquatic nuisance species. Additional sections highlight cultural heritage, recreation and education.

The State of the Lake report was assembled with assistance from dozens of scientists and state, provincial, and federal technical experts. Much of the information was gathered at a workshop in March, 2005 that was convened by the LCBP. Addressing a limited number of questions, however, necessarily limits the breadth of the information. Hundreds of additional scientific reports for the Lake Champlain watershed issues have been prepared by university researchers and other professionals. Contact information for these groups can be found at the end of the report.

Read the 2005 Report [1.2 MB]

1998 Report

The 1998 State of the Lake report was the first report on progress toward the goals of the plan Opportunities for Action, whose first edition was published in 1996. The report follows the organizational structure of the plan; most sections include a summary of major new findings since 1996, accomplishments under high-priority actions, and an overall assessment of progress.

Read the 1998 Report [3.5 MB]