Letter from the Director

Photo: LCBP

It’s hard to believe, but the LCBP staff met in July to start planning the next version of the State of the Lake and Ecosystem Indicators Report. It seems like yesterday that we released the 2021 edition.

With a string of beach closures in Burlington early this summer and the historic flooding in the Basin just the day before our meeting, there was a lot to talk about at our meeting.

LCBP staff were lucky in that none of us experienced direct impacts from the July floods, but we watched with concern as friends and neighbors dealt with flooded homes and businesses. And like our partners, we almost immediately turned to assessing the impacts to our rivers, lakes, and communities.

Among the devastation, we saw signs that efforts to make the Basin more flood resilient after Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 have helped. We’re pleased to help support the research, identify the most impactful projects, and provide the funding to help implement work that furthers these goals.

July’s storms demonstrated the value of science and informed decision-making for the Lake Champlain Basin. They inform the preliminary findings on the flooding impacts included in this edition of the Casin’ the Basin. As we move forward, they will continue to inform our work to assess this summer’s events and other aspects of water quality and ecosystem health that will be included in the 2024 State of the Lake Report.

In the meantime, we have made emergency funding available to organizations affected by the flooding. More details on these grants are available below.

Eric Howe
Director, Lake Champlain Basin Program & Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership

Historic Flooding Brings Nutrient Surge to Lake

Waterbury, Vermont was one of many town flooded by the Winooski River in July. Photo: Peregrine Productions

As many communities began the long recovery process after the July storms dropped seven or more inches of rain on parts of the Basin, the LCBP and our partners started to assess the flooding’s impact on the Lake.

At the peak of the flooding, streams and rivers delivered 4.3 billion gallons of water to Lake Champlain each hour, bringing the lake level up about three feet. All that water brought tremendous amounts of sediment, nutrients, debris, and other contaminants to the Lake. Initial modeling suggests that the Lamoille River delivered more phosphorus to Lake Champlain in the week starting on July 10 than in all of 2022. The surge of phosphorus inputs could result in more cyanobacteria blooms in some areas of the Lake later this summer.

While many communities were devastated by the historic flooding, there were indications that efforts to increase flood resilience since Tropical Storm Irene had paid off. Floodplain restoration efforts like the Dog River Park in Northfield, wetlands conservation, and other efforts did help to mitigate the impacts in some areas.

The storm demonstrated the importance of research and of monitoring in the Basin. River discharge data helped with flood forecasting and emergency preparedness. Buoys on the Lamoille River and in Malletts Bay monitored water quality every 15 minutes, providing critical information on what went downstream and when, so we can learn more about the impacts of flooding and target restoration efforts on the water quality of Lake Champlain.

The LCBP and our partners will continue to support research and the important on-the-ground work watershed organizations do to implement flood resilience and mitigation projects.

Learn more about the flood impacts

Artists and Clean Water Unite

Students show off their laser-cut wood panel mosaic. Photo: LCBP

Artists have inspired and informed us about the environment and our natural heritage for centuries. In recent years, the LCBP has supported and engaged in several initiatives that involve artists of all ages in projects that use scientific data and historical records to interpret the lake environment, cultural heritage, or social concerns using a variety of creative media.

The recently launched “Watershed Voices” Artist-in-Residence program features composer Glenn McClure. Over the next two years, Glenn will mentor three composers in translating scientific data from Lake Champlain into music. Glenn will be the featured speaker at a special summertime Love the Lake presentation on August 16 (details below).

To celebrate the contributions of art to our appreciation and understanding of the Lake and its ecosystem, we recently added a new page to our website to highlight this work.

Visit our Art and Clean Water web page

Multi-Lingual Outreach Aims for Fun and Safe Lake Recreation

Vermont FIsh and Wildlife Department's Ali Thomas helps new anglers bait their hooks. Photo: LCBP

The LCBP, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department have embarked on several new campaigns to share information with the Basin’s diverse communities about enjoying the Lake and other waters safely.

The partners have hosted fishing workshops in Vermont and New York since Spring 2022. The workshops offer an opportunity for anglers to learn about fish species in the Lake, fishing regulations, and safety on the water. Game wardens from Vermont and New York discuss license requirements, appropriate access, and catch limits.

The partners have developed videos and signage at fishing access areas to help communicate rules. The LCBP has also produced three new videos translated into seven languages to explain threats posed by cyanobacteria, bacteria, and mercury in fish tissue.

View the LCBP Recreating Safely videos

Lake Stewards Corral AIS

The invasive water chestnut discovered during the Mayor's Cup in Plattsburgh was a new population that will be managed proactively in the future. Photo: NYSDEC

Efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species continue this summer and have resulted in new discoveries and “saves”.

During the Mayor's Cup Festival at Plattsburgh City Beach in July, several curious children brought nutlets they found on the beach to a table staffed by LCBP lake stewards. One of the stewards had also found nutlets nearby and confirmed they were water chestnuts. Staff conducted a follow-up survey and removed more than 100 plants from a previously unknown population.

That discovery was followed by a “save” at the Point Au Roche launch, where an LCBP boat launch steward removed hydrilla from a watercraft from Texas. This invasive plant poses one of the greatest threats to Lake Champlain. Preventing its introduction is a priority for lake managers.

Anyone who discovers a plant or animal that they suspect to be invasive species can report it using the iMap Invasives app or by contacting one of organizations listed in the Lake Champlain Aquatic Invasive Species Guide.

Invasive Species Guide Helps ID Threats

The LCBP published an updated version of the Lake Champlain Aquatic Invasive Species Guide this spring.

The guide helps residents and recreational users identify invasive plants and animals so they can help report and address evolving species threats. The guide includes defining characteristics of each species, common look-alike species, habitat descriptions, known distributions, and photos.

View the Aquatic Invasive Species Guide online or contact the LCBP at lcbp@lcbp.org or (802) 372-3213 to receive a hard copy.

Education and Outreach Team Delivers

E&O Steward Madeline Reilly demonstrates the watershed model at the South Hero Farmers Market. Photo: LCBP

The LCBP E&O team has been sharing information and resources in all corners of the Basin this summer, from the Missisquoi watershed to the South Lake to the Cadyville, NY beach. Outreach stewards have partnered with local libraries, farmer’s markets, and summer camps to share our outreach messaging. As fall approaches, please contact the LCBP if you would like to have an outreach staff member engage with the public at your upcoming event anywhere within the watershed! Our staff at the Resource Room at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain has been super busy too, with more than 350 visitors on several days this summer. Stop by for a visit!

Get Involved—Volunteer!

Local watershed organizations in the Lake Champlain Basin rely on volunteers to complete field work. Photo: LCBP

You can help restore and protect the waters of the Lake Champlain Basin. With summer getting into full swing, there are a number of opportunities in the near future:

• Ausable River Association will host a purple loosestrife pull to mitigate the threat of this invasive species on Sunday, August 13th. We're looking for volunteers to assist in eliminating portions of the infestation while learning about the plant's identification and management. Help us restore healthy ecosystems while enjoying the beauty of the Adirondacks! Details >>
• The Intervale Center seeks volunteers for 2023 Flood Response, Intervale Conservation Nursery, The Peoples Farm, Gleaning & Food Access, Summervale, and Invasive Plant Control. Details >>

Many organizations need volunteers throughout the year.

Visit our volunteer web page to learn about ongoing opportunities and search for an organization near you

Watch our Diving In videos to see how some folks are getting involved

Grant and Research Project Highlights

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Lake St .Catherine Assoc., LCBP, UVM, Chazy Lake Watershed Initiative

Libraries Love Lakes
The Lake St. Catherine Association is continuing its Libraries Love Lakes program with Wells Village Library. Last year, an inaugural event at Wells Lakeside Park included presentations on hands-on learning and stewardship. Families received lake-themed kits with numerous books and activities, and boat tours were provided. The Wells Village Library also created a new section called "The Lake St. Catherine Collection." The program continues into next year with the creation of an interactive watershed model of Lake St. Catherine and a Lake St. Catherine mascot, an expanded library collection, and more educational events.

Protecting our Waters at CP Smith Elementary School
A team of students, teachers, parents, and community members worked with Watershed Consulting to install a rain garden at C.P. Smith Elementary School in Burlington in July. The rain garden was part of a "Protecting our Waters" education program led by Champlain College faculty and students. The project also included development of traditional and augmented reality learning modules to teach fourth grade students about water pollution threats to Lake Champlain.

Watch the rain garden at work during a heavy rainfall

Community News Service
Students in the University of Vermont’s Community News Service published 23 stories about Lake and environmental issues in 16 news outlets this spring. The students learned the craft of reporting while filling a need for local newspapers and other outlets that don’t have the capacity to cover the issues. Topics included the invasive round goby, lake trout stocking, and the treatment of PFOAs from landfill leachate. The Community News Service editor worked with the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and Lake Champlain Basin Program to provide resources for students and worked with students on pitching stories, interviewing, and writing.

Chazy Lake Eurasian Watermilfoil Removal
Chazy Lake Watershed Initiative (CLWI) contracted with AE Commercial Diving Services, Inc. to develop a plan and conduct Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) for Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) in Chazy Lake. The objective was to remove the beds of EWM that were spread over a large area of Seine Bay. Bottom conditions in Seine Bay make it difficult to remove the plants and their root systems. As a result, the regrowth potential is high in areas and will require ongoing monitoring.

LCBP Science Blog

“Whole Farm” Nutrient Management
A pilot study conducted from 2020-2022 by a team of researchers at University of Vermont Extension found that reducing imported feed reduced the amount of surplus phosphorus on farms from an average of 2.14 tons to 0.70 tons per year.

Whole farm nutrient management is a comprehensive approach that accounts for all nutrient inputs, outputs, and movement. The approach optimizes an entire farm’s operation to reduce nutrient losses to waterways and improve farm viability.

During the project, farms increased their use of farm-grown forage feed from 80% to 92% of the total feed, reducing grain use proportionally.

New Tools to Steer Wetland and Riparian Protection in New York
Over a two-year study, a team of researchers at the New York Natural Heritage Program developed tools to estimate stream water quality, the capacity of wetlands to absorb and slow flood waters, and the connectivity of floodplains to surface waters across the New York portion of the Lake Champlain Basin.

These tools will support wetland and riparian management to improve flood mitigation and resilience, water quality, and habitat for native species. The resulting interactive mapping tool can be used by natural resource managers to prioritize conservation and restoration efforts.

The tool complements The Nature Conservancy’s Water Quality Blueprint for identifying and prioritizing areas of high conservation value along water ways in Vermont.

Learn more about these projects in the LCBP Science Blog

Open Requests for Proposals

External Review of VTDEC and NYSDEC Clean Water Project Tracking and Accounting Methodologies
The LCBP seeks proposals for a comparison of methods used by VTDEC and NYSDEC to calculate how projects are reducing phosphorus delivered to Lake Champlain. The selected contractor will review each state’s Standard Operating Procedures and suggest recommendations to improve and align the states’ accounting efforts to help ensure consistency within the Lake Champlain Basin.

Organizational Support Emergency Flood Relief Grant Program
These grants will support organizations in the Lake Champlain basin that were affected by the July 2023 flood events. They are designed to allow qualified organizations to quickly replace office equipment or supplies, repair damage caused by floodwaters, purchase materials or equipment needed for flood-related surveys, or support personnel responding to flood remediation in their watershed area.

Visit the LCBP website to learn more and apply

Upcoming Events

Love the Lake, Summer Edition
August 16, 2003, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Goodsell Ridge Preserve (39 Pine Street in Isle La Motte, VT)

Composer Glenn McClure will take the audience on a Music-Science journey that explores “Watershed Voices,” the LCBP Artist-in-Residence Program. During this lecture and demonstration Glenn will show how data can be converted into sound. 

Visit the LCBP web site or contact LCBP Education and Outreach Steward Madeline Reilly at for more information.

Slow Down & Discover New Sights and Sounds! 
August 28th, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
John Brown Farm State Historic Site (115 John Brown Rd, Lake Placid, NY)

Families and children of all ages are invited to learn how slowing down opens us up to exciting discoveries! A guided soundscape activity will begin at 1 pm, followed by a series of interactive stations where participants can learn about tiny pond critters, healthy watersheds, go on a StoryWalk®, and make crafts inspired by the day. This event is free to attend and will be held rain or shine.

Contact LCBP Education and Outreach Steward Madeline Reilly at for more information.

14th Annual Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership International Summit
September 18
Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes, Vermont
Summit toipcs will include commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2025, the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere, and CVNHP grant opportunities.
Details >>

LCBP Committee Meetings

• LCBP Technical Advisory Committee, September 6
• Lake Champlain Steering Committee, September 21, 2023
• LCBP Technical Advisory Committee, October 4
• Lake Champlain Executive Committee, October 24, 2023
• LCBP Technical Advisory Committee, November 1
• Lake Champlain Executive Committee, November 16, 2023
• LCBP Technical Advisory Committee, December 6
• Lake Champlain Steering Committee, December 14, 2023

Contact Kerry Crowningshield for more information.