The City of Plattsburgh has completed the third phase in a multi-year project targeting wastewater contamination from storm drainage systems. The project, when complete, will significantly reduce phosphorus, E. coli, and other harmful discharge from Plattsburgh’s stormwater outfalls to Lake Champlain.

Several urban areas within the Lake Champlain watershed use combined sewer systems. For decades, coordinated efforts across the basin have successfully reduced pollution entering Lake Champlain from combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

The City of Plattsburgh relies in part on a combined sewer and stormwater system that serves some of the city. In prior phases of the project Plattsburgh identified several illicit discharge points present within its sewer system. Illicit discharges are common in combined sewer systems and occur where wastewater or industrial process water enter stormwater-only drainage systems and contribute to the contamination of surrounding waterbodies.

During initial phases of the project work, partners assessed 72 stormwater outfalls in Plattsburgh City and Town, 22 of which were highlighted for advanced investigation. All but six storm drains have been assessed by Stone Environmental, a Montpelier-based environmental consulting firm contracting for the City of Plattsburgh Department of Public Works. The final six outfalls were visited over the course of spring 2024.

Final reporting estimated potential reductions in phosphorus and E. coli, and provided a comprehensive plan for eliminating illicit discharges and improving both local and lake-wide water quality.

Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) has developed an innovative project titled Wool and Water, a unique blend of fiber art and scientific interpretation. Under the leadership of Dr. Michale Glennon, this project creatively represents changes in water quality conditions in the Adirondacks and the Lake Champlain Basin, fostering a deeper appreciation for local water resources and the challenges they face.

Launched in 2022, Wool and Water uses hand-crafted textile art to visualize scientific data, translating complex environmental trends into visually striking and accessible works of art. The project highlights the interconnectedness of people, ecosystems, and water resources, while emphasizing priority actions that individuals and communities can take to protect water quality. Through vibrant patterns and textures, the displays portray key indicators of water health, such as nutrient levels and temperature changes, creating an engaging narrative that resonates with a wide audience.

The traveling nature of the project ensures broad engagement, as Wool and Water has been displayed at various locations across the Lake Champlain Basin, inviting diverse audiences to explore the intersections of science, art, and advocacy. Each display is complemented by interactive activities and educational resources that deepen public understanding of water quality issues. Visitors can also view an interactive map showcasing where the project has been exhibited and explore a virtual gallery featuring the textile creations.

Through Dr. Glennon’s vision and AWI’s commitment, Wool and Water demonstrates how art can serve as a bridge to environmental awareness, sparking conversations and inspiring action to safeguard the region’s invaluable water resources. This innovative approach highlights the power of collaboration between science and creativity to address pressing ecological challenges.

To view an interactive map of locations where Wool and Water has been shown, click here. For a virtual gallery of Wool and Water creations, click here.

Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, recently completed the development of a new interpretive trail on its campus, designed to enhance environmental education and awareness. The project involved designing, constructing, installing, and mapping the trail, which features ten strategically placed signs. These trail-side signs present educational content focusing on two critical environmental topics: best practices to reduce stormwater runoff and nutrient pollution and the identification and management of invasive species.

To complement the trail, an informative pamphlet was created, providing a detailed trail map and additional educational material. This resource aims to enhance the experience for both students and visitors, offering deeper insights into the trail’s themes and promoting engagement with the college’s environmental initiatives.

This interpretive trail is an integral part of Saint Michael’s College’s broader commitment to sustainability and ecological stewardship. It highlights the college’s efforts to improve water quality and habitat conservation on and near the campus. The trail serves as both an educational tool and a demonstration of actionable environmental practices, showcasing initiatives like runoff management techniques and invasive species control strategies.

By integrating the trail into the campus environment, the college provides a unique learning opportunity that fosters a connection between individuals and their natural surroundings. Visitors, students, and community members alike can use the trail to explore practical solutions to pressing ecological challenges, gaining knowledge that extends beyond the campus. Through this project, Saint Michael’s College reinforces its role as a leader in environmental education and sustainability advocacy in the region. View the trail map here.

Long-term monitoring has shown that chloride concentrations in the waters of the Lake Champlain Basin are rising due to excessive road salt use. The “Clean Water, Safe Roads” outreach campaign addresses this growing environmental issue by advancing regional strategies for reducing road salt application. Led by AdkAction and the Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute, the program builds on earlier initiatives to engage municipal and county highway departments in New York. The project emphasizes personalized outreach, education, and collaboration, offering one-on-one technical assistance, training workshops, and resources for promoting sustainable practices.

The campaign equips highway departments with tools to implement modern winter maintenance strategies, such as precision application techniques, anti-icing practices, and the use of road weather information systems (RWIS) to optimize de-icer application. These measures help reduce salt use, cut costs, and mitigate environmental impacts on ecosystems and drinking water sources. Participating communities receive targeted water quality reports and planning support to develop salt reduction strategies tailored to local needs. This initiative also encourages the sharing of innovations and success stories among municipal partners, fostering a collaborative approach to sustainable road maintenance.

To further expand outreach, the program developed training materials and resources available online, including a GIS-based story map showcasing impacts and best practices. The collaboration aligns with broader efforts like New York State’s Road Salt Reduction Task Force and supports local governments in implementing science-based plans to curb salt use while ensuring public safety during winter conditions.

Explore the public outreach campaign at https://www.adkaction.org/publicoutreach/salt-champlain/.

Feature photo: Brendan Wiltse

The Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library recently completed a Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP) Special Program grant called Champlain Canal Stories, a dynamic project celebrating the Champlain Canal’s 200-year history as a vital transportation corridor. This project produced a compelling video documentary series composed of 27 short video segments, each 5–10 minutes long, that collectively total over 2.5 hours. These videos explore work, domestic life, and the rich cultural history of the canal, offering a vibrant, interdisciplinary approach to storytelling.

The Champlain Canal Stories series draws on diverse sources such as written memories, diaries, newspaper articles, oral histories, and interviews, making it an intimate and detailed portrayal of life along the canal. To enhance the visual storytelling, the videos incorporate historic photographs, drawings, maps, artwork, models, and objects alongside live footage. These elements combine to provide a cohesive sense of place, illuminating the canal’s significant impact on the history, arts, and traditions of the communities it touches.

This project continues the Folklife Center’s tradition of using short-form documentaries to highlight regional heritage, following the successful Battenkill Inspired (2017) and Lake George on the Water (2019) series. As with these earlier projects, Champlain Canal Stories was created in collaboration with numerous local partners, including historical societies, cultural organizations, and libraries. Partners such as the Whitehall Historical Society, Chapman Museum, and Saratoga County Historian contributed collections, expertise, and stories.

The videos are accessible to the public through 12 iPad kiosks located at partnering sites along the canal and online via the Folklife Center’s website and YouTube channel. Additionally, a GIS StoryMap, developed in partnership with Skidmore College’s GIS Department, provides an interactive way to explore canal history and will be updated with new content over time.

View videos at the Crandall Public Library website >

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