A zip folder of data and stormwater runoff model

De-icing salt is an important regional pollutant identified as a contaminant of concern in the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s (LCBP) Opportunities for Action. It is of particular concern in areas of dense urban development where runoff from roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and driveways can contain high concentrations of salt. This is true for Mirror Lake and the Chubb River, located in the headwaters of the West Branch Ausable River subwatershed. In the case of Mirror Lake, direct stormwater discharge to the lake has resulted in a reduction in spring mixing due to salt-induced density differences within the water column. The primary objectives of this three-year LCBP-funded project were to 1) establish a continuous water quality monitoring program capable of quantifying de-icing salt pollutant load to Mirror Lake and the Chubb River, 2) estimate the de-icing salt pollutant load to Mirror Lake from direct stormwater runoff, 3) estimate the total amount of de-icing salt applied within the Chubb River watershed, and 4) educate the public about the effects of de-icing salt on the environment and BMPs for de-icing salt reduction.

This project aimed to develop assessment tools that support wetland and riparian management and stewardship to improve flood resiliency, water quality, and habitat for native species in the New York State (NYS) portion of the Lake Champlain Basin. The primary objective was to produce a comprehensive wetland and stream assessment dataset available through an interactive online mapping tool to increase the effectiveness of conservation decision-making in the basin. Our strategy included synthesizing scientific information about streams and wetlands and validating this information with field surveys in both systems. This project spanned from January 2021 to January 2023 and was funded by an agreement awarded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to NEIWPCC in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program.

Appendices A -E

The goal of this project was to demonstrate how, through whole farm nutrient management,
improvements can be made to water quality through reduced phosphorus (P) loading and
improved farm viability. Through this project we worked closely with five farms located in critical
source areas to build a program that implements comprehensive P management strategies on a
whole farm level. This diverse group of farmers included a Large Farm Operation (St. Albans
Bay Watershed), Medium Farm Operation (Lake Carmi), Certified Small Farm Operation (Rock
River Watershed), organic grass-fed farm (Rock River Watershed), and one farm that had
recently converted from milking dairy cows to boarding animals for other producers (Lake
Carmi).

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