State Lake Champlain Phosphorus CONCENTRATION MAJOR CAUSES of ALGAE BLOOMS a Calculation of the Loading Capac- TMDL

2015 STATE of the LAKE and ECOSYSTEM INDICATORS REPORT

Lake Champlain Basin Program ABOUT THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) was created by the Lake Champlain Special Designation Act of 1990. Our mission is to coordinate the implementation of the Lake Champlain management plan, Opportunities for Richelieu Action. Program partners include New York, Vermont, and Québec, the US River Sutton Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and several other federal agencies, QUÉBEC Philipsburg and local government leaders, businesses, and citizen groups. The New Richford England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission manages business operation of the LCBP on behalf of the Steering Committee. Chazy The Lake Champlain Steering Committee leads the LCBP. Its members St. Albans include many of the program partners, and the chairpersons of technical, cultural heritage and recreation, education, and citizen advisory committees. Plattsburgh The LCBP’s primary annual funding is received through a US EPA appropriation under the Federal Clean Water Act. The program also receives k funding from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the National Park MountainsStowe Burlington Service. ondac Adir In the twenty-five years since the Lake Champlain Basin Program was Lake created, these public partners have led a collaborative, non-partisan effort to Mountains Champlain address regional water quality and environmental challenges that cross political Lake Placid Montpelier Elizabethtown boundaries in a large watershed. This State of the Lake 2015 report is an opportunity to carefully describe the condition of the Lake. Green The report also is an update for our representatives in Congress—US

Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Charles Schumer Port Henry Middlebury and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and Representatives Peter Welch of Vermont and Elise Stefanik of New York—who have supported management of Lake Champlain through congressional authorizations, major federal appropriations, Ticonderoga and guidance. It is also an important update for Governor Peter Shumlin Lake of Vermont, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, and Premier Philippe George Couillard of Québec, who have made vital commitments to implement the Lake Rutland Champlain management plan Opportunities for Action (OFA). State of the Lake

2015 provides an account of today’s stewardship challenges and management Whitehall efforts to the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and other state, federal, and international partners that have endorsed OFA and provided Champlain support for the program. Canal

Visit www.lcbp.org to learn more. NEW YORK VERMONT

Figure 1 | The Lake Champlain Basin

COVER: Burton Island State Park, Vermont. Photo by Mary Mitchell 1 Table of Contents Introduction 2 Biodiversity & 20 Aquatic Invasive Species The state of Lake Champlain: A Summary 2 How does a healthy ecosystem protect Lake Champlain? 20 What does State of the Lake 2015 present? 4 How is the Lake Champlain food web changing? 22 Qu’est-ce que le rapport de 2015 sur l’état du lac souligne? 5 How are populations of sport fish changing? 23 What is the impact of parasitic sea lamprey? 24 Phosphorus 6 What new aquatic invasive species have populated the Lake? 25 What aquatic invasive species pose a threat? 27 How are phosphorus levels in Lake Champlain changing? 6 What effect are management actions having on AIS? 28 Where does the phosphorus in Lake Champlain come from? 8 What is being done to reduce phosphorus in the Lake? 11 Climate Change 31

Human Health & Toxins 12 How is climate change affecting Lake Champlain? 31

Is it safe to swim in Lake Champlain? 12 Flooding Risks & Resiliency 34 What is the concern with cyanobacteria blooms? 13 Can I eat the fish from Lake Champlain? 14 How has flooding affected the region? 34 Is Lake Champlain a safe drinking water source? 16 How can we be better prepared for future floods? 34

Ecosystem Indicators Scorecard 18 Heritage and Recreation 36

Indicator scores by lake segment 18 How do cultural heritage and recreation connect us to the Lake? 36

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 2

Introduction Missisquoi Bay The state of Lake Champlain: The water quality of Missisquoi Bay continues to miss established targets and has deteriorated in recent decades, although the rate of deterioration appears to A Summary be slowing. Annual phosphorus concentrations, still well-above target, have been fairly stable since 2004 Although the water quality except for flood-related events. The amount of phos- trends in Lake Champlain are phorus entering the Bay from the Missisquoi River has decreased slightly. Excess nutrients, under warm cause for concern, it is important water and calm air conditions, still trigger harmful to know that more than 85% algae blooms and heightened public frustration. of Lake Champlain’s water is consistently of excellent quality St. Albans and another 13% of the water is Bay usually in quite good condition. Burlington Shelburne Bay Bay In the remaining 2% of the Lake, conditions are seasonally alarming. The most compromised parts of the Lake are St. Albans and Missisquoi Bays, where excess nutrients and other factors Lake Champlain trigger blue-green algae blooms Main Lake in summer, and the South Lake, where the water tends Several of the bays within the Main Lake are doing N to be quite muddy. very well. Burlington, Shelburne, and Cumberland Willsboro Crown Bays have met or nearly met their respective phos- Bay Point phorus concentration targets for the past several Too Much Phosphorus? years. However, the phosphorus target for the Main Yes, phosphorus concentrations remain too high. Lake, while rigorous, is not being met, and the trend Excess phosphorus remains a concern in nearly all segments of the is slightly increasing. Phosphorus inputs from WWTFs Lake. Reductions in phosphorus load have been observed in a few are less than half of their allocation, and some tributaries do contribute less now than in 1990, but most tributaries over the last decade, but these small improvements have nonpoint sources are estimated to deliver three times not yet resulted in significant reductions of in-lake phosphorus con- more than their targeted levels. Algae blooms do centrations. Wastewater treatment facilities are generally meeting sometimes occur in calm warm waters near shore. their phosphorus effluent targets, but much work remains to reduce Beach closures occur occasionally in Chittenden and nutrients washing off of the landscape. Until phosphorus concentra- Addison counties of Vermont and the Plattsburgh, tions in the Lake are closer to the established targets, algae blooms New York area, usually due to coliform bacteria will continue to form when weather conditions are favorable for contamination. Cold- and warm-water fishery reports intense growth. from this lake segment are very good.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM 3 Northeast Arm South Lake Goals of the Introduction The Northeast Arm and St. Albans South Lake has the highest phos- Bay consistently exceed their phosphorus targets in Lake Champlain, Clean Water Act phorus targets and phosphorus con- reflecting the conditions that would tinues to increase here. There are no occur naturally without human influ- Swimmable Waters? major tributaries to these segments ence. South Lake B has met its target that have been monitored to provide frequently since 2006 but has missed Yes, in most of the Lake, most of the time the water is good trend information on nonpoint sources the target five times since 1996. for swimming. of phosphorus. The WWTFs are well South Lake A remains well above its Lake Champlain has many beautiful beaches but access is sometimes below established targets. Public target. The problems of these seg- restricted by beach closures. Elevated bacteria counts continue to beaches in the St. Albans Bay Park ments are associated primarily with cause beach closures, especially near urban areas where inadequate were closed frequently from 2012 phosphorus from nonpoint sources, sewerage systems sometimes overflow during heavy rain events. The to 2014, due to both blue-green as phosphorus coming from WWTFs frequency of these closures should be reduced as sewerage issues are St. Albans algae blooms and coliform bacteria. is well below the target for this seg- resolved around the Basin. Coliform bacterial contamination mostly Bay However, other than in St. Albans ment. Despite high phosphorus levels results from wildlife and pet waste. Fortunately, closures due to bac- Bay, the beaches and shoreline areas in this segment, algae blooms are Burlington Shelburne terial contamination during the past several years have been infre- Bay Bay in the Northeast Arm typically are in infrequent in the turbid South Lake, very good condition, and no beach with only one documented here quent and brief. Some beaches are also closed periodically as a result closures in the past three years were since 2008. Warm-water fishing is of blue-green algae blooms. reported. Cold- and warm-water fish- very good here. There are no public ing is very good. beaches in this lake segment. Edible Fish? Lake Champlain Yes, most Lake Champlain fish generally are safe to eat, but consult the fish consumption advisories to learn the details. Management of the fish population in the Lake Champlain Basin has been mostly successful in recent years - fishing has never been better in

N human memory. Sea lamprey control has achieved acceptable rates Willsboro Crown of wounding of Atlantic salmon, although this has been at the cost Bay Point of introducing lampricides into our waterways and the Lake. Fish consumption advisories for mercury remain for many species, but mercury concentrations in walleye and lake trout have dropped 50% Malletts Bay in the past 15 years. Malletts Bay and the Main Lake have the strictest phosphorus targets among the 13 segments and the waters of Malletts Bay are deep and typically very Drinkable Water? clear. However, the phosphorus concentrations in the Yes, Lake Champlain is a source of very high quality drinking Bay have been slowly and steadily increasing since water, though only treated water is recommended for 1990. Malletts Bay is not significantly impacted by algae blooms. Beach closures due to coliform bac- consumption. teria contamination occur occasionally each year, in Relatively simple treatment is the norm for public water supplies the days following heavy rainfall. in the Lake Champlain Basin, and the finished water is of very good quality. Public water suppliers very rarely need to shut down distribution due to source water quality.

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 4 is one of the primary components of with a set of measures that repre- the Pressure-State-Response frame- sent, or indicate, its overall state.

Introduction work adopted by the LCBP for assess- These indicators address the key ing and managing Basin resources. priorities or goals of the Lake Cham- What does State of the Lake 2015 To understand why this condition (or plain management plan Opportuni- State) exists, we track human activities for Action. The indicators were report present? ties that can exert “Pressures,” which chosen with the guidance of dozens can result in complex, long-term, of scientists and state, provincial, and cumulative ecosystem impacts. and federal technical experts, as the he release of the 2015 State the LCBP to provide the most recent Changes to the “State” that result best indicators for which there are of the Lake and Ecosystems available information on the condi- from these “Pressures” often elicit adequate data to evaluate. TIndicators Report comes at a tion of Lake Champlain. a management “Response,” such as This hard-copy document pro- time when interest in and concern for The previous edition of the State new environmental policies or man- vides an accessible summary of many water quality and ecosystem integrity of the Lake report, published in agement actions. Proper resource complex conditions and issues that in the Lake Champlain Basin are at 2012, came on the heels of the his- management can reduce pressures to characterize the state of the Lake. an all-time high. Lake Champlain toric flooding of the previous year. bring about a more desirable “State” More detailed information and cita- stewardship has been the focus of The impacts of the record-breaking of the Lake. tions for the scientific literature and renewed investment in funding and spring flooding of 2011, and Tropi- The State of the Lake report uses technical reports that form the basis legislation for watershed manage- cal Storm Irene later in the summer, an Ecosystem Indicators Scorecard of the document are available in an ment in all sectors. Public concern for were just beginning to be under- (pages 18-19) to provide information online version of the 2015 State of the future of the Lake also is at a peak stood at that time. In the three years about the condition of the ecosystem the Lake at sol.lcbp.org. and public commentary about lake since that last report, much new issues has been energetic, enthusi- data has been collected. Scientists astic and, at times, angry. A growing have gained a better understanding number of citizens is recognizing that of the water quality and ecological the condition of Lake Champlain—the impacts of the floods, and resource State of the Lake—requires a serious managers and policy makers have revitalization of management and made strides in enacting public a basinwide public commitment to policy to prepare for and mitigate Human activities exert PRESSURESS PRESSURES reduce pollution. With public concern the environmental and economic ef- on Lake Champlainin Stormwater runoffrunoff Flow redirectionredirection growing and far-reaching legislative fects of future flood events. Agricultural runoff initiatives and improved enforcement The state, or condition, of the lake capacity established, it’s timely for ecosystem—the focus of this report— TheThe STSTAATTEE ofof theth LaLakeke ChamChamplainpla eecosystemcosystem is aaffectedffecte

Floodplain STATE RESPONSES awareness Flooding and Management ConserveCd and/or/l restore wetlandsd shoreline erosion RESPONSES seek to reduce negative impact on the Lake

Figure 2 | The Pressure-State-Response model, using flooding as

ELISSA GAROFALO an example

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM L’état ou la condition de Le rapport sur l’état du lac utilise 5 l’écosystème du lac symbolise le une série de mesures d’évaluation

point central de ce rapport et est de l’écosystème (pages 18-19) afin Introduction l’élément primaire du plan Pression- de présenter de l’information quan- Qu’est-ce que le rapport de 2015 sur État–Réponse adopté par le LCBP titative et qualitatives sur les condi- ayant pour but d’évaluer et de gérer tions de l’écosystème et de préciser l’état du lac souligne? les ressources du basin. Afin de com- l’état général du lac. Ces repères prendre pourquoi cette condition ou d’évaluation soulignent les priorités état existe, l’empreinte des activités et buts du plan de gestion du lac a publication en 2015 du rap- (LCBP) s’accouple à merveille avec humaines pouvant exercer des « Champlain: Opportunities for Ac- port State of the Lake and les pressions du public et la mise en Pressions » et ainsi créer des dénoue- tion. Ils furent définis par un conseil LEcosystems Indicators arrive à vigueur des récentes initiatives légis- ments complexes, à long terme ou de scientifiques et appuyés par des point car les inquiétudes sont réelles latives à grand portée. cumulatifs impactant l’écosystème experts à l’échelle provincial, fédéral en ce qui à trait à la qualité de l’eau L’édition antérieure de ce rapport est suivi fidèlement. et d’état. et à l’intégrité des écosystèmes sur fut publiée en 2012, un an après les Un changement d’ « Etat » ré- Ce document offre un sommaire le basin du lac Champlain. De par inondations record de 2011. L’impact sultant des ces « Pressions » néces- compréhensif de plusieurs impacts et des investissements renouvelés et de de ce désastre combiné à la tempête site une « Réponse » administra- problèmes caractérisant l’état du lac. récentes législations, le parrainage tropicale Irène survenue plus tard tive comme une nouvelle politique Vous trouverez plus d’information de la qualité des eaux du lac Cham- en cet été venait juste d’être évalué. environnementale ou une addition- sur le rapport technique et la litté- plain est de nouveau à l’avant-plan. Dans les trois années qui suivirent, nelle mesure de gestion. Une gestion rature scientifique formant la base L’inquiétude du public sur le future plusieurs nouvelles données furent de ressource compétente peut ainsi de ce document dans la version web du lac est aussi à son comble. Plu- recueillies. Les scientifiques furent réduire les pressions vers un « État » du rapport 2015 State of the Lake à sieurs commentaires énergétiques, en mesure d’acquérir une meilleure de lac plus satisfaisant. l’adresse suivante: sol.lcbp.org enthousiastes et quelquefois viru- connaissance sur le traumatisme lents furent soulignés par le public. écologique et l’impact sur la qualité Un nombre croissant de citoyens re- de l’eau causés par ces drames de la connait en effet que la condition des nature. Les gestionnaires et re- eaux du lac Champlain requière une sponsables politiques ont fait pro- sérieuse revitalisation de sa gestion gresser très rapidement les initiatives Les activités humaines avec promesse de réduction de la pol- publiques afin de se préparer pour exercent des PRESSIONSNS PRESSIONS sur lac Champlain lution. Ce présent rapport publié par alléger l’impact environnemental et ÉcoulemenÉcoulementtd deses Redirection des eaux pluviales Écoulement agricole flux d’eau le Lake Champlain Basin Program économique des inondations futures. L’ ÉTAT de l’écosystème dudu lac ChamplainChamplain este affectéaffec

Connaître les plaines ÉTAT RÉPONSES inondables Inondation et érosion afin ConserverC/ et/ou restaurer lles du littoral RÉPONSES zones humides de réduire l’impact négatif sur le lac

Figure 2 | Le plan Pression-État-Réponse utilisant l’inondation

SUE LOWE comme exemple

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 MISSISQUOI BAY 0.8 Target = 25 µg/L 6 MEETS % 70 TARGET % 60 OF 50

Phosphorus DOES NOT TOTAL LAKE MEET TARGET 40 VOLUME 30 20 How are the phosphorus levels in 10 0 70 ISLE LA MOTTE* 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 60 Target = 14 µg/L 7.3 Lake Champlain changing? 70 ST ALBANS BAY 50 * average of two stations % 60 40 0.1 Target = 17 µg/L 50 30 % 40 20 30 10 Phosphorus concentrations have not decreased significantly in 20 0 10 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 any areas of Lake Champlain, despite reductions in the amount 0 70 CUMBERLAND BAY 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 of phosphorus entering the Lake from several of its tributaries. 60 Target = 14 µg/L 0.2 50 70 NORTHEAST ARM % 60 Long-term trends since 1990 indicate that phosphorus 40 13 Target = 14 µg/L 30 % 50 concentrations in several segments continue to increase. 20 40 10 30 0 20

90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 10 hosphorus is a nutrient that, phosphorus compared to the Main 0 when overabundant, has a Lake area, which is cold and deep, 70 MAIN LAKE 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 60 Target = 10 µg/L 65 70 significant impact on a lake and has a relatively moderate con- 50 MALLETTS BAY 2.8 60 Target = 10 µg/L P 40 % 50 ecosystem. This has become a prob- centration of phosphorus. 30 % 40 20 lem for lakes large and small around Long-term phosphorus concen- 30 10 20 the world, and Lake Champlain is no trations continue to increase in the 0 10 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 exception. Warmer waters are often Port Henry area of the Main Lake 0 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 more productive than cooler waters, as well as the Inland Sea (Northeast 70 PORT HENRY 60 Target = 14 µg/L 5.7 70 BURLINGTON BAY supporting more plant and algae Arm), and in several bays, includ- 50 60 Target = 14 µg/L 40 % 0.2 50 growth, including the blue-green ing Missisquoi Bay, St. Albans Bay, 30 % 40 20 algae that thrive on phosphorus. Shelburne Bay, and Malletts Bay 30 10 20 Consequently, shallow, warm bays (Figure 3). Phosphorus concen- 0 10 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 in Lake Champlain are especially trations are more stable, though 0 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 susceptible to problems with excess slightly increasing, in the Main 70 SOUTH LAKE A 60 0.5 70 Target = 25 µg/L 0.5 SHELBURNE BAY 50 % 60 Target = 14 µg/L 40 % 50 30 40 20 30 10 20 0 10 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 0

90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 SOUTH LAKE B <0.1 Average Total Phosphorus 70 Target = 54 µg/L % Concentrations 70 OTTER CREEK 60 2010-2014 3.7 60 Target = 14 µg/L 50 50 >=41 µg/L % 40 40 30 21-40 µg/L 30 20 16-20 µg/L 20 10 <=15 µg/L 10 0 0 µg/L = micrograms/liter 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14

DATA SOURCE: Long Term Monitoring Program (LCBP, VTANR, NYSDEC)

LCBP Figure 3 | Lake Champlain phosphorus concentration by lake High phosphorus levels can promote excess plant and algae growth in warm, shallow bays. segment, 1990 – 2014

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM Lake. There are no statistically investigated the connections among ity—or the maximum amount of a earlier TMDL remains in effect. The 7 significant trends in the South Lake, phosphorus, nitrogen, and climate pollutant that a body of water can be new phosphorus TMDL for Vermont

Otter Creek segment, Burlington change impacts, such as warming expected to handle each day, while will be far more comprehensive, Phosphorus Bay, or Cumberland Bay. Phospho- surface waters, on water quality. safely meeting established water accounting for both historic and rus concentrations are lowest in These changes in water chemistry quality standards. The US Environ- future climate patterns in the region the Main Lake and in Malletts Bay, and temperature affect the biological mental Protection Agency (US EPA) to project how changes in tempera- which together comprise nearly integrity of the Lake, the number of is required by the Clean Water Act ture and precipitation will affect the 68% of the total volume of the Lake. species of fish, plants, and other or- to use this tool for many different amount of phosphorus entering Lake Concentrations are greatest at the ganisms, and also can trigger harm- pollutants. In the Lake Champlain Champlain. The new TMDL imple- extreme ends of the Lake, in Missis- ful algae blooms (see the Human Basin, TMDLs have been developed mentation plan will produce and quoi Bay and South Lake, compris- Health and Toxins section for addi- most frequently for pathogens such enforce new Required Management ing, respectively, 0.8% and 0.6% of tional information). Although excess as the bacteria E. coli or for nutri- Practices (RMPs) and other tools that the total volume of the Lake. phosphorus is a driver of blue-green ent pollution, and also for mercury, farms, other businesses, residents, Most lake management efforts algae blooms, nitrogen may affect temperature, and sediments. and communities must use to reduce are focused on phosphorus, but other which blooms become toxic. The US EPA is currently develop- pollution to the Lake. nutrients, such as nitrogen, also af- The Total Maximum Daily Load ing a new phosphorus TMDL for the fect water quality in Lake Champlain. (TMDL) is an important manage- Vermont portion of Lake Champlain. What do "concentration" Recent research, both in the Lake ment tool that can help resource This will update Vermont’s respon- and "load" mean? Champlain region and globally, has agencies determine where to focus sibilities under the original 2002 their management efforts. TMDL is bi-state Lake Champlain phosphorus CONCENTRATION MAJOR CAUSES OF ALGAE BLOOMS a calculation of the loading capac- TMDL. The New York portion of that The amount of phosphorus measured in a unit volume of water, typically reported as: µg/L EXCESSIVE NUTRIENTS micrograms per liter RIVERS OR LAKES

LOAD + The total amount of phosphorus carried in a CALM WATER stream at a particular instant, typically reported as: mt metric tons + RIVERS WARM WATER TEMPERATURE LOADING RATE The total amount of phosphorus delivered by a stream to the Lake over = a set period of time, typically reported as: mt/yr metric tons per year

JEFF CASTLE AMOUNT GOING INTO HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS If we all reduce our pollution of the Lake, we will protect water quality for our children LAKE CHAMPLAIN and their children.

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 8 targeting problem areas for decades, twenty years include the Little Aus- with some successes. able, Putnam, and Mettawee rivers in

Phosphorus Recent research by the US Geo- New York and the Otter, Missisquoi, logical Survey has determined that and Winooski rivers in Vermont. Where does the phosphorus in Lake these efforts are beginning to show Although phosphorus pollution positive effects (Figure 5). Most nota- loads from some tributaries, such Champlain come from? bly, pollution from the LaPlatte River as the Missisquoi River, have been in Vermont has decreased as a result somewhat reduced, they continue of improvements in nonpoint source to be far higher than their targets, There are many sources of phosphorus and other nutrients management and upgrades to waste- despite years of concentrated efforts entering Lake Champlain. For every square mile of lake area, water treatment facilities. Other by resource management agencies, there are 18 square miles of land area in the watershed that tributaries from which the amount local watershed groups and residents of phosphorus delivered to the Lake to curb this pollution. In some tributar- drains into the Lake. Activities in forested, developed, and has been reduced over the past ten to ies it may take decades for measurable agricultural lands all contribute nutrients and other pollutants to the Lake. While tributaries carry the largest load of nutrients from the upper portions of the watershed downstream into the 2,000 Lake, properties along the lakeshore also can have a direct 20,000 influence on the Lake’s water quality.

he ratio of land area in Lake shed through runoff from the land, or 1,500 Champlain’s watershed—or nonpoint source pollution (Figure 4),

drainage area—to the surface along with discharges from wastewa- AD (MT ) 15,000

T LO

area of the Lake is 18 to 1. With such ter treatment facilities (WWTFs) and OW (CFS ) a large watershed supplying water other discrete sources (called point to the Lake, the challenge of limiting sources). 1,000 pollution that washes off the land area and enters the Lake is greater— Tributary Loading the watershed has a much greater The tributaries that drain into Lake 10,000 MEAN RIVER FL effect on the water quality of the Lake Champlain from its watershed con- AL PHOSPHORUS 500

than would occur with a smaller wa- tinually replenish the Lake’s water TOT tershed ratio. For example, the Great supply. These tributaries also deliver Lakes in the Midwestern US and pollutants, including excess phospho- Canada are much larger than Lake rus, nitrogen, and other nutrients, 0 Champlain, but their watershed ratio and toxic substances that are washed 5,000 is much smaller (between 1.5:1 and off the landscape. Not all tributaries ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 3.4:1). Consequently, acre for acre, are created equal, however. The total Nonpoint Source Load Gaged River Inflow the watersheds of those lakes have a phosphorus load estimated to be much smaller impact on their water delivered to the Lake each year from Wastewater Load quality and there is, proportionately, its watershed is 921 metric tons (2.03 a much smaller land area to manage. million lbs), but some tributaries NOTE: All load data are actual (not flow-normalized) loads from river inflow to Lake Champlain. Total phosphorus load is represented by metric tons per year (MT). Flow is shown in cubic feet per second (CFS). Nutrients and pollution enter deliver substantially more pollutants DATA SOURCE: USGS, LCBP/VT ANR Lake Champlain Long-Term Monitoring Program. Lake Champlain, its tributaries, and than others. Management agencies in other water bodies within the water- all parts of the watershed have been Figure 4 | River flow and total phosphorus load to Lake Champlain

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM reductions in the pollution loads stormwater to infiltrate or soak into “green infrastructure”—that reduce phosphorus load to the Lake. Total 9 to occur, despite best management the ground. High storm flows in the these storm flows—can increase the loads from wastewater treatment

practices that may be employed to- rivers increase erosion of stream- amount of water that soaks into the facilities in each jurisdiction (New Phosphorus day and in the future. banks, sending more sediment and ground, reducing and delaying runoff York, Vermont, and Québec) have nutrients downstream toward the to a tributary downstream. been at or below their respective Load from Developed Land Use Lake. Flashier storm flows, with Approximately 16% (147 metric targets since 2004 or earlier (Figure Land that has been developed can be surges of large volumes of runoff tons or 323,610 lbs) of the phospho- 6). Regulations banning phosphorus a substantial source of nutrients and from developed lands, can also in- rus delivered to Lake Champlain each in detergents have greatly reduced other pollutants to the Lake. Devel- crease the severity of flooding down- year comes from developed lands in the amount of phosphorus entering oped lands tend to have large areas stream, causing damage to public the watershed. This is phosphorus treatment facilities, further reducing with impervious surfaces, such as and private property, as demonstrat- delivered to the Lake from nonpoint the amount of phosphorus they need building rooftops and parking lots, ed by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. sources in developed areas, such as to remove from their effluent stream. which shed rain water very quickly Investment in better-designed and parking lots, roofs, and lawns. Of the and rarely provide opportunities for more resilient roads, culverts, and 147 metric tons, 112 mt are estimated Load from Agricultural Land Use to come from the Vermont portion Agriculture is an important part of of the developed lands in the water- the identity of the Lake Champlain Pike River NET CHANGE IN FLOW- PERCENT CHANGE NORMALIZED P LOAD (MT/YR) (%/YR) shed, 28 mt from New York, and less region, but it also has a very signifi- than 8 mt from Québec. cant effect on the water quality of the OTTER -32 -1.3 Great Chazy River Missisquoi Phosphorus pollution of the Lake Lake. Many farming practices, both River MISSISQUOI -9.4 -0.2 from wastewater treatment facilities conventional and organic, require WINOOSKI -9.2 -0.2 is a small fraction of the problem application of fertilizer to increase Little Chazy River LAPLATTE -6.8 -2.6 of phosphorus in the watershed, crop productivity. Cattle and other Saranac River Lamoille METTAWEE -2.5 -0.4 amounting to only 4% of the total animal-based farms generate large River Salmon River LITTLE AUSABLE -0.2 -0.2 Phosphates banned Little Ausable PUTNAM -0.1 -0.1 in laundry detergent Total P load Dishwasher detergents River in NY and VT limits established containing P banned Winooski in QC Ausable River BOQUET -0.0 -0.0 River Year 1976 1978 1990 2002 2007 2010 LaPlatte River SALMON +0.5 QC adopts1mg/L VT adopts 0.8 mg/L NY and VT ban P limit in wastewater P limit in wastewater dishwasher detergent P effluent effluent Lewis LITTLE CHAZY +0.4 +0.3 Boquet Creek River Little PIKE +0.1 ) 140 Otter Creek VT NY GREAT CHAZY +0.1 120 59 QC LEWIS 30 9 +0.5 100 # WWTFs in 2014

LITTLE OTTER +0.8 AD (MT/YR 80 POULTNEY Putnam Otter Creek +0.2 Creek 60 AUSABLE +0.3 VT TARGET 40 LAMOILLE +0.4 NY TARGET Poultney SARANAC +1.1 20 River

- 27 PHOSPHORUS LO MT/YR QC TARGET net 0 change Mettawee River '90 '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 NOTE: Data are from gaged tributaries, which represent 74% of the total area in the Lake Champlain Basin. The total NOTES: The Québec target is an estimate based on the 2002 VT/QC agreement for Missisquoi Bay. The New York phosphorus load in 1990 was 786 mt compared to 744 mt in 2010 and 757 mt in 2012, representing a -27 mt net target is from the current 2002 TMDL. Vermont’s target was based on the same 2002 TMDL and is currently under change post-2011 flood events. revision. DATA SOURCE: L. Medalie, USGS (2012). DATA SOURCE: NYSDEC, VTDEC AND QC MDDELCC. Figure 5 | Changes in tributary total phosphorus loading, Figure 6 | Phosphorus load from wastewater treatment facilities, 1990 – 2012 1990 – 2012

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 10 amounts of manure that must be into their crops and pastures. Most The fraction of this phosphorus accommodate some land use activ- disposed of carefully. Runoff and conventional farms also rely in part pollution that comes directly from ity such as construction of a culvert

Phosphorus erosion from barnyards, laneways to on commercial fertilizers and feed agriculture is estimated to be about for a town road, the cultivation of pastures, and animal congregation additives imported to the Basin. A 352 metric tons (775,000 lbs) per farmlands right to the edge of a areas can carry excessive pollution portion of these nutrients is inevi- year, or 38% of the total estimated river, or any streamside disturbance into nearby waterways. Frequently tably washed off the land and into amount of phosphorus entering the that removes or prevents a vegetated farmers spread manure on their a waterway before soaking into the Lake (Figure 7). woody buffer. fields to recycle those nutrients back ground. Streambanks lacking vigorous Streambank Sediments woody plant growth can be very Recent research has shown that in susceptible to erosion, especially in the Lake Champlain watershed, the a time of flooding. When stream- 69% of the erosion of streambanks contributes banks are eroded and sediments TOTAL LOAD an estimated 18%, or 165 metric collapse into the steam, changing

4% tons (365,600 lbs) of phosphorus flow patterns result, potentially caus- 23% of the TOTAL LOAD to the Lake. In Vermont, 20% of ing further erosion of streambanks the phosphorus load is estimated downstream, and ultimately releas- to come from streambanks, more ing yet more sediment and nutrients 20% 8% of the 41% TOTAL LOAD than 24% of the load in Québec, into the waters flowing toward the 1% 15% 22% and 9% from New York. The New lake. Collapsed streambanks at the 16% 9% 3% York load is likely lower because of edge of agricultural fields may be 3% 13% 18% 25% the greater amount of forest in this especially rich in nutrients, including 38% 0% 4% 58% part of the watershed, which helps phosphorus, because of their history 10% protect streambanks from erosion. as fertilized land. The precondi- VERMONT NEW YORK QUÉBEC MT/ MT/ MT/ The streambank contribution esti- tions that increase the vulnerability 630 YR 214 YR 77 YR mate is separate from the phospho- of lowland terrain to significant rus that already is in the stream as streambank erosion result from both 6% wash-off from the land. Significant historical and contemporary agricul- AGRICULTURE erosion of streambanks occurs most tural practices and developed land often when stream corridors or the use practices in these sensitive areas 18% URBAN adjacent lowlands are altered to throughout the Basin. 38% FOREST 1% WETLANDS

STREAMBANK 21% 16% WWTFS

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN MT/ 921 YR

NOTE: Grass/Shrub was included in the analysis but excluded from this graphic due to the comparatively low percentage of phosphorus. DATA SOURCE: Tetra Tech, 2015. LCBP Figure 7 | Phosphorus loading to Lake Champlain by land use Cultivated land is a significant source of nutrients during floods.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM In 2014, the State of Vermont phosphorus pollution in Lake 11 passed a law to better protect shore- Champlain. Under the new water

line areas from development and to quality law in Vermont, commercial Phosphorus increase their resistance to erosion. phosphorus fertilizers sold to the What is being done to reduce The resulting new rules promote public for non-agricultural use will be more riparian vegetation that pro- subject to a new tax (there is no new phosphorus in the Lake? tects the lakeshore from wave action tax on agricultural fertilizers). The during periods of high water levels “Don’t P on Your Lawn” campaign and improves the diversity of aquatic initiated in 2010 targeted retail sale Lake Champlain has been the focus of renewed investments habitats near the waters’ edge. In of fertilizers through workshops in watershed management practices by the US federal 2015, Vermont passed a new water and public service announcements. government, the state and provincial governments, and quality law that created a “Clean Wa- Additionally, the Lawn to Lake ter Fund” and will further increase Workgroup developed signs for municipalities. Outreach programs now are delivered to new requirements and enforcement of retail stores in Vermont in 2011 at audiences—and to old audiences in new ways—to change water quality regulations on agricul- storeowners’ request. Legislation personal and business behaviors and habits in all parts of ture and urban lands, as well as edu- enacted in both New York and cation and outreach programming. Vermont bans the retail sale of society to reduce pollution of Lake Champlain. Fertilizers sold in retail stores phosphorus-containing fertilizer and by large agricultural feed and for use on established lawns, unless armers, resource management phorus pollution from agricultural fertilizers suppliers are major a soil test indicates the need for agencies, and local watershed operations. States are developing contributors of nonpoint source additional phosphorus. Forganizations have long recog- improved rules to tighten regulation nized the nutrient pollution problem of farms of all sizes as well, including What YOU can do from farms in the watershed. In the increased oversight of small farms, last few years, many groups have strengthening required agricultural formed new partnership agreements practices such as livestock exclusion Test Your Turf: Test your lawn and garden soil before you fertilize. You may to share information, target finan- from streams, and removal of cur- need less than you think or none at all. cial resources, and optimize time rent use property tax reductions for Healthy Soil, Healthy Lawn: Foster soil health in your lawn and garden in order to better manage the worst farms that do not comply. rather than relying on lawn care products that import more nutrients into the problem areas in the watershed. New watershed. computing tools (such as Critical Let It Grow: When mowing, set the blade high. Tall grass is healthier and Source Analyses) allow resource grows deeper roots, helping it to outcompete weeds. managers to identify and assess critical locations likely to be contributing Leave It on the Lawn: Use your grass clippings as mulch on your lawn. large amounts of phosphorus load, This recycles nutrients and decreases the need for watering. and to identify best management Rein In the Rain: Redirect your gutter downspouts to the lawn, plant a rain practices to reduce or remove that garden, or install a rain barrel. problem. Wash Cars on the Lawn: Wash your car on the grass instead of the drive- Meanwhile, federal and state way to help prevent detergents from washing into the Lake; or take your car to agencies have recognized the need to a carwash where the water is treated after use. assist farmers to reduce phosphorus pollution. In 2014 alone, more than Shore Up the Water’s Edge: Plant native vegetation along shorelines

$60 million in new federal funding LCBP and riverbanks to hold soil in place and reduce erosion. was directed to the Lake Champlain Management practices must improve in watershed to help reduce phos- order to reduce phosphorus levels.

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 12 stomach issues, and longer-term exposure makes it prudent to close exposure (for example the ingestion beaches in areas when and where

Human Health & Toxins of water that is high in algae toxins) heavy algae blooms are observed. can result in damage to the liver or Public beaches on Lake Champlain the central nervous system. Although closed more than 25 times between there are no records of serious 2012 and 2014 as a result of harmful Is it safe to swim in Lake Champlain? human health effects known from algae blooms. algae in Lake Champlain, the risk of In most areas of Lake Champlain, the water quality is usually WHY DO BEACHES CLOSE? Plage Venise* Plage Kirkland* very safe for recreational use, including swimming. At certain 0 2 l Coli Plage Champlain* ta fo

o l Col r i m 0 a fo T c

e r m

F E. coli COLIFORM BACTERIA times of the year, however, harmful algae blooms may develop, 0 Plage du domaine Coliform bacteria usually results Alburgh Dunes State Park Florent* causing localized recreational health hazards. Occasionally, from wildlife or sanitation issues, 0 such as septic problems. Too North Hero 0 Cohen Park much bacteria can result in State Park following a heavy rainstorm, unhealthy levels of coliform illness. E. coli is the most 0 bacteria may be present in the waters near beaches for a few common bacterial problem. Point Au Roche State Park 0 10+ St Albans Bay Park 0 Kill Kare State Park BLUE-GREEN ALGAE 0 Knight Point State Park days, which creates localized recreation concerns. Cumberland Bay State Park 0 Blue-green algae occurs because 0 Burton Island State Park of excessive phosphorus in the Plattsburgh Municipal 3 0 Grand Isle State Park water. Algae blooms may be toxic Beach lthough most of Lake Cham- These events are called Combined to people and pets. Sand Bar State Park 0 North 4 Niquette Bay State Park plain is normally safe for Sewer Overflows (CSOs). CSOs occur Beach 0 Reasons for beach closures are noted on the Ausable Point State Park 3 Bayside Beach swimming, some shallow in towns and cities with stormwater map using the color scheme above. 3 2 Rosetti Natural Area A Non-water quality closures are not Port Douglas Beach 2 0 areas frequently develop unhealthy systems that are connected to the represented on this map. 7 Blanchard Beach Leddy 0F Oakledge Park conditions. In recent years the waters sewer system. Ideally, a municipality Beach 9 Red Rocks Beach 0 in some areas, particularly in St. should have two separate systems, Shelburne Town Beach 0 Charlotte Town Beach Albans Bay and several areas of Mis- one to carry sewage to a wastewater WHAT ARE THE Noblewood Park Beach 0 6 Kingsland Bay sisquoi Bay, have developed condi- treatment facility and another to TESTING CRITERIA? State Park L1 tions that caused the beaches to be handle stormwater independently. E. coli: Ferrisburgh Town Beach closed to swimmers. Of the 35 public Constructing and maintaining sepa- Ballard Park Beach 235 CFU (colony forming units) 3 beaches on Lake Champlain, 23 were rate systems can be very costly, so Vermont and New York State STATUS (2012-2014) Health Department Threshold Port Henry closed two or fewer times between municipalities often try to find other Municipal Beach 6 GOOD Closed 0-2 times CFU 2012 and 2014. When a public beach ways to reduce stormwater flows in 100 5 Québec Ministry of Health Threshold FAIR Closed 3-7 times Bulwagga Bay is closed for health concerns, it is their sewer systems, but leave the Beach Blue-Green Algae: typically for risk of exposure to coli- systems combined. Public beaches Closed 8+ times Beaches are usually closed if POOR form bacteria or to toxins produced along Lake Champlain were closed blue-green algae scum

by harmful algae blooms (Figure 8). on more than 30 occasions between ANY is visible in the water. CLOSURE KEY In Lake Champlain, elevated 2012 and 2014 as a result of elevated reason for closure levels of coliform bacteria typically coliform bacteria levels. For more beach closure information, please visit: # status of beach occur after heavy rainstorms, which Blooms of cyanobacteria, or blue- www.lcbp.org/beach-closures number of closures wash sediment, pollutants, and green algae, sometimes (but not al- NOTE: The number in each circle represents the number of individual closures, but each closure may bacteria into the Lake. Very heavy ways) produce toxins that are harm- have been for more than one consecutive day. * Québec beaches are no longer officially monitored for blue-green algae. Though a bloom may occur, closures are voluntary. rainstorms may cause municipal ful to humans and other animals. DATA SOURCES: Town Offices, VT ANR, UVM, NYS DOH, MDDELCC sewers to overflow, sending un- Short-term exposure to these toxins treated sewage directly into the Lake. can lead to minor skin irritation and Figure 8 | Public beach closures on Lake Champlain, 2012 – 2014

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM HOW TO INTERPRET THIS MAP 13

% of season at Saint Armand, QC Human Health & Toxins % of season at Alert Level 1 Alert Level 2 (some algae Rouses Point, What is the problem with cyanobacteria (algae bloom visible) Swanton, VT conditions) NY blooms in Lake Champlain?

% of season with NO Harmful algae blooms occasionally occur in Lake Champlain VISIBLE algae present St Albans, VT during warm, calm summer weather. The cyanobacteria that These sampling locations had cause these blooms sometimes release toxins into the water that NO VISIBLE blue-green algae are harmful to humans and other animals. Some sections of the present between 2012-2014. Lake are more susceptible to these blooms than others. S THE SAMPLING SEASON C Burlington, VT armful algae blooms first Harmful algae blooms most D attracted attention in Lake frequently occur in Lake Champlain 250 HChamplain in 1999, when two from mid-July through August. They dogs died after exposure to the toxins are typically found in the shallower, created under bloom conditions. In warmer bays of Lake Champlain,

response to that event, LCBP funded including Missisquoi and St. Albans # Sample s K and has maintained a monitoring bays, although they occasionally are L Ferrisburgh, VT program to detect and report harmful observed in other Lake areas (Figure g. algae bloom conditions in the Lake. 9). The cyanobacteria monitoring June July Au Sept. The monitoring program, which iden- program on Lake Champlain identi- tifies three levels of algae conditions, fies lake conditions as one of three 2012-2014 TOTAL SAMPLES has served as a model for other water categories: Generally Safe, where bodies in the US and globally. By normal levels of blue-green algae 93% of the Crown Point, NY 2014, the program had transitioned may be present, but not in bloom total samples had NO visible For more on blue-green largely toward a reporting program, a conditions that might create toxins; algae present lakewide system of trained volunteers Low Alert (Alert Level 1), where al- algae alerts, please visit: www.lcbp.org/bga operated by the Lake Champlain gae have been observed at moderate 5% of the Committee. Testing is done by the densities; or High Alert (Alert Level samples Vermont Department of Environ- 2), where algae scums have been were at mental Conservation, and risk assess- observed in the water or toxins are Alert Level 1 ment by the Vermont Department of present at high levels. Health. Certified harmful algae bloom 2% of the observations from around the Lake samples were at are posted on an interactive webpage Alert Level 2 maintained by the VT Department WATZIN MARY of Health. The current program is DATA SOURCES: US-only monitoring programs, VT ANR, LCC designed to inform the public with reliable and timely information. Figure 9 | Blue-green algae alerts, 2012 - 2014

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 14 ish can be an important part of mercury found in the flesh of the a healthy diet, and a great way species listed. Figure 10 illustrates Human Health & Toxins Fto eat local food in the Lake the advisories for New York, Québec, Champlain watershed. However, and Vermont for many Lake Cham- Can I eat the fish from Lake similar to the case of many seafoods, plain species. Generally, smaller there are consumption advisories in fish such as yellow perch have less Champlain? place for fish caught in Lake Cham- mercury than larger sport fish, and plain and its tributaries. New York, younger fish have less than older fish. Québec, and Vermont have each Lake trout and walleye are higher in The Lake Champlain watershed offers many opportunities determined safe consumption levels the food chain; they consume many to catch your own healthy fish meal. Trout, salmon, bass, for their jurisdictions, designed to smaller fish over time, and bioaccu- and perch may be found in the Lake or in tributary streams. provide guidance to consumers about mulate contaminants found in their safely eating fish from the watershed. prey. As a result, advisories are less However, it is important to be aware of consumption advisories Most fish consumption adviso- restrictive for yellow perch than for for some species of fish found in the watershed. ries exist because of the amount of lake trout, meaning the advisory sug-

Yellow Perch Rainbow or gests consumption of more meals of Brown Bullhead Pumpkinseed <10” (25 cm) White Perch Brown Trout yellow perch than of lake trout is safe in a one-month period. A, B WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING National and local efforts to 5 0 8 5 0 8 5 0 8 3-4 0 OK 3-4 0 OK AGE AND CHILDREN reduce mercury pollution have been ALL OTHERS OK 4 8 OK 4 8 OK 4 8 OK 4 OK OK 4 OK successful over the past two decades. VT* NY* QC* VT NY QC VT NY QC VT NY QC VT NY QC Mercury concentrations in fish tis- Yellow Perch Redhorse Sucker sues, particularly in walleye and lake All Other Fish >10” (25 cm) Largemouth Bass Northern Pike <14” (40 cm) White Sucker

T MORE FREQUENT LY trout, have significantly decreased EA over the past several years (Figure WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING OK AGE AND CHILDREN 2-3 0 2 0 8 2 0 8 2 0 8 8 8 11), allowing some consumption advisories to be relaxed. ALL OTHERS 9 4 OK 6 4 8 6 4 8 6 4 8 8 8 VT NY QC VT NY QC VT NY QC VT NY QC QC QC

A = The VT advisory applies to women of childbearing age, particularly Lake Trout Smallmouth Bass Chain Pickerel RELATIVE MERCURY <25” (63 cm) CONTENT pregnant women, women planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding #= Meals mothers, as well as children age six or younger. per Month B = The NY advisory applies to women of childbearing age, infants WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING OK ** OK 1 Meal = and children under the age of 15. AGE AND CHILDREN 1 0 1 0 8 1 0 8 oz/230 g * All VT advisories are state-wide. Lake trout and walleye advisories ALL OTHERS OK OK RELATIVE PCB 3 4 3 4 8 3 4 CONTENT in NY are specific to Lake Champlain; the American eel advisory is VT NY QC VT NY QC VT NY QC specific to Cumberland Bay. The QC advisories are all specific to Mis- sisquoi Bay. American Eel Walleye Lake Trout Walleye Redhorse Sucker <20” (50 cm) >25” (63 cm) >20” (50 cm) >16” (40 cm) ** smallmouth bass >19” (48 cm) consumption limited to 0 meals per month in women and children in VT. If there is no number, there is no advisory for that jurisdiction. If there is an “OK”, the fish falls into the WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING general advisory for that jurisdiction.

T LESS FREQUENT LY OK OK AGE AND CHILDREN 1 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 4 4

EA SOURCES: NY Department of Health, 2014; VT Department of Health, ALL OTHERS 3 1 OK 1 1 8 1 1 OK 1 0 4 4 2013; QC Department of Health, April 2006 VT NY QC VT NY QC VT NY QC VT NY QC QC Fish illustrations © Flick Ford and NYSDEC (redhorse sucker, white sucker, and American eel).

Figure 10 | Lake Champlain fish consumption advisories

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM 15 1.01.0 POLLUTANTS OF WALLEYE LAKE TROUT SMALLMOUTH WHITE YELLOW Human Health & Toxins 0.9 BASS PERCH PERCH CONCERN 0.80.8 0.7 in LAKE CHAMPLAIN US EPA FISH TISSUE 0.6 CRITERION FOR 0.6 MERCURY Mercury 0.5 Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic metal that can cause severe health effects at 0.40.4 low levels in both the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It is also a persis-

MERCURY (PPM ) 0.3 tent pollutant that bioaccumulates through the food chain. Older, preda- tory species, such as large lake trout and walleye, can have high levels of 0.2 0.2 mercury and should be consumed sparingly. The biggest source of mercury 0.1 in the Lake Champlain watershed actually comes from the sky as air pollu- 0 tion from coal-burning utilities, municipal waste incineration, and industries 0.0 7 2 7 7 2 7 7 2 7 7 2 7 7 2 7 0 0 99 00 00 2011 99 0 00 2011 99 0 00 2011 99 00 00 2011 99 00 00 2011 to the west of the watershed. Mercury also enters the ecosystem through the -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 98 03 98 03 98 03 98 03 98 03 improper disposal of household products. Flourescent light bulbs, batteries, 19 20 19 20 19 20 19 20 19 20 and thermometers contain mercury and should be handled carefully. Check YEARS NOTE: The values are mean mercury concentrations, normalized to the average length of the fish. out your state health department for information on proper disposal. DATA SOURCES: Vermont Agency of Natural Resources; 2011 data from Biodiversity Research Institute. Fish illustrations © Flick Ford. Microbeads Figure 11 | Mercury in Lake Champlain fish by indicator species Microbeads are tiny (<5 mm) plastic particles added to over 100 different health and beauty products sold in the United States. Every day, these particles are washed down drains and end up in our lakes, rivers and ponds What YOU can do where unsuspecting fish and birds ingest them. Recent surveys have shown that microbeads escape wastewater treatment facilities, including those op- Go Natural: Reduce or eliminate application of pesticides and herbicides erating on Lake Champlain, due to their microscopic size. Now, legislative on your lawn and in your gardens. Choose less toxic alternatives for pest efforts in both Vermont and New York have banned the sale and distribution control. of products containing microbeads in an effort to curb plastics pollution in surface waters across the region. Clean Green: Use less toxic cleaners. Not all household chemicals are removed by wastewater treatment. Use personal care products that do not EMERGING MICROPLASTICS + contain plastic microbeads. CONTAMINANTS PHARMACEUTICALS TRASH The USGS found over 70 Tons of unused drugs are flushed down A 2013 shoreline sediment debris Take It Back: Never flush unused pharmaceuticals. Return them to the contaminants of emerging concern in a toilets, ending up in waterways like study on Lake Champlain found 2006 survey of Lake Champlain: Lake Champlain where they interfere hundreds of pieces of trash per gallon of pharmacy or find authorized drug collection locations in your area. with biological systems: sediment in some areas:

BURLINGTON Don’t Trash Toxics: Take toxic waste to a hazardous waste drop-off center. IDES 383 STEROIDS S This includes electronics, motor oil, paint, adhesives, pesticides, herbicides, HERBIC PLATTSBURGH CHEMICAL70 S 273 and mercury-bearing items like non-digital thermometers and compact fluo-

TICS 62 rescent light bulbs (CFLs). PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL WILLSBORO IBIO OR NATIONAL DRUG 25 VERGENNES CONTRA TAKE-BACK DAYS 24 22 SOUTH END CEP ANT TIVES PE ISLANDS STICIDES 2 8 CHAMPLAIN Look for Leaks: Keep cars, boats and other machinery in good working PORT KENT BRIDGE

order to eliminate oil and fluid leaks. LOCATION AND NUMBER OF TRASH PIECES PER GALLON OF SEDIMENT. FRA S AMOUNT OF PRESCRIPTION Pick Up after Pets: Dispose of pet waste in the garbage. The droppings of GRANCES DRUGS COLLECTED BY MOST COMMONLY FOUND: PLASTICIZER VERMONT 2012-2014 dogs and other pets contain harmful bacteria that can cause beach closings. DEGRADED PLASTIC

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 16 Human Health & Toxins Is Lake Champlain a safe drinking water source?

BEDFORD, QC Many communities around Lake Champlain use the Lake as ROUSES POINT SAINT ARMAND, QC ALBURGH a source of drinking water. Overall, Lake Champlain can be an excellent drinking water source with appropriate treatment SWANTON measures in place.

NORTH HERO ST ALBANS CITY oughly 20 million gallons of other businesses. Although some District, which serves many cities AND TOWN water are pumped from the shoreline residences and seasonal and towns within Chittenden County, GRAND ISLE CONSOLIDATED Lake each day to supply drink- dwellings still draw untreated drink- Vermont, are among the largest wa- R SOUTH HERO MALLETTS BAY ing water to about 145,000 people ing water directly from the Lake, ter suppliers in the Basin. COLCHESTER TOWN (or about 20% of the Basin’s popula- this approach to water supply is not Most of the Plattsburgh, New MILTON JERICHO VILLAGE PORT KENT tion). Almost all of these people ob- recommended. York area uses ground water for ESSEX JUNCTION BURLINGTON tain their water from the 100 public The US Safe Drinking Water drinking water, and relies on a res- ESSEX TOWN WILLISTON water suppliers that are monitored Act (SDWA) requires public water ervoir outside the city. The US EPA’s WINOOSKI and regulated by the states of New systems to monitor 84 potential Safe Drinking Water Information SOUTH BURLINGTON WILLSBORO SHELBURNE York and Vermont and the Province contaminants in drinking water. System contains information about of Québec. About 35 large systems Vermont has 73 water supply sys- public water systems around the ESSEX are community or publicly owned tems, New York has 26, and Qué- country and also lists violations of water supplies; the remaining bec has one in the Lake Champlain EPA’s drinking water regulations. VERGENNES-PANTON public-private supplies include mo- watershed. The City of Burlington, ADDISON BRIDPORT tels, trailer parks, restaurants, and Vermont and the Champlain Water SHOREHAM

NUMBER OF PEOPLE SERVED

<150 MUNICIPAL WATER INTAKE PIPES <350 lake <1,500 4,000 FT 260 FT water <4,000 <10,000 RANGE OF OFFSHORE DISTANCES <50,000

<70,000 Lake Champlain 40 FT Approximate location of water RANGE OF DEPTHS supply intake pipe 75 FT

water is pumped to a Figure 12 | Lake Champlain as a water intake holding tank LCBP public water supply

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM PEOPLE GET PUBLIC DRINKING WATER FROM 145,000 LAKE CHAMPLAIN

GALLONS PER DAY ARE PUMPED OUT OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN FOR DRINKING 20 MILLION WATER

MUNICIPALITIES INN 4NYNY GET DRINKING 28 WATER FROM MUNICIPALITIESES IN VTVT LAKE CHAMPLAIN 2 MUNICIPALITIES IN QC

POTENTIAL17 CONTAMINANTS ARE MONITORED IN LAKE CHAMPLAIN OTHER SOURCES OF Human Health & Toxins 84 MUNICIPAL DRINKING WATER WHY TREAT DRINKING WATER DRINKING WATER THE WATER? BY THE NUMBERS IN THE BASIN

A PEOPLE GET PUBLIC PRIVATE & MUNICIPAL WELLS BEDFORD, QC ERI CT DRINKING WATER FROM (GROUNDWATER) ROUSES POINT SAINT ARMAND, QC A ALBURGH B All water 145,000 LAKE CHAMPLAIN is tested and treated for sanitary MAN-MADE RESERVOIRS CO SWANTON NT bacteria and other AM GALLONS PER DAY ARE I harmful viruses NA N PUMPED OUT OF LAKE and pathogens. T S CHAMPLAIN FOR DRINKING NATURAL RIVERS AND LAKES, NORTH HERO ST ALBANS CITY At least 84 TREATED AND TOWN 20 MILLION WATER contaminants are GRAND ISLE CONSOLIDATED tested for and treated EEN DIRECT UNTREATED GR in municipal water E- SOUTH HERO MALLETTS BAY U AE systems. If levels are LAKE WATER L LG COLCHESTER TOWN B A concerning, the 4 (NOT ADVISED) MUNICIPALITIES INN NYNY MILTON public is notified. JERICHO VILLAGE Microcystin PORT KENT ESSEX JUNCTION GET DRINKING BURLINGTON and anatoxin ESSEX TOWN levels are monitored WATER FROM WILLISTON when conditions PHA 28 WINOOSKI RM LAKE CHAMPLAIN merit at some water AC MUNICIPALITIESES IN VTVT EU SOUTH BURLINGTON T intake locations. IC WILLSBORO SHELBURNE A L S ESSEX Personal 2 care products MUNICIPALITIES IN QC are rarely monitored VERGENNES-PANTON in municipal water POTENTIAL CONTAMINANTS ADDISON supplies. BRIDPORT ARE MONITORED IN SHOREHAM MUNICIPAL DRINKING WATER 84 LCBP NUMBER OF PEOPLE SERVED

<150 <350 <1,500 TYPICAL DRINKING WATER TREATMENT PROCESS <4,000 PRIVATE & MUNICIPAL WELLS <10,000 Fluoridation (GROUNDWATER) water <50,000 Pre-Chlorination Anthracite Primary water Flocculation Sand Disinfection tank Intake <70,000 MAN-MADE RESERVOIRS Gravel Coagulation Approximate location of water Pump Tank supply intake pipe Pre-Treatment Deep-Bed Multi NATURAL RIVERS AND LAKES, Media Filtration Secondary TREATED Disinfection Sediment Basin Pump Tank DIRECT UNTREATED LAKE WATER (NOT ADVISED) STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 18 Ecosystems Indicators Scorecard INDICATORS MISSISQUOI NORTHEAST Ecosystem Indicators Scorecard BAY ARM

2015 by LAKE SEGMENT STATUS TREND STATUS TREND

Phosphorus in Lake (p. 6) The 2015 Ecosystem Indicators Scorecard describes the health of Lake Champlain in each of its five major lake segments: Mis- PHOSPHORUS Nonpoint source loading to Lake (p. 9) sisquoi Bay, Northeast Arm, Malletts Bay, Main Lake, and South Wastewater facility loadingº (p. 9) Lake. These segments have been used by scientists since the * There are no monitored 1970s to describe the major regions of the Lake. The surround- tributaries in the NE Arm. ing watersheds of these segments have different physical charac- teristics and land use that influences the health of the segment. For the 2015 report, the scorecard provides updated informa- Beach closures (p. 12) tion on the nine original ecosystem indicators presented in the HUMAN previous reports, reflecting the most current data available for HEALTH Cyanobacteria blooms (p. 13) each of these indicators. The indicators have been grouped to & TOXINS Fish advisories for toxins+ (p. 14) report on three overarching issues: phosphorus contamination, human health and toxins, and biodiversity. Three indicators have * No trend data available because MDDELCC no longer been developed for each issue; it is these nine indicators that are monitors and closes beaches used to comprehensively characterize the state of Lake Cham- for BGA. plain in this document. Each indicator is scored as good, fair, or + poor for each major lake segment. A more detailed explanation BIODIVERSITY Sea lamprey wounds (p. 24) & AQUATIC of each indicator and the criteria used to determine the scores Aquatic invasive species arrivals (p. 25) are presented in the relevant sections of this report. Please refer INVASIVE to the page numbers noted after each issue on the scorecard SPECIES Water chestnut infestations (p. 30) for more information. Trends for each of the indicators also are presented for individual lake segments. The trends are an assess- ment of whether each condition is improving, staying the same, or declining as of 2015. The trends are typically evaluated for the duration of the available data—more than 20 years in the º No post-2012 data available. + case of water chemistry monitoring. The status of each indicator These indicators are lake-wide; therefore, scores are the same across all lake segments. also is presented, based on an evaluation of recent data. Status information is related to specific criteria, or targets, that have been established by resource managers in the Basin.

STATUS TREND GOOD IMPROVING

FAIR NO TREND (neither improving nor deteriorating) POOR DETERIORATING

NO STATUS DATA NO TREND DATA LCBP PHOTOS AVAILABLE AVAILABLE Missisquoi Bay Northeast Arm

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM 19 MALLETTS MAIN SOUTH INDICATORS BAY LAKE LAKE Ecosystem Indicators Scorecard

STATUS TREND STATUS TREND STATUS TREND by LAKE SEGMENT MISSISQUOI BAY Phosphorus in Lake (p. 6)

Nonpoint source loading to Lake (p. 9) PHOSPHORUS St. Albans Bay Wastewater facility loadingº (p. 9) Cumberland Bay

NORTHEAST ARM

Beach closures (p. 12) MALLETTS HUMAN BAY Cyanobacteria blooms (p. 13) HEALTH & TOXINS Fish advisories for toxins+ (p. 14) MAIN Burlington LAKE Bay * The South Lake has no monitored public beaches. Shelburne Willsboro Bay Bay Sea lamprey wounds+ (p. 24) BIODIVERSITY & AQUATIC Aquatic nuisance species arrivals (p. 25) Lake INVASIVE Water chestnut infestations (p. 30) ChamplainLake SPECIES * Water chestnut is hand- Champlain pulled between Little Otter Creek and Crown Point; the rest of the Main Lake has no infestation. º No post-2012 data available. + These indicators are lake-wide; therefore, scores are the same across all lake segments. Crown Point

SOUTH LAKE

South Bay Malletts Bay Main Lake South Lake

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 Biodiversity & Aquatic Invasive Species Invasive Aquatic & Biodiversity 20

LCBP LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM Riparian restoration projectsimprovewildlifehabitat andhelpprotectwaterquality. and thelocalclimate.TheLake’s quality andtemperatureofthewater their habitats,whichincludethe T efforts arealsocriticallyimportantinprotectingwaterquality. preventing theintroductionofaquaticinvasivespecies.These and protectingwetlands,shorelines,riverbanks, include removingbarrierstofishandwildlifepassage,restoring to reducehabitatfragmentationandmaintaindiversity also requiresintact,functionalfishandwildlifehabitat.Efforts A healthyLake Champlainecosystemreliesoncleanwater, but protect Lake Champlain? How doesa around theLake,togetherwith contains allformsoflifeinand he LakeChamplainecosystem healthy ecosystem many thousandsofyears,acomplex, the ecosystem.Overcourseof isms, inavarietyofhabitatswithin of plants,animals,andmicroorgan number andvarietyofnativespecies biological diversityreferstothelarge

- and wetterconditions. Changesin terns arechangingtoward warmer temperature andprecipitation pat acter oftheLake tochange. Seasonal ecosystem andarecausing thechar chemical stressesthatinfluence the ing environmental, biological, and (Figure 13). has beenestablishedintheLake life thatreliesonmanyhabitattypes dynamic, andrelativelystablewebof Figure 13|Lake Champlain food web native mussels FOOD ENERG THE DIRECTIONOFARROWS Lake Champlainisexperienc mussels zebra sea lamprey rainbow smelt alewife & Y MO VES IN humans phytoplankton algae & low . COL Atlantic salmon OR REPRESENTSTROPHICLEVEL lake trout& walleye, zooplankton - - - lake sturgeon native species. stress ontheLake ecosystemandits lake-wide wintericeexert additional phorus anddecreasingfrequency of Increasing concentrations of phos live intheLake anditswatershed. plants, and otherorganismsthat directly affectingthewildlife, fish, quality andtherelatedfoodweb, affect theLake byalteringwater opment andagriculture,negatively the landscape, especiallyfromdevel cormorants snails worms & insects, largemouth bass&northernpike high protozoa &bacteria yellow perch pumpkin seed& amphibians - - Conservation Snapshot: Otter Creek, Vermont 21

3,300+ Biodiversity & Aquatic Invasive Species ACRES* Vermont wetlands conserved and restored since 1991 SHOREHAM 85,000 ACRES Lake Champlain WHITING Identified as high-priority restorable wetlands

ORWELL

HUBBARDTON

Restorable Wetlands

Conserved Wetlands

Acres of wetland habitat restored, enhanced, and managed through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Accomplishments reflect the service partnership with local landowners, other federal (NRCS-WRP Program) and state agencies, and numerous other non-governmental conservation groups. DATA SOURCE: US Fish and Wildlife Service, NRCS *3,300 acres = 1,335 hectares; 85,000 acres = 34,400 hectares.

Figure 14 | Wetland conservation in the Lake Champlain Basin LCBP Wetlands provide habitat for wildlife while protecting water quality by filtering nutrients and Certain types of habitats that sup- of wetlands have been conserved pollutants. port the biodiversity of the Lake eco- since 1991, thanks to a strong part- system are also critically important in nership between the US Fish and between aquatic animals and impor- a greater capacity to handle large protecting water quality in the Lake. Wildlife Service, USDA Natural Re- tant parts of their habitat, espe- volumes of flood water, which will Wetlands and riparian areas provide source Conservation Service, private cially during the breeding season. reduce erosion and allow aquatic nursery habitat, water storage, nutri- land owners, and other organizations Vermont and New York now have organisms to reach spawning areas. ents, and food for fish and wildlife. working toward this goal (Figure 14). guidelines for improving aquatic Identifying, mapping, and assessing They also protect water quality by These groups are working to restore organism passage (AOP) when culverts at the watershed level can temporarily storing flood waters, as many as 85,000 acres of wetlands culvert or bridge work is underway. help resource managers and water- filtering sediments and nutrients, in Vermont. Fishery and other resource manag- shed organizations determine which and buffering river banks during high Development, especially roads ers are working with municipalities stream crossings are most in need of flows. In Vermont, over 3,300 acres and culverts, can create barriers to install culverts and bridges with improved AOP.

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 sh Fi -alewife = 100

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ainbow Smelt Average Catch per Unit Effort Unit per Catch Average Smelt ainbow R * SOURCE TA DA of smelt. *Average catch per unit effort is the number of smelt caught in a 55 minute trawl averaged over the pre *Average catch per unit effort is the number of smelt caught invasion (1990-2004) and post Figure 15 | Change in Lake Champlain smelt populations, Figure 15 | Change in Lake - -

food web food These seemingly small changes

Zebra mussels continue to be a nuisance in many areas of the lake. some of the 50 non-native species on the native species. The cumula tive effects of non-native species on the Lake Champlain ecosystem are unknown and difficult to measure, though they undoubtedly occur. and this new species is expected to cause further alterations of the base of the food web over time. in the food web in some areas of the Lake can have significant repercus sions to biodiversity across the whole ecosystem. It takes many years of research to show the impacts from LCBP - - -

n Lake Champlain, the invasiven Lake discoveredzebra mussel was first it hadin 1993. Within a few years, New invasive species continue How is the Lake Champlain Champlain is the Lake How changing? LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM invasive crustacean, was discovered throughout most of Lake Champlain, species by using resources previ ously available to the native species. In 2014 the spiny waterflea, a tiny to arrive both in the Lake and in the to arrive both in the Lake and in the terrestrial watershed, in many cases outcompeting and displacing native since alewife became established, sug since alewife became established, gesting that alewife are outcompeting and displacing smelt (Figure 15). have shown a significant reduction in reduction have shown a significant native smelt populations in several parts of Lake Champlain in the years Lake. Data collected by the VermontLake. andDepartment of Fish and Wildlife Fish and Wildlife Servicethe U.S. cies on the Lake bottom in many areas bottom in many cies on the Lake by encrusting and suffocating them. in the arrived alewife first In 2003, I displaced several native mussel spe further changes to the food web. algae populations at the lower levels of the food web, and have at the lower levels of the algae populations fish at the upper rates of some sport affected the reproduction will cause recent arrival of spiny waterflea levels. The more invasions of zebra mussel and alewife have altered plankton mussel and alewife have invasions of zebra to changing invasions have contributed populations. These Introductions of non-native species to Lake Champlain continue non-native species to Lake Introductions of In the last 20 years, the food web. Lake’s to change the

22 Biodiversity & Aquatic Invasive Species Non-native fish species in Lake Champlain, salmonid eggs from the 23 Champlain have increased in num- Lake that are used for rearing hatch-

ber over the last decade, and include ery fish are checked annually for Biodiversity & Aquatic Invasive Species alewife, tench, white perch and rudd, possible thiamine deficiency and are How are the populations of Lake as well as some of the more popular treated with a thiamine supplement. introduced species such as rainbow Several species of fish continue Champlain's sport fish changing? and brown trout. Some of these spe- to be stocked regularly into Lake cies (alewife in particular) are prob- Champlain, including lake trout and lematic, outcompeting native forage Atlantic salmon. This fish cultivation Greater numbers of larger and healthier sport fish have been fish that have traditionally comprised and stocking program is especially caught in recent years on Lake Champlain, compared to the diet of fishes higher up the food important because natural lake trout the 1980s and ’90s, and there has been a reduction in the chain, including our most popular and Atlantic salmon do not currently sport fishes. As trout and salmon have enough reproductive success frequency of sea lamprey wounds. Atlantic salmon runs in Lake start to rely more on alewife as a food to sustain their Lake Champlain Champlain tributaries continue to increase each year. Weigh- source, they ingest greater quantities populations. Researchers are in- ins at bass tournaments for several years have demonstrated a of the enzyme thiaminase, which has vestigating causes of poor survival been shown in other lakes to cause a of young salmonids, and are moni- strong and healthy bass fishery in the Lake. thiamine deficiency in eggs and fry, toring movement of these species known as Early Mortality Syndrome. throughout the Lake to better inform ake Champlain is home to over come from all over the country to Since the arrival of alewife in Lake restoration efforts. 80 species of fish and is known participate in these competitions Lparticularly for its salmonid, and to enjoy fishing on the Lake. Cormorants on Lake Champlain bass, and walleye fisheries. Fishing Although solid ice coverage across Double-crested cormorants are a colonial native water bird species consid- tournaments on Lake Champlain the Lake is now less frequent than ered by many to be a nuisance on Lake Champlain. Their population was have increased in number and in previous decades, winter weather heavily depleted nationwide in the mid-1900s by DDT and habitat loss, but popularity, ranging from local fish- always brings ice to the bays and has bounced back in recent decades as a result of the expansion of the cat- ing club tournaments and derbies to near-shore areas that are more fish farming industry in the southeastern United States and federal regula- professional fishing competitions. protected from the wind, providing tions enacted in 1972 to protect migratory species. Anglers visiting Lake Champlain good ice fishing. Public perception of the cormorant population is that it is too high in Lake Champlain and other regions, despite a lack of scientific research demon- strating significant aquatic ecosystem impacts. Many anglers on Lake Cham- plain are concerned that cormorants are depleting the yellow perch population, although there have not been any studies documenting these effects. However, the cormorant population on Lake Champlain has caused exten- sive defoliation on several islands where they breed, which has reduced the nesting habitat for other birds like the common tern, black-crowned night heron, cattle egret, great egret, snowy egret, and great blue heron. Cormorant populations have been managed by the state fish and wildlife agencies and the US Fish and Wildlife Service for many years, in collabora- tion with non-government organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Audubon. Control efforts on Lake Champlain have historically con- sisted of shooting and hazing adults, and oiling eggs to reduce breeding success. A Lake Champlain colonial nesting bird management plan is being

LCBP developed to help guide management of cormorants on Lake Champlain. Anglers of all ages are enjoying a thriving sport fishery on Lake Champlain.

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015

US RGET (25) RGET (15) AT AKE - L TROUT TA SALMON TA ST control - 2014 2013 LAKE TROUT LANTIC SALMON 2012 AT 2011 2010 revious versions of this graphic were limited to data from 2009 for those that are threatened or en or are threatened that for those risks also health Human dangered. possible. as much as are minimized within the treatment Residents lampricide before notified areas are occur and are provided treatments necessary. water when with drinking posted in advisories are Recreation for the duration of the affected areas water supplies. potential effect on 2008 2007 - - - 2006 echnical Committee -wide data. ake 2005 sheries T mprey wounds decreased from 2012-2014 2004 D ord US BY YEAR AT sitive: La ithin 50% of meeting the target for lake trout and salmon 2003 Exceeds target by more than 50% for lake trout and salmon Meets target for lake trout (25 wounds per 100 fish sampled) Meets target for lake trout (25 wounds per 100 fish sampled) or salmon (15 wounds per 100 fish sampled) W Po ake Champlain Fi : L IDE TREN IDE ST t -W -W Phase ake. This graphic contains L average 1993-98 ake trout were 533-633mm (21-25 in) in length. Salmon were 432-533 mm (17-21 in) in length. The pre AIR L F POOR GOOD reatmen LAKE SOURCE Experimental LAKE T TES: e- TA Pr sh illustrations © Flick F average 1985-92 Fi DA the Main L NO period was 1985-92, and experimental control period was 1993-98. P As with most pesticides, there there pesticides, As with most

80 60 40 20

100 WOUNDS PER 100 FISH SAMPLED FISH 100 PER WOUNDS Figure 16 | Sea Lamprey wounding rates in Lake Champlain Figure 16 | Sea Lamprey wounding rates in Lake pies, mussels, and a native lam and a native pies, mussels, are susceptible to prey species also The US FWS lampricide treatments. that there will is required to ensure on populations be a minimal effect particularly of non-target species, and eliminates the need for chemi the need eliminates and sea for this tributary of cal control lamprey. the use impacts from are non-target endangered Some of lampricides. including species, or threatened Eastern channel and lake sturgeon, stonecats, mudpup sand darters, ------on A partnership among the US A partnership among the US sea lamprey up the Morpion Stream to spawn ing habitat. The design allows other to continue their migration, fishes local residents developed an innova tive new method for controlling sea spawn a seasonal In 2014, lamprey. ing barrier was constructed on Mor Pike a tributary to the pion Stream, River in the Missisquoi River basin in Québec, with funds provided by the US FWS and the Great Lakes The temporary Fishery Commission. barrier is installed early each spring to and removed in early summer, prevent sea lamprey from migrating lamprey populations in the Lake’s in the Lake’s lamprey populations the use of barri tributaries include ers to spawning habitat, spawning traps, and pesticides applied at stra spe Highly tegic times and places. cialized pesticides (“lampricides”) have been used to control larval sea lamprey before they transform into their parasitic phase and migrate to prey on trout and to the Lake salmon. and the Province of Québec, FWS, ------ishery biologists continue to tryishery biologists continue parasiticto determine whether sea lamprey are a native nui The sea lamprey control pro In its parasitic phase, the sea In its parasitic phase, the sea What is the impact of is the impact What and salmon? trout LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM Methods to control and reduce sea Methods to control and reduce sea gram on Lake Champlain uses sev gram on Lake eral strategies to reduce the number of larval sea lamprey in streams. prey are most vulnerable to control prey are most vulnerable to control measures. life cycle, the sea lamprey lives in in the sea lamprey lives life cycle, streams as a larval filter feeder for It is in this earlier about four years. phase of its life cycle that sea lam prey and feeds on the blood and prey and feeds on the blood and body fluids of its host. However, before it reaches this phase in its been very effective (Figure 16). effective (Figure 16).been very lamprey attaches its mouth to its lamprey has had a significant negative lamprey has had a significant impact on salmon and trout. Fortu nately, sea lamprey management has but, in either case, overall manage ment of sea lamprey is not likely to and There is strong evidence change. broad agreement that the parasitic sea sance or invasive nuisance species since 2010. F lamprey control program has effectively reduced sea lamprey program has effectively reduced lamprey control wounding of Atlanticlevels consistently salmon to near target The impact of sea lamprey on trout and salmon populations in lamprey on trout and salmon The impact of sea last ten years. The sea has diminished in the Champlain Lake

24 Biodiversity & Aquatic Invasive Species 25 Biodiversity & Aquatic Invasive Species

Zebra Mussel, What new 1993 aquatic invasive species 12 50 AQUATIC have populated the Lake? NON-NATIVE AND INVASIVE SPECIES NOW IN LAKE 10 CHAMPLAIN Spiny waterflea (SWF), the most recent aquatic invasive species 40 to arrive in the Lake, was detected in late summer 2014. It is Spiny Waterflea, thought to be the only new invader since variable-leaved milfoil 2014 8 Alewife, 2003 was found in southern Lake Champlain in 2009. Water 30 Chestnut, 1940 s of 2014, Lake Champlain is manage and have the potential to 6 Eurasian Purple Watermilfoil, home to 50 known non-native spread to other water bodies. Loosestrife, 1962 and invasive species (Figure Spiny waterflea (SWF), a small 1929 A 20 IVE NUMBER OF SPECIES 17). Aquatic invasive species (AIS) invasive crustacean (not an actual are non-native species that cause flea) was detected in Lake Champlain L NUMBER OF NEW SPECIES 4 TA

harm to the aquatic environment, by the LCBP Long Term Biological TO economy, or human health. AIS Water Quality Monitoring Program CUMUL AT 10 include aquatic plants, animals, and in August 2014 and spread through- 2 pathogens, and they may be trans- out much of the Lake by September. ported intentionally or unintention- Native to northern Europe and Asia, ally to the Basin mostly by people. spiny waterflea hitchhiked in ballast Once AIS are introduced to Lake water to the Great Lakes in the 1980s 0 0 '20s '30s '40s '50s '60s '70s '80s '90s '00s Champlain they are very difficult to and has recently spread to inland <1920 unknown 2010-14 NOTE: Data reflect the decade of arrival or first reported sighting of the species. DATA SOURCE: Ellen Marsden, University of Vermont

Figure 17 | Aquatic non-native and invasive species arrivals in Lake Champlain

lakes in the Adirondacks (Figure 18). SWF introduction. They prefer cold, Spiny waterflea have long barbed deep water and are a nuisance to tails that make up 70% of their body anglers because they can accumulate length and can get caught in the on downriggers and foul fishing lines stomachs of fish that eat them. This and other fishing gear. Researchers species is a visual predator and feeds are carefully gathering data to evalu- on zooplankton and smaller crusta- ate their effect on Lake Champlain.

EMILY DEBOLT EMILY ceans such as Daphnia; changes in The discovery of the spiny water- Spiny waterfleas are not harmful to humans, but have altered the food web of lakes in the the food web of other northeastern flea in Lake Champlain prompted region. lakes have been documented after the Lake Champlain Basin Aquatic

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 Biodiversity & Aquatic Invasive Species Invasive Aquatic & Biodiversity 26 Figure 18|SpinywaterfleamovementtoLake Champlain LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM detected ina water body,vigorous spiny waterfleasoncethey havebeen methods tocontroloreradicate Basin. Althoughthereareno known to otherinlandwaterbodies inthe spreading fromLakeChamplain prevent thespinywaterflea from technical feasibilityofstepsto species intheBasin. sponding quickly toanynewinvasive and Québecthatisdedicatedtore experts fromNewYork, Vermont, group ofLake ChamplainBasin tation. Thetaskforceisanappointed Task Forcetoevaluatethenewinfes Invasive SpeciesRapidResponse DATA SOURCESUSGS, NYSDEC,Lake ChamplainResearch Institute Waterflea alsoincludesareasnorth,southandwestoftheGreatLakes. NOTE: Detectiondatesarethefirstrecordedsightingsofspecies.TheentiregeographicspreadSpiny L L ake Superior ake Michigan L ake Huro The taskforcereviewedthe 1984 1 st Detected n L ake Erie 1987 1986 1985 Allegheny 1984 Re 2004 1st Detection servoir 1985-1987 Great L Canadian ShieldL 1989 akes Invasion L 1st DetectionsOutsideGreatL ake Ontari 1985 - 1989 - akes o species spreadwithinthewatershed efforts tocontainandpreventthe different body ofwater. waterfleas andbeforelaunching ina a bodyofwaterinfestedwith spiny anchors) completely,after boating in equipment (including fishing line and is todryyourboat,trailer, and all lifestagesofthespinywaterflea effective waytopreventthespreadof Research showsthatthemost lake stationsinlargenumbers. 2014, theyweredetectedatmultiple and spreadwhen,bySeptember apparent rateofpopulationgrowth researchers weresurprisedatthe are underway.LakeChamplain akes 2014 2014 2010 2010 Sacandaga L P iseco L GreatSacandaga L Pe ake Pleasan ck L ake 2008 ake ake Late Sept,2014 Adirondack Detection 2008 L t ake 2012 L George 2014: 2010 ake 2012

L ake ChamplainBasin Stewart 2012 Likely Movement Glens Fa Champlain L 2012 100 miles Late Aug, ake Champlai Re L ’s Bridge ake Champlain Early Sept,2014 Canal servoir 2014 lls Fe 2014

Canal eder

LAKE GEORGE ASSOCIATION UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA threatening invasivespecies"onthedoorstep"ofLake Champlain. Hydrilla, quaggamussel,roundgoby, andAsianclam(clockwisefromtopleft) are themost into thewild. ornamental ponds,andaquaria. Neverreleaseunwantedplantsoranimals Be SpeciesSmart: any waterbody. Don’t DumpBait: hot wateroracarwashifyouuseitsooner. Dry: containers beforeleavingwateraccessarea. Drain: access area. ment, includingwaders,ropes,anchors,andfishinggear beforeleavingwater Clean: What

Keep yourboatandtrailerinthesunforatleastfivedaysorwashwith Remove allwaterfromyour boat,motor, bilge,livewell,andbait Inspectandremoveplants,animals,mudfromgear andequip YOU cando Neverreleaseunwantedaquatic bait,deadoralive,into Useonlynon-invasiveplants andanimalsingardens, -

USFWS LCBP accessibility of deep-water historic Asian clams are present in 27 shipwrecks that have escaped zebra the Champlain Canal and in Lake

mussel damage, as well as compete George, New York, both of which are Biodiversity & Aquatic Invasive Species with zebra mussels and native mus- connected to Lake Champlain. Asian What aquatic invasive species sels in shallow water. clams are small bivalves with dis- Round goby are small invasive tinctive ridges on their shells. Asian outside the Basin pose a threat? fish that have spread through clams are hermaphrodites, so it only the dumping of bait buckets and takes one clam for reproduction to passage through canals, after their occur. They are filter feeders that foul The invasive plant hydrilla (found in Cayuga Lake and the introduction to the Great Lakes water intake pipes and irrigation sys- Erie Canal), quagga mussels (found in the Great Lakes and from ballast water in the St. Clair tems. They reproduce prolifically and the Erie Canal), round goby (found in the Erie Canal and the River in 1990. Round goby are displace native species. Asian clams aggressive eaters that consume the have been successfully overwintering St. Lawrence and Richelieu rivers), and the Asian clam (found eggs of native fish species and sport in the cold waters of Lake George. in Lake George and the Champlain Canal) are four of the fish. The species is presently found After they die, their shells may per- most threatening invasive species “on the doorstep” of Lake both in the Erie Canal and in the sist for years, providing a growing Champlain. Richelieu River. substrate for zebra mussels.

The numbers show the total non-native nvasive plants, animals, and threatening to spread towards Lake To Atlantic Ocean and invasive species known to occur in Richelieu pathogens can move across the Champlain. St. Lawrence River each waterway as of June 2015. River Ilandscape and enter Lake Cham- Quagga mussels are an aquatic Chambly plain in a number of ways. Primary invasive mollusk, first discovered Canal pathways include aquarium plant in Lake Erie in 1991, where they are Lake Huron ST. LAWRENCE RIVER: 87 Lake and pet dumping, water garden thought to have arrived in ballast Champlain escape (especially during significant water from the Ukraine. The quagga tropical storms like Irene), hitch- mussel has been referred to as the LAKE CHAMPLAIN: hiking on boats, trailers, and other evil twin of the zebra mussel be- 50 GREAT LAKES: 184 recreational equipment, live bait cause it is able to reproduce more Champlain release, intentional stocking, and ca- prolifically and is adapted to live in Lake Ontario Canal nal passage. Other waterways in the deeper water. The species was most region surrounding Lake Champlain likely spread overland by hitchhik- Erie Canal are home to many potential invaders ing on vessels and equipment. It has Welland Canal Mohawk River (Figure 19). caused billions of dollars in damage Hydrilla is a submerged aquatic to aquaducts, hydroelectric dams, HUDSON RIVER: 122 Lake Erie Finger Lakes invasive plant that grows prolifi- and irrigation systems in other parts To Atlantic cally in dense mats and is consid- of the country. Quagga mussels are Ocean ered more invasive than Eurasian now present in the Erie Canal and Hudson water milfoil, a well-known and expanding their range eastward, River established invasive species in Lake toward Lake Champlain. They have DATA SOURCE: UVM, LCBP, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Champlain. Hydrilla is believed to be been intercepted by the boat launch Lafontaine and Costan 2002, and Strayer 2012. Lake Champlain data current as of 2015. native to Korea, but has now be- steward program on Lake George. come established in the Cayuga Lake If quagga mussels arrive in Lake Figure 19 | Non-native and aquatic invasive species threats to Lake Inlet and Erie Canal in New York, Champlain, they could threaten the Champlain from connected waterways

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015

S ERS 9 RS AT ARDS S BO AT 15 MEASURES , TS HAD UNCHES PREVENTION A % AT OOK SPREAD STEW LA T S CARRIED VISITO TIC ORGANISMS ON THEM SIVE SPECIE BO SURVEYED 31 AT BO 14,175 AQUA 7.5 18 10 BO INVA 83% y Y Y ON dr ANT ST ALBANS SW MALLETTS BA unch Steward interactions with visitors at NYS DEC Access Areas SHELBURNE La COLCHESTER POINT CONVERSE BA SOUTH HERO drain Y ROCHE Y PERU KENT . Data from 2014 LCBP Boat HENR WILLSBORO WILCOX ildlife Access Areas. WESTPORT DOUGLAS PORT TICONDEROGA POINT AU TTSBURGH : LCBP PORT SOUTH BA PLA PORT sh and W SOURCE TA and VT Fi DA clean Figure 20 | Lake Champlain Boat Launch Steward highlights, 2014 Champlain Boat Launch Steward highlights, Figure 20 | Lake of reached (Figure 20). new species by intercepting them as new species by intercepting them as they are about to enter a water body, and also educate the public about the threats posed by invasive species and the importance of cleaning boats and gear before launching into and when leaving the water body. The 2014 effort was the most far-reaching yet, with more than 31,000 visitors arrival and spread and arrival

n 2007, LCBP initiated the Lake Champlain Boat Launch Steward program. This program stations aquatic invasive species? aquatic invasive What effect are management actions management effect are What on the having

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM Boat launch stewards on Lake Champlain share the Clean, Drain, Dry message with visitors Boat launch stewards on Lake and Colorado. from as far away as Texas when they are being launched or retrieved from the Lake. Stewards reduce the chance of introducing around the Lake, where they survey around the Lake, where they survey launch users and inspect their boats for the presence of invasive species I stewards at public boat launches control the spread of invasives that have already arrived. control the spread of invasives water bodies. New regulations are helping to make these regulations are helping to water bodies. New efforts, such common and effective. AIS removal programs more have also helped to chestnut and Asian clam, as those for water prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by and spread of invasive prevent the introduction departure from at points of arrival and intercepting invasives Boat launch steward and greeter programs have helped to and greeter programs have Boat launch steward LCBP

28 Biodiversity & Aquatic Invasive Species The Boat Launch Steward pro- water body most frequently visited spread prevention a cornerstone and trailers. In response to the 2009 29 gram also provides an important in the two weeks prior to launching of natural resource management discovery of Asian clams in Lake perspective on the Lake’s place in in Lake Champlain (Figure 21). The in the Basin. New York now re- George and the widespread concern Biodiversity & Aquatic Invasive Species the movement of aquatic invasive geographic range of visitors to the quires all boats, trailers, and gear it raised, the Lake George Park Com- species at regional and national Basin, and the number of potential to be cleaned and drained prior to mission implemented a pilot manda- scales. Survey data reveal that boats invaders from a variety of ecosys- launching at state access points. Ad- tory boat wash and decontamination are trailered from as far away as tems, underscores the importance ditional rules prohibit sales, trans- program on Lake George, the first of Colorado and Texas. The top ten and effectiveness of steward and portation, or introduction of certain its kind in New York State and in the water bodies most recently vis- greeter programs. species in New York. Similarly, northeast region. ited are all in northeastern North Recent legislation and regulatory Vermont has banned the transpor- Following the discovery of Asian America; the Hudson River is the programs have helped to make AIS tation of aquatic plants on boats clam in Lake George in 2009, a group of partners quickly banded together MN ON QC to collaboratively develop a man- NB agement strategy. The strategy has ME evolved to include research, monitor- VT WI NY 4,165 ing, and intensive efforts to control 5,620 the clams using benthic barrier mats MI NH MA and other eradication methods. IA TOP 10 Management has been very effective, CT RI but the detection of juvenile clams PA IL IN OH NJ SOME POTENTIAL MD relative # vessels INVADERS: MO WV DE Atlantic Ocean KY HUDSON RIVER, NY VA CO + TX Quagga Chinese Mitten Brittle CANDLEWOOD LAKE, CT Mussels Crab Naiad TN NC SARATOGA LAKE, NY AR CONNECTICUT RIVER

SC LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, NH

MS AL GA MOHAWK RIVER, NY QUABBIN RESERVOIR, MA Starry Stonewort ONEIDA LAKE, NY Bloody Red LA Shrimp Quagga LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ Mussels

LAKE GEORGE, NY Asian Clam FL

DATA SOURCE: LCBP Origin water bodies are those visited by a vessel within two weeks of entering Lake Champlain during the 2014 Boat Launch Steward season (Memorial Day-Labor Day). Data are limited to visitors NYSDEC interviewed by stewards. 1 Vessels 500+ The State of New York now requires all gear to be clean and drained prior to launching Figure 21 | Origins of vessels launched into Lake Champlain, 2014 at state access points.

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 MARTIN MIMEAULT MARTIN Water chestnut control continues to be a Water Champlain. success story on Lake

rrisburgh . No water Y Fe shaded area, rrisburgh. Fe ater chestnut is int, NY W present with greater than 25% coverage (typically managed by mechanical harvesting) . ike River have rebounded POOR ater chestnut populations in ater chestnut populations in ater chestnut is mechanically SOUTH LAKE MAIN LAKE MISSISQUOI BA MISSISQUOI ike River the P recently Hand-pulling coordinated by partners is necessary between Little Otter Creek in and Crown Po Hand-pulling in MNWR has Hand-pulling in MNWR has decreased water chestnut by 96% between 2007 and 2014. W harvested by VTDEC and NYSDEC in the red- W which has been steadily reduced over the past decade. chestnut is present in the segment north of P MNWR ike River ater chestnut is P W present with less than 25% coverage (typically managed by hand-pulling) 2014 Dresden MNWR AIR Little Otter Creek F anding Benson L 2007 ater Chestnut W >25% coverage rrisburgh : VTDEC, NYSDEC, QC MDDELCC No water chestnut present and no management is needed elds Bay, Fi Fe US AT SOURCES int TA GOOD ST Po 1999 DA Crown Figure 22 | Status of water chestnut infestations in Lake Champlain Figure 22 | Status of water chestnut infestations in Lake ------Partners including the states of Partners including the states of Lake Champlain’s water chestnut water chestnut Lake Champlain’s LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM ters, though the Pike River popula ters, tion has rebounded recently. the water chestnut population was the water chestnut population was reduced by 96% between 2007 and 2014 by hand-pulling in shallow wa rows in 2014 (Figure 22). Progress Progress rows in 2014 (Figure 22). also has been made in the Missis where Refuge quoi National Wildlife waters. These efforts continue to to These efforts continue waters. push back the northern extent of in from Benson dense populations: 2011 to south of the Dresden Nar Conservancy work to harvest water water Conservancy work to harvest hand, mechanically and by chestnut, inland Champlain and other in Lake Corps of Engineers, New York State Corps of Engineers, New York State Champlain Lake Canal Corporation, and The Nature Basin Program, Vermont and New York, the Prov and New York, Vermont the Missisquoi ince of Québec, National Wildlife Refuge, US Army through the Champlain Canal from a through the Champlain Canal from water garden escape or other popula tion in the Hudson River. organisms. It was first documented organisms. It was in southern Lake Champlain in the 1940s, and was likely introduced use, crowds out native plants, and use, crowds out native zones creates oxygen-depleted fish and other uninhabitable for plant that forms dense leafy mats. In plant that forms dense of Lake Champlain, the southern end and recreational it limits boat traffic on steady funding and support from on steady funding local partners. state, federal, and a floating invasive Water chestnut is possible. is a long-standing control program dependent that remains success story years, Asian clams have spread to spread have Asian clams years, that George locations several Lake where and managed are surveyed has been challenging. In the past few In the past challenging. has been

30 Biodiversity & Aquatic Invasive Species US and eastern Canada. The average 31 temperature in Vermont has increased +3.9OF o by 2.7 F since 1941, and the last de- Climate Change cade has been the warmest on record. +4.7OF How is climate change affecting Global climate models project con- tinued increases in air temperatures. Lake Champlain? National and regional studies project O +5.2 F that average air temperatures in the Basin may rise 3-6 oF by the middle of Mounting evidence makes clear that the Lake Champlain the century. By the end of the century, Basin’s climate is changing, affecting fish, wildlife, and plant local temperatures may have risen by communities, as well as human uses of the Lake. The type and 5.5 - 8 oF, resulting in a shift to climate conditions currently experienced in the number of fish species likely will change, as aquatic invasive mid-Atlantic states (Figure 23). +2.9OF species may have greater opportunity to spread. Warmer water Average Lake Champlain surface O +3.8 F temperatures have the potential to increase the frequency of water temperatures also have increased in recent decades (Figure 24). O blue-green algae blooms as well. Records from the US National Weather +6.8 F Service indicate that Lake Champlain tudies in the Lake Champlain recognize the need for both individuals Basin and neighboring regions and communities to adapt to climate have documented climatic change. Climate adaptation strategies 1961-1990 S 1961-1990 trends of increasing temperature and can help to mitigate many of the envi- precipitation. Climate models predict ronmental, economic, and social risks these changes are likely to continue resulting from climate change. 2010-20392010-2039 and increase in the coming decades. Climate change has caused, and will Climate Trends UPDATED PREDICTIONS continue to cause, changes in the Climate trends observed in the Lake USING 2014 DATA* 2040-2069 SUPPORT THESE Basin’s ecology and water quality. Champlain Basin are similar to those SCENARIOS. Resource managers and stakeholders observed across the northeastern +5.9OF HIGH-EMISSIONS SCENARIO LOW-EMISSIONS SCENARIO

Red arrows track the shift in the Lake Champlain Basin’s summer climate over the next 60 years if we continue under a high-emissions scenario. * Data are August mean lake surface temperatures in degrees Yellow arrows track the shift under a low-emissions Fahrenheit. scenario. DATA SOURCE: Smeltzer et. al., 2012 DATA SOURCE: Adapted from Union of Concerned indicates no statistically significant trend Scientists. *Sources include VCA, 2014; NEICA, 2014; IPCC, 2014; NCA, 2014

Figure 23 | Lake Champlain Figure 24 | Mean August water

ANDREW GILBERTSON Basin migrating surface temperature Increased surface water temperatures affect native cold-water fish species. climate change since 1964

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 32 2000-2015: Lake Champlain did not freeze times Climate Change 9 MARCH MI D- RY -FEBR UA ID ER ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN OV E- YM AR JANU MI D- TE OF FREEZ DA

1910 1915 1920 1925 1930 1935 1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 No Freeze-over DATA SOURCE: National Weather Service/U.S. Weather Bureau

Figure 25 | Date of freeze-over on Lake Champlain, 1910 – 2015 JUSTIN BEVINS has frozen over much less often in Although precipitation remains By the end of the century, the region can expect more winter rain and less snow. the last 50 years than in the previ- difficult to forecast, most studies and ous half century (Figure 25). When models suggest that a warmer climate What YOU can do freeze-over does occur, it is later in will lead to wetter, more energetic the winter and ice melts earlier in the precipitation patterns in northeastern Plant Buffers: Volunteer to help plant trees and shrubs along waterways spring. North America. The Lake Champlain with a local watershed group. Roots will hold the soil and help protect habitat Annual precipitation in the Basin can expect more rain, especial- and water quality downstream. Vermont and Québec portions of the ly in the winter, and will experience Plant Native: Native trees, shrubs, flowers, and ground covers flourish Basin has increased by 45.8 mm per more intense storm events. with less water, fertilizer, and pest control measures. Native plants also attract decade since 1941, and in New York, wildlife including birds and pollinating insects. precipitation has increased by an Consequences of Climate average of 0.22% per year between Change Get Pervious: Replace pavement with porous surfaces like gravel, bricks, or 1951 and 2006. High intensity More intense storms will result in pervious paving. Porous surfaces reduce storm water runoff and allow pollutants to be absorbed and filtered. precipitation events (greater than more severe flash floods in rivers and one inch per day) are now more streams. Streambank erosion and Be a Citizen Scientist: Anyone can volunteer to help scientists with their frequent in the Basin, and the municipal combined sewer overflows research. There are citizen-sourced projects that observe and monitor water amount of precipitation falling in the are common hazards during flood quality, weather, wildlife, invasive species, and much more. heaviest 1% of all daily rain events events, releasing sediments, nutri- Join In: Join a lake or river organization. You can help clean up your water- has increased by more than 70% ents, and other pollutants that are shed and advocate for public policies that will protect it. between 1958 and 2010. transported to the Lake.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM Increased nutrient levels com- precipitation falling as rain, rather 33 bined with longer periods of warmer than snow, will alter the natural fluc- FREEZING DAYS surface water temperatures may tuations of the water levels of shal- -20% Climate Change intensify potentially toxic algae low areas and wetlands that support DECREASE IN VT blooms. Algae blooms degrade water spring spawning of some fish and SINCE 1940 quality and reduce dissolved oxygen provide habitat to many amphibians. in the water, depriving fish and other LESS LAKE ICE COVER aquatic life of oxygen. Toxic algae Climate Adaptation AND EARLIER ICE-OUT blooms also threaten human and Policy makers and resource manag- animal health and impair recreation ers are working to adapt to climate where they occur. change by increasing the resilience GROWING SEASON Increased surface water tempera- of natural and human systems in tures also affect Lake Champlain’s the wake of intense weather events. capacity to support native cold-water Strategies and measures that improve +20-31%PROJECTED fish species such as salmon and trout the ability of these systems to absorb and cool-water fishes like walleye and the impacts of severe events, and INCREASE northern pike. Warmer water may quickly recover in their aftermath, spring is 2-3 days earlier, fall is 2-3 days later also alter spawning times, potentially are necessary to minimize the effects harming the reproductive success of climate change. of cool-water fishes in Lake Cham- Floodplain planning and mitiga- TEMPERATURE plain. Simultaneously, populations tion of storm water runoff, using of warm-water fish species like bass best management practices, will help Multiple studies, from local to and invasive white perch are likely to to prevent or minimize erosion and increase. water quality degradation. Prevent- international, project Biological diversity also is af- ing new invasive species from be- increasing temperatures in the fected by floodwaters, which increase coming established in the Basin is a Lake Champlain Basin opportunities for invasive species long-term strategy to reduce climate to spread to new areas. More winter change impacts. DAYS OVER 90O 12 Weather, Climate, and Climate Change Some people wonder what scientists mean by “global warming,” when winter days in in the Lake Champlain Basin often still includes long periods of bitter low +310% 2050 temperatures, blustery wind, snow, and ice. The temperature, wind, and pre- PROJECTED BY cipitation observed during any particular storm event are the key components MID-CENTURY 4 days in 2015* of weather—the atmospheric conditions at a point in time. An average of temperatures, wind, and precipitation over several decades presents a weather pattern over time, and this pattern is known as climate. The term “climate SNOWFALL change” refers to a long-term shift in weather patterns at a regional scale. When changes in climate across the globe are considered collectively, the NOTE: Freezing Days are below 32 global trend is towards warmer conditions. Local weather conditions may not oF/0 oC. Days above 90 oF=32.2 oC; *Average days above 90 oF for period of seem particularly unusual, but global atmospheric patterns drive local weather LESS SNOW AND 1981-2014. conditions. As temperatures increase, so do the energy and moisture contained MORE WINTER RAIN IS DATA SOURCES: VCA, 2014; Stager & in the atmosphere, which lead to more severe local weather at times. Thill, 2010; Guilbert et al., 2014; IPCC, PROJECTED. 2014; NCA, 2014; NEICA, NWS, 2015; 2007; TNC Climate Wizard, 2014. NOTE: Freezing Days are below 32O F/0O C. Days above 90O F=32.2O C; *Average days above 90O F for STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 period of 1981-2014. DATA SOURCES: VCA, 2014; Stager & Thill, 2010; Guilbert et al., 2014; IPCC, 2014; NCA, 2014; NEICA, NWS, 2015; 2007; TNC Climate Wizard, 2014. 34 Flooding Risks & Resilience How can we be better prepared for How has floodingaffected the region? future floods?

Flooding is not a new problem in the Lake Champlain Although we can’t predict when, Lake Champlain certainly will watershed, but it is happening more often and more severely. reach flood levels again. To help prevent damage both to the The 2011 floods, with over 60 days of record-setting lake levels built and natural environments, some actions must be taken in the spring, followed just two months later by record flash before the next major flood. Reducing construction in flood- floods from Tropical Storm Irene, left a lasting impact on both prone areas and providing rivers with better access to their the people and ecosystems around Lake Champlain. floodplains are two important steps towards flood resilience.

bove-average snowpack million in damages in Vermont, New cientists have studied river ordinarily out of the reach of erosive coupled with heavy spring York, and Québec. One of the hard- dynamics for decades to better wave action. Maintaining forested Arains in 2011 led to the most est hit areas was along the Richelieu Sunderstand how rivers, shore- shoreline buffers where possible, severe flooding ever recorded on River, where many residents were lines, and wetlands respond to natu- limiting impervious surfaces, and Lake Champlain. The Lake reached evacuated for several weeks. ral and human disturbances. Storms making existing structures more an all-time high of 103.27 feet above In August of 2011, Tropical Storm and floods can significantly alter flood-resistant where appropriate mean sea level in May of 2011, and Irene swept through the region caus- and severely degrade these natural will reduce inundation, erosion, and remained well above the 100-foot ing four deaths in the Lake Cham- features. Floodplains store water and related damage to infrastructure. flood stage into June of that year. The plain Basin, heavy tributary flood- sediment at the height of the flood, Since the 2011 floods, shoreline flooding damaged or destroyed more ing, and widespread infrastructure, and mitigate flood impacts by slow- protection zones, floodplain hazard than 3,500 homes and caused $88 property, and agricultural damages. ing river flow and allowing sediments areas, and development standards and pollutants to settle outside of the have been redefined across the normal river channel. When rivers region. In municipalities, post-flood can access their natural floodplains, responders now have more training as Otter Creek in the Middlebury and better guidelines to ensure that area did following Tropical Storm emergency responses protect long- Irene (Figure 26), it can significantly term ecosystem health wherever reduce downstream flows and result- possible. The proven economic ing damage. Removing hazards from benefits of advance floodplain pro- flood prone areas, increasing culvert tection has encouraged communities sizes to handle higher volumes of to reconsider building in flood- storm water, and stabilizing erod- prone areas. ing streambanks also help to lessen New data and technologies, such flooding impacts. as highly detailed LiDAR elevation Very high lake levels due to data, have enabled far more accu- seasonal flooding cause inundation rate flood modeling and floodplain

LAURA HOLLOWELL LAURA of near-shore structures and roads mapping efforts, such as that now More intense rain storms will result in more runoff from impervious surfaces in urban areas. and degrade shoreline areas that are being conducted Basin-wide by the

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM International Joint Commission. 35 Stream gage data, together with Hazard Resiliency improvements in weather and storm Oil Trains: Rail lines traverse both sides of Lake Champlain, including Flooding Risks & Resilience forecasts, allow residents, emergency many miles of track just a few feet from the Lake’s edge. The trains carry responders, and resource managers passengers, freight and, increasingly, crude oil from the Bakken shale fields. to be better informed and prepared Estimates place the rate of highly volatile crude oil passing along the mar- for the next big flood, so that both gins of the Lake, much of it in DOT 111 and CTC-111A tank cars ill-suited danger and damages can be mini- for this use, at up to 60 million gallons each week. Recent derailments and mized. Although information and catastrophic explosion disasters in other areas have generated headlines preparation gaps remain, the region and stories across the continent. These events highlight the need to improve has made great strides towards flood LCBP the rail system, both tracks and cars, in order to reduce the risk of derail- resilience. Otter Creek floodplain ments, oil spills, and related tragic consequences.

Outdated Infrastructure: The 2011 floods caused significant damage Lake OTTER CREEK to regional infrastructure and underscored the need to update aging sys- Champlain WATERSHED tems. Improvements have been made to roads and bridges in flood-prone areas by replacing washed out or badly damaged bridges and culverts with Middlebury higher capacity flood-resilient structures. However, some expensive gaps Stream remain in the flood-proofing of infrastructure for both public drinking water Gage August 28, 2011: supply and wastewater treatment facilities in the Lake Champlain Basin. Tropical Storm Irene Developed areas with combined sewer overflows present a special chal- Fast, intense peak lenge. Floodwaters in these areas sometimes exceed the capacity of storm upstream due to lack of sewer systems and are routed to wastewater treatment facilities where it is accessible floodplain combined with sewage, exceeding the plant’s capacity and resulting in a 20,000 discharge of overflow into receiving waters.

15,000 Shoreline Development: Increasing development pressures along the

Moderated peak shore of Lake Champlain, coupled with significant flood damage from 10,000 downstream 2011, have raised public awareness of shoreline erosion problems. Several after accessing the tland

Flow (cfs) communities now promote more rigorous property management guidelines

Ru floodplains 5,000 to improve lakeshore conservation efforts. In the interest of improved flood resilience, New York, Québec, and Vermont have updated shoreline devel- Middlebury opment regulations. 0 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 45 FL Aug 2011 Sept 2011 OW Sub-Lake Power Lines: Several new projects have been proposed to bury electric power lines under Lake Champlain to connect major met- ropolitan areas to Canadian energy hubs. One proposed line, planned Rutland Stream Gage Accessible Floodplains for installation in the New York waters of Lake Champlain and continuing USGS Stream Gage above-ground along the Hudson River, has received all necessary permits

5 miles and is scheduled to be in service by the autumn of 2017. Similar transmis- DATA SOURCE: U.S. Geological Survey, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, LCBP sion lines are being proposed within the Vermont waters of Lake Champlain, to carry Canadian power to the New England power grid. Assessments and reviews of these developments tend to be conducted on a case-by-case Figure 26 | Floodplain access in Otter Creek Watershed, basis, but the cumulative ecosystem effects of numerous transmission line Tropical Storm Irene, August 28, 2011 projects remains undetermined.

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 36 Heritage & Recreation How do cultural heritage and recreation connect us to Lake Champlain?

The Champlain Valley possesses a trove of cultural and natural treasures that require careful stewardship so that future generations can enjoy them. The Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, operated by the LCBP, works to help people better understand and appreciate these resources.

he Champlain Valley National several interpretive guides produced, Heritage Partnership (CVNHP) and dozens of new wayside exhibits Twas established to preserve, developed. protect, and interpret the histori- While much of the context of the cal, cultural, and recreational re- CVNHP is focused on the region’s

sources of the Champlain Valley rich history, the future conservation LCBP though partnerships in New York, of the natural and cultural treasures The Island Line Trail, once the route of the Rutland Railroad, provides a spectacular way for Québec and Vermont. Much has of Lake Champlain relies on today’s cyclists to experience Lake Champlain. been accomplished since the CVNHP youth. In recent years, the focus of Management Plan was approved in the CVNHP has been on programs Service (NPS) and the Lake Cham- boats. Plattsburgh youth worked with May 2011. New bike routes have been that encourage children and young plain Maritime Museum to enhance museum professionals to develop an established, the anniversaries of the adults to better understand their access for underserved children to interpretive guide for the “Old Base.” War of 1812 and the American Civil community’s cultural and natu- board the replica canal schooner Lois Readers can learn more about other War were commemorated, historic ral heritage. In 2013, the CVNHP McClure as it traveled the intercon- student-oriented programs on the artifacts conserved and interpreted, partnered with the National Park nected waterways of the heritage CVNHP Facebook page. area. Last year, the CVNHP awarded Projects that focus on youth 11 grants for projects that involved involvement will continue in 2015 active participation from youth in the with four new interpretive paddling research and interpretation of their routes sponsored by the CVNHP. In local heritage. future years, the CVNHP will award These grants resulted in many Local Heritage grants that encour- noteworthy projects, including age students to explore and interpret dozens of oral history documenta- their own communities. A generation ries made by high-school students from now, the health and integrity of in Bennington County. Students in the Champlain Valley’s natural and Middlebury, Vermont, collected oral cultural resources will rely on a popu-

LAKE CHAMPLAIN MARITIME MUSEUM histories from fur trappers in a proj- lation that appreciates, understands Children aboard a Lake Champlain longboat begin their journey down Otter Creek as part ect that included the documentation and values them. of the Otter Creek Odyssey, a project funded by a 2014 CVNHP Local Heritage Grant. and replication of vintage trapping

LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM The State of the Lake and Ecosystem Indicators Report was compiled TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE by the Lake Champlain Basin Program Steering Committee and staff, with

Bill Ardren, US Fish and Wildlife Service input from the researchers listed on the left and LCBP committees. The report is Acknowledgements Kevin Behm, Addison County Regional Planning Commission available online at sol.lcbp.org. Bob Brower, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets Jenn Callahan, VT Agency of Transportation Lake Champlain Basin Program Dennis Deweese, USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service - NY 54 West Shore Road Laura DiPietro, VT Agency of Agriculture, Farms & Markets Grand Isle, VT 05458 (802) 372-3213 Fred Dunlap, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (800) 468-5227 (NY & VT) Kevin Farrington, City of Plattsburgh www.lcbp.org Curt Gervich, SUNY Plattsburgh [email protected] Neil Kamman, VT Agency of Natural Resources John Kanoza, Clinton County, NY Health Department STAFF SUPPORTING THE PROGRAM Mark Malchoff, Lake Champlain Sea Grant Call (802) 372-3213, unless otherwise noted Martin Mimeault, QC Ministère du Développement durable, de Jim Brangan - Cultural Heritage & Recreation Coordinator l’Environnement et la Lutte contre les changements climatiques Marika Dalton - Climate Change Fellow Mario Paula, US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 Fred Dunlap - NY Coordinator, NYSDEC, (518) 897-1241 Bernie Pientka, VT Agency of Natural Resources Colleen Hickey - Education & Outreach Coordinator Fletcher (Kip) Potter, USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service - VT Eric Howe - Technical Coordinator Ed Romanowicz, SUNY Plattsburgh Bill Howland - Director Jamie Shanley, US Geological Survey Kathy Jarvis - Administrative Assistant Eric Smeltzer, VT Agency of Natural Resources Martin Mimeault - QC Coordinator, Québec MDDELCC, (450) 928-7607 Ed Snizek, Adirondack Park Agency Ryan Mitchell - Communications & Publications Coordinator Jason Stockwell, University of Vermont Meg Modley - Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator Jeanne Voorhees, US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1 Elizabeth Lee - Communications & Publications Associate Michael Winslow, Lake Champlain Committee (TAC Chair) Mario Paula - LC Coordinator, USEPA Region 2, (212) 637-3819 Eric Young, Miner Institute Pete Stangel, VT Agency of Natural Resources Michaela Stickney - VT Coordinator, VTANR/LCBP (802) 490-6117 Stephanie Castle - Technical Associate SPECIAL THANKS TO: Jeanne Voorhees - LC Coordinator, US EPA Region1, (617) 918-1686 Students from Williston Central School, Williston, VT Resource Room Staff: Laura Hollowell, Stephanie Larkin, Cynthia Norman Jim Fay, Champlain Water District (802) 864-1848 Liz Royer, Vermont Rural Water Association Eric Perkins, US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1 LCBP staff are employees of New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Brad Young, US Fish and Wildlife Service Commission Rachael Miller, Rozalia Project Phillip Brett, LCBP Boat Launch Steward Design: Ryan Mitchell, Elizabeth Lee, Stephanie Castle, LCBP Chris Smith, US Fish and Wildlife Service Publication Date: June 2015 Printed at Queen City Printers on 100% post-consumer recycled and Forest Laura Medalie, US Geological Survey Stewardship Council certified paper. FSC Logo Ann Bove, VT Agency of Natural Resources The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the positions of Angela Shambaugh, VT Agency of Natural Resources the US EPA or NEIWPCC. Dave Tilton, US Fish and Wildlife Service …and many others who gave input on indicators. Visit sol.lcbp.org to read the full report, including supplemental content, and to obtain references.

STATE OF THE LAKE 2015 Lake Champlain Basin Program Read the full State of the Lake report, including supplemental content, at: sol.lcbp.org