The Watershed Management Division (WSMD) is asking Vermonters to report when lakes and ponds lose their ice cover, also known as the “ice-out date.” Once a lake or pond is completely free of ice from shore to shore, WSMD scientists can begin their spring water quality sampling efforts. The ice-out data also helps scientists track … Continue reading
All issues related to the arrival of the COVID-19 virus aside, it has been a strange winter in Vermont. The last 90 days have given us weather that is both warmer and wetter than normal. With these changing weather patterns, we are now seeing the first signs of spring, including the melting of lake ice. … Continue reading
If you were planning a clean water project, would you know who to contact to ensure the project would not harm natural resources, such as lakes, wetlands, and rivers? If your answer is no, we’ve developed a new tool that will provide you with that information. The only data you need to supply is a … Continue reading
Are you considering lakefront property in Vermont? Maybe you live out of state and are drawn to Vermont’s clear waters and the poignant call of loons from across a pond. Or perhaps you’re a lifelong Vermonter who is just now contemplating a quiet retreat on the lake. The newly released Sharing the Edge: A Guide … Continue reading
After a long winter of ice push followed by high water and waves in the spring, you may be wondering how to best approach your eroded lake shoreline or crumbling retaining wall. While erosion is a natural process, an eroding shoreline can result from a combination of both upland runoff and in-lake ice and wave … Continue reading
Ah, the birds are singing, the sun is still shining at 4:30 pm, and open water is starting to peek out from the edges of our icy lakes and ponds. Despite the false start to spring in February, Old Man Winter made a u-turn and brought us a March full of snow. But now it truly … Continue reading
This past year, there were multiple stories in the media covering massive algal blooms in Lake Carmi, tons of phosphorus pouring into state surface waters, and the seemingly never-ending efforts to clean up Lake Champlain. These stories would leave many Vermonters to believe that Vermont’s lakes are in deep trouble. While these issues are very … Continue reading
On July 1, 2014, the Shoreland Protection Act went into effect. Earlier this month, the Lakes & Ponds Program celebrated the second anniversary of the Act. During that time, over 300 applications have been received and the rate at which new applications are coming in continues to climb. Under the Act, the creation of impervious … Continue reading
Vermont’s lakes and ponds are characterized by a plethora of biota. While boating on the south end of Lake Champlain (heading toward lock 12), my colleagues and I are greeted at the Lake’s Narrows by a juvenile bald eagle standing guard atop a white cedar. Moments later, squawks and screams erupt from a great blue … Continue reading
I have to admit, ice out caught me off guard this year. Every year we solicit ice out records when the first signs of spring appear. With help from observant individuals throughout Vermont, the Department of Environmental Conservation maintains ice out records for several lakes and ponds, some dating back decades. These records help us … Continue reading
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