Lake Champlain Committee

February Ripples E-news

Mandatory BMPs on Missisquoi Farms

On February 3, 2016, Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture, Chuck Ross, decided that best management practices (BMPs) are necessary in the Missisquoi Basin to achieve compliance with Vermont’s water quality goals. Read more…

Fish Deformities Follow Oil Train Explosion

In 2013 an oil train derailed and exploded in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. The human misery that resulted was immediate. It was the deadliest rail incident in Canada since 1867 as 47 people were killed. Read more…

Reducing Stormwater Impacts in Vergennes

Developed land is a significant source of phosphorus loading to Lake Champlain. Measures to reduce loading include revisions to the Vermont stormwater manual, improved management of roads and construction sites, and increased use of low-impact development practices. Read more…

Magic Hat Mixes Beer Brewing & Philanthropy

n February, Magic Hat Brewing Company launched Wee Heavy Champ, a beer brewed with Lake Champlain in mind and to promote LCC’s work for clean water. Magic Hat has donated $5,000 to LCC and will further assist us with numerous volunteer efforts throughout the year. Wee Heavy Champ is a scotch ale nearly as dark as the deepest depths of Lake Champlain. Read more…

Toxin Testing in Fish

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) has released a request for proposals to study accumulation of mercury and toxins from blue-green algae in fish. The successful respondent will collect and analyze tissue from targeted sport fishes of legal consumption size for at least two groups of algae toxins and mercury. Read more…

LCC To Conduct School Stormwater Assessments

LCC has received grant funding from the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) to conduct stormwater assessments of schools in the Champlain Basin. Read more…

Our Pipes Are Falling Apart

President Obama’s latest federal budget presents a good news, terrible news situation for water projects around the country. The good news is an increase of $158 million for drinking water projects. Read more…

Milwaukee Markets Water Technology – Can We Do the Same?

Cities around the Great Lakes are beginning to view access to freshwater as a fuel for their economic engines and Milwaukee is at the forefront, according to a recent report on the radio show Marketplace. Read more…

Where’s the Ice?

Last year Lake Champlain had completely frozen over by February 16. There’s no chance of a full lake freeze over this year. As of February 29, 2016, the water temperature was still 35 degrees F, three degrees above the freezing point. Read more…

Nature Note

The absence of snow cover in such a mild winter means the insulating value of the snow is also lost. Air gets trapped between the snow particles and can barely move, reducing heat transfer. On average, snow is about as good at insulating as wood. Read more…

Upcoming Events

Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn Concert

March 4, 8 PM
at the Flynn Center, Burlington VT
The first family of banjo will be making music in our watershed on Friday March 4. In addition to sharing their virtuoso banjo playing this coming Friday evening, Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn will help raise money for LCC! Read more…

March 9 – Calling all Students for School World Water Day Entries

In honor of World Water Day, the Champlain Basin Education Initiative (CBEI) partners, including LCC, are promoting a contest to celebrate the water resources around us. Classes throughout the Champlain watershed are invited to submit original photos, writing, art and videography. Read more…

March 14 – 20 – Fix A Leak Week

If your faucet drips or your toilet runs it can waste over 10,000 gallons a year — the amount of water in a typical backyard swimming pool. More than one trillion gallons of water are lost annually in the U.S. due to easy-to-fix household leaks. Read more…

March 22 – World Water Day

Celebrate World Water Day 2016 with artwork and a lake presentation! The theme of this year’s international day of water organized by the United Nations is Water and the Economy. Enjoy light refreshments as you view student art inspired by the waters that flow around us. Read more…
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VPR Covers Tile Drains

Vermont Public Radio picked up on an item in our last ENews about LCC’s advocacy for a moratorium on tile drains. Read more…

Getting Outside – Crown Point

Local journalists have been heading to the southern part of Lake Champlain to report on outdoor winter activities on and around the winter. Read more…

Permanent Lake George Boat Inspections

The Lake George Park Commission has had a mandatory boat inspection program for the last two years. All boats entering the lake must first be inspected for the presence of invasive species. Read more…

Alaska Algae Toxins

Researchers went looking for evidence of algae toxins in Alaska, and found that they were widespread. They tested samples from more than 900 animals that were harvested or found stranded between 2004 and 2013. Read more…

First Reported Toxic Algae Bloom

In the late 17th century Englishman Christopher Kirkby, a merchant, traveler and lay scientist, described his trip to Tuchomskie Lake in Poland. Read more…

Moving? Changing Email Addresses?

If so, please email us so we can update your files and ensure you receive news on lake issues and LCC’s work. Email is our primary form of communication with members. Mailing electronically saves time and resources and reinforces the stewardship ethic of our mission. We don’t give away or sell email addresses.