Lake Ripples - February 2009

LCC's E-NEWS BULLETIN

New Generation Contaminants

On February 12th, the US Geological Survey publicly released a report on the presence of a variety of man-made chemicals in the streams and wastewater that discharge into Lake Champlain. The chemicals found include pesticides, fire retardants, fragrances, detergent degradates, and caffeine. Chemicals were found at extremely low concentrations, measuring a few parts per billion, and concentrations were highest in waters released by sewage treatment plants, combined sewer overflows and small urban streams. The lowest concentrations were in larger rivers, an undeveloped stream, and the lake. The Lake Champlain Committee raised the possibility that such chemicals were in the lake in 2002.   

“The USGS report, "Wastewater Effluent, Combined Sewer Overflows, and other Sources of Organic Compounds to Lake Champlain," is published in the Journal of the American Water Resources Association. The abstract is available online.” For more information on new generation contaminants in Lake Champlain, read LCC’s  May 2008 Lake Look “Mildly Caffeinated”.

UVM Students Donate to LCC Through “Dollar Enterprise” Program

At a time when budgets are tightening throughout the country, University of Vermont students are generating revenue for local causes while getting a trial run at becoming an entrepreneur. Through the “Dollar Enterprise” program, part of an economics class taught by Dr. Kathleen Liang, students are each given $1 in seed money and work in teams to form a micro business. The proceeds go to non-profits chosen by the students. Last month, Dr. Liang delivered an $800 check to LCC on behalf of her students. "We are thrilled to receive this student support for our work to protect Lake Champlain's health and accessibility" said Lori Fisher, Lake Champlain Committee executive director. "UVM's Dollar Enterprise program helps students hone their entrepreneurial skills while strengthening their community."

Natural History Note - Diatoms

Algae blooms are usually considered a thing of summer, but some algae populations will grow while still under the ice. So long as light is able to penetrate the snow and ice over the lake, algae can take advantage of it.  The group of algae best suited to take advantage of the under-ice environment is the diatoms, species encased in beautiful microscopic silica shells. Nuisance summer blooms of blue-green algae are still months away. MORE

Alewives

Last winter as ice melted on Lake Champlain dead alewives began washing ashore. These fish, an invasive species found in the lake only in the last few years, are sensitive to cold and often experience mass die-offs during the winter. Already this year, reports have filtered in of dead alewives showing up in ice fishing holes. The extent of any die off may depend on how much the alewife population recovered after last year.  

Alewives threaten to dramatically alter the food web in Lake Champlain. They compete with rainbow smelt, the principal forage for salmonids, but because of regular winter die-offs they provide a less stable food base. Additionally, alewives produce an enzyme that impairs reproduction in salmonids. 

March Presentations about the Lake!

Learn more about the lake at these two upcoming events

March 12, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Lake Champlain in Winter

Located at the Gordon Center House, 54 West Shore Road, Grand Isle, VT.

Hear chilling tales of the lake from a cozy indoor setting. LCC Staff Scientist Mike Winslow will draw from our new book “Lake Champlain:  A Natural History” in discussing winter phenomena such as how and when lake fog forms, why ice is so darn slippery, how animals survive under ice and more interesting lake stories. Free event co-sponsored by our friends at the Lake Champlain Basin Program as part of their Love the Lake Series.

March 16, 2009 at 2:00 PM
National and International Cooperation in the Management of
Lake Champlain

Located at the Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT.  

LCC Staff Scientist Mike Winslow will discuss historic and ongoing efforts to manage Lake Champlain. Sponsored by Elder Education Enrichment. Free for EEE members, non-members $5.  

Unable to attend? You can add to your lake knowledge by getting a copy of "Lake Champlain:  A Natural History" from our secure online store. The 160-page publication covers the lake's geology, geography, biology and ecology in an accessible, engaging style. If you'd like to schedule a presentation about the lake for your community, please contact us at lcc@ lakechamplaincommittee.org.

Lake Champlain a "must miss"???

Sitting somewhere far from Lake Champlain, travel writer Peter Greenberg saw some news reports about water quality problems in sections of Lake Champlain and opted to write off the entire lake. He declared Lake Champlain one of the “must miss” places of the world, suggesting that travelers venturing here “bring a haz-mat suit along”. It was as if he read just the police blotters from New York City, and deemed the entire Big Apple unworthy of a tourist visit. Greenberg’s slight against Lake Champlain calls into question the thoroughness and usefulness of his travel reviews. Isolated sections of the lake do indeed have significant water quality problems at some times, but the vast majority of the lake offers clean clear water that most of the world would envy.

Nonetheless, Greenberg’s review does remind those of us working for a clean lake of the importance of protecting our waters and addressing areas where there are problems to ensure a healthy, vibrant economy.  This is the time when we should be stepping up conservation efforts to safeguard the environmental assets that are the underpinnings of our economy. Instead of considering “permit reform” and dramatic cutbacks to state environmental programs such as the Governor has proposed in Vermont, we must:

  • Establish a program of incentives and disincentives to keep phosphorus loading from sewage treatment plants low.
  • Implement Nutrient Management Plans for farms.
  • Increase on-site inspections and enforcement of water quality laws.
  • Maintain the state water quality lab to help monitor the health of our waterways.
  • Direct some of the “stimulus” funding to upgrading and improving wastewater treatment and drinking water plant infrastructure.
  • Invest in land conservation programs that will benefit water quality.

February Lake Look - What Champlain Didn't See

In 1609, four hundred years ago, Samuel de Champlain first set his eyes upon the lake to which he later assigned his name. Last month we reviewed some of the details from his journal about what he observed on his travel along the lake. It is also of interest to consider what he did not see. As Champlain arrived on the lake he noted, “These regions, although they are pleasant, are not inhabited by any savages, on account of their wars; but they withdraw as far as possible from the rivers into the interior, in order not to be suddenly surprised.” Though Champlain saw no settlements during his time on the lake, archeological evidence of long-standing settlements along the Winooski and Missisquoi Rivers does exist. MORE

Your Dollars Make a Difference

LCC’s mission to protect Lake Champlain’s health and accessibility requires nearly $300,000 in donations each year. We are deeply grateful for whatever financial contribution you can make towards our ongoing lake stewardship. You can join or renew your membership online at our secure website. Your support truly make a difference. Please consider making a tax deductible gift today.

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