LCC’s work depends on the financial support of people and businesses that care about the lake and invest in our efforts to protect water quality, safeguard natural habitats and enhance recreational access. Our heartfelt thanks to the members who renewed, or joined between 04/01/12-06/30/12. MORE Read...

Earlier this month the spiny waterflea was confirmed in the Champlain Canal and the Glens Falls feeder canal. The spiny waterflea is an invasive plankton species native to Eurasia. The Champlain Canal is directly connected to Lake Champlain in Whitehall, so this invasive is now at our doorstep and, without immediate action, could soon enter the lake. MORE Read...

LCC’s blue-green algae monitoring program, now in its ninth year, got underway earlier this month. Thanks to a grant from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, over 50 volunteers are checking water conditions on a weekly basis at more than 50 shoreline locations. MORE Read...

For many years, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has warned anglers that consuming yellow perch, brown bullhead, or American eel caught in Cumberland Bay posed a risk to their health. This year perch and bullhead were removed from the list. The perch and bullhead are now considered safe to eat because of actions taken over a decade ago to dredge PCB-laden sediments from the bay. MORE Read...

Do you have ideas for how we can commemorate half a century of lake advocacy? We want to hear from you. Volunteer opportunities abound in planning our 2013 birthday party. LCC was instrumental in working for Lake Champlain's health and accessibility in its first 50 years. MORE Read...

LCC is seeking site stewards for several locations along the Paddlers’ Trail. Stewards visit Trail sites at least once a month during the paddling season to check on conditions, pick up trash and report their findings to LCC. MORE Read...

Everything from fixing the leaks in your house to changing the watering patterns of your lawn can add up to big water savings. If you wonder whether the small changes you make really matter, consider this: each of us uses an average of 100 gallons of water per day – enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses! Learn some tips to save water. MORE Read...

The Vermont Legislature passed and Governor Shumlin signed a bill that would prohibit fracking in Vermont. Lawmakers deliberated on a three-year moratorium but ultimately opted for a ban. LCC testified in favor of the legislation and strongly supported the prohibition. MORE Read...

The Vermont legislature ended up merging and then passing lake and river bills that had been considered during the session. The larger bill institutes a suite of programs that will help Vermont prepare for and cope with future flooding issues. MORE Read...

The New York legislature passed a bill introduced by Assemblywoman Sayward and Senator Little, to allow the Department of Environmental Conservation to help stop the spread of invasive species. MORE Read...

We're looking for a few high quality items to help our office and field work hum along more smoothly. Do you have any items on LCC's wishlist you'd like to donate? MORE Read...

Warm days, particularly in the spring and fall, bring out hordes of sunbathing turtles. Sometimes it can even be hard for them to find a place to set their shell. There are five species of turtle that might be spied on the lake. Most people are familiar with snapping and painted. The other three species are at the northern limit of their range in Lake Champlain. MORE Read...

Concerned about water quality and wondering about Lake Champlain conditions? Please join the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) for an informative and interactive session on blue-green algae. The program will cover: MORE Read...

Now in it's ninth year, the Lake Champlain Committee's Blue-Green Algae Monitoring Program is in full swing with over 100 individuals trained on how to identify this potentially toxic form of cyanobacteria. Learn more about how you can become involved as a volunteer monitor. MORE Read...

Get out on the water and support great lake-related causes - including the Lake Champlain Committee - by participating in the 2012 Regatta for Lake Champlain! MORE Read...

Learn the skills needed to participate in the Lake Champlain Committee's blue-green algae monitoring program. Upcoming training sessions will be held throughout the Lake Champlain region in New York and Vermont. MORE Read...

LCC Staff Scientist Mike Winslow and Burlington Free Press environmental reporter Candy Page discuss the short and long-term impacts of the flooding and the interest that's been kindled in "flood control" with VPR's Jane Lindholm. Read...

Go out for Earth Day – outside that is. Take a stroll, a hike, a bike ride, a paddle, a run, or go fishing in the great outdoors. Breath some fresh air, take in the sunshine – or the rain, watch the stars. Commune with nature. Getting out into the greenery can boost your mood and your health. Research indicates that spending time in forests and nature areas helps people recover from stress and fatigue. MORE Read...

The International Joint Commission (IJC) has been asked to develop a plan of study concerning the record flooding of Lake Champlain and its tributaries, and of the Richelieu River which occurred in Spring 2011. In letters from the Governments of the United States and Canada, IJC is being asked to develop a study proposal which would examine the causes and impacts of flooding, as well as the full range of measures to prepare for, prevent and mitigate such impacts. MORE Read...

LCC’s work depends on the financial support of people and businesses that care about the lake and invest in our efforts to protect water quality, safeguard natural habitats and enhance recreational access. MORE Read...

On March 9, 2012 a field hearing of the House Agriculture Committee convened in Saranac Lake, NY to hear from agriculture producers on their views of the Federal Farm Bill. Every five years Congress has to reauthorize the federal Farm Bill. The current version expires at the end of September, so this year’s reauthorization coincides with an election year. The labyrinthine complexities of the bill are stupefying, but three areas stand out in their importance to protecting water quality in Lake Champlain: conservation programs, supply management, and support for diversified agriculture. MORE Read...

The International Joint Commission (IJC) will hold public hearings about a recently completed report identifying critical source areas of phosphorus loading to Missisquoi Bay. The hearings will be held at 7 PM on Tuesday May 1 at the St. Armand Quebec Community Center and Wednesday May 2 at the Swanton Vermont Village Municipal Complex. MORE Read...

Even if air temperatures seem balmy, the lake takes much longer to warm up. Additionally, strong currents and springtime debris are potential marine hazards this time of year. Lake Champlain temperatures are still in the 30s. If you are immersed in water that cold, exhaustion and unconsciousness can set in after 15 minutes. MORE Read...

As the weather warms we are more likely to turn to a nice cold drink of water to quench our thirst on a hot afternoon. Fill a pitcher and keep it in the refrigerator rather than running the tap until the water cools every time you need a drink. Doing so saves energy, saves water, and helps protect Lake Champlain. MORE Read...

Pollution loading from developed lands remains one of the most difficult sources of phosphorus to control. The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) recently released two requests for proposals for studies that could improve management of developed lands in the New York portion of the watershed. One project would outline a program to better manage New York back roads. MORE Read...

The Lake Champlain Committee has been working with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to help map aquatic natural resources in Vermont. The work is part of a larger project to produce a statewide map and supporting database identifying the lands and waters that support high priority ecosystems, natural communities, and habitats worthy of conservation or restoration. MORE Read...

Spring is a great time for finding driftwood on the shores of Lake Champlain. The wood can come from trees along forested shorelines that were undermined by wind and wave erosion, but more commonly it is delivered by streams and rivers entering the lake. Once in the lake, driftwood can remain afloat for long periods of time. In Oregon’s Crater Lake one piece of 9 meter long driftwood known as ‘the Old Man of the Lake’ has been floating around since at least 1896. MORE Read...

Delve into the rich history of clay soils and the agricultural, engineering, and environmental challenges they pose at the Champlain Valley Clay Symposium on June 1. MORE Read...

Activities will span the weekend and both sides of the bridge, with programs taking place at Chimney Point and Crown Point historic sites. Stop by LCC's table for paper and paint and share your artistic vision of a clean lake. Other celebration events tentatively include a gala opening ceremony, hometown grand parade from Vermont to New York, a Farmers' Market, fireworks and more! MORE Read...

Join us for a beginner-intermediate conference on river science issues specifically designed for municipal officials, consultants, contractors, legislators, curious citizens, watershed group members and farmers. Using case studies, speakers will discuss the various aspects of what makes rivers stable - or unstable - such as: gravel extraction, roads and bridges, agricultural practices, downtown development, stormwater, dams and flood plains. MORE Read...