Invasive species among concerns for health of Lake Champlain

More than 50 kinds of invasive species threaten the health of Lake Champlain, according to a report from the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program.

Lake health is more than balancing the fish populations and being wary of flooding wetlands, but something that affects visitors of Lake Champlain's 40 public beaches and hundreds of river swimming holes.

The LCBP released their 2024 State of the Lake report, providing people with an aquatic update on all things Lake Champlain. The report is a welcome reminder of the value of Lake Champlain, something that can easily be overlooked when it's something you can see and enjoy every day.

The presentation, given June 5 at the LCBP office on Grand Isle, covered what they considered to be "four watershed goals" for a healthy future for the lake: Clean Water, Healthy Ecosystems, an Informed and Involved Public and Thriving Communities.

While the 40-page report revealed an overall healthy lake, there is a longstanding concern for certain pathogens and invasive species. Here's what to look out for this summer, and ways to help keep this aquatic region thriving.

Highlights of the report

Clean Water

Water is essential for all living creatures, and an important facet of tourism in the warmer months. Residents rely on Lake Champlain for sustenance and recreation, making it essential that the water is healthy enough to support both of those aspects.

The report states that "on a typical summer day, rivers in Lake Champlain’s watershed bring three billion gallons of water to the lake."

Along with the water, nutrients and organic material move into the lake, and while many of it is good and natural, pollutants can also make its way in.

This can be a cause for concern for many reasons, a big one being the reliance of Lake Champlain as a drinking water. Lake Champlain provides high-quality drinking water to more than 164,000 people, 24% of the basin's population.

Pollutants threaten this supply, along with mercury threatening the health of the fish that are needed for biodiversity, and for consumption.

The health of the water also affects the availability for swimming. The presence of pathogens like coliform bacteria or cyanobacteria − the most common bacteria's present along Lake Champlain beaches − will cause the state to close the beaches until it clears up.

For a hot day, this can be an inconvenience for visitors hoping to cool off. The 31 public beaches in Vermont and New York were open for swimming about 95% of the time from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 2021 through 2023, according to the report.

These bacterial blooms occur when water temperatures are highest, often in July and August, creating conditions that are favorable for cyanobacteria growth.

Another concern for bacteria growth is sewage runoff, something that has been affecting water health with the frequent flooding in Vermont.

Being aware of what these bacteria blooms look like and report them to the Department of Environmental Conservation can help the people working to protect the lake from such continue their work.

Healthy Ecosystems

Lake Champlain currently has 51 known non-native and invasive species. The report highlights a few significant ones, and their potential threat to overtaking natural populations. These include the zebra mussel, water chestnut, Eurasian watermilfoil, phragmites, alewife and spiny and fishhook waterflea.

Native species face the threat of imbalance from increased human development, invasive species and the changing climate. Over 90 fish species call the lake and rivers home, and clean water directly affects the next goal of healthy ecosystems.

"Land protection, habitat restoration and long-term stewardship are needed to protect the Lake Champlain Basin’s diverse wildlife and habitat," the report states.

These invasive species can divert food resources from native species, reduce sunlight penetration through water, alter habitats, impair water quality, interfere with recreational opportunities and reduce property values.

The LCBP have an effort to remove water chestnuts, but Healthy Ecosystems & AIS Management Coordinator Meg Modley said it's a big undertaking, and almost impossible to entirely clear out a plant species like that.

Being aware of these species and cleaning your water vessels, not releasing nonnative species and supporting native species are all ways to help preserve the ecosystem of Lake Champlain.

Informed and Involved Public

Nearly 92% of people in the Lake Champlain Basin believe their personal actions affect the health of water bodies, but fewer are aware of actions they can take or where to learn more.

The report disclosed the results of multiple surveys taken across Vermont, New York and Canada that gauged the public awareness of the residents of the Lake Champlain region.

The LCBP asked where people primarily get their information about lake news and health as to better implement getting information to the public in the future.

One implementation by the Burlington Parks, Recreation and Waterfront department is a Swim Water Status Page, providing live updates on beach closures. They have a three-tier system to let the public know if a beach is Category 1: Open, Category 2: Warning or Category 3: Closure.

Keeping the public informed can lead to more involvement in volunteer work and personal action.

Thriving Communities

The LCBP states that recreation spaces and cultural heritage resources − museums, parks, historical sites − are essential for a thriving community. Being able to fund these sites provides the community with an outdoor space or activity to enjoy, and a chance to get involved with conservation.

"These resources provide opportunities for people to connect with and appreciate their natural and cultural heritage, leading to greater understanding and stewardship."

The LCBP has many volunteer and job opportunities year-round, and support volunteer work with all organizations as preservation and conservation is a community effort. For more information on volunteer work, information sessions to attend or general information on how you can help, check out the LCBP website.

The work of the Lake Champlain Basin Program

The LCBP has been operating since 1990, having been created by the Lake Champlain Special Designation Act, which named Lake Champlain as a resource of national significance. According to their website, the mission is to "coordinate and fund efforts that benefit the Lake Champlain Basin's water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation and cultural resources." They work in partnership with New York, Vermont and Quebec government agencies and many private organizations and local communities.

In a previous interview about water safety Modley gave a rundown about some of the daily work the LCBP does. She works with lake stewards at boat launches across Vermont and New York to try and prevent the spread of invasive species by checking boats for any plants or critters that may be stuck on the hull.

They also work to remove some invasive species from segments of the lake and provide educational opportunities across the region.

Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@gannett.com.