We have a whole series of lake lectures, natural history discussions and outings planned for spring and summer. Click on the title above to see what’s happening in May or check out the LEARN section of our website for upcoming events and other lake information. If you’d like to schedule a presentation about the lake for your community, please contact us at lcc@lakechamplaincommittee.org.

If you’re unable to attend any of our programs, you can easily add to your lake knowledge by purchasing “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.

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Early spring to mid-summer offers opportunities for observing spawning behavior in many of the small common fish species of Lake Champlain. There are about 28 minnow species that occupy the lake ranging from tiny shiner species that rarely get more than 2.5 inches long to the common carp which may grow up to 25 pounds. Each species has distinctive habits and behaviors. Read...

Driveways are a defining characteristic of many suburban neighborhoods. They have the simple utilitarian task of providing a transport route or storage place for our vehicles. Some can host basketball games or chats with neighbors. Due to their prevalence they comprise a significant portion of the developed landscape and therefore, can have an impact on water quality.

There are three ways the water from driveways can pollute streams. First, while traveling over the driveway the water picks up any oil, antifreeze, leaves or litter left there, carrying it to streams. Second, during rainstorms driveways, like all impervious surfaces, shed water that would otherwise be absorbed and filtered by soils. As a result more water enters storm drains and flows directly to streams where it causes erosion. Third, the material used to coat driveways can erode and cause pollution. Many driveways are coated with coal tar-based sealants. Coal tars are a by-product of the production of coal coke, distilled coal used as fuel and in iron ore smelting. Many contaminants are released in the erosion and breakdown of coal tars, most notably polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of which are suspected human carcinogens and toxic to aquatic life.

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Snowmelt-filled rivers and streams lead to rising lake levels this time of year. Additionally, plants can’t readily absorb any rain that falls before the flowers blossom and trees leaf-out so it moves fairly rapidly to the streams. On average, the lake’s level climbs almost three feet between the beginning of March and early May, peaking at about 99 feet above sea level.  As of March 26, 2009 the lake stood near 97.5 feet. Read...

Looking for a safe, environmentally benign way to dispose of the unused or expired medications collecting in your medicine cabinet? You can drop them off at the Kinney Drugs store at 308 Shelburne Road in Burlington, Vermont on Saturday April 4. Another collection day will be held in the Plattsburgh, New York area later in the year. All drop off materials will be sorted by pharmacists and then either properly destroyed by law enforcement agents or disposed of at a federally licensed facility. By dropping off pharmaceuticals at a Medicine Collection Day you can help prevent accidental poisonings, substance abuse and environmental pollution. The event is free and open to the public. Read...

One hundred years ago, the world’s first international environmental agreement was signed between the United States and Canada – the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. This agreement created a body, the International Joint Commission (IJC) to mediate disputes over waters that crossed between the two countries. At the time, water diversion projects in North Dakota and Alberta along the St. Mary’s and Milk Rivers were creating tensions. There was also debate about potential hydroelectric generation along the Niagara River, shared by New York and Ontario. Most of the IJC’s work revolves around the Great Lakes. However, since Lake Champlain shares a border between Quebec and both New York and Vermont, it too is under the jurisdiction of the IJC. In their century long history the IJC has been called on to address Lake Champlain issues at least four times. Read...

Help us reduce 500,000 pounds of greenhouse gases in just one week! Way to Go Week is an annual program promoting the use of cheaper, healthier, more earth-friendly alternatives to driving alone. You can help make a difference in our air and water quality by walking, biking, carpooling, telecommuting or taking the bus. Do it for one day, a few days or the whole week. Sign up online at www.waytogovt.org. The website contains lots of useful information on reducing the environmental impact of driving. LCC Office Manager Jeanne Stark is one of the "commuter idols" highlighted on the website for getting around in a low-impact way.

Whether you live in the Lake Champlain Basin year- round or just visit here occasionally, we hope you'll join in the event. You can register online and get your pollution, gas and money savings calculated, receive free giveaways and be entered in a drawing for premier prizes including Ipod Nanos, Burton snowboards, battery-powered mowers, bus passes, and gift certificates!

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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. Read...

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. Read...

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. Read...

What was travel writer Peter Greenberg thinking in calling Lake Champlain a "must miss" destination? Read...

The most recent issue includes information on forage fish declines, South Lake initiatives, how Burlington is dealing with stormwater, pending legislation on paddling fees, and more. Read...

In 1609, four hundred years ago, Samuel de Champlain first set his eyes upon the lake to which he later assigned his name. Some of what he saw remains unchanged, some is completely different, and some of what he thought he saw he did not actually see. Read...

LCC's new book called "Lake Champlain: A Natural History" was recently published to coincide with Lake Champlain's Quadricentennial celebration. The book will expand the knowledge and appreciation of anyone who visits, works, or plays around the lake. Read...