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State of the Lake 2008

State of the Lake 2008. For the Currents of Change – Narragansett Bay Estuary Program. The Lake Champlain Basin. The Basin: - 21,326 square kilometers The Lake: - 1,127 square kilometers - Over 122 meters deep - 965+ kilometers of shoreline - 193 kilometers long. Lake Champlain.

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State of the Lake 2008

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  1. State of the Lake2008 For the Currents of Change – Narragansett Bay Estuary Program

  2. The Lake Champlain Basin The Basin:-21,326 square kilometers The Lake: -1,127 square kilometers -Over 122 meters deep -965+ kilometers of shoreline -193 kilometers long

  3. LakeChamplain • Lake Segments: • The Lake is divided into five distinct areas, each with different physical and chemical characteristics and water quality. • Drinking Water Use: • 200,000 people or about 35% of the Basin population, depend on Lake Champlain for drinking water. • Population in the Basin: • 571,000 in 2000. About 68% live in Vermont, 27% in New York, and 5% in Quebec. • Density is about 61 people per sq. mi.

  4. Missisquoi Bay • Greatly exceed P target • Seasonal BGA blooms • Extensive agriculture South Lake • Inland Sea/Northeast Arm • Exceeds P targets • Seasonal BGA blooms • Eurasian watermilfoil • Extensive agriculture and urban areas • Exceeds P targets • Excess weed growth • Water chestnut and Eurasian watermilfoil • Much of the watershed is intensively farmed

  5. Where is P coming from? • Point sources = 10%

  6. Where is P coming from? • Nonpoint sources = 90%

  7. Land Use Study • Land Use in 2001 • 66% Forest • 14% Agricultural • 5% Urban • Land Use Change since 1992 • urban land increased by 2% • Agricultural land decreased by 5% • Phosphorus loading estimates 2001 • Urban/suburban 46% • Agricultural 38% • Previous estimates from 1991 study: • Urban/suburban 37% • Agricultural 56% Updating the Lake Champlain Basin Land Use Data to Improve Prediction of Phosphorus Loading. LCBP Technical Report #54Troy et al. 2007

  8. Is Blue Green Algae a Problem? A Health Risk? Yes, especially in Missisquoi Bay, St. Albans Bay, and smaller northeastern bays, but most of Lake has never had a dense bloom Skin irritant at low exposure levels. If ingested in quantity: gastrointestinal problems and serious liver/nervous system damage. Alert System relies on collaborative research funded by LCBP and the Province of Quebec.

  9. What are our Management Responses? Wastewater Treatment Education/Outreach Farm Best Management Practices Urban Best Management Practices

  10. Yes, but: Fish consumption advisories are issued due to concentrations of PCBs and Mercury VTANR, NYSDEC and QC MDDEP monitor toxin concentrations in various fish Longer-lived, large predatory fish tend to have higher mercury concentrations PCB-related advisories are the result of high PCB concentrations in Cumberland Bay Can I eat the Fish?

  11. Which Aquatic Invasive Species Threaten the Lake?

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