Lake Champlain is the sixth largest lake in the United States and sometimes is referred to as the sixth Great Lake. The lake straddles the border between New York and Vermont with the very northern portion laying in Québec. At the end of the last ice age, the lake was connected to the Atlantic Ocean, forming the Champlain Sea. Some believe that at that time a mythical sea creature named Champ made its way into the lake and still resides there.
Lake Champlain is a huge lake, providing many opportunities for visitors to explore and enjoy the lake. Here are a few highlights worth considering:
Go on a sailing trip from Burlington and visit the ECHO center afterward.
Hike Split Rock Mountain, the largest protected and undeveloped shoreline on the lake. There are gorgeous views from along the summit ridge.
Lake Champlain is a hotspot for birding, there are dozens of locations to visit, and many birders will hit up multiple in a day. The mouth of the Boquet River is one favorite spot for many.
Lake Champlain faces a variety of challenges, most notably nutrient pollution. Phosphorus runoff entering the lake has impaired water quality in several parts of the lake. As a result, in 2002 New York and Vermont developed a phosphorus reduction plan for the lake, referred to as a TMDL (total maximum daily load). This can be thought of a nutrient diet plan for the lake. There are many practices that can be adopted to help reduce phosphorus runoff. These include a variety of agricultural runoff best management practices, stormwater improvement projects, green infrastructure, shoreline, and streamside buffers, reducing the use of fertilizers, and picking up pet waste.
The lake has 51 aquatic invasive species present, which can impact the recreational use of the lake, fish populations, and reduce biodiversity. Boaters launching or retrieving from Lake Champlain should follow the Clean, Drain, Dry principles to prevent the spread of invasive species to neighboring lakes.
The lake is believed to be home to a mythical creature called Champ or Champy, perhaps a cousin of the Loch Ness monster. Lake Champlain is the sixth largest water body in the United States and because of this, it is sometimes referred to as the sixth Great Lake. The Lake Champlain region has had a rich naval history ever since it was first “discovered” by Samuel de Champlain. The lake is home to approximately 300 shipwrecks, several of which are marked for divers to explore.
Land cover in the Lake Champlain watershed. Map created with Model My Watershed.
Stream network and watershed slope in the Lake Champlain watershed. Red areas indicate locations with steep slopes. Map created with Model My Watershed.
Hydrologic soil groups in the Lake Champlain watershed. Map created with Model My Watershed.
Lake Protection Groups
Water Quality Data & Lake Management
Physical Properties
This status does not necessarily represent the current status of HABs in the lake. It indicates whether HABs have ever been reported in the lake.
8,201mi² Lake Champlain faces a variety of challenges, most notably nutrient pollution. Phosphorus runoff entering the lake has impaired water quality in several parts of
Harmful algal blooms, commonly referred to as HABs, occur due to the rapid growth of specific species of algae. HABs are most often the results
Invasive species are non-native organisms that outcompete native species when introduced to a new environment. They can be animals, plants, or disease-causing organisms. These species
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