How You Can Help

Here are some ways you can help preserve and protect Vermont’s lakes:

  • Clean, Drain and Dry your watercraft

    greeeter program at Lake Bomoseen

    Greeter Program boat inspection for aquatic invasive species at Lake Bomossen

Help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussel, water chestnut and Eurasian watermilfoil. These non-native plants and animals cause harm to the environment, economy, and human health. You can help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species with these three steps:

  • CLEAN off any mud, plants, and animals from boats, trailers, motors, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, fishing gear, children’s toys and other equipment. Discard removed material in the trash or on high, dry ground where there is no danger of them washing into any water body.
  • DRAIN all water from boats, boat engines, and other equipment away from the water.
  • DRY anything that touches the water. Drying boats, trailers, and equipment in the sun for at least five days is advised if rinsing with hot, high-pressure water is not an option. For more information about Clean, Drain and Dry, click here.

  • Carry out what you carry in

Dumping items or liquids into the water pollutes the water and can harm fish and other wildlife in the water.

  • Learn all boating and Use of Public Water Rules

loon with chick on lake

Loon with chick on Lake Saint Catherine

Vermont’s public waters are held in public trust for the benefit of all Vermonters and visitors. Vermont’s public waters also provide habitat for aquatic biota, drinking and irrigation water, and other designated uses as defined in Vermont’s Water Quality Standards.

Stay informed: https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakesponds/vermont-use-public-waters-rules

The full handbook on boating rules is here: https://www.boat-ed.com/vermont/handbook/  The brief handout is here: https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/wsm/lakes/ans/docs/VT%20Boating%20and%20AIS%205-9-18R%20-%20for%20website.pdf

  • Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers

Pesticides and fertilizers from land can leach into the waters. Excessive salt use, petroleum, harsh chemicals, household detergents are toxic to the ecosystems in our lakes. Anything that is dumped down the drain can end up in our waters. Remember to pump out septic systems every 3-5 years.

  • Understand your lake’s watershed and the sources of pollution

Vermont has some of the cleanest lakes in the U.S. But many lake shorelines and the shorelines of streams feeding the lakes are heavily developed with residential homes or agricultural uses. This development, coupled with increasingly intense rainstorms, can lead to sediment and nutrient pollution. Free online tools such as ModelMyWatershed and the Vermont Clean Water Roadmap are available to predict the severity of this pollution and to localize its sources.

  • Plant more plants to reduce runoff

shoreline with plants

Lakeshore planting at Lake Iroquois

Planting shrubs, trees and perennials along lakefront properties, rivers, streams, wetlands, and ponds is the most effective protection for water quality, lake ecosystems, and essential wildlife habitat. Learn more about planting buffers here .

If you are a lake shore owner, join the Lake Wise program: https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakes-ponds/lakeshores-lake-wise/what-lake-wise

For landscape designs and templates for shoreline buffers, pollinator gardens and much more, click here: https://vermontlakes.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/VTLakescapingBooklet.9.9.15.pdf

Plant a blueberry buffer: https://vermontlakes.org/resources/buffers-for-blue-lakes/

  • Join a lake clean-up event

Join a team on Green Up Day to pick up trash around a lake near you:  https://greenupvermont.org/

  •  Support lake protection organizations and your local lake association

Lake association volunteers do much of the work needed to protect Vermont’s lakes and ponds.

  • Opt for mineral-based sunscreens

Sunscreen chemicals (like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octocrylene) can disrupt delicate freshwater ecosystems, and lead to harmful buildup. Mineral sunscreens are safer for aquatic life than chemical ones. Use physical protection like clothing, hats, and sunglasses to reduce the total amount of sunscreen needed. Apply sunscreen at least 15-30 minutes before entering the water to allow it to bind to your skin, reducing the amount that washes off into the lake.

  • Become a member of The Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds

FOVLAP is a self-funded, grassroots organization of 50 lake associations around the state. We advocate with the legislature and state agencies for your legislative representatives to support lake health, share resources among members, and host a series of educational events to raise awareness of challenges to our lake’s water quality. Become a member. Our voices are stronger together.