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Lay Monitoring Program

panoramic view of lake

The Vermont Lay Monitoring Program (LMP) trains and equips volunteers (or Lay Monitors) Vermont Lay Monitoring Program logoto conduct periodic lake water quality sampling from their boat using quality-assured methods.  Since the program's inception in 1979, the principal goals have remained the same: 

  • Establish baseline water quality conditions in Vermont lakes during the summer recreation season.
  • Track long-term nutrient trends and eutrophication in Vermont lakes and assess monitoring data for compliance with Vermont Water Quality Standards.
  • Educate lakeshore homeowners and lake users about lake ecology and stewardship. 

In total, more than 100 inland lakes and 40 Lake Champlain stations have been monitored by this dedicated group of citizen scientists, with support from the Department of Environmental Conservation and Lake Champlain Sea Grant (since 2021).  We are grateful for their interest and commitment to better understanding the health of Vermont lakes and ponds.

What We Monitor and Why View Video Produced by Lake Champlain Basin Program
How You Can Help, Including Report a Cyanobacteria Bloom
LMP Sampling Protocol, Site Location/Info, Depth Maps, Monitoring Forms, Quality Assurance Project Plan
LMP Secchi Depth & Water Sampling Webform (submit monitoring data online!)

LMP Lake Reports & Lake Score Card Reports View WebMap of Lake Sites
Download Lay Monitoring and Other Water Quality Data
Lakeshore Land Use/Land Cover Maps
Other Volunteer Monitoring Resources and Opportunities

LAKE ICE-OUT AND ICE-IN REPORTING WEBFORM (submit lake ice cover reports online!)
LAKE ICE-OUT AND ICE-IN REPORTING WEbmap (view lake ice cover reports online!)

What We Monitor and WhyRichard using a Secchi disk to measure water clarity

Lay Monitors sample a lake at an established site from their boat for total phosphorus (limiting nutrient) concentration, chlorophyll-a (algae and cyanobacteria) concentration, caffeine (wastewater indicator) concentration, and/or Secchi depth (water clarity) biweekly from June through August for a total of six sample days to calculate a summer average. Total phosphorus concentration is sampled to determine a lake's level of nutrient enrichment.  Phosphorus feeds algae, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), and aquatic plants (including nuisance and invasive plant populations).  Chlorophyll-a is the green pigment in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.  The concentration of chlorophyll-a pigment in a lake is used to describe the amount of algae and cyanobacteria.  Generally, lakes with higher phosphorus concentrations will have increased algae and cyanobacteria growth.  Caffeine is a good indicator (or tracer) of anthropogenic pollution from domestic wastewater sources such as septic systems. Water transparency is measured by using a Secchi disk, an eight inch diameter disk painted with black and white quadrants.  The disk is lowered into the lake by a rope, marked in meters, until it disappears from sight, which is the Secchi depth.  Generally, water clarity decreases as chlorophyll-a concentration increases.

Why do we measure total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, and water clarity? We are required by the U.S. Clean Water Act to track long-term nutrient enrichment and assess monitoring data following Vermont Water Quality Standards. Nutrient pollution is one of the most widespread environmental issues in lakes, which are typically limited in primary productivity (natural eutrophication) by phosphorus.  Unnaturally high levels of phosphorus caused by human activity can result in excessive growth of algae, cyanobacteria, and aquatic plants while decreasing water clarity (cultural eutrophication).  Additionally, nuisance algae and aquatic plant growth can interfere with boating, swimming, fishing and other recreational activities.  As the excessive growth dies back each year it falls to the lake bottom, causing sediments to build up more rapidly while depleting oxygen during decomposition.  When the natural habitat of a lake is altered, fish and wildlife populations using the lake may also change.  Human activity along a lake's shoreline and in the watershed can accelerate the amount of phosphorus entering a lake.  Sources of phosphorus include: shoreline erosion, fertilizer run-off, run-off from dirt roads, failing septic systems, agricultural runoff, residential runoff, erosion from logging, and erosion from construction.

All About Lakes - Vermont Lake Ecology

Getting To Know Shallow Lakes: Water Quality, Ecology, and Setting Realistic Expectations

Lake Watershed Action Plans

Restoring Vermont's Waters


How You Can Help, Including Report a Cyanobacteria Bloom

Water quality sampling equipment and training are provided by the Department of Environmental Conservation. The monitor supplies their time and a boat. For more information on volunteering, email Mark.Mitchell@partner.vermont.gov or call (802) 490-6126.

Vermont Cyanobacteria Bloom Report Form

Vermont Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) Monitors and Department of Health Cyanobacteria Tracker Map

Lake Score Card Checklist of Lake Protection Actions
This checklist provides guidance on actions that help protect Vermont lakes and is based on the Lake Score Card.

Lakeshores and Lake Wise

The Lake Wise Program is an Agency of Natural Resources initiative that awards lake-friendly shoreland property, including that of state parks, town beaches, private homes and businesses.  The goal of Lake Wise is to establish a new normal, a new culture of lakeshore landscaping that is proven to help protect the lake. A property that earns the Lake Wise Award will represent a "model" shoreland property.  The Lake Wise Award certifies a property is well managed, using shoreland Best Management Practices, and is maintained to care for the lake. View the Map of Lake Wise Participation.

Vermont Septic Smart

Report an Environmental Violation

If you observe or have knowledge of any activity that may be in violation of Vermont's Shoreland Protection Act, an unauthorized lake encroachment, or other lake-related violation, please report the violation to the Environmental Enforcement Office (you may remain anonymous).


LMP Sampling Protocol, Site Location/Info, Depth Maps, Monitoring Forms, Quality Assurance Project Plan

New! Modifying the Vermont Lay Monitoring Program to Improve Lake Assessment (2023): PDF | PowerPoint | YouTube Presentation

New! 2024 VT Lay Monitoring Program Protocol (Final).pdf and 2024 LMP Sample Labeling Storage and Data Reporting Guide (Final).pdf
Secchi Disk With View Tube/Scope Instructions (from Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program)
Secchi Disk Reading Simulator (from Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program)

Updated! LMP Secchi Depth & Water Sampling Webform (submit data online anytime!)

New! 2023-2027 VT Lay Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Sampling Site Location/Info! Vermont Integrated Watershed Information System (IWIS): The VTDEC-Watershed Management Division’s new online data portal for water quality information. Here you can access sampling site information and chemistry data.

Updating! Depth Charts of Vermont Lakes and Ponds

LMP Secchi Depth Monitoring Field Form (for volunteer records only - please use the Secchi Depth & Water Sampling Webform linked above to send data to DEC)

LMP Rain Gauge Monitoring Field Form (for volunteer records only - please use the Secchi Depth & Water Sampling Webform linked above to send data to DEC)


LMP Lake Reports & Lake Score Card Reports

New! Lake Score Card and Next Generation Lake Assessment Reports

2020 Vermont Lakes Lay Monitoring Program - Water Quality Report Card 

For information on the Lake Score Card Trends+Status Reports, see How Lakes are Scored.

For additional Lake Champlain monitoring reports, see Lake Champlain Long-Term Monitoring Project.

For information on volunteer lake tributary monitoring, see LaRosa Partnership Program.

 

 

LMP REPORTS: INLAND LAKES (also see Plant Lists and Fish Lists) 

Amherst LakeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a ComparisonLake Score Card Trends+Status
Beebe Pond (Hubbardton): Lay Monitoring ReportSecchi Transparency ComparisonPhosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a ComparisonLake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Berlin Pond: Lay Monitoring ReportSecchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2021 & 2017-2018 Water Quality Vertical Profiles
Big Pond (Woodford Lake): Lay Monitoring ReportSecchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2023 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results Presentation
Lake Bomoseen: Lay Monitoring ReportSecchi Transparency ComparisonPhosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2021 & 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profiles
Lake Carmi: Lay Monitoring ReportSecchi Transparency ComparisonPhosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2023 Tributary Monitoring Summary2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2017-2018 Water Quality Vertical Profiles
Caspian Lake: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2021-2023 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results Presentation | 2019-2020 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Chipman Lake: Lay Monitoring ReportSecchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison- | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile 
Clyde PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transaparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Colchester Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transaparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profiles
Cole Pond: Lay Monitoring ReportSecchi Transparency ComparisonPhosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2017 Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profile
Coles Pond: Lay Monitoring ReportSecchi Transparency ComparisonPhosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Crystal Lake (Barton)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transaparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Curtis PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results and Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Danby Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency ComparisonPhosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Lake DunmoreLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results and Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
East Long PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Echo Lake (Charleston)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2021-2023 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results Presentation
Echo Lake (Hubbardton)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile 
Echo Lake (Plymouth)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile 
Lake EdenLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2017 Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profile
Elfin LakeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lake ElligoLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2021 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake Elmore: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Fairfield PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results and Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2017-2018 Water Quality Vertical Profiles
Lake FairleeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2021-2023 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results Presentation | 2020 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results | 2021 Vertical Water Quality Profile | 2017-2018 Vertical Water Quality Profiles
Fern LakeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results and Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Forest Lake (Nelson Pond)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Fosters PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profiles | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Great Averill PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Great Hosmer PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results and Water Quality Vertical Profile
Green River ReservoirLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lake GreenwoodLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results and Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake GrotonLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Halls LakeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results and Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Hapgood PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Data and Graph
Harvey's LakeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
High Pond (Sudbury)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results
Holland PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake HortoniaLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results and Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2021 Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2017-2018 Water Quality Vertical Profiles
Indian Brook ReservoirLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profiles | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake IroquoisLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results and Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2021 Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Joes Pond (Danville)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2017-2018 Water Quality Vertical Profiles
Lakota LakeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Little Lake of Lake St. Catherine (Wells)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2017 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Little Averill PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Little Hosmer PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lowell LakeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2017 Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profile
Maidstone LakeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022-2023 Lake & Tributary Monitoring Results Presentation
Lake MansfieldLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Martins PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lake MemphremagogLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake Memphremagog - South BayLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Metcalf PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Miles PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Mirror Lake (#10 Pond)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Mollys Falls ReservoirLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lake MoreyLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2023 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results Presentation | 2021 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results Presentation | 2019 Tributaries Monitoring Results
Muckross Pond (Goulds Pond)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Newark PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Nichols PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2021 Vertical Water Quality Profile | 2018 Vertical Water Quality Profile
Lake NinevahLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Norton PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status (Station #1) | 2022 Station #1 Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2022 Station #2 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake ParkerLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022-2023 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Result Presentation | 2017 Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profile
Peacham PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Perch Pond (Benson)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2017 Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profile
Lake RapondaLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Lake RescueLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake RunnemedeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Sabin Pond (Woodbury Lake)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake SalemLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Seymour LakeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Shadow Lake (Concord)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Shadow Lake (Glover)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2021-2023 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results Presentation | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Shelburne PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Silver Lake (Barnard)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
South Pond (Eden)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
South Pond (Marlboro)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2017-2018 Water Quality Vertical Profiles
Spring Lake (Shrewsbury)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake St. CatherineLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results and Water Quality Vertical Profile 
Sunrise LakeLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2017 Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profile
Sunset Lake (Benson)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2017 Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profile
Ticklenaked PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | Restoring Ticklenaked Pond Water Quality Presentation
Valley Lake (Dog Pond)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Hose vs Surface Results and Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2021 Water Quality Vertical Profile | 2017-2018 Vertical Water Quality Profiles
Wallace PondLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Waterbury ReservoirLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lake WilloughbyLay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2021-2023 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results Presentatio

LMP REPORTS: LAKE CHAMPLAIN

Lake Champlain #11 (Inner Malletts Bay)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison Lake Score Card Trends
Lake Champlain #21 (Keeler Bay)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison Lake Score Card Trends
Lake Champlain #22 (Maquam Bay)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison Lake Score Card Trends
Lake Champlain #29 (Inner Carry Bay): Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison Lake Score Card Trends
Lake Champlain #37 (Outer Carry Bay): Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison Lake Score Card Trends
Lake Champlain #38 (Town Farm Bay)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison Lake Score Card Trends
Lake Champlain #40 (Burlington - North Beach)Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison Lake Score Card Trends

Weather Resources:
Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS.org) Records for Vermont
USGS National Water Information System: Mapper (stream gage sites with links to flow data) 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Online Weather Data for Vermont:

Montpelier Summer Total Precipitation

Burlington Summer Mean Temperature

 


Past Lay Monitoring Program Annual Reports:

2015 Lay Monitoring Program Report (PDF, 156 MB)
2014 Lay Monitoring Program Report (PDF, 8 MB)
35 Year Vermont Lay Monitoring Program Report - Inland Lakes (1979-2013) (PDF, 8 MB)
35 Year Vermont Lay Monitoring Program Report - Lake Champlain (1979-2013) (PDF, 2 MB)
2012 Lay Monitoring Program Report - Lake Champlain 15 MB
2012 Lay Monitoring Program Report - Inland Lakes 8 MB


Download Lay Monitoring and Other Water Quality Data

Lay Monitoring Lake Water Quality Data Portal

Vermont Integrated Watershed Information System (IWIS): The VTDEC-Watershed Management Division’s new online data portal for water quality information. Here you can access water quality and chemistry testing information from throughout Vermont.


Lakeshore Land Use/Land Cover Maps

New! Vermont DEC Lakes Land Cover Maps

A lake's health is directly impacted by the land use and land cover (LULC) around the lakeshore. The maps below depict the LULC mapped within a 100-meter or 600-meter buffer zone of select lakes within the Lay Monitoring Program.  These maps were created as an outreach tool and include layers from the Vermont Center for Geographic Information and the UVM Spatial Analysis Lab. For more information about this LULC layer, click here.  For watershed LULC mapping tools, visit the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Atlas, Clean Water Roadmap (Lake Champlain Basin), or Model My Watershed.


Other Volunteer Monitoring Resources and Opportunities

Vermont Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) Monitors and Department of Health Cyanobacteria Information

Vermont Department of Health Cyanobacteria Tracker Map and Cyanobacteria Bloom Report Form

Vermont Department of Health Swim Water Testing for E. coli

Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIPs) Program and Report an Aquatic Invasive Species (Key to VT Aquatic Plants)

Vermont Public Access Greeter Program

New! Vermont DEC Lake Ice Out/In Reporting Webform and Map Viewer (ArcGIS Survey123) and Vermont Lake Ice-Out and Ice-In Trends:
The Vermont DEC's Lakes and Ponds Management and Protection Program collects lake ice out/in data in order to track Vermont's changing climate and assist water quality monitoring efforts.  Let us know when ice leaves and returns to your lake! For more information, contact Mark Mitchell (mark.mitchell@partner.vermont.gov).

LaRosa Partnership Program
Since 2003, the LaRosa Partnership Program (LPP) has helped watershed organizations and monitoring groups across Vermont implement new and/or ongoing monitoring projects for surface waters in need of water quality assessment by helping to alleviate the financial burden of laboratory analysis costs. This testing allows community members to engage with their local streams and rivers firsthand, learn about water quality issues, and use water testing to identify where impacts are present.

Vermont Volunteer Surface Water Monitoring Guide

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Managing Human-Beaver Conflicts

Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program Field Guide to Aquatic Phenomena

Economic Value of Vermont Lakes and Ponds Fact Sheet 2022