The Vermont Lay Monitoring Program (LMP) trains and equips volunteers (or Lay Monitors) to 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
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
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)
Adams Reservoir (Woodford): Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Results
Amherst Lake: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison| Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Beebe Pond (Hubbardton): Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison| Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Berlin Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi 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 Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2023 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results Presentation
Lake Bomoseen: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2021 & 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profiles
Brownington Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2017 Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profile
Lake Carmi: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2023 Tributary Monitoring Summary | 2022 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 Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison- | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Chittenden Reservoir: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transaparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Clyde Pond: Lay 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 Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2017 Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profile
Coles Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Cow Mountain Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2019 Water Quality Vertical Profile
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 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 | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Danby Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Lake Dunmore: 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 | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
East Long Pond: Lay 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 Eden: 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
Elfin Lake: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lake Elligo: Lay 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
Emerald Lake: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Fairfield 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 | 2017-2018 Water Quality Vertical Profiles
Lake Fairlee: Lay 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 Lake: 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 | 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 Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profiles | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Gillett: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Great Averill Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Great Hosmer 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
Green River Reservoir: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lake Greenwood: 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 | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake Groton: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Halls Lake: 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 | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Hapgood Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Data and Graph
Harvey's Lake: Lay 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 Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake Hortonia: 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 Water Quality Vertical Profiles
Indian Brook Reservoir: Lay 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 Iroquois: 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 | 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
Knapp Brook Pond #1: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Knapp Brook Pond #2: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lakota Lake: Lay 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 Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Little Hosmer Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lowell Lake: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2017 Temperature & Dissolved Oxygen Profile
Maidstone Lake: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022-2023 Lake & Tributary Monitoring Results Presentation
Lake Mansfield: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Martins Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lake Memphremagog: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Lake Memphremagog - South Bay: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Metcalf Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Miles Pond: Lay 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 Reservoir: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lake Morey: Lay 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 Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Nichols Pond: Lay 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 Ninevah: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
North Montpelier Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Norton Pond: Lay 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 Parker: Lay 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 Pond: Lay 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 Raponda: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Lake Rescue: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Ricker Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Vertical Water Quality Profiles | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lake Runnemede: Lay 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 Salem: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2018 Water Quality Vertical Profile
Seymour Lake: Lay 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 Pond: Lay 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
Silver Lake (Leicester): 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. Catherine: 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
Stoughton Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Stratton Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Sunrise Lake: Lay 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
Sunset Lake (Marlboro): Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2022 Water Quality Profile
Ticklenaked Pond: Lay 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
Wallingford Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Waterbury Reservoir: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status
Lake Willoughby: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Status | 2021-2023 Lake & Tributaries Monitoring Results Presentation
Wolcott Pond: Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends+Statu
LMP REPORTS: LAKE CHAMPLAIN
Lake Champlain #7 (Burlington - Broad Lake): Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends
Lake Champlain #9 (Colchester Shoals): Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends
Lake Champlain #10 (Outer Malletts Bay): Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends
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 #30 (Alburg Bridge): Lay Monitoring Report | Secchi Transparency Comparison | Phosphorus Comparison | Chlorophyll-a Comparison | Lake Score Card Trends
Lake Champlain #33 (Burlington 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
Lake Champlain #41 (Queneska Island): 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:
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.
Berlin Pond
Lake Bomoseen
Lake Carmi
Caspian Lake
Coles Pond
Curtis Pond
Lake Dunmore
East Long Pond
Echo Lake (Charleston)
Lake Eden
Lake Elmore
Lake Fairlee
Fosters Pond
Great Hosmer Pond
Harvey's Lake
Holland Pond
Indian Brook Reservoir
Lake Iroquois
Island Pond
Joes Pond (Danville)
Long Pond (Westmore)
Maidstone Lake
Lake Memphremagog
Miles Pond
Mirror Lake
Nelson Pond / Forest Lake (Calais)
Newark Pond
Lake Parker
Perch Pond (Benson)
Lake Rescue
Lake Salem
Seymour Lake
Shadow Lake (Glover)
Lake Willoughby
Woodbury Lake / Sabin Pond
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