The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's Watershed Management Division monitors the water quality of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands across Vermont. These monitoring activities are carried out in conjunction with Vermont's Water Quality Monitoring Program Strategy and are outlined in our Field Methods Manual. This strategy spells out several objectives, which include the following:
- Identify the status of Vermont's aquatic and wetland resources
- Assessment & Listing Methodology
- Identify trends in the condition of Vermont's aquatic and wetland resources
- Identify existing and emerging threats to Vermont's aquatic and wetland resources
- Identify where watershed-level activities are impacting aquatic and wetland resources
- Provide information to support and evaluate Agency management and regulatory programs, including the development of environmental indicators
- Respond to citizen complaints and emergency situations regarding Vermont's aquatic and wetland resources (as appropriate)
- Determine compliance with VT Water Quality Standards
