WS-Lakes Fact Sheet

August 23, 2022

Roof downspouts can be disconnected from surface waters by disconnecting from underground drains or surface runoff and directing flow to a stable vegetated area, another stormwater treatment practice, or by capturing roof runoff in a rain barrel for water reuse.

August 23, 2022

There are many ways to protect and conserve your land to meet environmental, financial, and family goals. Protecting the natural conditions of your shoreland ensures the long-term health and resiliency of your lake while benefitting your family, lake community, and future generations.

August 23, 2022

Check dams are stone piles placed in a concentrated flow of water like a swale or drainage ditch to slow and filter stormwater and promote ponding.

August 23, 2022

Bioengineering uses native plants, biodegradable products, and other natural materials to stabilize shorelands, prevent erosion, protect property, and support healthy lake ecosystems. It is often referred to as “soft-scape engineering,” living shoreland restoration, or naturebased solutions. A suite of methods mimic naturally stable shorelines by creating vegetated lakeshore banks and a stabilized bank toe.

August 23, 2022

In Vermont, natural lakeshores are wetlands, forests, and/or bedrock. Few lakes have naturally occurring sandy shores. Shoreland best management practices can help to maintain artificial beaches and recreational areas while also protecting water quality and wildlife habitat so we can ‘share the shore’. Stabilized and naturally vegetated areas, such a s upland meadows or lakeshore buffers, filter upland runoff and delineate beaches, pathways, and lake access points, preventing sand and other pollutants from washing into the lake.