As part of its ongoing efforts to develop and share science-based knowledge about the Lake Champlain basin in Vermont and New York, the Lake Champlain Sea Grant program has created a series of short, close-captioned videos.
Although originally produced to educate individuals in the hospitality and tourism sector in the Champlain Basin area, the topics will be of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about Lake Champlain, water quality, aquatic species and other lake-related topics. The 10 videos, featuring Sea Grant education and Extension staff, may be viewed online.
Videos include:
Aquatic Invasive Species: Learn about invasive aquatic plants and animals, such as the fishhook water flea, that have impacted Lake Champlain’s waters and how to prevent the spread of these invaders. The video also talks about the importance of reporting sightings of hydrilla, Eurasian ruff and other invasive species not yet found in the lake.
Bass Tournaments and the Health of the World-Class Lake Champlain Bass Fishery: Listen as a biologist discusses the importance of bass tournaments to the local economy and shares research on potential negative impacts, including fish stress, of these competitions on bass populations.
Cyanobacteria: Cyanobacteria blooms (blue-green algae) close many beaches in summer. This video delves into the conditions that cause blooms, potential public health issues and how to recognize this toxic bacteria to stay safe.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Explore how green stormwater infrastructures, such as rain gardens and bioretention systems, help with stormwater management by controlling the amount of rainwater runoff and pollutants entering bodies of water.
Natural History of the Lake: This video describes the geology, history and natural features of the five regions of Lake Champlain.
Raise the Blade!: Preventing stormwater runoff and improving soil health can be as simple as changing the blade height on a mower. The Raise the Blade! Campaign offers steps for home and business owners to follow to help protect water quality.
Salt Use and Lake Water Quality: Discover how salt (sodium chloride) works to keep sidewalks and driveways free from ice and snow in winter and the most effective ways to reduce salt use to protect property, pets and the environment.
Sampling Swim Water: Observe the techniques scientists use to take water samples to check E. coli bacteria levels to ensure that water at public beaches is safe for swimming.
The Tale of Two Gutters: This video demonstrates two different scenarios–rainwater from a roof gutter falling on grassy lawn vs. a driveway and other impervious surfaces–and the impact of each on water quality and the natural environment.
Thermal Stratification and Lake Turnover: Explore thermal stratification and why lake turnover is important for healthy lake ecosystems and the survival of aquatic organisms.
Lake Champlain Sea Grant is a partnership between University of Vermont Extension, the State University of New York Plattsburgh and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. More information is available online.
Photo of Lake Champlain bridge provided by John Warren.
Hope many more people will be able to understand how they can help.