In 2011, communities along the coast of Lake Champlain were devastated with flooding following repeated storm events, combined with spring snowmelt. Stormwater runoff from developed land can be a significant concern for local waterbodies. To deal with these concerns, Lake Champlain Sea Grant researchers began researching the use of “green” stormwater infrastructure.

Lake Champlain Sea Grant explored one method of green infrastructure called “bioretention,” which uses vegetation and soil to manage and treat stormwater runoff. Results have shown that bioretention removes excess nutrients responsible for increased algae growth (nitrogen and phosphorous), as well as reduces flash flooding, as bioretention infrastructure can slow the speed of stormwater into nearby streams.

Land erosion, nutrient loads and flow alteration have directly impacted water quality in local streams and in Lake Champlain. Lake Champlain Sea Grant assists “Ahead of the Storm,” a tri-town collaborative within three adjacent watershed regions, by helping design stormwater runoff mitigation plans, disseminating information about site assessment and design processes, and providing speakers for community education workshops. Members of “Ahead of the Storm” include stakeholders from municipalities, public and private property owners, local watershed groups, educational, civic and faith institutions, and State and County government.

The University of Vermont Watershed Alliance is an extension program that partners with Lake Champlain Sea Grant to provide innovative, hands-on watershed education for K-12 students in Vermont. Over the past 16 years Watershed Alliance has employed 43 Watershed Educators, undergraduate and graduate students, from colleges within the Lake Champlain Basin.

Each semester the number of applicants increases, students are eager to get hands on experience with water quality monitoring and environmental education. Lake Champlain Sea Grant surveyed Watershed Educator Alumni who reported having gained and continuing to use presentation and communication skills, classroom management and environmental education skills, and water quality monitoring and citizen science in professional and academic endeavors they pursued post-internship.