The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's Watershed Management Division monitors the water quality of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands across Vermont.
- Water Quality Monitoring Data
- Lake Monitoring Programs
- Rivers & Stream Monitoring Programs
- Wetland Monitoring Programs
- Volunteer Monitoring
- Special Studies
- Swim Water Testing
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.
See below for a description of our different monitoring programs and special studies with links to more information:
Online Water Quality Data
Access to all online Water Quality Data:
Lake Monitoring Programs
The lake monitoring programs are sumamarized on the Division's Lakes and Ponds Management web pages.
Rivers & Stream Monitoring Programs
- Ambient Biomonitoring Network (ABN)
- Aquatic Nuisance Species Searches and Surveys
- BMP Effectiveness Monitoring at Englesby Brook and Little Otter Creek
- Lake Champlain Basin Agricultural Watersheds Monitoring Project
- Long-Term Water Quality and Biological Monitoring Project for Lake Champlain
- Stream Geomorphic Assessment Program
Wetland Monitoring Programs
Volunteer Monitoring
Citizen groups are becoming increasingly involved in monitoring, education, protection and restoration projects in Vermont. VTDEC provides assistance and training to volunteers whenever possible. Watershed associations are presently active on approximately 26 rivers and many lakes in the state.
- Vermont Invasive Patrollers Program
- Vermont Lay Monitoring Program
- Vermont Volunteer Surface Water Monitoring Guide
- Volunteer Acid Precipitation Monitoring Program
- LaRosa Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Analytical Services Partnerships
Special Studies
- EPA Regional Monitoring Network to Detect Climate Change Effects in Stream Ecosystem
- Biological Monitoring Projects (either ongoing or conducted on a periodic basis)
- Vernal Pool Project
- Northern Leopard Frog Surveys in the Lake Champlain Basin
- Using Host-Associated Genetic Markers to Investigate Sources of Fecal Contamination in Two Vermont Streams
- Monitor the effects on non-target fish and macroinvertebrates in those rivers subject to lampricide (TFM) treatments.