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 (pdf, 371 KB) are presently active on many rivers and lakes in the state.

The Vermont Lay Monitoring Program equips and trains local lake users to measure the nutrient enrichment of lakes by collecting water quality data following a rigorously documented and quality assured methodology. This citizen monitoring program is mainly based on trophic parameters and monitors approximately 40 lakes and 25 Lake Champlain stations per year. All Lake Champlain stations and many inland lakes in the program are sampled for chlorophyll-a, total phosphorus, and Secchi disk transparency. The remaining inland lakes in the program, from which limited data are needed, are sampled only for Secchi disk transparency. All sampling occurs on a weekly basis during the summer. The tremendous success of the Lay Monitoring Program is largely due to the many volunteers. Since the development of the Lay Monitoring Program in 1979, valuable data has been generated on many lakes including Lake Champlain. In addition to their standard monitoring, Vermont's citizen lake monitors also assist in the ANS Watchers Program (see below), and in collecting valuable data for the Lake Bioassessment Program. Click here for more information.

The Citizen Lake and Watershed Survey Program provides survey sheets and technical training for volunteers, lake and watershed associations, and other interested groups to enable them to perform screening-level assessments to identify potential sources of pollution to lakes by conducting in-lake, lakeshore, and lake watershed surveys. Click here for more information.

The Aquatic Nuisance Species Watchers Program trains citizen volunteers to monitor for the presence of invasive non-native aquatic species. The program is currently focusing on monitoring for Eurasian watermilfoil, water chestnut, and zebra mussels.  For more information about the program contact Ann Bove. For more information on aquatic nuisance species in Vermont click here.

Lay Monitoring Lake Water Quality Data - from 1979 to 2007.

Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Analytical Services Partnerships for 2008, provides sample analysis services to groups conducting lake or stream monitoring.

 Vermont Volunteer Surface Water Monitoring Guide

Updated: September 2005