Like the high quality waters of the Mill River that flow through the Clarendon Gorge (pictured at left) and the headwaters of the Middlebury River (pictured at right), the tributaries of the Otter Creek contribute to the overall health of the basin. The underlying objective of the Vermont Basin Planning Process is to protect the high quality waters of the watershed and restore those that do not meet Vermont Water Quality Standards. For more information about the planning process, contact Ethan Swift.

Historically, the Otter Creek was a significant resource for early settlers who harnessed the power of the river for their benefit. The Otter Creek served as a means of power, transportation, irrigation, and food. More recently, Otter Creek has been harnessed primarily for hydro-electric power but also for recreational and agricultural purposes. Over time, the use of this shared resource has led to competition over the shared use of the Creek which has often led to creative forms of conflict resolution. The anticipated draft Otter Creek Basin Water Quality Management Plan will explore some of these issues and will propose goals, objectives, and strategies to address these issues.

The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Watershed Management Division began hosting Otter Creek basin-wide public meetings in the Fall of 2003. Click here for meeting notes.

Click on the link below for a recent update concerning basin planning progress within the watershed area:

          - May 2008 monthly update (pdf, 214 KB)

          - June & July 2008 monthy update (pdf, 842 KB)

• Addison County Regional Planning Commission
• Addison County RiverWatch Collaborative
• Lake Dunmore/ Fern Lake Association
• Lewis Creek Association
• Moosalamoo Association
• New Haven River Anglers Association
• Otter Creek Natural Resource Conservation District
• Pittsford National Fish Hatchery
• Rutland Regional Planning Commission
• Upper Otter Creek Watershed Initiative - Rutland Natural Resource Conservation District

Basin Specific Reports

• The effect of the 2002 Lewis Creek 3-Trifluoromethyl-4-Nitrolphenol (TFM) treatment on two insect larvae Hexagenia limbata, and Phylocentropus sp in Lower Lewis Creek, Ferrisburg, VT. (pdf, 59 KB)
• A Longterm Evaluation of the Effects of TFM on Non-target Fish and Macroinvertebrates In Lewis Creek, Vermont (pdf, 133KB)
• Observations of several mussel species made during the 3-Trifluoromethyl-4-Nitrolphenol (TFM) treatment of Lewis Creek, Vermont, October 22, 2002 (pdf, 99 KB)
• Biological and Aquatic Life Use Attainment Assessment of Moon Brook (pdf, 1.1 MB)

• Tactical Basin Planning
• Lake Champlain Basin Program
• Lake Champlain Basin Program Atlas
• Map of Vermont's 17 River Basins
• Meeting Dates & Minutes
• Vermont Clean and Clear Action Plan

Updated: January 2012