Hello again LSC, we have another aquatic invasive species (AIS) related story to tell you about this afternoon, and this one is VERY concerning.

Yesterday, Arrowwood Environmental began the yearly plant survey of Lake St. Catherine. This is a multi-day cataloguing and observation of aquatic plants at 199 GPS points throughout the littoral zone of the lake that results in the yearly Aquatic Plant Survey Reports which you can find on our website.

Last evening, Arrowwood reported that a 20' patch of Water Chestnut had been discovered between 2 docks in the Channel south of the bridge. This fast growing invasive floating plant spreads quickly and cause great damage to the ecosystem. This is not an invasive plant that we want to get established in LSC.

We quickly mobilized to address this, and we are happy to report that morning, Beck and his DASH team, along with volunteer Toby Crispin, removed all the plants from this location. However, they also discovered some water chestnut on the side of the dock at the boat - but these plants were also removed.

These spots will need to be monitored for a reoccurrence throughout the rest of the season and in the spring after ice out. If additional plants are discovered, they will be removed.

So, please keep an eye out for this invasive plant, and please report any sightings to immediately at info@lakestcatherine.org.

Please join us in thanking everyone involved in the discovery and QUICK removal of this invasive from the lake! Great work all!

Hello LSC. We'd like to let you know about a Lake Champlain Basin Program funded project that made a stop at Lake St. Catherine this week. The good folks from Upstream Consulting & Evaluation reached out to the LSCA to inquire about setting up their 2 day project on a conveniently located parcel near the boat launch. We reached out to Catherine Oliverio of the Butternut Hill Community Association, as their lake property was the perfect spot, and Catherine not only agreed to allow the team to set up their project, but she also documented it with some photos and the article attached below!

Thank you to Catherine, Melanie and her team from Upstream Consulting, and the DEC for their efforts for LSC.

You can read about this aquatic invasive species (AIS) project, and the initial findings below in Catherine's article:

Project CLAM (Champlain Aquatics Monitoring)
By Catherine M. Oliverio

Project CLAM is a research project that is led by Upstream Consulting & Evaluation, LLC. The project team commenced testing and surveys on Lake St. Catherine Aug. 24, 2026 and completed their study Aug. 25. The sampling was part of a research project that is funded by the Lake Champlain Basin program.

The team collaborates with the invasives team at DEC, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, to prioritize sites for the research and share data. DEC’s mission is to preserve, enhance, restore and conserve Vermont’s natural resources and protect human health for the benefit of this and future generations.

Jerremy Jones of the Lake St. Catherine Association and the Butternut Hill Community Association’s lake parcel afforded the Project CLAM team an ideal spot near the public launch to conduct their study.

Team leader Melanie Giangreco, Olivia Walsh, and Rogan Poquette worked side by side setting crayfish traps and sifting through the muck for invasive banded mystery snails and native and invasive crayfish. While doing so they not only collected specimens but also documented and measured them. Anything found invasive has to be euthanized to avoid any further spreading and destruction to the habitat.

Natural habitats include mollusks (snails, mussels, clams) and crustaceans (crayfish and some plankton). These species filter water, clean debris, bacteria, algae, and more. Unfortunately, other species are brought to our waterways and can be invasive causing ecological or economic harm. The invasive rusty crayfish outcompete the native crayfish destroying vegetation and displacing local populations.

"We hope to learn more about invasive species and prevent them from spreading," stated Giangreco. "We want more healthy bodies of water."

This three-year program goal is to visit 90 sites such as lakes, rivers, and streams that feed into the Lake Champlain Basin documenting habitat characteristics including rocks and vegetation on the bottom.

She continued, "This is our second year of the project with 68 sites completed. Our current team began this summer and will complete the other sites next summer."

The team does have assistance from scientists and advisors on board with data analysis.

Poquette said, "We hope to make an impact and educate the public"

"I’d like to piggyback on what Melanie and Rogan said," commented Walsh. "I want the younger kids to learn about the environment and be more interested in native species."

Giangreco emphasized that no one should empty bait buckets into any body of water. Fortunately, the Lake St. Catherine Association takes the initiative to examine any and all boats for any signs of invasive species.

Here is a summary of what was found:

• Native Unionidae mussels (did not identify species but documented that they were present)
• 1 invasive snail species (Banded Mystery Snails)
• 3 native snail species
• 1 invasive crayfish species (Rusty Crayfish)
• 1 additional introduced/non-native crayfish (Virile Crayfish—these are widespread throughout the region, but are not native to Lake St. Catherine)
• 1 native crayfish (Calico Crayfish)

Knowing your aquatic community is important to protect freshwater habitats leading to more enjoyable, swimming, fishing, hunting, viewing or photography in wildlife or simply being outdoors. Clean water and healthy ecosystems are key for such activities.

The LSCA's Fall 2026 newsletter is now available with updates and recaps from the spring & summer.

Printed copies are available at Wellsmere Farm in Wells, and the Cones Point General Store / Cluckin' Cafe in Poultney. If you'd like a printed copy, please stop in at these local establishments to pick one up - they are available now!

Thank you to Michelle and Nicole for having them available!

Also, your LSCA Trustee neighbors will have printed copies available around the lake over the weekend, so stop by to say hi and pick one up.

The digital version is now available online via our website through this link: Click here to view the Fall 2026 Newsletter, or click on the image below. When you click on the link for the newsletter, you will be able to view it on screen - and be able to zoom in or out using the controls in your browser window. Or, you can click the download button to save a copy to your computer to view with a PDF reader, and/or print a copy.

The Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds Annual Meeting, entitled "New Tools for Lake Health", taking place at The Vermont History Center (and via Zoom) on September 10th, 2026 from 9:30 AM – 2:45 PM.

After a short FOVLAP business session, the meeting will consist of:

• A Lakes and Ponds update from Lakes and Ponds Program Manager Jenny Austin
• A summary of a survey sent to Vermont Lake Associations
• Brief individual lake reports from member lake associations

Then after a lunch break, two presentations on very interesting topics:

• Caffeine as a Proxy for Failing Septic Systems by Vermont Lay Monitoring Lead Mark Mitchell
• Life in Little Glass Houses: Diatoms as Bioindicators of Environmental Change by Water and Science Program Coordinator for the Lake Champlain Committee Lindsey Cookson

You can read more about the Annual Meeting and RSVP to attend in-person or via Zoom here:

https://vermontlakes.org/event/2026-fovlap-annual-meeting/

This will be an interesting event - we hope to see you there!

We'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who helped create a great evening at the Lake St. Catherine Country Club for the LSCA's 2026 Annual Meeting & Dinner last night!

We hope everyone who attended enjoyed our presentation, the dinner, and the time spent with your lake neighbors. It was great to see a full house - and we appreciate your interest and involvement!

Thank you to our members, our state and local officials, and our partners for your dedication in helping to preserve and protect the lake that we all love.

Also, a special thank you to the Lake St. Catherine Country Club staff for a wonderful dinner.

Attached below are a few photos from the evening, and a YouTube video of the presentation. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know at info@lakestcatehrine.org. Thank you!

Just a quick THANK YOU to everyone who came out this morning to the Wells Lakeside Park to help with the shoreline cleanup! We had a few less people than the first cleanup, but I think we ended up with more debris in the trailer this time. We seem to be getting better at it

Everyone put in some great work today

Also, a special thank you to Dom who volunteered his time today as part of working towards becoming an Eagle Scout.

Plans are to keep this up, and do it again next year.

Great job all!

- Laurel Gilman

You can see more images from the cleanup on our Facebook Page.

We want to make you aware of a very close call involving the safety of the DASH team on the lake yesterday - and also to use this as an opportunity to remind folks of Vermont's 200 foot rule.

Despite the DASH team having multiple buoys in the water, the diver down flag deployed, and the topside team member yelling and waving his arms, a speeding boat came WAY TOO CLOSE to the diver. Thankfully, everyone was OK.

The 200 foot rule basically states that boats cannot travel at a speed greater than 5MPH within 200 feet of shore, the “Shoreline Safety Zone”, or closer than 200 feet from a person, another water vessel in the water, or a diver down flag (or maintaining a buffer of 500 feet if operating a wake boat in wake sport mode). You can read Vermont's Use of Public Water Rules here: https://dec.vermont.gov/.../Use_of_Public_Waters_Rules.pdf

Please look out for each other on the lake.

Thank you.

On Saturday, July 25th, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their third meeting of the 2026 season.

Attendance: Jim Canders, Kemi McShane, Jerremy Jones, Ed Laird, Mary Jo Teetor, Tim Mante, Mike Gay, Mark Shea, Sue Williams, Lisa Micich, Dan O’Connell. Absent: Nancy Liberatore, Steve Mattison, Bob Williams, Jeff Crandall. Guests: Dave Williams

Meeting called to order at 8:30 AM.

Opening Comment Period: Dave Williams from Idylwild Bay expressed his concern about the cannons firing from 2 separate properties on the lake.

Recording Secretary’s Report: Minutes of the June 29, 2026 meeting accepted as presented. Approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Mary Jo presented her report, and detailed the recent banking changes that were made per approval of the board at the June meeting. An account was opened at Arrow Bank, with $170k placed into a 6 month CD, and $30k placed in a money market account. MJ will prepare YTD numbers for the Annual Meeting slides.

Membership Meeting: Plans for the meeting were discussed, including an update on RSVPs. The slides will be discussed later in the meeting.

Milfoil Control Program: Jeff reported on the DASH team’s progress, and made a motion to extend their contact by a week, all in favor, so moved.

Water Quality and Testing: Mary Jo reported that the water is looking clear, water sampling continues.

Publicity: Jerremy mentioned that he had started working on the newsletter, and he’d have printed copies ready for the next meeting in August.

Lake Safety: Mike talked about getting quotes for the sign, and the possibility of making a mask to sandblast it.

Nominating Committee: There is a slide in the presentation for the election of 4 trustees, Jim, Sue, Jeff & Jerremy. We have one opening.

Membership: Jerremy reported that there were currently at 360 members.

Government Relations: Jerremy spoke about the state and local officials that have RSVP’d for the Annual Meeting.

Old Business: Jerremy spoke about a recent discussion at the FOVLAP Dam Discussion Group. There is a concern that if a dam fails, the state would not allow a repair or replacement. With the age of the dam at Lakes End, and that it is owned by Fish & Wildlife, it was decided that we reach out to them to discuss the dam.

New Business: There was a discussion about outreach from someone in Lily Pond, her question was discussed and Jerremy will reply. Jerremy mentioned that a member with a camp on the Halls Bay Channel is interested in working to coordinate raising funds to hydrorake the channel, and he asked if we could inform the community. We’ll add it to the newsletter. The slides for the Annual Meeting were presented, and updates were made to the slides.

Next meeting is the Annual Meeting & Dinner on August 8th.

Jim called for the meeting adjournment, all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 AM.

Meeting minutes compiled by Jerremy Jones

In recognition of Lakes Appreciation Month, board members of the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds submitted a commentary highlighting some of the amazing things happening under the surface of our lakes and ponds (including here at Lake St. Catherine!)

While we've all been appreciating this year's very visible eaglets and loon chicks, other interesting things are happening beneath the surface of the lake. This commentary focuses in on a few of those fascinating organisms that you may not be familiar with that are thriving and contributing to a healthy lake ecosystem, including: the fresh-water sponge, native bladderwort, and the eastern elliptio mussel. 

You can read the commentary in the Rutland Herald here: 

Experience the Magic of Vermont Lakes

Photo: Eastern Elliptio, Vermont Center for Ecostudies

On the third Saturday in July of every year, LoonCount volunteers take to the water to count loons. It’s the single most effective way for Vermont Center for EcoStudies (VCE) to document and track breeding loons across the state.

From VCE's webpage:

"Each year on a single day on the third Saturday of July, VCE and our volunteers cover more than 160 lakes and ponds statewide. It’s the single most effective way for VCE to document and track breeding loons across the state. Survey a lake — or if you’ve got time, a few — for one hour on that Saturday."

So, we're looking to coordinate volunteers around the lake to count all the loons we see on the lake between 8 AM - 9 AM on Saturday, July 18th.

If you'd like to participate, please observe your area, or head out onto the lake between 8 AM - 9 AM on July 18th, and note what you observe, where, and at what time. We'll create a post on our Facebook page that morning on which you can add your observations (or you can email us at info@lakestcatherine.org). We'll then gather all the reports and send that info over to Eric and Eloise at VCE through their new LoonWeb app.

Thanks!

Loon with chick on Lake St. Catherine, Vermont - Photo by Karen Velsor