LCA Projects 2023

Browse the Lewis Creek Association projects that we will be undertaking in 2023. Click on any of the projects (either on the text or map).

Kate Kelly

Frogbit removal (Charlotte)

We coordinate volunteers who will remove European frogbit from Town Farm Bay in Charlotte, where percent coverage of frogbit has successfully been reduced from 50% to less than 5%.

Frogbit removal (Shelburne)

We coordinate volunteers who remove European frogbit, an aquatic invasive species, from the LaPlatte River Natural Area.

McCabe's Brook Projects

This Lake Champlain Basin Program/NEIWPCC-funded grant has nearly wrapped up, with the result being three concept designs and a prioritized list of projects meant to improve water quality and habitat in the McCabe's Brook watershed (Charlotte and Shelburne).

Ahead of the Storm Guidance Manual & Outreach

We are partnering with Lake Champlain Committee, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, and others to create a guidance manual for landowners that will help them asses their property for stormwater problems, and direct them to the proper resources to protect and improve water quality. We will be holding two neighborhood outreach events (in Hinesburg and Shelburne) to connect landowners to their local watersheds and discuss recommendations for stormwater improvements. We are looking forward ot hosting small mammal biologist Alyssa Bennett in Hinesburg, and herpetologist Jim Andrews in Shelburne!

Lake Iroquois - Patrick Brook Watershed Action Plan

In partnership with the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District and the Lake Iroquois Association, this grant will fund property assessments and outreach to neighborhoods in the Lake Iroquois and Patrick Brook watershed, resulting in a prioritized list of projects to improve water quality, and several project concept designs.

United Church of Hinesburg Wetland Restoration

We have received funding for construction of a restored wetland behind the United Church of Hinesburg, where the wetland had historically been converted to agriculture, then playing fields. The project construction will likely begin in April.

Lyman Meadows stormwater treatment

We have received grant funding from Lake Champlain Basin Program/NEIWPCC to create a concept design for stormwater treatment at Lyman Meadows in Hinesburg.

Hollow Brook bridge abutment removal

In collaboration with Addison County Regional Planning Commission, funding was received to remove old bridge abutments in Hollow Brook (a tributary to Lewis Creek). This project will lower flood risk in the nearby Lazy Brook Mobile Home Park.

Cota Ballfields Starksboro

This grant from VT DEC/Watersheds United Vermont will be wrapping up in 2023, and is a collaboration between LCA and the Town of Starksboro, to create a concept design for stormwater management at the Cota Ballfields.

River corridor in Starksboro: flood resilient communities

In collaboration with Addison County Regional Planning Commission, we received funding to explore options to minimize the impacts of flooding in the area of Starksboro where Lewis Creek comes off the hills and begins to spread out.

Bristol Pond Boat Launch Steward

LCA has applied for funding to have a boat launch steward stationed at Bristol Pond, checking boats as they enter and leave the pond to remove aquatic invasive species, and educating boaters on how to limit the spread of invasive species. We also hope to tackle knotweed removal at a demonstration site in the Lewis Creek watershed through the same grant, if awarded.

Monkton Pond Boat Launch Steward

LCA has applied for funding to have a boat launch steward stationed at Monkton Pond, checking boats as they enter and leave the pond to remove aquatic invasive species, and educating boaters on how to limit the spread of aquatic invasive species. We also hope to tackle knotweed removal at a demonstration site in the Lewis Creek watershed through the same grant, if awarded.

Water Quality Sampling

We will be continuing to collect water quality samples with the help of volunteers through our South Chittenden River Watch program (in collaboration with VT DEC's LaRosa Partnership Program). We will sample streams in the LaPlatte River, McCabe's Brook, Thorp Brook, Kimball Brook, Patrick Brook, Mud Hollow, and Lewis Creek watersheds. The results of our water quality sampling will be shared in the winter of 2023-24 via a story map.

Lewis Creek Mainstem Project Development

With the help of consultants, we plan to review high priority projects on the mainstem of Lewis Creek that were listed in the river corridor plan that is now approximately 12 years old, to help prioritize these projects, and move at least one forward through landowner and partner communication, to prepare for the next step of design work.

Improving Riparian Buffers for Birds, Habitat, and Carbon

We will partner with UVM Extension, Audubon Vermont, Poultney-Mettowee NRCD, Friends of the Winooski River, and Friends of the Mad River, this project will identify priority sites with the maximum potential impact for water quality, habitat improvement, and carbon benefits. It will involve tree plantings to restore riparian forest buffers, improve upland habitat, and target priority bird species. It will also conduct education and outreach to community residents.

Frogbit removal (Charlotte)

We coordinate volunteers who will remove European frogbit from Town Farm Bay in Charlotte, where percent coverage of frogbit has successfully been reduced from 50% to less than 5%.

Frogbit removal (Shelburne)

We coordinate volunteers who remove European frogbit, an aquatic invasive species, from the LaPlatte River Natural Area.

McCabe's Brook Projects

This Lake Champlain Basin Program/NEIWPCC-funded grant has nearly wrapped up, with the result being three concept designs and a prioritized list of projects meant to improve water quality and habitat in the McCabe's Brook watershed (Charlotte and Shelburne).

Ahead of the Storm Guidance Manual & Outreach

We are partnering with Lake Champlain Committee, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, and others to create a guidance manual for landowners that will help them asses their property for stormwater problems, and direct them to the proper resources to protect and improve water quality. We will be holding two neighborhood outreach events (in Hinesburg and Shelburne) to connect landowners to their local watersheds and discuss recommendations for stormwater improvements. We are looking forward ot hosting small mammal biologist Alyssa Bennett in Hinesburg, and herpetologist Jim Andrews in Shelburne!

Lake Iroquois - Patrick Brook Watershed Action Plan

In partnership with the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District and the Lake Iroquois Association, this grant will fund property assessments and outreach to neighborhoods in the Lake Iroquois and Patrick Brook watershed, resulting in a prioritized list of projects to improve water quality, and several project concept designs.

United Church of Hinesburg Wetland Restoration

We have received funding for construction of a restored wetland behind the United Church of Hinesburg, where the wetland had historically been converted to agriculture, then playing fields. The project construction will likely begin in April.

Lyman Meadows stormwater treatment

We have received grant funding from Lake Champlain Basin Program/NEIWPCC to create a concept design for stormwater treatment at Lyman Meadows in Hinesburg.

Hollow Brook bridge abutment removal

In collaboration with Addison County Regional Planning Commission, funding was received to remove old bridge abutments in Hollow Brook (a tributary to Lewis Creek). This project will lower flood risk in the nearby Lazy Brook Mobile Home Park.

Cota Ballfields Starksboro

This grant from VT DEC/Watersheds United Vermont will be wrapping up in 2023, and is a collaboration between LCA and the Town of Starksboro, to create a concept design for stormwater management at the Cota Ballfields.

River corridor in Starksboro: flood resilient communities

In collaboration with Addison County Regional Planning Commission, we received funding to explore options to minimize the impacts of flooding in the area of Starksboro where Lewis Creek comes off the hills and begins to spread out.

Bristol Pond Boat Launch Steward

LCA has applied for funding to have a boat launch steward stationed at Bristol Pond, checking boats as they enter and leave the pond to remove aquatic invasive species, and educating boaters on how to limit the spread of invasive species. We also hope to tackle knotweed removal at a demonstration site in the Lewis Creek watershed through the same grant, if awarded.

Monkton Pond Boat Launch Steward

LCA has applied for funding to have a boat launch steward stationed at Monkton Pond, checking boats as they enter and leave the pond to remove aquatic invasive species, and educating boaters on how to limit the spread of aquatic invasive species. We also hope to tackle knotweed removal at a demonstration site in the Lewis Creek watershed through the same grant, if awarded.

Water Quality Sampling

We will be continuing to collect water quality samples with the help of volunteers through our South Chittenden River Watch program (in collaboration with VT DEC's LaRosa Partnership Program). We will sample streams in the LaPlatte River, McCabe's Brook, Thorp Brook, Kimball Brook, Patrick Brook, Mud Hollow, and Lewis Creek watersheds. The results of our water quality sampling will be shared in the winter of 2023-24 via a story map.

Lewis Creek Mainstem Project Development

With the help of consultants, we plan to review high priority projects on the mainstem of Lewis Creek that were listed in the river corridor plan that is now approximately 12 years old, to help prioritize these projects, and move at least one forward through landowner and partner communication, to prepare for the next step of design work.

Improving Riparian Buffers for Birds, Habitat, and Carbon

We will partner with UVM Extension, Audubon Vermont, Poultney-Mettowee NRCD, Friends of the Winooski River, and Friends of the Mad River, this project will identify priority sites with the maximum potential impact for water quality, habitat improvement, and carbon benefits. It will involve tree plantings to restore riparian forest buffers, improve upland habitat, and target priority bird species. It will also conduct education and outreach to community residents.