It's here, Memorial Day Weekend - the 'unofficial start of summer'. Although the weather doesn't seem to be cooperating at the moment, we hope that you'll have a fun and safe season at the Lake, and that you'll be kind and respectful of each other and our beautiful lake as you create new memories and enjoy your time here this season.

We also hope that you will take a moment on Monday to remember and honor those who have died while serving our country for Memorial Day.

We'd like to let you know that the LSCA's Spring 2025 newsletter is attached with lots of information on plans and events that have already been scheduled this season.

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 feel free to pick one up when you are out and about (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!

The digital version is now available online via our website through this link: Click here to view the Spring 2025 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.

On May 12th and 17th, spring plant surveys of the lake were conducted to evaluate native plant and milfoil growth, and the data collected was compared to the results of the fall 2024 aquatic plant survey. The map on the right shows the fall 2024 milfoil densities around the lake.

We are very excited to report that the amount of milfoil observed visually and via rake toss surveying was EXTREMELY low, and that our native plants are growing well. The one exception found during the spring surveys was a very large and dense patch of milfoil showing new growth along the western shore of Little Lake, which was also recorded in the fall survey. Based on these findings, and as was the case in 2023, a spot treatment will not be needed this year - and we’ll be focusing on our diver assisted suction harvesting (DASH) team’s work for milfoil control in 2025.

A map showing the 2025 DASH and hand-pulling areas will be posted soon. Our DASH team will begin swimming through low density milfoil areas to hand-pull in June when the water temperature allows, and will begin full DASH operations on July 1st, working throughout the summer to keep the milfoil at sparse and controllable levels.

The LSCA’s Milfoil Control Program consists of five components:

1. Stop The Spread’ education and outreach. Our ‘Stop The Spread’ campaign educates boaters and property owners on best practices to limit the spread of milfoil. Each year, the LSCA holds a lake community meeting to discuss the control plan for the season, answer questions, and hand out a flyer with best practices for lake users to limit the spread of milfoil.
2. Volunteer milfoil cleanup. Throughout the season, we encourage lake users, boaters, and volunteers to collect detached floating milfoil and remove it from the lake, along with encouraging property owners to remove detached milfoil, and hand-pulling any along their shoreline.
3. DASH - Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting. Our DASH crew suits up in scuba gear and hand-pulls milfoil by the roots from the lakebed. In sections of lower milfoil density, they will swim the area and hand-pull with mesh bags. In higher density areas, they will set up the DASH equipment which allows them to suction the hand-pulled milfoil up through a tube to a catch table on a boat. Milfoil is then placed in 17.5 gallon buckets for transport off the lake.
4. Herbicide spot treatments with ProcellaCOR EC. In order to maximize our DASH crew’s time, effectiveness, and number of acres covered, one of our control methods includes spot treatments with ProcellaCOR EC. However, there will be no spot treatments in 2025.
5. Water quality improvement programs. Although not directly related to Milfoil Control, the LSCA's work on Lake Wise on LSC, the LSC Stormwater Master Plan, and the LSC Watershed Action Plan all help to limit phosphorus and other nutrients from entering the lake which can contribute to excessive plant growth, and improves overall water quality.

These efforts have resulted in the lowest percentage of milfoil cover and frequency of occurrence in the lake since the mid-2000s. Also, and just as importantly, we have seen many species of our native aquatic plants that have been suppressed by milfoil growth like have increased in frequency of occurrence, along with an increase in our plant species richness (the number of different plant species present in an ecological community). These results are exactly what we want to see! LSC has over 30 native aquatic plants which are necessary to sustain a healthy lake ecology. Our efforts are focused on reducing the amount of milfoil in the lake so that these native aquatic plants can grow as they normally would.

What can you do to help?

• As a general rule, get as much milfoil out of the lake as possible and dispose of it.
• Don’t drive through milfoil patches with your boat which will create fragments.
• If you have milfoil on your prop, don’t just reverse and drive away, please remove it from the lake.
• If you have milfoil growing in your dock or swimming area, pull it out by the roots and remove it from the lake.
• If you see milfoil floating anywhere in the lake, near your dock, or along your shoreline, remove it from the lake.

As you may be aware, there has been a lot of recent misinformation about milfoil, ProcellaCOR, the permitting process, and Lake St. Catherine in general. We encourage everyone to visit our Milfoil Control Program page: https://lakestcatherine.org/milfoil-control-program

The LSCA has always employed evidenced-based decision making when evaluating lake related issues, and we continue to do so with our Milfoil Control Program. Working with the State and lake scientists & experts, following the science and the data, and evaluating the results of our efforts show that we are doing the right things for the long-term health of LSC. To our members, and all who love LSC, if you ever have any questions or concerns, reach out to us, we’d be happy to answer them. You can always reach us at info@lakestcatherine.org.

Thank you.

A project three plus years in the making, the Lake St. Catherine Watershed Action Plan (LWAP) draft is complete - and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Please join us on Wednesday, June 4th at the Wells Town Hall at 6:30 PM for a presentation of the plan, a look at the designs for the projects that were selected at the previous LWAP meeting in February, and we’ll gather your feedback before we submit the final draft to the State and our funders, the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP).

An LWAP is designed to identify and communicate the problems and fixes within a lake watershed to best protect water quality, wildlife habitat, and the lake’s ecosystem health. These plans answer the questions 'what issues threaten the health of our lake the most?' and 'what can we do about them?'

The goal of an LWAP is to evaluate water quality conditions and related stressors in a lake and its watershed to identify the greatest threats to the lake ecosystem, including sources of increased stormwater runoff and associated sediment and nutrients as well as other important stressors such as invasive species, habitat loss, erosion, and other threats that may lead to loss or degradation of defined uses under the Vermont Water Quality Standards.

Specifically for Lake St. Catherine, the findings from the creation of the LWAP will guide our long-term efforts to increase water quality by the prevention and control of aquatic invasive species (AIS), reducing erosion, and by reducing the amount of phosphorus, nitrogen, sediments, and other pollutants from entering the Lake.

The Lake St. Catherine Watershed Action Plan was developed over the course of 2021 - 2024 through extensive fieldwork, interaction with multiple stakeholders from the Towns of Poultney and Wells, LSCA, PMNRCD, and Castleton University, to identify and prioritize projects, and follow-up analysis & design work.

The LSCA hired Fitzgerald Environmental Associates (FEA) in April 2022 to assist with the development of the watershed assessment and accompanying project prioritization and concept designs. LSCA later added limnologist Emily Porter-Goff and Professor Andrew Vermilyea of Castleton University to the project team. Fieldwork and data analysis was reviewed by VT DEC officials.

This was a massive undertaking, and we’d like to thank all who contributed to this project. We’d also like to note that the good work of PMNRCD has made our LWAP unique in VT by including assessments of our wetlands and forest blocks.

You can read more about the LSC Watershed Action Plan here: https://lakestcatherine.org/lsc-watershed-action-plan

Please join us at the meeting on June 4th!

Hey there LSC. Check out the just released 2025 Poultney Community Guidebook featuring articles about LSC and the LSCA which also includes fantastic photos from lake photographers Karen Velsor and Andrew Gioulis.

The Guidebook was just mailed to Poultney residents, and the digital version can be read here: https://www.nyvtmedia.com/sections/nyvt-media-lifestyle/articles/2025-poultney-community-guidebook?

Check it out.

Thanks to NYVT Media for the articles!

Hello LSC. We'd like to let you know about the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds (FOVLAP) Annual Lake Seminar, coming up on Friday, June 6th from 9 AM - 4 PM at the South Burlington Library Conference Room and via Zoom.

> About the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds

The Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds is a volunteer coalition of lake associations and individuals. From its inception in 1972 as an organization of lake associations in northern Vermont to its evolution into a statewide organization in 2001, the Federation remains dedicated to fostering water quality standards and preserving Vermont lakes, ponds, watersheds, and aquatic ecosystems for this and future generations.

The Lake St. Catherine Association is one of the 45+ member lake associations of FOVLAP, and 2 LSCA Trustees participate with FOVLAP as a Board Member and an Auxiliary Board Member.

> About FOVLAP's Annual Lake Seminar

The theme for this year's Lake Seminar is "Protecting and Restoring Lake Tributaries".

Water from the tributaries draining the surrounding watershed flows to our lakes. Depending on the land use within the watershed and particularly near these streams, the tributaries may carry pollution into the lake, in the form of excess nutrients, sediment, and other contaminants. This seminar will highlight stream science as well as practices aimed at reducing this pollution. These same practices help to improve flood resilience in the face of climate change.

This seminar will be jam-packed with interesting topics and speakers, including:

• An Update on Lake Issues - DEC Lakes and Ponds Manager, Jenny Austin
• Fundamentals of River Science - DEC River Scientist, Staci Pomeroy
• Headwater Protection to Improve Lake Health - DEC Lakes Scientist, Kellie Merrell
• Evaluating Habitat Function in Floodplain Natural Communities to Inform Restoration and Conservation Prioritization - UVM Research Assistant Professor, Elizabeth Doran
• Seed Saving for Floodplain Restoration – Northwoods Stewardship Center, Riparian Lands Program Assistant, Jake Gallinger
• Water Quality Impacts of De-icing Salt in Lake Champlain and Its Tributaries - Lead Scientist, Lake Champlain Basin Program, Matthew Vaughan
• Role of Beavers in Restoring Watersheds - Furbearer Program, VT Fish & Wildlife, Tyler Brown
• Role of Strategic Wood Placement – Trout Unlimited, Erin Rodgers
• Restoration through Dam Removal and River Reconnection - Vermont Natural Resources Council and Chair of the Vermont Dam Task Force, Karina Dailey
• How Can We Work Together to Protect Lake Tributaries? - Former VT Legislator, VT Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board, Trout Unlimited District Board, David Deen

Registration is required to attend the Seminar in-person or via Zoom. To RSVP and to see the full agenda, please click here: https://vermontlakes.org/event/2025-fovlap-lake-seminar/

We hope to see you there!

Good evening LSC, and Happy Mother's Day!

Our loon pair have been very active in their nesting area (see Dawn's photo from this morning), so the loon nesting signs have been put in place.

Photo: Dawn Smith-Pliner

The signs needed some refurb because they had exposed foam board for floatation, and the State's recent Act 121 bans the sale or use of expanded polystyrene foam (aka Styrofoam) that is not wholly encapsulated or encased within a more durable material the waters of the State. Per loon biologist Eric Hanson's recommendation, all the foam was replaced with cedar.

Eric also passed along his thoughts on what to expect from the loons this year: "It can take a 'new' pair several years to really establish themselves and the nesting cycle, and they won't nest every year, even for an established pair."

So, while they appear to have started the process of building a nest, we'll need to wait and see how they do!

Please be sure to give them their space, and PLEASE travel at no wake speed in the Channel.

Thanks, and keep your fingers crossed!

Finally, thank you to Dawn & Joel for storing the signs, and for keeping us up to date on the loon's activity.

Hello LSC. A few months ago we shared the sad news that long-time LSCA Trustee Frank Callahan passed away at his home on the lake on January 26th.

We have been informed by Frank Callahan's son that there will be a Celebration of Life gathering for Frank at their camp on Little Lake - 198 Clayton Tract - on Saturday, June 7th from 1 PM - 5 PM. Everyone is invited to stop in to share memories and remember Frank.

For many years, Frank also taught the boating safety education course so folks of all ages (12 and above) could earn their boater education card to be able to operate a motorized vessel. As a former teacher, he looked forward to administering these classes each year, and interacting with everyone in the lake community to help them pass the class. Over the years, he helped hundreds of people earn their boating card. Others may know Frank from his numerous years of working to maintain and deploy the lake's safety markers and buoys, and working with his 'Buoy Buddies' around the lake.

As a Trustee, a neighbor, and a friend, Frank was always willing to help out in any way he could, and always with a smile. He will be missed.

You also can read Frank's obituary, and post a memory here: https://www.robertsaubinfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Frank-L-Callahan?obId=35635440

Thank you.

Photo of Frank teaching a boating safety class in Poultney.

Please join us in thanking EVERYONE that came out for Green Up Vermont on Lake St. Catherine and in Wells & Poultney.

This was the biggest year yet with 70+ volunteers between the 2 towns that let us or the towns know where they were working, and you'll see filled Green Up bags are lined up along the roads ready to be picked up.

Some folks could not Green Up today, but will be working tomorrow, or earlier next week.

* Thank you all for your efforts! *

Here are some of the photos we have so far from today. If you have some, send them along and we'll add them to the gallery.

Also, a thank you to the Towns of Wells & Poultney, the The Wells Country Store, Noble Ace Hardware- Poultney VT, and the Poultney Rotary Club for helping out with the volunteer meetups in both towns.

Great job all!

Check out photos from the day on our Facebook page:

Wells Village Library and the Lake St. Catherine Association are hosting a reception Saturday, May 31st at 2:00 PM at the library to reveal their newly created Lake St. Catherine Watershed Model conceived and designed through a Libraries Love Lakes collaboration.

Libraries Love Lakes is an outreach project pairing schools and public libraries with lake scientists to promote collaborative and educational programming emphasizing the importance of lakes to our everyday lives. WVL and the LSCA sought and received funding for the project through a Lake Champlain Basin Program Education and Outreach Grant with support from NEIWPCC.

Constructed according to suggested specifications, digital designer Nic Stark (nicstark.com) skillfully brought to life the LLL vision for the 3’ x 6’ model. The educational goal is to effectively demonstrate impacts to lake health from several variables including stormwater runoff, shore erosion, and other environmental perturbations. It will also be an effective tool to show locations of prime habitat for eagles and other species. Finally, it will serve as visual representation of possible outcomes for planning and restoration purposes.

Please direct questions to Gina Ellis, Librarian, at wellslibraryvt@gmail.com or by phoning 802.645.0611. You may also email Jerremy Jones, Trustee, Lake St. Catherine Association at jerremy.jones@lakestcatherine.org.

Good morning LSC, we have some exciting news to share.

We are happy to report that we've just been informed by the State that we have earned a grant through the Aquatic Nuisance Control Grant-in-Aid Program for $25,000 to support our AIS (aquatic invasive species) prevention and control programs which include our Boat Launch Greeter Program, and our Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) Program.

About the Greeter Program:

Our Greeter Program is very important to the health of Lake St. Catherine. Our Greeters have been trained to identify aquatic invasive species (AIS) - like spiny waterflea, golden clams, water chestnut, starry stonewort and zebra mussels (and many others) - to stop them from entering LSC at the boat launch in Wells. They also educate boaters about the importance of looking for these invasives on their boat or trailer so they are not spread to LSC or another lake. Each year, they do a fantastic job checking vessels and educating the lake community on the dangers of invasive species for Lake St. Catherine. They are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day - working on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They also cover holidays and fishing tournaments. We are looking for Greeters for 2025, email us at info@lakestcatherine.org if you are interested.

Read more here: https://lakestcatherine.org/boat-launch-monitoring

About our DASH Program:

Our DASH crew provides milfoil control by suiting up in scuba gear and hand-pulling milfoil by the roots from the lakebed. In sections of lower milfoil density, they will swim the area and hand-pull with mesh bags. In higher density areas, they will set up the DASH equipment which allows them to suction the hand-pulled milfoil up through a tube to a catch table on a boat. Milfoil is then placed in 17.5 gallon buckets for transport off the lake.

Read more here: https://lakestcatherine.org/milfoil-control-program

While this funding is great news, it only partially funds these programs for the year. The remaining funding for these programs comes from our lake community through membership dues, additional contributions, and donations.

If you'd like to contribute to these important programs, please consider renewing your membership or becoming a member of the Lake St. Catherine Association, which you can learn more about on our website here: https://lakestcatherine.org/become-a-member

We have multiple membership levels, and you can also make a donation: https://lakestcatherine.org/donation

Thank you for your support of the LSCA and these important lake programs for Lake St. Catherine!