High lake levels and flooding have become more common each spring. Photo by Lori Fisher.

Global Warming



Most computer models predict an increase in precipitation in the Northeast as global temperatures rise. Furthermore, the intensity of precipitation events is likely to increase, meaning more rains of 1 inch or more. More intense storms will likely mean increases in flooding and erosion-related run-off. More erosion will lead to more nutrient pollution in the lake.

Chemically, decreases in the oxygen content of lake water will likely occur. Warm water holds less oxygen than cold water. Additionally, the longer duration of summer stratification will increase the likelihood of oxygen depletion in lower layers of the lake water. Such oxygen depletion occurs fairly regularly in the Northeast Arm of the lake.

Predicting biological changes in Lake Champlain as a result of global warming means attempting to integrate the impacts of all the physical and chemical change on each species and speculating about how they will affect that species’ interactions with other species. Fish will need to adapt because spawning in many species is triggered by optimum temperatures.  Earlier warming will mean earlier spawning. Perhaps more importantly, available habitat for cold-water species like trout and salmon could decrease, while habitat for warm-water species like bass could increase.

Lake Champlain Freezes Over Less Frequently

There has been a steady increase in the number of years in a given 10-year period when Lake Champlain failed to freeze over. 

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