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Shoreline Health 

Maintaining healthy shoreline properties is one of the easiest and most effective ways to ensure a healthy lake. Virtually everything people do on properties, that abut the lake and connecting streams & rivers, affects the water quality. Runoff from lawns, and impervious surfaces, such as driveways (paved & unpaved) roofs, decks, patios and roads can carry nutrients and sediment into the lake.  Use of fertilizers, mowing lawns all the way to the water’s edge, removing native vegetation and trees, and poorly maintained septic systems all contribute to nutrient and sediment loading into the lake.  Higher nutrient levels (i.e. phosphorus) result in cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), which produce toxins that are dangerous to humans and animals.  High nutrient levels also encourage excessive aquatic plant growth, especially of invasives such as Eurasian Watermilfoil.  Phosphorus levels in Lake Eden have been rising and the lake is currently considered to be  “stressed” as it relates to phosphorus levels. 

 

LEA volunteers provide educational information and help to shoreline property owners to help them develop best management practices, including developing shoreline buffers and planting native plants that will help reduce runoff from lawns. For more information, please refer to the Shoreline Protection Act.

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How can you make your property more Lake Friendly?

  •  Eliminate or minimize lawns; create “no Mow zones”

  •  Avoid fertilizer use on lawns & in gardens (use of phosphorus fertilizers is illegal in VT)

  •  Correct any areas of erosion and runoff on your property; especially in areas where water is running directly from your property and into the Lake

  •  Reduce amount of impervious surfaces: driveways (paved & unpaved), parking areas, roofs/buildings, decks, patio’s, etc.

  •  Maintain/plant vegetative buffers along shore line using native plants; this also provides habitats for fish and other wildlife and helps to cool the water

  •  Conserve areas of natural shoreline-DO NOT clear entire property shoreline to water’s edge.

  •  Resisting the urge to tidy up a “messy” shoreline will support a storm-resilient property and help contribute to a more vibrant lake overall.

  •  Participate in the Lake Wise program

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