t i - c.': REGULATION OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN

*! ENVIRONMENTAL APPENDIX 2

1 Reportto

International Joint Commission (under tk Reference of29 March 7973)

1 The International Champlain- Richelieu .1 B . Enginearing Board ' 1

REGULARISATION DU LAC CHAMPLAIN

ANNEXE ENVIRONNEMENTALE

La Commission mixte internationale (on vertu du mdndat du 29 mars 1973)

La Bureau technique international Champbin- Richelieu

ENVIRONMENTAL APPENDIX

A Preliminary Environmental Assessment for the Proposed ,< L,"wJ' Champlain-Richelieu Flood Control Project , (Canada), November 1973. , -76 Preliminary Assessment of Effects of Proposed Regulation of Lake Champlain Water Levels, (U . S . Section) ,ww~ebruary 1974.

\ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Preliminary Assessment of Proposed Regulation on Lake Champlain Water Levels, August 12, 1974.

13~' "y \

k-- - / Preliminary Assessment of Effects of Proposed Regulation on Lake / 1 Champlain and the Richelieu River, (Environmental Committee), -130 ,(

August 19, 1974. - I

Study Proposal and Cost Estimates for Evaluating Environmental Impact (- L; - let) Resulting from (U.S. Section I b of the

A PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE

PROPOSED CIb ' IhfPLAIN-RICHELIEU

FLOOD CONTROL P R O J E C T

S u b m i t t e d t o

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

INLAND WATERS DIRECTORATE

WATER PLANNING t i PlANAGEMENT BRANCH

on behalf of t h e -.

INTERNATIONAL J O I N T C O b N I S S I O N

by

T h u r l o w 6 A s s o c i a t e s

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL CONSULTANTS LTD.

N o v e m b e r 1973

E d i t e d by D . I . G i l l e s p i e E n v i r o n m e n t a l M a n a g e m e n t Service

E n v i r o n n ~ e n t C a n a d a

S E C T I O N 1 STUDY AREA

LAKE CHAMPJ,AIN

R I C I i E L I E l l R I V E R

S E C T I O N 2 RESOURCE BASE

PHYSIOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY

GENERAL PHYSIOGRAPHY BEDROCK GEOLOGY STRUCTURE GEOLOGY S U R F I C I A L GEOLOGY

VEGETATION - F O R E S T S

AQUATIC VEGETATION

W I L D L I F E

b1AMblAL S

MUSK RAT BEAVER W H I T E - T A I L E D DEER

B I R D S

WATERFO\\lL OTHER B I R D S

F I S H

B A S S , S m a l l m o u t h BASS, L a r g e m o u t h BROI\'M BULLHEAD FRESIIl\rATER DRUbl DCRE EE I, PERCI i F I K E LAKE STURGEON TROUT

6 AMI'l1I BlANS

FROGS

RESOURCE USE

ICE FISHING ON b1ISSISQUOI BAY

SECTION 3 ANALYSIS

GEOLOGY

VEGETATION

MUSKRAT

BEAVER

WHITE TAILED DEER

WATERFOWL

FISH

SUMMARY A!D LUJC:OLWlENDATIONS

SUMMARY

The proposed Champlain-Richelieu Flood Control Pro j e c t can

provide t h e oppor tuni ty of maintaining and perhaps enhancing t h e natura l

environment o f t h e Richelieu River system i f t h e r egu la t ion program a f fo rds

seasona l v a r i a t i o n s wi th in t h e range o f 93.5 t o 98 f e e t a s d e t a i l e d i n

t h i s r e p o r t .

One poss ib le adverse e f f e c t -- -- of - -- t h e ~ m g o s e d p r o j e c t is the __C___

_-

d e s t r u c t i o n o f t h e e e l f i s h e r y p resen t ly operated a t t h e S t . Jean d ' -_ -- ̂ - - -- - - "

I b e r v i l l e shoal by M. Thuot. _-_ -___ _ _ _ _- I - ---- - - - - - " -

The two most important furbearers i n t h e a rea - t h e muskrat

and t h e beaver - are suscep t ib le t o any s i g n i f i c a n t lowering o f water

l e v e l s a f t e r freeze-up. S imi lar ly , those organisms t h a t h i b e r n a t e

i n t h e mud bottom of t h e r i v e r and lake , and which provide a source of

food for many animal spec ies , would be adversely a f fec ted by any s i g n i -

f i c a n t change i n water l e v e l s throughout t h e winter months.

The marshes i n t h e study a r e a - Sabrevois, IIenryvil le and Pike

River - are pr imar i ly important a s s t ag ing areas f o r migrat ing waterfowl.

Although they a l s o provide nes t ing h a b i t a t i n t h e sp r ing , they a r e not

a s s i g n i f i c a n t i n t h i s regard as the marsh a t Sore1 o r those marshes i n

Vermont and N e w York associa ted with Lake Champlain.

Severa l important species of s p o r t f i s h occur i n t h e Richelieu

River. A v e r y s i g n i f i c a n t i c e f i s h i n g indust ry e x i s t s - mainly p ike and

perch - t h a t provides winter r ec rea t ion i n Missisquoi Bay. Most of them

a r e s p r i n g spawners t h a t r equ i re high water l eve l s i n t h e months of Apr i l ,

May and Junc . During t h e spawning period, t h e decrease i n water l eve l

should be ~radual .

Thc ;II.L>;~'s n a t u r a l rc'sourccs provide a wide v a r i e t y of rccsc-

a t ior la l p u r s u i t s including not only hunt ing and f i s h i n g bu t a l s o non-

consumptive uses such a s swimming, boa t ing , h ik ing and b i r d watching.

Nut r ien t enrichment of t h e water , r a p i d l y i n c r e a s i n g a s a r e s u l t

o f a g r i c u l t u r a l runoff and co t t age development, would be aggrava ted by

any s i g n i f i c a n t reduct ion i n summer flow. This i n t u r n could a c c e l e r a t e

growth o f nuisance a q u a t i c p l a n t s t h a t a l ready p r o h i b i t swimming and

boat ing i n c e r t a i n a r eas . However, t h e largemouth bas s would b e n e f i t

from t h e eu t roph ica t ion .

RECOWIENDATIONS

1. De ta i l ed mapping of t h e t h r e e main marshes should be c a r r i e d

o u t . This program should provide contours a t one f o o t i n t e r v a l s p l u s a

vege ta t ion d e s c r i p t i o n . Soundings and a p l a r$desc r ip t ion of t h e submergant '

p l a n t zone should a l s o be c a r r i e d ou t .

2. The 1973 s t u d i e s were l i m i t e d , s p a t i a l l y , t o t h a t p o r t i o n

o f t h e Champlain-Richelieu system between Missisquoi Bay and F r y e r ' s

Rapids. The dredging of S t . Jean Rapids w i l l r e s u l t i n s e a s o n a l l y h i g h e r

water v e l o c i t i e s below t h e proposed c o n t r o l s t r u c t u r e . The i n c r e a s e d

v e l o c i t i e s w i l l undoubtedly a l t e r t h e p l a n t and animal communities on t h e

Riche l ieu n o r t h o f S t . J ean d l I b e r v i l l e t o t h e confluence o f t h e R iche l i eu

and S t . Lawrence River. Erosion and sedimentat ion w i l l p robably i n c r e a s e ,

r e s u l t i n g i n a r e s t r u c t u r i n g of t h e d e l t a i c landform a t t h e confluence.

S t u d i e s should be designed t o measure t h e t o t a l environmental e f f e c t s

o f t h i s a l t e r e d flow p a t t e r n .

3 . Thc construct iol l of the cont ro l s t r u c t u r e a t S t . Jean

d q I b e r v i l l e w i l l des t roy the e x i s t i n g s i t e f o r the e e l f i s h e r y operat ion

of M. 'I'l~uot, although t h e r i v e r system will s t i l l function as a migrat ion

rou te f o r e e l s . A remedial s tudy should be designed t o determine i f

another loca t ion o r another technique f o r f i s h i n g could assu re M . Thuot

o f t h e continuance of t h i s f i she ry , t h a t has h i s t o r i c a l a s well a s economic

s ign i f i cance .

4. The e f f e c t s of domestic and i n d u s t r i a l p o l l u t i o n were evident

throughout t h e e n t i r e Champlain-Richelieu system. Weed growth was abun-

dant t o such an ex ten t t h a t i n some areas it was not poss ib le t o use

power boa t s o r s a i l boa t s .

S tud ies should be i n i t i a t e d m determine t h e e x t e n t and cause

o f eu t roph ica t ion and, furthermore, t h e e f fec t t h e proposed p r o j e c t w i l l

have on water q u a l i t y , where e x i s t i n g d a t a a r e scanty.

5 . I t would be o f b e n e f i t t o ca r ry out a d e t a i l e d f i s h e r y

s tudy of t h e e f f e c t s o f water l eve l f luc tua t ions on t h e more important

s p e c i e s such a s bass , p ike and perch. Through t h e c c l l e c t i o n o f s c a l e

samples during a c r e e l census, it may be poss ib le t o measure t h e e f f e c t s

o f d i f f e r e n t seasonal water l e v e l s on t h e reproductive s u r v i v a l of t h e f i s h .

' 6 A c r i t i c a l appra i sa l of b io log ica l condi t ions should be

extended t o inc lude v a r i a t i o n s over a t l e a s t a two year per iod .

Observation s t a t i o n s should be es t ab l i shed i n t h e following

areas : Chambly Basin, S t . Jean d t I b e r v i l l e , Quoibion, and Missisquoi

Bay.

7 . I t i s imperative, from an c l~v i ronn~en ta l v i e w p o i l ~ t , t o i n -

co rpo ra t e i n t o t h c r e g u l a t o r y schcme of the proposed f l o o d c o n t r o l program,

seasonal water l e v e l f l u c t u a t i o n s t h a t follow t h e n a t u r a l water regime.

Furthermore, t h e s e l e v e l s should d i f f e r from year t o yea r , and n o t reinain

f ixed .

- i v -

STUDY AREA

Tlie s tudy a r e a includes those lands i.n the Lakc Champlain-

Richel ieu River watershed a f fec ted by spr ing f looding, and ly ing on the

Canadian s i d e of the In te rna t iona l boundary north t o t h e s i t e of the

e x i s t i n g con t ro l s t r u c t u r e a t Fryer ' s I s land. (Maps 1 and 2 ) .

The Lake Champlain-Richelieu River watershed has a t o t a l a rea

o f 8,900 square mi les , loca ted p r i n c i p a l l y i n the S t a t e s of Vermont and

N e w York. Lake Champlain i s 436 square miles i n a rea , of which approxi-

mately 17 square mi les , (Missisquoi Bay) l i e s i n t h e Province o f Quebec.

LAKE CHAMP LAIN

Lake Champlain is a narrow body of water, o r i en ted on a nor th-

sou th a x i s , about 130 miles long and with a maximum width of some 11

miles . I t s maximum depth i s 399 f e e t . Low and high water e l e v a t i o n s

range between 94.03 f e e t and 103.78 f e e t r e spec t ive ly above s e a l e v e l .

The southern end of t h e lake i s connected with t h e Hudson River system

by t h e Hudson-Champlain canal which was opened i n 1819. * (Bio log ica l

Survey, 1930). Missisquoi Bay a t the northern end of the lake reaches

i n t o Canada and i s a warm, shallow body of water with abundant s h o r e l i n e

and a q u a t i c vege ta t ion .

RICHELIEU RIVER

The o u t l e t of Lake Champlain i s the Richelieu River. I t

empties i n t o t h e S t . Lawrence River a t Sore l , Quebec - 81 miles t o t h e

nor th . The r i v e r flows through a low r e l i e f p l a i n , dropping some 80

f e e t along i t s e n t i r e length. I t is shallow throughout most o f i t s

length, with a masiriium depth of 15 f e e t .

*Biologica l Survey of t h e Champlain Watershed, S t a t e of New York Conservation Department. Supplemental t o 19th Annual

e----------r 0 100

SCALE OF MILES

(MODIF:ED AFTER I.J.C. RPT. 19381

SCALE OF MILES

l\ct!cccn Lakc Champlr?in and S t . Je;in ( the area of inm1cdi;ltc

co i~ccrn) thc r i v e r is slo\\r moving, with dcrise aqua t i c v c g c t a t i o n ovcr.

a sand and mud bottom. I-lowever, from t h e shoal a t S t . J ean , do\vnstream

t o Chambly, t h e r i v e r flows r a p i d l y and it i s i n t h i s s t r e t c h t h a t most

of t h e 80 f o o t drop i n t h e r i v e r occurs .

Severa l marsh a reas of s i g n i f i c a n c e t o f i s h and w i l d l i f e occur

along t h e r i v e r . They inc lude t h e Sabrevois Marsh, t h e l l en ryv i l l e Marsh

along t h e South River , t h e marshy lowlands along t h e R iche l i eu Rivcr south

o f S t . Jean d l I b e r v i l l e , and t h e marsh a t t h e Pike River .

The Chambly Canal, b u i l t i n 1840 t o provide n a v i g a t i o n a l

f a c i l i t i e s p a s t t h e r ap ids of t h e Riche l ieu River, o r i g i n a t e s a t S t .

J ean d l I b e r v i l l e and ends downstream at t h e town o f Chambly. The r i v e r

proper has a dam loca t ed a t Chambly, which has no fishway a l though t h e

cana l i t s e l f a c t s e f f e c t i v e l y i n t h i s capac i ty .

SECTION 2 RESOURCE BASE

PHYSIOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY

GENERAL PHYSIOGRAPHY

The s tudy a r e a lies i n t h e e a s t e r n p a r t of t h e C e n t r a l S t .

Lawrence lowland phys iographic reg ion . The r e l i e f is l e s s t han 100

f e e t throughout , wi th t h e except ion of two h i l l s - Rougemont and Mount

Johnson.

The genera l appearance of t h e a r e a i s s i m i l a r t o t h e r e s t o f

t h e Ottawa-St. Lawrence lowlands, c o n s i s t i n g of a mixed hardwood f o r e s t

on outwash moraine over ly ing g e n e r a l l y f la t -bedded sedimentary rocks .

13l;Dl~O(; 1: [ ; lXLOGY

'The e n t i r e a r e a i s supported by l,o\vcr Pa leozoic s cd i mcntary

rocks t h a t cover t h e edge o f t h e Laurent ian c ra ton .

The Riche l ieu River flows over middle and upper Ordovician s h a l e s

and l imestones. That p o r t i o n of t h e r i v e r bottom from Chambly t o S t .

Jean d l I b c r v i l l e c o n s i s t s of s h a l e s of t h e Nicole t River format ion; from

S t . J ean d l I b e r v i l l e t o McGi l l iv i ray Bay, of t h e Lach ine - Ibe rv i l l e f o r -

mation; and from Isle-aux-Noix south t o t h e border o f t h e Stony Poin t

formation s h a l e s . In t h e sou theas t e rn p a r t o f t h e s tudy a r e a , t h e s e

s h a l e s a r e i n con tac t w f i chazy l imestone and t h e Lacol le conglomerate.

Rougemont and M t . Johnson, two o f t h e "Monteregion H i 11s" ,

a r e a l k a l i n e igneous i n t r u s i o n s of l a t e Cretaceous t o e a r l y T e r t i a r y age.

STRUCTURE GEOLOGY

North of S t . J ean d l I b e r v i l l e , t h e gross geologic s t r u c t u r e

i s t h a t of a wide, open s y n c l i n e , p i t c h i n g very g e n t l y n o r t h e a s t . I n

t h e Lacol le map area , g e n t l e f o l d s , plunging northward, a r e common e a s t

o f t h e r i v e r . They i n c r e a s e i n i n t e n s i t y eastwards towards t h e Sut ton

Mountains, which form t h e e a s t e r n boundary o f t h e lowlands a long a t h r u s t

f a u l t con tac t . ,

West of t h e r i v e r , a major no r th t r end ing , normal f a u l t - t h e

Tracy Brook f a u l t - has brought the Stony Poin t s h a l e s a g a i n s t t h e o l d e r

s t r a t a t o t he wes t . This f a u l t i s t runca ted by t h e wes t e r ly Delson f a u l t

which f ades o u t , sou theas t of S t . J ean d T I b e r v i l l e . The r i v e r c o n s t r i c -

t i o n a t S t . Jean d l I b e r v i l l e may be a s soc i a t ed wi th t h e s e f a u l t s .

S[IRl:J C l A L CI:oLo(;Y

The ~ g i o n has g l a c i a t e d more than once during P l e i s t o c c n c

t i n e s , bu t on ly evidence of $r Wisconsin episode remains. During t h c

P le i s toccnc g l a c i a t i o n s , i c e flow was from t h e S t . L,awrence Val ley towards

t h e Lake Champlain depress ion , a s shown by the south and southwest t r end ing

g l a c i a l s t r i a e .

The r eces s ion of t h e i c e around 12,000 years B.P.* was acconi-

panied by a p e r i g l a c i a l l ake which was succeeded by t h e Champlain Sea.

Th i s marine t r a n s g r e s s i o n ended about 9,000 years B.P.* Consequently,

t h e a r e a was o v e r l a i n by an ex tens ive till p l a i n , t h e upper p a r t o f which

was reworked by pos t g l a c i a l l a c u s t r i n e and marine a c t i o n . I t was a t

t h i s t ime t h a t sand and g r a v e l & p o s i t s were l e f t around M t . Johnson and

Rougemont.

Along t h e r i v e r bank, c l a y loam s o i l s have developed wi th sub-

sequent development of a t h i n s ~ p e r f i c i a l ' l a ~ e r of o rgan ic s o i l s i n t h e

swampy depress ions such a s occur nea r R i v i s r e du Sud.

VEGETATION-FORESTS

The Richelieu-Champlain a r e a l i e s wholly w i th in t h e S t . Lawrence

f o r e s t reg ion a s descr ibed by Rowe (1972). The dominant cover t y p e i s

comped of suga r maple, (Acer saccharum Marsh); and beech, (Fagus grandi -

f o l i a Ehrh . ) ; with i n t e r s p e r s i o n s o f red maple, (Acer rubrum L . ) ; yellow

b i r c h , (Betu la a l l e g h a n i e n s i s B r i t t o n ) ; whi te ash (Fraxinus americana L . ) ,

red and bu r oaks, (Quercus rub ra L. and Q. macrocarpa Michx.); l a r g e t o o t h

aspen, (Populus g rand iden ta t a Michx.); and basswood, ( T i l i a americana L.).

* BP - Before Present

In t h e s e t t l c d farm 1:lnds whilc clm, (Ulrnus --- americarla I,.) -

prcdominatcs, whilc small pure s t ands of black and s i l v e r maple (Accr ---

nigrum blichx. f . and - A . saccharittu~n L . ) a r e found on lowland s o i l s ; and

swamp type hardwoods such as black ash (Fraxinus n igra Marsh) occur on

the poorly drained lowlands.

AQUATIC VEGETATION

The increas ing use of f e r t i l i z e r s , i n recent years , on t h e

poorer s o i l s i n t h e lowland farms, coupled with a continuing program of

drainage d i t c h cons t ruct ion , has favoured development of numerous sub-

merged and r i p a r i a n aqua t i c p l a n t s i n t h e Richelieu River and Missisquoi

Bay. This condit ion of extreme eut rophica t ion (nu t r i en t enrichment)

is aggravated by t h e high r e c r e a t i o n a l use o f t h e r i v e r f r o n t and Missisquoi

Bay, p r i n c i p a l l y co t t age and camping developments.

Although n e i t h e r a d e f i n i t i v e nor an h i s t o r i c a l record of

vegeta t ion i n t h e Richel ieu r i v e r a r e a e x i s t s such a s i s contained i n

"A Biological Survey of t h e Champlain Watershed" (1929), t h e a v a i l a b l e

d a t a i n d i c a t e t h e vegeta t ion p a t t e r n i n the marshes of t h e Richelieu

River i s s i m i l a r t o t h a t o f t h e Lake Champlain area .

During t h e f i e l d inves t iga t ions of a l l t h r e e marshes i n t h e

study a rea , an abundance of common aqua t i c p lan t s were observed. They

included:

Buttonbush

Looses t r i fe

Pickere l Weed

Wild Rice

Ceohalanthus occ iden ta l i s

Lythrum s a l i c a r i a

Pontederia cordat a

Zizania aquat ica

Arrow 1Icnrl

Barnyard Grass Echinocliloa c r u s - g a l l i ---- --

Bur-reed Sparganium w. -

C a t t a i l (narrow-leaved) Typha a n g u s t i f o l i a - L .

C a t t a i l (common) Typha l a t i f o l i a - L.

Flowering Rush

Duckweed

Butomus umbel.latus L . -

Lemna minor L . ---

Pondweed Potamogeton a. Whitish wa te r -mi l fo i l Myriophyllum --- exalbescens Fernold

Canada water-weed Elodea canadens i s

Bladderwort ~ t r i c u l a r i a z. Hornwort - . Ceratophyllum demersum

H o r s e t a i l Equisetum 2.

A comparison o f t h i s l i s t with t h e p l a n t s recorded i n Lac S t .

Louis and t h e Montreal a r e a by Pageau e t a1 (1971) would sugges t t h e

gene ra l a r r a y of a q u a t i c s i n both reg ions t o be s i m i l a r .

Furthermore, a reconnaissance i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h e Sandbar

r e f u g e i n Vermont and d a t a from t h e b i o l o g i s t s i n Vermont and New York

suppor t s t h e view t h a t e x i s t i n g vege ta t ive p a t t e r n s throughout t h e s tudy

a r e a a r e comparable.

WILDLIFE

The known range of some 50 s p e c i e s of mammals ex tends i n t o t h e

s t u d y a r e a (Appendix "A").

For t h i s s tudy , however, only those s p e c i e s . o f economic and

r e c r e a t i o n a l importance o r whose l i f e cyc l e is a f f e c t e d by changing water

l e v e l s were cons idered .

hlAhL~l.\I,S

'I'wo spcc i c s of mr~mmals a r c obviously t i e d t o t h e water regi~nc

of t h e Champlain-Richelieu system - t h e muskrat and t h e beaver . The former

i s t h e a r e a ' s most product ive f u r bea re r i n terms of numbers ha rves t ed

and t o t a l d o l l a r va lue .

h1USKRAT (Onda t r a z i b e t h i c a ) - --

The muskrat i s probably t h e most common f u r b e a r e r s p e c i e s i n t h e

Lake Champlain-Richelieu a r e a . The Lake Champlain muskrat, h i s t o r i c a l l y ,

has commanded t o p p r i c e s on t h e f u r market competing with t h e famed

Mackenzie De l t a " ra t" .

Muskrats p r e f e r slow moving s t reams, low-lying l a k e s , and ponds.

Three such h a b i t a t s occur i n t h e s tudy a r e a , namely, t h e Sab revo i s , Henry-

v i l l e and Pike River (Missisquoi) marshes.

T h e i r presence i n marshes nay be d e t e c t e d by t h e c o n i c a l houses

which they b u i l d o f marsh vege ta t ion , t y p l c a l l y 2-3 f e e t above water l e v e l .

They tend t o b u i l d t h e i r houses ' a t t h e end o f October and t h e beginning

o f November i n t h e R iche l i eu River a r ea . ( I r v i n Loyer, p e r s . comm.).

If adverse water cond i t i ons p r e v a i l dur ing t h e pe r iod o f house b u i l d i n g ,

t hey may forego c o n s t r u c t i o n and overwinter i n bank dens.

Muskrats a r e p r i m a r i l y a q u a t i c , depending on c a t t a i l s , r u shes ,

water l i l i e s and p i c k e r e l weed f o r both food and b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l s . On

occas ion , t hey w i l l supplement t h e i r d i e t with clams, f r o g s and f i s h .

There i s no d e t a i l e d information on muskrat popu la t ion numbers

f o r t h e Champlain-Richelieu a rea . However, some measure of t h e popula t ion

may be obta ined from t h e t r app ing records . These were a v a i l a b l e through

t h e Quebec Min i s t s r e du Tourisme de l a Chasse e t de l a PGche f o r t h e yea r s

1!,71-72 a n ~ l 197 '2-73 . 111 bo th thc* ,c y e a r s , t h c a iushra ' t ' c, ccononli c i ~ l ~ p o r t a n c c

14;)s s i ! : n i f i c ; ~ ~ ~ t r c l n t i v c t o a l l ot l lcs s p e c i c s . ?'hc value of 1111lskrat

p c l t s i n t h c Riche l icu a r e a f o r t h e two year pcr iod exceeded $156,000.00.

In t h a t same per iod t h e value of muskrat p e l t s f o r t h e e n t i r e

province was approximately $800,000.00. The ha rves t i n t h e R iche l i ev

a r e a r ep re sen ted 14.7% and 24.7% of t h e t o t a l p r o v i n c i a l h a r v e s t , i n t h e

yea r s of 1371-72 and 1972-73, r e s p e c t i v e l y .

BEAVER (Castor canadensis]

The beaver i s recognized a s t h e bread and b u t t e r f u r b e a r e r

throughout most of Canada. I t has been t r a d i t i o n a l l y second only t o t h e

muskrat i n d o l l a r va lue i n t h e Riche l ieu a r e a except i n 1972-73 when

t h e demand f o r long f u r r e s u l t e d inraccoons commanding remarkable p r i c e s .

Although o f t e n considered a nuisance animal because o f i t s

h a b i t s o f c u t t i n g down t r e e s and damming s treams, t h e beaver g e n e r a l l y

u t i l i z e s low-grade timber and t h e dams seldom f lood prime a g r i c u l t u r a l

l and . I t does, however, p l ay an important r o l e i n provid ing good h a b i t a t

f o r muskrat, mink, and o t t e r as a d i r e c t r e s u l t of i t s dam b u i l d i n g .

Beaver r e q u i r e r e l a t i v e l y s t a b l e water l e v e l s a t h e i g h t s ade-

qua te f o r s h e l t e r and s a f e access t o a food supply.

The b e a v e r ' s p r e f e r r e d food s p e c i e s a r e aspen, r ed maple, p o p l a r

and b i r c h , a l though they w i l l e a t almost any woody m a t e r i a l i n w i n t e r ,

and duckweed, pond l i l i e s and g ra s ses i n summer, i f t h e i r p r e f e r r e d s p e c i e s

a r e i n s h o r t supply.

Local rcr;i Jcnts and trnl);)crscoonsidcr tl:c I '\icliclicu I:ivc.~- bc;:ver

t o bc p lcn t iCul . Ovcs 100 beaver \wre t r a p p e d i n t h c a r c a i n ccicll of thc

two years 1971-72 and 1972-73.

Added t o t h e va lue o f t h e p e l t s (approximately $2,500 and $4,000

i n 1971-72 and 1972-73 r e s p e c t i v e l y ) t h e c a s t o r glcinds a r e d r i e d and Arc& '

marketed t o t h e perfume i n d u s t r y at ' some $30 p e r pound. The c a s t o r gland

of a beaver can weigh up t o a q u a r t e r of a pound, be fo re d r y i n g .

WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus v i rg in i anus )

The w h i t e - t a i l e d d e e r has always had a p l ace of h igh esteem

i n t h e minds o f Canada's sportsmen. In t h e Champlain-Richelieu a r e a

however, t h e r e i s r e l a t i v e l y l i t t l e s u i t a b l e habi ta t . a v a i l a b l e f o r t h i s

s p e c i e s . Thus, it is u n l i k e l y t h a t dee r w i l l eve r become abundant i n t h e

Upper Riche l ieu River Val ley. The a r e a i s c l a s s i f i e d under t h e Canada

Land Inventory program a s having moderately high c a p a b i l i t y f o r dee r

i n i s o l a t e d pockets , t o moderately low c a p a b i l i t y i n a r e a s a d j a c e n t t o t h e

major marsh a r e a s . The ma jo r i t y o f t h e a r e a is of moderate c a p a b i l i t y .

In a l l c a ses , t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e land which l i m i t i t s use fu lnes s

f o r producing s u i t a b l e food and cover a r e excess ive s o i l mo i s tu re and

poor d i s t r i b u t i o n o f landforms necessary f o r optimum ungu la t e h a b i t a t .

I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e a r e a having only moderate c a p a b i l i t y f o r d e e r , t h e

ma jo r i t y o f land under t h i s c l a s s i f i c a t i o n i s now under a g r i c u l t u r e , t hus

reducing t h e a c t u a l d e e r popula t ion t o a minimum.

B I1:IlS

\t1ATERI:OWL

H i s t o r i c a l l y t h e s tudy a r e a has been known f o r i t s waterfowl

popula t ions o f both dabbl ing and d iv ing ducks. The loc.al duck popu la t ion

i s s easona l ly supplemented by a major i n f l u x of b i r d s u s ing t h e a r e a

a s a migra t ion-s tag ing area . Despi te t h e heavy use of t h e a r e a by l o c a l

and r eg iona l h u n t e r s , t h e l o c a l product ion s t i l l manages t o exceed t h c

ha rves t . The dominant n e s t i n g spec i e s a r e Black Duck (Anas - r u b r i p e s ) ,

Blue-Winged Teal (Anas d i s c o r s ) , and Wood Duck (Aix - sponsa) . The migrants

which add t o t h e l o c a l popula t ion inc lude P i n t a i l (Anas -- a c u t a ) , Mallard

(Anas p la tyrhynchos) , Ring-Necked Duck (Aythya co l1a r i s ) and Common Golden-

eye (Bucephala c l angu la ) . Missisquoi i s p a r t i c u l a r l y s i g n i f i c a n t a s a

s topover a r e a f o r t h e g r e a t e r snow goose (Chen hyperborea) which i n r e c e n t

yea r s has experienced a major popula t ion expansion (D. Heyland, p e r s .

comm . ) Waterfowl, l i k e muskrats , r e q u i r e s t a b l e water l e v e l s dur ing

two c r i t i c a l p e r i o d s , a l though seasonal f l u c t u a t i o n s a r e i n d i r e c t l y bene-

f i c i a l . The two c r u c i a l per iods occur from e a r l y June t o mid J u l y when

t h e duckl ings a r e hatched and developing a s j uven i l e s , and l a t e summer

when t h e a d u l t s a r e moulting.

The prime waterfowl a r e a s de l inea t ed on maps a r e t h e Sabrevois

Marsh, t h e e a s t sho re o f t h e Riche l ieu River above t h e Menryvi l le Marsh

and t h e mouth of t h e Pike River e n t e r i n g Missisquoi Bay. These t h r e e

a r e a s have very s l i g h t l i m i t a t i o n s t o waterfowl product ion. In a d d i t i o n ,

t hey s e r v e a s important s t a g i n g a reas during spr ing and f a l l mig ra t ion .

The e n t i r e Riche l ieu River south of S t . Jean d t I b e r v i l l e and

Missiquoi Bay a l s o s e r v e a s an iniportant s t ag ing a rcn even though product ion

i s l i m i t e d .

There a r c t h r e e a r c a s t h a t have moderate l imi t a t io r l s f o r water-

fowl production due t o adverse topography and reduced marsh edges. These

a r e l oca t ed around t h e Baie de Venise, on t h e west s i d e of bl iss isquoi

Bay n e a r t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l border and on t h e west s i d e of t h e R iche l i eu

River n e a r 1 ,acol le . They a r e a r e a s which w i l l be most adve r se ly a f f c c t c d

by low water l e v e l s , s i n c e t h e i r marsh edges would become non-ex j s t en t .

OTHER BIRDS

U n t i l r e c e n t l y , p o l i c i e s concerning w i l d l i f e mmgement t h a t

p e r t a i n e d s p e c i f i c a l l y t o such groups a s waterfowl and upland game b i r d s

emphasized t h e consumptive use o f t h e r e sou rces , namely, hunt ing .

However, Government agancies have become i n c r e a s i n g l y aware

o f t h e p u b l i c ' s p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e non-consumptive u s e o f t h e r e sou rce

base . Such a c t i v i t i e s inc lude outdoor photography, h ik ing , b i r d watching

and f eed ing o f animals . These a c t i v i t i e s u t i l i z e , i n a d d i t i o n t o water-

fowl and upland game b i r d s , a l l o t h e r indigenous spec i e s .

This s tudy d i d no t inc lude any d e t a i l e d i n v e s t i g a t i o n s o f b i r d

s p e c i e s o t h e r than waterfowl. However, i n t h e course o f t h e f i e l d surveys ,

c e r t a i n s p e c i e s were observed t h a t could be adverse ly a f f e c t e d by f l u c -

t u a t i n g water l e v e l s . These included such groups a s herons, b i t t e r n s ,

ra i ls , g a l l i n u l e s and b l ackb i rds .

FISH

yr

Surveys by Pageau e t a 1 (1971) show a f i s h fauna ' resembling -

b u t n o t i d e n t i c a l t o t h e one o f t h e Riche l ieu River. For i n s t a n c e , Esox

americanus vermicula tus o f ' l ake S t . Louis i s rep laced i n t h e Champlain-

R ichc l i cu watershed by i t s cousin - Esox -- americanus americanus. Somc 72

s p e c i e s a r e indigenous t o t h e a r c a (Appendix "B") . Howcvcr, t h e abundance

of i nd iv idua l spcc i e s has been a f f e c t e d s i g n i f i c a n t l y i n reccrit yea r s

by environmental changes due t o increased p o l l u t i o n loads e n t e r i n g t h e

r i v e r .

The e x t a n t f i s h s p e c i e s can be subdivided i n t o two groups:

- s p o r t f i s h and those of economic importance

- o t h e r spec i e s such a s s t i ck l ebacks (Gas t e ros t e idae ) , minnows

(Cyprinidae) , d a r t e r s (Percidae) and suckers (Catostomidae) .

This l a t t e r group c o n s i s t s of spec i e s of commercial s i z e t h a t

a r e no t considered a s s p o r t f i s h but p l ay an impor tan t r o l e

i n t h e ecosystem..

There a r e t e n t o twelve spec i e s of f i s h occurr ing i n t h e s tudy

a r e a t h a t a r e s i g n i f i c a n t e i t h e r a s a food o r s p o r t f i s h . Theseare con-

s i d e r e d i n t h i s s e c t i o n , l i s t e d i n a l p h a b e t i c a l o rde r by common name,

i r r e s p e c t i v e of t h e i r sys t ema t i c r e l a t i o n s h i p s .

BASS, Smallmouth (Achigan 2 p e t i t e bouche) Micropterus dolomieui

This s p e c i e s i s u s u a l l y found i n r i v e r s with moderate c u r r e n t s

and occas iona l ly i n l akes . I t i s t h e most popular s p o r t s p e c i e s i n t h e

a r e a and i s known t o a t t a i n a weight o f s i x pounds.

Male bas s prepare a n e s t by c leaning g rave l on t h e r i v e r bottom,

i n s h e l t e r e d p l a c e s , p repa ra to ry t o egg depos i t ion by t h e female. Only

t h e male guards t h e eggs and p r o t e c t s t h e young f r y f o r some t ime a f t e r

ha tch ing . This type o f p a r e n t a l ca re i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h e b a s s fami ly ,

Gen t r a rch idae ) . hiore information on t h e breeding h a b i t s o f t h i s s p e c i e s

i s given by Hubbs and Bai ley (1938), and Mertan and Speaker (1951) and

S c o t t (1967).

Rcproductivc a c t i v i t y s t a r t s when the water temperature reaches

0 about 60 F a t the end of May o r ea r ly June. Nests a r e usua l ly located

c l o s e t o t h e shore i n water of 2 ~ 3 f e e t i n depth and occas ional ly a s deep

as t e n f e e t . Bass a r e dormant i n the period of l a t e f a l l (November) t o

t h e end of winter .

BASS, Largemouth (Achigan B grande bouche) Micropterus -- selmoides

This species i s t h e l a r g e s t of t h e basses, reaching e i g h t pounds

and i s an e x c e l l e n t s p o r t f i s h . I t s h a b i t a t i s t y p i c a l l y weedy lakes

o r q u i e t bays of r i v e r s . I t i s somewhat s i m i l a r t o t h e smallmouth bass

i n l i f e h a b i t s and f o r t h i s reason, both species a r e combined f o r a n a l y t i c a l

purposes.

BROWN BULLHEAD (Barbotte brune) I c t a l u r u s nebulosus

In s p i t e o f i t s small s i z e t h i s i s a popular s p o r t and commercial

spec ies . I t spawns i n t h e sp r ing (blay-June) i n shallow and weedy waters ,

both parents p ro tec t ing t h e eggs and young.

CHANNEL CATFISH (Barbue) I c t a l u r u s punctatus

This is t h e l a r g e s t of t h e c a t f i s h e s reaching a weight of some

37 pounds. Especia l ly l a rge f i s h a r e found i n Missisquoi Bay. I t i s a

popular s p o r t and commercial species t h a t can survive i n s lugg i sh and

murky waters , but p r e f e r s c l e a r lakes and f a i r l y swi f t water .

I t is s i m i l a r t o t h e Bullhead i n breeding behaviour except t h a t

it spawns a l i t t l e l a t e r when water temperatures a r e somewhat h igher .

F R S l i K l l I l l ( I I c i a ) - A 2 1 o ~ l i liotu.. gr~~nnicr l t i

Th i s spec i c s i s founcl i n t h e upper reaches of t h e R ichc l i cu

River and around bl iss isquoi Bay, c s p c c i a l l y i n t h e Pike River . I t i s o f

l imi t ed s p o r t and cconomic vz lue , a ~ d i s no t considercd i n t h e impact

a n a l y s i s .

DORE (Dor6 j aune) S t i z o s t e d i o n -- vitrewn

Th i s is a va luable s p o r t and con~mercial spec i e s a t t a j i i i n g a weight

of 15 pounds i n t h e a r e a . I t i s an e a r l y spr ing spawner, l a y i n g i t s eggs

i n A p r i l , over shal low and r ap id s e c t i o n s of t he r i v e r . I t s c g g s x c

a t t achcd t o t h e bottom and thus a r e extrcrnely s u s c e p t i b l e t o s i l t c a r r i e d

by f lood waters .

EEL (Anguil lz) Angui l la r o s t r a t a

Th i s i s an important economic spec i e s of t h e R i c h e l i e u River

bu t is no t e x t e n s i v e l y u t i l i z e d a s a s p o r t f i s h . A t S t J e a n d l I b e r v i l l e ,

a well-known e e l f i s h e r y , which has e s t a b l i s h e d se ignory r i g h t s , i s opera ted

by Thuot and Goyette Company. I t has e x i s t e d f o r about 100 y e a r s . The

f i s h i n g gea r c o n s i s t s of 1,200 f e e t of wooden fence which i s a t t a c h e d

by i r o n llooks t o i r o n eyes sunk i n t o t h e r i v e r bed. The i n s t a l l a t i o n o f

t h e s e t r a p s i s u s u a l l y c a r r i e d out i n t h e l a t t e r h a l f o f May when t h e

water l e v e l i s about 30 inches above t h e r i v e r bed. High wa te r i n 1973

prevented t h e ope ra t ion of t h i s f i s h e r y . The f i s h i n g season ex tends from

t h e end of May t o t h e middle of October. Average y e a r l y ca t ches a r e about

100,000 pounds. A t t h e p re sen t h igh p r i c e f o r e e l s t h i s c a t c h r e a l i z e s

a revenue of some $40,000.00.

V.D. Vlaclykov tagged and l i b c r n t c d 504 c c l s caught bctwecn

23-29 J u l y 1.946 a t S t . J ean d ' l b e r v i l l c , 12% of which wvre r ecap tu red ,

around Quebec C i t y . One f i s h was re taken i n Lake Champlain.

The proposed dam s i t e i s loca t cd a t t h e exac t l o c a t i o n o f t h e

p re sen t e e l f i s h e r y .

PERCH (Perchaude) -- Pcrca f l avescens

Th i s i s a f a v o r i t e s p o r t spec i e s f o r fisherman of a l l ages ,

p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e win te r months, reaching a maximum s i z e o f 1; pounds.

In Missisquoi Bay, i c e f i s h i n g accounts f o r a ca tch i n excess

of 1 m i l l i o n perch each season. (Pageau, 1973).

I t spawns i n shal low water around t h e edges of r i v e r s and l a k e s ,

i n A p r i l and May. The eggs a r e d i p o s i t e d i n r i bbon- l ike s t r a n d s on a q u a t i c

vegetation.

PIKE (Brochets)

There a r e t h r e e s p e c i e s o f p i k e i n t h e a r e a t h a t a r e important

as s p o r t f i s h . The most s i g n i f i c a n t is t h e no r the rn p ike , (Esox -- l u c i u s ) ,

e s p e c i a l l y as a s p e c i e s u t i l i z e d during t h e win te r . I t i s a combative

s p o r t f is11 reaching about 20 pounds i n weight.

The cha in p i c k e r e l , (Esox n i g c r ) t h a t may reach a weight of 8

pounds a l s o provides s p o r t f i s h i n g p o t e n t i a l . The l a r g e s t o f a l l t h e

P ike - t h e maskinongg - (Esox masquinongy) i s l e s s common and docs not

c o n s t i t u t e a major p o r t i o n of t h e annual ca tch . A l l p i k e s p e c i e s spawn

i n t h e s p r i n g . The e a r l i e s t spawner i s - Esox l u c i u s , which s t a r t s t o move

t o f looded a r e a s a s soon a s t h e i c e is broken (April-May). I t d e p o s i t s

eggs ove r flooded land , sometimes s e v e r a l mi l e s fro111 t h e r e g u l a r r i v e r

sho re . The o t h e r two s p e c i e s spawn p r i n c i p a l l y i n r i v c r o u t l e t s , about

t h e cnd o f May o r c n r l y .Ju~:e.

LAKE STIJR(;I:ON (Esturgeon dc l a c ) ~2cil)cnscr -- fu lvesccns

' rhis i s t h e largest fresll\liatei- spcc i e s rcaching a weight of

100 pounds. I t has become very r a r e dur ing t h e l a s t 10 y e a r s , a l though

i t i s s t i l l caught occas iona l ly i n Lake Champlain. In t h e R iche l i eu

River i t i s occas iona l ly taken i n e e l t r a p s a t S t . J ean d 1 I b e r v i l l e .

T h i r t y years ago it was caught both by sportsmen and comnercial fishermen

TROUT ( T r u i t e s )

Three spec i e s a r e occas iona l ly caught i n t h e R iche l i cu River :

speckled t r o u t (Sa lve l inus -- f o n t i n a l i s ) , - brown t r o u t (Salmo t r u t t a ) and

rainbow t r o u t (Salmo g a i r d n e r i ) . The l a t t e r two s p e c i e s a r e maintained

by a c t i v e s tock ing programs, by t h e Min i s t s r e de Tourisme de l a Chasse

e t de l a Pzche. A l l t h e s e s p e c i e s a r e r e g u l a r l y found i n co ld l akes and

do no t p l a y a s i g n i f i c a n t r o l e i n t h e s p o r t f i s h e r y of t h e immediate

a r e a . Consequently, they a r e no t included i n t h e impact a n a l y s i s .

AMPHI BIAIVS

FROGS

H i s t o r i c a l l y , an ex tens ive f rog c o l l e c t i n g o p e r a t i o n e x i s t e d

i n t h e R iche l i eu River around I le -aux-noix . These were c o l l e c t e d f o r

l abo ra to ry use and t h e r e s t a u r a n t t r a d e and personal consumption. Green

f r o g s , (Rana c lami tans) , leopard f rogs (Rana p i p i e n s ) and b u l l f r o g s (Rana - catesbei.ana)were t h e p r i n c i p a l commercial spec i e s .

During August many thousands of f rogs were caught around t h e

r i v e r shores and brought t o s p e c i a l "formsu. The forms, narrow d i t c h e s ,

were dug, f i l l e d wi th water and t h e bottom was covered by sand. Cold

weather Io-isccd thc l'rogs t o bury thcmselvcs i n t h e sand whcre they spent

t h e win tc . r months. Thc f rog co l l cc to r , upon r ece iv ing i n s t ruc t . i 011s t o

s h i p s e v e r a l thousand l i v e f rogs t o Chicago and o t h e r markets i n t h e United

S t a t e s , would d i g t h e f r o g s out of t h e forms.

Iiowever, r e c e n t d a t a i n d i c a t e t h a t f rogs , due t o t h e d e s t r u c t i o n

of t h e i r h a b i t a t by dra inage programs, chernical wastes , and i n s c c t j c ides ,

may be undergoing a s eve re d e p l e t i o n i n numbers throughout Canada.

RESOURCE USE

Severa l o f t h e resource bases descr ibed i n t h e preceding s e c t i o n s

a r e u t i l i z e d f o r r e c r e a t i o n a l purposes and/or con~mercial e x p l o i t a t i o n .

I t i s t h e purpose o f t h i s s e c t i o n t o summarize t h e s e uses s o t h a t a f u l l

app rec i a t ion o f t h e environmental impact assessment may be p u t i n t o per -

s p e c t i v e .

The most obvious u s e o f e x i s t i n g r e sou rces t h a t occur i n t h e

s tudy a r e a a r e f i s h i n g , hunt ing and t r app ing . The presence o f a la rge

and a c t i v e organizat i 'bn - The Assoc ia t ion I n d u s t r i e l l e de Chasse e t P6che

i n S t . J e a n d l I b e r v j l l e - b e a r s wi tness t o t h e s i g n i f i c a n t r o l e o f t h e s e

a c t i v i t i e s i n t h e r e c r e a t i o n a l u se o f t h e a r e a .

Furthermore, an unknown b u t i nc reas ing number of non-consumptive

r e sou rce u s e r s enjoy t h e scenery , t h e f l o r a and t h e fauna by means of

co t t ag ing , h ik ing , d r i v i n g and boat ing .

In r e c e n t y e a r s , t h e r e has been a marked i n c r e a s e i n c o t t a g e

and camping developmcnts along both shores of t h e r i v e r and i n bl iss isquoi

Bay. In a d d i t i o n , t h e number o f people who have turned t o b o a t i n g a s a

form o f r e c r e a t i o n has increased s i g n i f i c a n t l y over t h e p a s t fc\v yea r s

throughout Canada and t h e U.S.A., with t h e Champlain-Richelieu a r e a being

no except i on.

For cxan~plc, n!~prorrlrnateljr f i f t y p leasure c r a f t u se a dock

on t h e Pikc Kiver , oijlned and opcr::tcd by N6r6e L::rochelle every weckcnd

and ho l iday dur ing t h e open water perLod.

The Chambly Canal accolnmodates approxi inately 3,000 p l e a s u r e

c r a f t p e r y c i r and t h e increased use has neces s i t a t ed c o n s i d e r a t i o n by t h e

Canals Branch of t h e Canada Department of Indian and Northern A f f a i r s t o

en l a rge and improve t h e f a c i l i t i e s .

However, t h e recreational u t i l i z a t i o n of t h e Ricl ic l ieu Iliver

has had adverse s i d e e f f e c t s i n t h e form of increased e u t r o p h i c a t i o n .

The water jn both t h e r i v e r and Missisquoi Bay is a t t imes very murky

with a green co lo r due t o t h e growth of a l g a e , p r i n c i p a l l y Anabaena.

Any s i g n i f i c a n t r educ t ion i n water flow,in conjunct ion wi th t h e h igh

concen t r a t ions of f e r t i l i z e r s , de t e rgen t s and sewage would l e a d t o t h e

a c c e l e r a t i o n of t h e p r e s e n t l y high s t a t e of eu t roph ica t ion and would be

de t r imen ta l t o wa te r -o r i en t ed r e c r e a t i o n a l a c t i v i t i e s .

During t h e f i e l d i n v e s t i g a t i o n s , s e v e r a l r e s i d e n t s s t a t e d they

could no longer use t h e i r s a i l boa t s i n c e r t a i n s t r e t c h e s o f t h e r i v e r ,

because of t h e t h i c k pa tches of submerged vegeta t ion .

ICE FISHING ON MISSISQUOI BAY

During t h e l a s t t e n years t h e win ter angl ing p r e s s u r e on

Missisquoi Bay has shown a twenty-fold inc rease . In r e c e n t y e a r s t h e r e

were over 400 s h a n t i e s on t h e bay. An est imated 50,000 f ishermen o r

approximately 17,000 f i s h i n g groups ( 3 men per p a r t y be ing average) spen t

176,000 hours f i s h i n g . A f i s h i n g group spends approximately $10. p e r

day f o r acces s , shanty r e n t a l and bait , which i s an expendi ture i n t h e a r e a

of c l o s e t o $170,000 be fo re t h e p r i c e of gas , food, acconin~odation and

n~ i sce l l aneous expenses a r e cons idered .

Thc two mzjor spcc jos caught dur ing t h e win te r a r e no r the rn

p ikc and pcrch. Approximately 1 m i l l i o n perch and 35,000 p i k e a r c takcn

p e r anr,um (G. Pageau, p e r s . comm. ) .

SECTION 3 ANALYSIS

To i d e n t i f y c r i t i c a l resource f e a t u r e s i n t h e s tudy a r e a , and

a s s e s s t h e impact of t h e proposed f lood con t ro l p r o j e c t on them, a matr ix

was designed s p e c i f i c a l l y f o r t h e Cham@in-Richelieu River Cont ro l P r o j c c t .

I t forms t h e b a s i s of t h e resource a n a l y s i s .

Th i s sub - sec t ion p r e s e n t s t h e theory behind t h e development

o f t h e mat r ix and t h e components of t h e a n a l y t i c a l p rocess .

A l l t h e r e sou rces considered s i g n i f i c a n t t o t h e a r e a and t h a t

might be a f f e c t e d by flow r e g u l a t i o n were l i s t e d along t h e t o p o f t h e

mat r ix . For t h e purposesof t h i s r e p o r t t hey included Beaver, Fluskrat,

Waterfowl, Northern Pike, Large and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Perch,

Brown Bullhead and t h e American Eel.

Although t h e choice o f s p e c i e s was s u b j e c t i v e , d i s c u s s i o n s

w i t h o t h e r members of t h e environmental sub-committee i n d i c z t e d t h e i r

u se o f an e s s e n t i a l l y s i m i l a r l i s t . P l a n t s p e c i e s , a l though desc r ibed

i n t h e "Resource" s e c t i o n , were not included i n t h e mat r ix p e r s e , b u t

r a t h e r , were considered as a h a b i t a t component f o r each animal s p e c i e s .

Along t h e l e f t s i d e of t h e mat r ix a range o f water l e v e l s a t one f o o t

i n t e r v a l s , from 102 f e e t t o 92 f e e t were l i s t e d .

'I'llc d c s i g n f o r thc ~ ! i a t r i x is shol~11 i n I:igurc.s 1-12. l:;~cli c l \ l l

undcr a given resourcc conta ins two f i g u r e s . 'I'llc dcnolninator - t h c a r c a ' s

c a p a b i l i t y t o support t h e resourcc under optimum cond i t i ons - i s ass igned a

numbcr 1 t o 10, 1 be ing t h e lowest and 10 t k h i g h e s t . Optimum is used

i n t h e sense t h a t t h e water l e v e l s a r e of t h e t y p i c a l average year . The

numerator - t h e a r e a ' s c a p a b i l i t y t o s l p p o r t t h e resource under 3 givnn

condi t ion o f water l e v e l - i s s i m i l a r l y assigned a number from 1 t o 10.

Unlike t h e f i g u r e s of t h e denominators which remain cons t an t a t vary ing

water l e v e l s , t h e f i g u r e s i n t h e numerator change with changing water

l e v e l s .

For each water l e v e l , a l l t h e numerators and a l l t h e denominators

f o r each r e sou rce base i n a given row a r e summed and expressed a s a

f r a c t i o n i n t h e app ropr i a t e column on t h e r i g h t hand s i d e o f t h e ma t r ix .

These r a t i o s a r e then converted t o percentages.

The range o f opt imal monthly water l e v e l s f o r - a l l r e sou rces

above t h e 75% l e v e l may then be' s e l e c t e d . The assumption has been made

t h a t water l e v e l s t h a t produce 75% o r more of t h e a r e a ' s p roduc t ive

c a p a b i l i t y a r e acceptab le .

I t i s important t o n o t e t h a t a given resource base , wa te r l e v e l s

a t c e r t a i n t imes o f t h e y e a r may not be an important cond i t i on f o r t h e i r

s u r v i v a l o r t he= is i n s u f f i c i e n t information a v a i l a b l e t o complete t h e

mat r ix . As a r e s u l t , t h e ma t r ix may not be completed f o r a l l months o f

t h e yea r f o r a given resource base .

For exa~n] , l c~ , wdl ~ i * f o \ v 1. bi-cwlillg has (1111 y bccn consi dcred i n

t h e montlls 01 Apr i l through t o J u l y , wI~e11 t h c b i r d s a r e a c t u a l l y i n tllc

a r e a breeding . Although t h e s e a r e coilsldercd t h e c r i t i c a l manths f o r

purposes of t h i s s tudy , water l e v e l s throughout t h e r e s t o f t h e yea r have

a d i r e c t bea r ing on t h e food supply and a v a i l a b i l i t y o f n e s t i n g cover .

Furthermore, only those resources t h a t a r e c r i t i c a l f o r any

month of t h e year a r e considered i n t he mat r ix . For examp,le, many spec i e s

1 such a s marten and mink a r e of minor s i g n i f i c a n c e , o r may n o t be a f f e c t e d

by f l u c t u a t i n g water l e v e l s and consequently a r e not considered i n t h e

impact a n a l y s i s .

A summary ma t r ix f o r mammals, f i s h and waterfowl showing t h e

optimum monthly water l e v e l s i s contained i n Figures 13 t o 18 i n c l u s i v e .

GEOLOGY

There a r e a few economically s i g n i f i c a n t geo log ica l a c t i v i t i e s

c a r r i e d out i n t h i s a r ea . The L a p r a i r i e Company and t h e S t . L a ~ r e n c e

Brick Company u t i l i z e t h e l o c a l s h a l e s i n b r i ck making o p e r a t i o n s . In

a d d i t i o n , a number o f q u a r r i e s a r e , o r have been, sources o f crushed s tone

f o r road b u i l d i n g and abundant d e p o s i t s of sand and g rave l occur i n t h e

v i c i n i t y o f t h e Monteregion H i l l s . The only bu i ld ing s tone q u a r r i e d

i n t h e a r e a i s e s s e x i t e from M t . Johnson. Brodie 's Limited of Montreal

have a c u t t i n g p l a n t a t I b e r v i l l e f o r t h i s s tone .

O i l and gas exp lo ra t ion has been undertaken i n t h e a r e a , bu t

no commercial volumes have been found.

The proposed f lood c o n t r o l p r o j e c t w i l l have no e f f e c t on t h e

economic geology of t h e a r ea .

V1':Glil'A'l'ION

In t h e mat r ix system, used t o p r e d i c t t h e e f f c c t s o f var ioi ls

r ia ter l e v c l regimes cn f i s h and w i l d l i f e popula t ions , no mention i s made

of vege ta t ion . Time c o n s t r a i n t s and a lack of background d a t a nega tes

i t s i n c l u s i o n . However, it should be noted t h a t vege ta t ion has been con-

s ide red a s a s i g n i . f i c a ~ l t func t ion of t h e var ious s p e c i e s ' s u r v i v a l .

J t i s axiomatic t h a t f i s h and w i l d l i f e popula t ions i n a q u a t i c

environments a r e dependent. upon t l ~ c product ive c a p a b i l i t y o f t h e l i t t o r a l

zone ( i . e . t h e shal low water a r e a ) . The ecology of t h i s zone has evolved

through t h e unique hydro logic system of t h e Champlain-Richelieu. The

r i s i n g water a t Lake Champlain i n l a t e sp r ing and e a r l y summer f loods

most of t h e marshland wi th n u t r i e n t r i c h water , d e p o s i t s s i l t s and p l a n t s

s eeds , c r e a t e s perched water b a s i n s and f l u s h e s out p l a n t d e b r i s .

I t i s important t o r e a l i z e t h a t t h e e x i s t e n t v e g e t a t i v e p a t t e r n s

(and dependent animal popula t ions) t h a t now c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e Champlain-

Riche l ieu system have evolved i n response t o t h e f l u c t u a t i n g o f t h e water

l e v e l s . Any a l t e r a t i o n of t h e hydro logic p a t t e r n w i l l t r i g g e r e c o l o g i c a l

adjustments wi th in t h e system.

I t i s t h e r e f o r e impera t ive , from an environmental v iewpoin t ,

t o i nco rpora t e i n t o t h e r e g u l a t o r y scheme of t h e proposed f l o o d c o n t r o l

program, seasonal water l e v e l f l u c t u a t i o n s t h a t fol low t h e n a t u r a l water

regime. Furthermore, t h e s e l e v e l s should d i f f e r from yea r t o y e a r , and

n o t remain f ixed .

MUSKRAT

The muskrat was ass igned a va lue of 10 i n t h e m a t r i c e s s i n c e

it i s a s i g n i f i c a n t r e sou rce component of the a rea . This animal i s c l o s e l y

t i e d t o an a q u a t i c h a b i t a t f o r i t s s u r v i v a l and extremc water l e v e l f l u c -

~l~cl .c l 'usc I1cc.11 illcluc!ccl i l l a1 I 1 2 1'1011tl1ly ~ n a t r i ccs . '1'11~ r ~ u s l \ r a ~ 1)c~gins t o b u i l d i t s house with ea1crgc.rlt ancl s t ~ b -

nicrgent vege ta t ion l a t e i n t h e sumlncr o r e a r l y i n t h e f a l l . Tlic housc,

a con ica l s t r u c t u r e up t o 3 f e e t i n h e i g h t , i s gene ra l ly b u i l t i n an a r e a

of emergent vege ta t ion such a s c a t t a i l s . S tud ie s have r evea l ed t h a t t h e

niost succes s fu l houses a r e t hose t h a t a r e loca ted i n water depths from

2.0 t o 3 .0 f e e t . Pos t - cons t ruc t ion drawdowns can a f f e c t s i g n i f i c a n t l y

t h e s u r v i v a l o f w in te r ing r a t s i n two ways:

1 ) A lowered water l e v e l s epa ra t e s t h e rat from i t s food supply

and exposes it t o increased p e d a t i o n a s it i s fo rced t o

range outwards t o seek a new supply;

2) Lowered water l e v e l s (and subsequent i c e l e v e l s ) reduces b

t h e r a t ' s access t o i t s house and it i s f rozen o u t .

I d e a l l y , i n t h e Champlain-Richelieu system, a water l e v e l of

95 f e e t maintained throughout t h e win te r wou'ld produce t h e g r e a t e s t win ter ing

s u r v i v a l . However, i t i s apprec i a t ed t h a t such a l e v e l might n o t be

r e a l i s t i c cons ide r ing o t h e r c o n s t r a i n t s such a s f lood damage. A range

o f 93 t o 95 f e e t maintained from freeze-up throughout t h e f a l l and win te r

i s t h e next b e s t l e v e l .

The muskrat, f o r t u n a t e l y , has a h igh reproduct ive p o t e n t i a l

and a t t h e l a t i t u d e o f t h e Champlain-Richelieu produces a t l e a s t two

l i t t e r s p e r y e a r , (4 t o 6 young p e r l i t t e r ) . This i s p a r t i c u l a r l y i m -

p o r t a n t i n seasons o f extreme f loods when t h e f i r s t l i t t e r would be drowned

ou t i n many s i t u a t i o n s . An optimum summer l e v e l i s 6 t o 20 inches i n and

around t h e vege ta t ion b e l t s . Such l e v e l s can be a t t a i n e d i n t h e major

I I I : ~ rsl) ;I J-(~;I:, l )y III:I i 11t :I i l l i 11g I llc W : I L C ~ l cvc l s b c t \ t c ( ~ ~ l 94 mid 9 b t-l:ct.

I n s~~lnnlary, t h c bcs t musk r a t management schcn~c would bc t h a t

drawdowns, i f tiley a r e r equ i r ed , bcgjn i n l a t e slrmaler and a r c completed

p r i o r t o t h e c r i t i c a l per iod cornmc~lcing mid-October. The u l t i m a t e l e v e l

reached a t t h a t t ime should be no lowcr than 93 f e e t and should be main-

t a i n e d througllout t h e win te r .

BEAVER

Thc beaver was considered of l e s s importance t o t h e a r e a (r~hcn

conlpared t o t h c muskrat) and was assigned a r e l a t i v e r e sou rce va lue o f

s i x . I t was a l s o considcred i n t h e mat r ix f o r a l l months of t h e y e a r .

During t h e win te r t h e beaver r e q u i r e s a f & l y s t a b l e l eve l

a t a depth s u f f i c i e n t t o prevent f r eez ing t o t h e bottom. A l e v e l of 93

t o 95 f e e t would allow t r a v e l t o i t s food cache beneath t h e i c e . Any

l e v e l below t h i s would be de t r imen ta l t o t h e spec i e s b u t any s u s t a i n e d

l e v e l above t h i s would be acceptab le .

During t h e summer a h ighe r water l e v e l would be advantageous

s i n c e it se rves t o b r i n g t h e beaver and i t s food supply i n t o c l o s e r

a s s o c i a t i o n . Any water l e v e l which tends t o s e p a r a t e t h e beaver and i t s

food supply by more than 150 f e e t tcnds t o i nc rease d r a s t i c a l l y t h e r a t e

o f p reda t ion , due t o t h e beavers clulnsiness on land.

In g e n e r a l , t h e n a t u r a l range i n water l e v e l s has allowed f o r

a sus t a ined and f a i r l y high popula t ion l e v e l .

I n summary, an accep tab le range of water l e v e l s would be 94 t o

99 f e e t throughout t h e yea r , a s d e t a i l e d i n t h e mat r ix , f o r each month.

Ic'tlI'I'I~ 'I'AILED DEI:R

lligh water l c v c l s i n t ho past s e v e r a l ycars have intlnclated

most of t h e remaining f o r e s t s t a n d s , thereby des t roying much of t h e e x i s t i n g

w h i t e - t a i l e d dee r h a b i t a t . I f t h e proposed r egu la to ry scheme should niain-

t a i n water l e v e l lower than 99 f e e t , t h i s would be b e n e f i c i a l f o r t h e white-

t a i l e d dee r .

A s mentioned p rev ious ly , t h e Champlain-Richelieu a r e a i s no t

c.onsidcred a prime h a b i t a t f o r w h i t e - t a i l e d deer and consequent ly was

n o t s t u d i e d i n t h e ma t r ix a n a l y s i s .

WATERFOWL

An a n a l y s i s of waterfowl popula t ions i n r e l a t i o n t o water l e v e l s

must focus on two c r i t i c a l pe r iods - breeding and s t ag ing . S ince t h e s e

occur a t d i f f e r e n t t imes of t h e year and have d i s s i m i l a r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s

they have been analyzed s e p a r a t e l y i n t h e mat r ix .

The r e sou rce va lue f o r waterfowl breeding has been a s s igned

a f i g u r e of 4 , whereas t h e resource va lue f o r waterfowl s t a g i n g i s 10.

Although t h e t h r e e marshes i n t h e s tudy a r e a a r e u t i l i z e d by

waterfowl, as a n e s t i n g a r e a , t h i s a spec t of waterfowl ecology is minor

i n comparison t o product ion i n t h e Sore1 Marsh and t h e marshes o f Vermont

and New York.

The n e s t i x p e r i o d (Apr i l - Ju ly) i nc ludes incuba t ion , ha t ch ing

and e a r l y j u v e n i l e development. During t h e incubat ion and ha t ch ing per iods

r e l a t i v e l y s t a b l e wa te r l e v e l s a r e important s o t h a t t h e n e s t s a r e no t

f looded no r l e f t h igh and d ry .

A v a r i a t i o n o f a s much a s a f o o t i n water l e v e l , ( a f t e r n e s t i n g

has s t a r t e d ) , i n r e l a t i o n t o t k l o w r e l i e f c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h e a r e a

could d r n s t i c n l l y a f f e c t t h e waterfowl.

A s i g n i f i c r ~ ~ l t l y lower water l e v e l could i s o l n t c a n e s t fro!n

t h e w a t e r ' s edge, t hus inc reas ing p reda t ion by such s p e c i c s a s t h e raccoon

and mink. Idlen t h e duckl ings a r c developing, they r e q u i r e h igh p r o t e i n

food and escape cover . Any change i n water l e v e l s t h a t t ends t o s e p a r a t e

t h e s e two h a b i t a t requj rements, depresses f ledging success .

During l a t e September, October and November, t h e Sabrcvois

Marsh, I jenryvi l le Marsh and Missisquoi Bay a r e used e x t e n s i v e l y a s migra-

t o r y s topover a r eas i n t h e annual migra t ion south. The mig ra t ion c o n s i s t s

o f two wavcs. The f i r s t , from l a t e September t o mid-October, c o n s i s t s

p r i m a r i l y of dabbl ing ducks, while t h e second, from mid-October i n t o

November, c o n s i s t s p r i m a r i l y of d iv ing ducks. The dabb le r s r e q u i r e

shal low water i n o rde r t o be a b l e t o reach t h e submesgent food spec i e s .

Any water l e v e l g r e a t e r than one f o o t above t h e food supply would l i m i t

t h e a r e a a s a migra tory s topover p o i n t . A range between 93 t o 95 f e e t

dur ing September and Ocbber would be optimum f o r t h e s e s p e c i e s .

In c o n t r a s t t h e d iv ing ducks p r e f e r open water c o n s i s t e n t with

h igh water l e v e l s . These s p e c i e s a r e more f l e x i b l e and w i l l move out

i n t o deeper water i n Missisquoi Bay f o r feeding. Therefore , wa te r l e v e l

i s no t a s i g n i f i c a n t f a c t o r f o r waterfowl i n November.

Although waterfowl have no t been considered i n t h e m a t r i x f o r

a l l months, r e g u l a t i o n of water l e v e l s dur ing t h e months waterfowl a r e

absen t from t h e a r e a has a d i r e c t e f f e c t on t h e i r food supply. C e r t a i n

a q u a t i c organisms h ibe rna t e i n t h e mud a t t h e bottom of t h e r i v e r and

marshy a r e a . Any lowering i n water l e v e l s a f t e r t h i s a c t i v i t y has taken

p l a c e would r e s u l t i n f r eez ing o f t h e s e organisms t h a t provide a food

sou rce f o r waterfowl.

The n;njor spec i e s of sport: f i s h t h a t occur i n t h e Richc l icu

a r e s p r i n g spawners. Although t h e var ious f a c t o r s r equ i r ed f o r spawning

success vary aniong s p e c i e s , (vege ta t ion , water flow, t u r b i d i t y , bottom

type), one common c h a r a c t e r i s t i c emerges as of c r i t i c a l importance - s p r i n g

wa te r l e v e l .

I n a l l s p e c i e s considered, h igh l e v e l s i n s p r i n g a r e d e s i r a b l e

and i n t h e case of t h e Northern Pike, e s s e n t i a l . The h i s t o r i c a l range

of water l e v e l s a t break-up i s acceptab le f o r i d e a l spawning cond i t i ons

i f t h e r e i s no lowering of t h a t l eve1 , in excess of 1 f o o t p e r month a f t e r

May. Regulat ion of t h e water l e v e l s i n t h i s manner i s neces sa ry s o t h a t

t h e f r y w i l l n o t be s t randed by t h e receding waters .

For purposes of t h i s s tudy spawning f o r most s p e c i e s is assumed

t o begin i n l a t e March with t h e peak occurr ing i n mid t o l a t e A p r i l and

con t inu ing through t o June f o r no r tk rn p ike . However, t h i s can vary from

year t o y e a r sincespawning and ha tch ing a r e a func t ion of i nc reased water

tempera ture .

The accep tab le range of water l e v e l s f o r a l l f i s h s p e c i e s i s

94 t o 98 f e e t i n March, 95 t o 99 f e e t i n A p r i l , 94 t o 99 f e e t i n May and

92 t o 95 f e e t i n June .

The R iche l i eu River i s a migratory r o u t e f o r t h e American Eel

t r a v e l l i n g from Lake Champlain t o t h e S t . Lawrence River . Regulat ion of

wa te r l e v e l s throughout t h e yea r w i l l have no e f f e c t on t h e e e l migra t ion .

However, t h e dredging o f t h e shoa l a t S t . Jean d ' I b e r v i l l e and cons t ruc t ion

o f t h e f lood c o n t r o l s t r u c t u r e i s loca ted a t t h e s i t e of t h e p r e s e n t

e e l f i s h e r y , r e s u l t i n g i n i t s c losu re .

,2ppnrcritly, t h e r c 3r.c 110 a l t e r n a t e si t c s a v a i l a l ~ l c f ~ r t l i c r

clu\~nstrcaix, nlthoup,11 t h e 1 ) o s s i b i l i t y of one bcing crentet l as J r c s u l t

of t h e r e g u l a t e d water l e v e l s i s f e a s i b l e . S tud i c s should be undertaken

t o a s s e s s t h i s and f u r t h e r t o examine t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of de s ign ing t h e

dam t o s e r v e a s an e e l t r a p .

A f u r t h e r cons ide ra t i on o f any proposed r e g u l a t o r y program

i s t h e e f f c c t o f a dec rease i n water levels during t h e w i n t e r months

on t h e i c e f i s h i n g i n d u s t r y . Any l e v e l o f water s i g n i f i c a n t l y lower than

t h a t a t "freeze-up" would pose a p o t e n t i a l hazard t o t h o s e crlgagcd i n

i c e f i s h i n g .

AZONTH OF: January

VALUE OF / R E ? X T I \ ' E P,ESGU':CE :,T /\':I!L'E OF G I V E N V/AT E~,, ' 'RFSOLJXCE L E V E L / 10 A R E A

T H E CLCSEE TEE t 'E !?CEf !T I rPPRCI .C!?ES 1CC T i 1 5 CLOSER THE M'ATEH L E V E L / \PPZ3.: \CHES T t i E OP:Ii~\Ut~\ FOR ALL RESOURCES

F I G U R E 1

MONTH OF: Februa1.y

VALUE OF / 'RELATI1!E R E S O L ' ~ ? C E A T ./?/,A.L!JE OF G I V E N \ - ' ~ A T E R , ~ / E F S O U R C E L E V E L / 7 0 A I iEX

T H E CLOSER T H E P E P C E N T AFPROAC!1ES 1CC) T t :E CLOSE,;!

WATER L E V E L APi3ROr'iCt?ES THE OPTltdUl'ri FOR ALL R E S O U K C E S

MONTH OF : ?larch

VALUE OF / R E 1 ATI? 'E R E S O U i l i E i.1 ' J Ci G I V E N \'.'ATER, RiSOUXCE L E V E L / TO A R E A

THE CLOSER T H E P E ? C E N T APPkOACi iES iC.2 j f ; E CLGSi i: THE V;ATE-R L EV 'E L APPROAC~- i i :s THE OFlIt.\Ut.\ FOF: ALL RESOURCES

MONTH OF: A p r i l

VALUE OF / ? E L A T I V E F.E SOU: c E ;,T /'L*:, 'L u E c r G I V E N VIATER,' R F S O U E C E L E V E L /' TO A R E A

THE CLOSER T H E P E Z C E N T A?PZO;,CiiES iGCl T i i E C L 3 5 E : : THE V J A l E R L E V E L A P P R O . \ C H E S THE OPTIMUM FO? ALL R E S O i J ? C E S

FIGURE ::4

MOt:.ITH OF: >lay

T H E CLOSER THE P E R C E N T APFROACFkS 193 THE CLOSE!? THE V.'t4\TER L E V E L /'.PPSO/iC!iES THE OfJTIMUI.\ FOR A L L i ;ESOiJXCES

MONTH OF: Julie

V A L U E OF /RELATIVE R E S O U A C E ;.i / 'VALUE OF G I V E N \CATC! : - 'RFSG~~ZC E L E V E L / TO A R E A

THE CLOSER T H E P E R C E N T APFKOI'XC ti E S 101) T ti E C LC35 E i7 T H E WATER L E V E L A P P F 0 t Y C H E S THE 0 f ' T I t . l U ~ FOR ALL KESOURCES

MONTH OF: Ju1.y

V A L U E OF / R E L A T I V E RESOU;;CE A T ,'\:ALUE OF GIVLN YIAT ER,/'I:CSOU:\CE L E V E L / TO A R E A

THE CLOSER THE P E R C E N T AP?RO.:\CFiES i 03 THE CLCSE? THE V I A 1 E 2 L E ' J E L APIJF:C'i+Ct-lCS THE OPilf.',Uhl FOh ALL EESOUKCES

MONTH OF : August

VALUE OF / R E L A T I \ ' E RESOURCI: A T / V A L U E OF GIVEN LV,:TEP., /RESO'JRCE L E V E L /' TO A R E A

THE CLOSER THE P E R C E N T APP?O,\CtiES 100 THE CLOSET: T H E \ t fATER L E \ ! E L APPRO.'\C!?ES THE OPTIMUM F O R A L L EESOUXCES

MONTH OF: Septembcr

VALUE OF / R E L k T I \ ' E r: E Q cl i: C E A T ,*'\I;\ L 1.1 E 0 F G I V E N VlATEf:.." f .FSOURCE L E V E L /' 1 0 ARE/ \

THE CLOSE!: i i i E P E R C E N T APPI;OA',C!~ES 1 0 C T ti: CL@C!'P T t I E VJATER L E V E L APP?OAC!- iES THE Oi'TIMUhl FOR ALL RESOURCLS

VAl.LIE OF / R E L A T I V E K E S O U C C E A T / V A L V E C F GIVE^: \ v h ~ , z ~ ~ ~ ~ , / R F S O U K C E L E V E L / TO A K E P

THE CLOSER T H E P E R C E N T APPROACt iES 100 THE C!C)SE!7 . THE W A T t R L E V E L APDSrJACt-1ES THE 0 P T l b . l U M FOG ALL RESOURCES

M O N T H OF: Noven~ber

V A L U E OF /REL,ITI'v'E R E S O C l i ? C E A T , /VALIJE OF G I V E N L V A T E C , ' R F S G ~ ~ : : C E L E V E L / 1 0 A K E A

THE C L O S E R T H E P E E C E N T A P P R O / \ C ! i E S 109 T l l E C!@SCR THE W A T ~ R L E V E L A P P R C A C H E S THE O P I I M U M FOR A L L AESOURCtS

VALiJE OF /F:ELATIVE RESOURCE A T /VALIIE OF

/ G I V E N V/,ITE?,, R F S O U C C E L E V E L /' TO A R E A

T H E C L O S E R T H E P E R C E N T A P P R O A C I i E S 100 T t I E C L O S E R THE \'i1/',TER t E V E L A P P E C A C H F S THE OPTltAUM TOf: A L L R E S O U A C L S

Fox- p tua j~oscs of' t l l j s s i , ~ t l ~ . spa i in i n g ffoi- 11ios1; s p ~ ~ 3 . i c.s

is ; I - S I ~ I I I ( ~ < ~ to 11~y;ii\ 511 1 ; 1 L o PI;II.cII ~ b r j t l l the : ) C ~ ; I I ; O C : < : I ~ I ~ J ~ ~ I I ; :

i n J I I ~ ~ Lo :Lat,c ,ll~l>j 1 .and ~ O I I & ~ 11t1:i 111; t l ~ ~ * o ~ ~ ~ l t to tJttr~c: J*c)I. I I O J ~ ( , ] I O I * I I

pj.lce. Ilor\.cvcil, t h i s can v a r y fro111 y e a r t o ycni- si-t~ccr: :-;pn\i*n:i.i~g

andF 11ai;clling nr-c a funcki on of i nc i~cascd watc r t e~ i lpcrn tur -c ,

Tlle acreptablc 1-ange of wal;ei- l c v e l s f o r , - n1-3.

fig11 ,species A is (:d to 98 f e e t i n 11arcl1, 95 t o 99 f e e t in

A p r i l , 94 to ()g f e c t i n Elay and 92 t o 95 f e e t i n June . *: ' . T. ' > '

1'1;t. 1: ichel j .c~ Rivcar i s n 1nigrato1-y r o u t c f o r t h e

hnerj.can Eel t r a v e l l i n g from Lake Champlain t o the S t , Lawrence

R ive r . R e g u l a t i o n of wate r l e v e l s th roughout t h e yeax- w i l l

have no e f f cci; on t ,he e e l n l ig ra t ion . Horcevcr, t h e d r e d g i n g

of t h e s h o a l a t S t , J e a n d t l b c r v i l l e and c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e

f l o o d c o n t r o l s t r u c t u r e i s l o c a t c d a t t h e s i t e of t h e presen-b

e e l f i s h e r y , raesu l t ing i n I'ts c l o s u r e .

Apparently t l l c r c a r c no a l t e r n a t e s i t e s a v a i l a b l e

f u r t h e r downstream, a l t hough t h c p o s s i b i l i t y of one b ~ i n g

c r e a t e d a s a r e s u l t of t h e r e g u l a t e d wate r l e v e l s i s f e a s i b l e .

S t u d i e s shou ld bc under-tillte~l t o a s s e s s t h i s and fui*tllc:l- l;o

cxarninc t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f d e s i g n i n g t h e cia~l~ t o serve a s an

e e l t r a p .

A furt l lci- con side ratio^^ o f any pl-oposcti rcgul-atol-y

progi.arn is t h c c f f c c t o f a (leci-cast i n water l c v e l s c1ul.in;. tile

witltcl* nlorltlls on t h e i c c f i s h i n g i n d u s t r y . .Any l e v c l o f watci-

potential hazar.! t o t h o s e cngagcd i n ice fishing. - 35 -

I' I . I 4 , ' I , r - T , - - - - - . , . - , r . - - - . , 4 r . . - , , - . :, ,- ..., , . , . . a .<, ,I r~:-;A rr~.--, ,r. ' ; . I . - . T I , \ .

\ / . , ,

' C ' , I . ,,,. . ,.A - . , ,.# -1, ..,. ~ l i ,. ' , ; : . . . J T \ , . .

A11 i n v n n t , o r y o!' E.isl.l(;.~; C ; I I L C : ~ ~ \bras q j v e n wi.th a a-eel. . s~ l l~ \ l cy . .5ur>t-c:ys o f aci11at i c vc;?;ei;at.ion , nort l ic17n ~) : l l ie , \:.r~l!.cye and smnl . l .~no~~t , I~ b a s s 11opul.a-L- i o n s ;\.c?r-e cnl71aicd o u t . ? \ ; o ~ - t l ~ e ~ l n pfike s ~ ~ a \ ~ - n i l i q a r e a s a r e gi-atjtl;l_ll J- bciil:: dest-.rojred by d e v e l o p m e n t .

fiAI{K] ~ 1 ; . J . I , . 1 0 6 8 . ' I \ ' i l . t l~ i f c h'e(;land I)evelopmeni;, U .S. Dcpartll-ieni o f A:;tsj c ~ 1 l t u r . c . S o i l Cunscr \ la t i o n S e r v i c e

- de:;cr-ri.l-)c..-, C ' S S - ; C I ~ ~ II'.al h a b i t a t e l e r n c n t s - l ists watcl.L.o\\l f o o d p r c f e r e n c e s .

I3LNSON, D . 1 9 6 5 . AII Acrc o f Flarsh i s Wortll. . . The Consci-vat;:i.on-i -:; ~ u n c - J U I y , 196 5

A ~ ~ i l l c l ~ i e app roac l l t o expl -ess t h e v a l u e o f a n a c r e of mars11 i n do1lar . s and c e n t s .

BJrl.SIIE.I\TIS, \;r.\cT. J r . A . O . Haugen. M u s k r a t s i n R e l a t i o n to Far111 I'onrls . Descr..ii,cs bu~.r.ow-i.~lg ac:t,iv: i;y a n d sL1-uc tu rc t i - a p p i n g t c c h n j q u c s , b r e e d i n g a c t i v i t y , s o i l preferences f o r b u r r owi n g .

BOISVERT, R . Depar t l ; l e l~ t o f N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s , Wate r blanage- msn t B:-anch. R i c h c l i e u X i v e r : P r e l i m i n a r y S t u d y f o r t h e l o w e r i n g of t h e S t . J e a n S h o a l .

BKOWNE, P e t e r . 1 9 7 1 . S t a t n u s o f B i r d s , Lake St;. J o h n R e g i o n ~ i l e b c c . C a n a d i a n l ' ie l d S a t ~ u - a l i s t , Vol . 8l . , p51-.62.

, Desc l - ibcs s t a t u s of cacli s p e c i e s i.11 t e r w ~ s oP a v e r a g e nunlbc~. ot,scr.vcd p c r h o u r a t diEfciberkt tillics o f y c a r .

J I ) 1 9 6 3 , A Field Cuide t o . t h e blarilma1.s.

G e n e r a l r a n x e and i1nbiI;at r e q u i r e m e n t s of v a r i o u s ~naa~lual s .

CAI\'.4DIAS I\'i l d l i f e S e r v i c e R e p o r t S e r i e s $ 2 3 . Thc mamnals of \ i1atcl-ton Lakes X a t i o n a l Par-k A l b e r t a .

D e s c r i p t i o n o f g e n e r a l i z e d m u s k r a t h a b i t a t .

CANN, n . n . , P. I,AJOIE, a n d P.C. STUBBE, 1 9 4 7 . Soil S u r v c y of 511c?C~01-d. 1 1 1 ~ 0 l 1 1 c ~ a n d ? t i s s i s q u o i C o u n t i es i n t h e l-'ro\.j nee! o f c u c b e c .

I n c l ~ ~ t l c . ~ clcscrli pt,i on or s o i l t .ypcs a n d t a a p s showin: d i s 1 , t ~ i I ~ u t iorl.

Ca:l.c.: it*(>~)~l~ 10 cILs ncni- \ ' t - r ~ i l o ~ ~ t b o ~ ~ d c r $;~rpl~ot.C otci.idiotl;il f lor-a 1>aia( 1 y f ' o ~ ~ l l c l i 11 ~ _ ) I I ~ I ) c c . . ,I l i s t oS' 1 ) l a n t s is g i v e n U ~ l j s c r s i t y o i O i - t a w i ~ V a n i o r S c i e n c e L i b r a r y . .

C ~ u l i , I: . K . I.')s.t. C o l l e c t i n g aalld I ' resel . \ r i l~g Amphib:inns a n d Rcp{;iles

Csccrpt ; ( 1 1 , 5 ) fr*cln F o u r t h IZcviscd E d i t i o n , 1 9 5 4 , Xati0nn.l. ? iuseun~ 01: C a n a d i a n i3ul.let;in 6 9 .

0 , 1 . 1\11 u n u s u a l new s p c!cies o f l lraparnal-d& f r o m Lake Chaa?pla i n . J . Pl~~.c :o l . , 6 : 6 2 -6 7

l ~ e s c r i p t i o n o f a new s p e c i e s of a l g a e .

C R I S S E Y , ItT. F . 1.96 5. U-. S . Dcl>al-tnlcnt o f JPI- c.~-j.l~cr- , Spec ia l Scientific Rcport - W i l d l i f e No.. 29, hug. 55, F i s h Wi ld l i f e Service, 1955. S t a t u s Rcport on Waterfowl.

. - ? .

DRESSER, Johr, A , , and T I C * DJzxIS, 1 9 4 4 . G e o l o g i c a l Rcpcjrt 2 0 . Geology o f r )ucbec , Vo l . 11. Descriptive G e o l o g y . P u b l i s h e d r*edempt i p a r a d i s . 5 4 4 ~ .

Dcsci-ipti-,-e Geology of Quebec i n c l u d i n g study alaea, R i c h c l i c u V a l l e y . Maps.

FERGUSON, R . G . and C.F. CULT. November 1961 . The effects o f Underwa te r E x p l o s i o n s on Yel low P e r c h . Can. F i s h Cult. 1 9 6 1 . p31-39.

Expe r imcn t shows that b l a c k powder wllen d e t o n a t e d with e l e c t r i c squ.i.13 was 1 - c l a t ivc1.y i n n o c u o u s . K i t r o n e chai?p;:.e~ v:cr*c f o u n d t o b e h a r m f u l to p e r c h a n d o t h e r species .

I . , 1 9 5 7 . C h r i s t m a s Dird Census . Can. F i e l d N a t u r a l i s t , 0 1 . 7 2 , p35 .

C e n s u s .of b i r d s f o r L e n n o s v i l l c , lrlont r e a l a n d Quebec, Quebec.

L J . R . S ~ ~ r v i . v a l s o f p l . an t cd salrnor, i n Lake Georlge . N e w P o ~ k ESi.sh Game J . , 2 : 1-12, copy i n University o f Ot tawa S c i c n c c L i b r a r y , ~ i n ~ i t e d t o Lakc George .

GKEELY, J.R. and S .C. BISIIOP. 1 9 3 2 . F i s h e s of the Upper liuclson \Va te r shed ,

A b i o l o g i c a l s l ~ s ~ v c > y o f t l lc Upptrt-- IIudson \ \ ' n t c ~ - s h c d . Sul>pl.er;~cnl; t o 2 3 n d a n n u a l r e p o r t Sclw Jork C O I I S C I * V ~ ~ ~ O I ~ Dc:pt. 1 9 3 2 .

I J , J . . , I J I . 1 1 l l 1-!)53.. l < b \ i i t f j s l l i \ t l ( [ f ' j s l ~ : i t ~ ~ ~ , S t a t c OC Ic,v:n Cc!ll.-:r:r\~ation Coin~nittcc?, 337p. 1951

IlJ;KSU?T, E . J 3 . , )I. I'O'l.';?SII, 2nd S.1::. SUNI)UI'IZ(:. 1-966. ycrh. I n t e r n a t . Ircr*cin , J,i!nnol. , I 6 : 74-8 2p.

Some lil!l!:oloqical c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of Lake Champlain, USA and. Callada.

EIOTCIIKISS, N . Comc~on ?la;-s!~, Underwat el3 and F l o a t i n g l e a v e d P.Lants of t h e Unitcd S t a t e s and Canada.

I l l u s t r n L i o n s and desc r8 ip t ions of over 750 s p e c i e s .

lIUI3I)S, C . L . arldK.bI. BAILEY, 1938. B u l l , Cranbrook Insl;. Sci., l 0 : l - 8 9 , 1938

The small--mouthed b a s s

~11311S, C . L . and R.M. BAILEY, 1940. Misc. Publo Univ. Mich. 2001. no. 48.

A r e v i s i o n of t h e b l a c k b a s s e s (U ic rop te rus and Nuro) w i t h descriptions of ou r new forms,

INTEKIU'ATIONAL JOINT COE~IISSION , 1938.

K i c h e l i e u R ive r Remedial Works. Publ i shed by J. 0. Patenaude, i .S . O . , P r i n t e r t o t h e King 's Most E x c e l l e n t Majes ty .

JOHNSTON, C . E . . 1925. The b1usl:rat i n New York: Its Na tu ra l H i s t o r y and Economics.

Rooseve1.t Wild B u l l , Expt. S t a t i o n of N.Y. S t a t e Col lege o f F o r e s t r y a t Syracuse U n i v e r s i t y , Vol. I11

KCNNEY, F . R . and W.L. MACTREE, 1938. The Plaoblcm: Drained Areas and W i l d l i f e H a b i t a t , A g r i c u l t u r a l Yearbook.

Compares v a l u e of l a n d f o r a g r i c u l t u r e v s . w i l d l i f e .

KRUEBIES, W.F. 1940. The l i u sk ra t : A Fac to r i n Waterfowl H a b i t a t b1anagcrr.en.l;. U . S . Bureau of 13 io log ica l Survey, Trans . N . 12nier. Wild. Conf . 1)escrj.bcs optimum ba lance between muskrat and tvaterfowl popula1;ion.

LESAUTEUR, T . 1968. Water P o l l u t i o n i n summer C o t t a g e Areas. Water l ' o l l u t i on . J u l y , 1968, 276p.

Thc c l -ec l ion o f sutmner dwellings h a s f a r cxcccclcd thc . a b i l i t y of t h c gov t . t o i r ~ d i v i d u a l l y i n s p e c t cach onc!.

I,Y?J;I(:II, J . J . . T . 07 SL,:II, and D .\$. 1,Ay. 1947. ?Iarlaqcrllc.~lt S i ;yn i f i c < i i i c c . of Dal,l,ir;c. by G P ~ S C and M I I S I ~ I * ~ ~ S t o Gulf Coast i~Jc~ i - s l~cs . J o u ~ - n a l of h i l d l i f e )Iallagc.~lient, 1-1 : 50-7G

I ) c : s c ~ ~ i l ) c : s f o o d spcc:Ses: damaye caused t o mars11 eco logy ; g:i.\~c!s po:;s:jl.)lc r e a s o n f o r popula t j .on dccJ.in6s when othc!r r e a s o n s ,?re I.acl<:ing.

EICGiT,\TI:LS', 1' . L 5 . 1-068. 11 Guide t o \irood Duclc 1'1-otluctjo 11 I l r th i ta t I < c > q ~ t j r c ~ n o n i ; ~ . U . S. Ilepar-L~nen?; of t h e I n t e l - j o r . 13iirc!nu oi' s;)o12t Fisllc1-ics and I \ ' j l d l i f e.

I , S . I . , 1) , G . AJIE-ZI??;, and \LT. L. COOS. 1 70. blyco.l.oqicn:L S t u d i c s of i.nlic i ? l y c o l o ~ i ; l , Z 2 : 504-515.

S p c c i c s d i s t r i l ~ u t i o n pattcl-11s and c o n c e r n t r a t i o ~ l s o f yeast, p r o v e d t o h e usc l ' u l i ~ i d i c a t o r s of waLer qual i i ;y ( indus t r* iaX and u rban c f f l u c n t s , h e a t c d wood p u l p w a s t e s ) . Paper n1~nt . i n n .; post.-l'l t ~ i s tncene mar ine iniinclatj o n , A l - s o i n i-ef ~ r ' e ~ ~ : : t : LO & I ~ l i ~ f . : l e t , a l . (1966) k h ~ t t e ~ ! p e i - z t u ~ - e aild d i s s o l v c d oxygen v a r i e d l i t t l e Y . T . 0 .

MILLIZR, J . B . 1964, Coope ra t i ve Wetlands I I a b i t a t I n v e s t . Annual l ' rogrcss Repo r t , C .\\I. S . D i s c u s s e s w e t l a n d s c l a s s i f i c a t i o n system.

MOORE, D . G . 1971. P c r t j . l i z a t i o n and h'ater Q u a l i t y , F o r e s t , S e r v i c e , U.S. Dcpt. o f A g r i c u l t u r e .

Dea l s s p c c i f i c a l l y w i t h f e r t i l i z a t i o n o f Poraests and e P f o c t s of r u n o f f . P i * i n c i p l c s c a n bo a p p l i e d 60 Ric l l c l i eu problcm.

l'arnianent w a t:cr r i s e 6 i n c r e a s e d \vat eri 'owl 4 f o l d , niuskrat 2000,1i.

B ~ J X R O , n . l j . and V.E.1:. SOL?IrZS, 1 9 6 6 . The Jnipact o r Water P o l l u t i o n on \ 2 i l d l i f c . P o l l u t j on and O u r I:nviroll~:ic.nt.

Gctleral 1 0 0 l i a t p o l - l u t a n t s and t h e i r ef f c?ct on wildlife.

XBW l'o1.1~ Sl-.ni c C o n s . 1 ) c : p t . I l i v i s i u n of F i s h and Gal~lc, 12urcau of' Fis l i and \,'j 1-dl :i L'C ir~vest:i::.ai;jon. 1c) ' t c ) .

D c s c ~ - i b e s e f f e c t of dra~vdowns of mars11 vc:;ctation.

Prc:l.i~ni rial-y I - e j ~ o r t on t l l e f i s h e l * i c s invciJ-\red j.n t h e Provitl<:c o f QuGbcc: wa te r .

PAGLAU, G. el;. a 1 . ~ 1 . 0 ~ .- 1 4 t h Conf . GI-cat Lalccs Res . 1971. : 79.-439.

The ich thyofaunn and f l o r a o f Lakc S t . Louis on t h c St,. 1,arvl-cnce rCiver nenr >Ion t r6a l J Qubbec : Genera l f c a t u r e s and r e c e n t chaliges.

POULI?:, R , Dept . of Na tu ra l ' Kesources , Water Planagcment Braizcll 1 9 7 3 .

Regu la t i on s t u d y of Lake Champlain.

RO\t'IZ, S . J , 1972 , F o r e s t Regions o f Canada.

F'o~*cst;s of Upper. S t . Lawrence of Great Lakes.

SCOTT, W.G. U n i v e r s i t y o f T o r o n t ~ P r e s s , 1 9 6 7 . 1 3 7 ~ .

Freshwate r f i s h e s o f ca s t e r an Canada.

S'l'ATE of N e w Yorlc C o ~ l s c ~ ~ v a t j o n Depar-kme~lt, Supp1e~ ;~ 'n t t o 1 9 t h Annual. Report : 1939. 321p and 7 niaps. A Uiol-ogj.cal Survey of t h e C l~ampla i~ l l\la.tei-shed.

I n c l u d e s seci;n'.ons on s t o c k i n g p o l i cy , f i s l l e s , f i s h food , sniel t , c a p t i v c t echniclues, gar-p:'~lic, plar11it011, a q u a t i c v e g e t a t i o n , f is11 and p o l l u t i o n , cllenlical conciii;ions :ti1 cl f is11 pa l - a s i t c s .

* SUDDS, R.11. and R . C . C I t A I G . 1970. N.Y. F i s h Game J. , 1 7 : 3 3 - 4 4 .

D i s t r i b u t i o n of l a r v a l d i g e n e t i c grefiiatocles i l l a p~11.t of Lake Champlain and t l l c i r relationships w i t 1 1 f i s h an t i wri.l.tl- l i f e .

S t u d y n e a r PI -n t t sburgh ; t rcnia todes c o l l e c t e d from slliiil-s . I~iipo~-i;n~lcc: o f Lhcse p a l - a s i t e s t o f i s h , bi.1.d alld ntallu!inl h o s t s discussc?tl.

U . S . 1)cpt. o f I Z q ~ ~ i c . l97:!. Soi! C011servai.-iu11 Sei-\r5.cc. Lalid Jla1:n:;clnenl; forb ( a ) K u f f c d Gi~ouse

(b ) Jluclis ( c ) Cot- l ,o!~trr i l I(n1)b.i ts ( c t ) 3Iucl:x*a ts (c) \Vl?iLcl;ail Deer

E.Ianagcmc??t p r a c t j ct:?, r a n g e , n e s t i n g , food ,

VLADYl iOV, i rAD:III 1). Oct . 1.(!5?, 'I'l~e I ~ ~ ~ ? c c ~ L c , 011 F i s h ~ ~ l j C > S of ]$Ian-Made Clin~lr,.cs :in l.'i.esh \Vntcr. i n T1.c. 1'1-ovinco ol- Quebec Can. Fjs l i . C u l t . p'/..1 1.

S~ulunary olf i l l~uscs oC ~iia~~-~liatlc, c:h;ingcs ~u l t l e r h e a t l j n g s of paI~crn i~ ldus l ; l*y , ~ n l i n ilc and St; . I ,a\vr*e~~ c..c Seaway .

I S , F I . 1,amprcys i l l t h e Lakc Cl1n~i1plai.n Bas in , A111er. I f id1 . Nat. 54: 168-172.

New Sorl: s i .de; n a t u r a l h i s t o r y noi;es, I n U . of Ottawa Vailier Scic!rlcc Libi-ai-y.

hRAGG, L.F. 1954. The E f f c c t o f IlD1' and Uil on Musltrzt. Can, F i c l d N a t u r a l i s t . 6 8 : 11-13.

E f f e c t of o i l on wat erp1-oof i rlg a b i l i t y o f musk ra t f u r . ZILLOX, R . G . 196 2, Tha \vn l l eyes o f Lake Champ~a in . Conservat -

i o n i s t , 1.6: 10-11.

ZILLOX, R . G . alld W . D . J*OUXGS. 13j 'S. Fui-thcr s t , u d i e s on t h e S~iielt; o f h k c Clla~a]).Laill, N . Y e F i s h Gari~c J. , j : 164-175

T\JO major r lnccs (smnl..l. and large) o f slliclt a r c found i l l

Lakc Clla~llliL;\i~l. Gl-o\~,th d a t a nl-c givcl l ,

Spcci.cs \\llose lianqc Erlcompasses Sourcc \\ 'hi ell 110 CIIII IPII kc; Uppel* Kic1iclic:u !<i vcr V a l l e y Prescncc of Spccics i n

Region it.

(af'tcx- Burt G Grc,ssenheitler 1964)

Kc 211 biyotis Lit-k1.c 13i-otvn U a t Jnt!:i.a~ln 3lyot j . s SJI~~:L:L~ .foe t; ed i . i yo .k r i .~ Silvc!r..-11ni red 13i t -L

E a s t c ~ a 1 1 P i p i s t r cL Red Ijat B i g J3ro\vn B a t !jczr.7 E s t

J

I ' r l ac lc Gear ".

Kaccoon F i s h e r Piart ol

blj-nk S h o r t t a i l Weas cl Long ta i l \ireasel. River Otter S.t ripcd Skunlt Coyotc RecI 1:orr (Cross Fox) Gray Fox Sobcal; Lynx Wootlc:l1uclt I<asLcl?n Cllipmunl< Eastcr11 Cray Squj.1-re1 Rcd S y u i r r c l Soui;licl-ll Fl-ying S q u i r r e l Nor-L1icl3!l I'lyillg Scluirl-el B e a ~ cl-

h l l i t c - P o t ed Plousc Deer jIouse

Sores c i n c r c ~ ~ s ---. --- Sol-cs fun1cuc; ----- ---- Sol-~~?.: (1ri.sr);i.l- -.-- - I l i c ~ ~ o s n ~ - c ~ \ ; I1ov:i -I_-- -- S o ~ ~ c s pa:! ~l.;:;ri s -- ----- l3la1-ina l~~~ct . ic ;~uc!n --- + -- Contl>-.I u1.a cr:i.sl-,:\t.a -.-.-.- -. ----- P~I~;I?;<:;I!-o~~s I~rc:~\,ei-i - ---. ---

so l l ! ; l i~~ l~ l l 130:: 1 ~ ~ ! 1 1 1 i l l i ~ ~ ~ ~

K c ) t * t , I ~ ( ~ t ~ t ~ 130: I , ( , I ! ! : I I ~ . ~ ~ ; ; ~ I c ; ~ ( ~ o I v \'1-)1.c! Y e I . . l o ~ : . ~ ~ o ~ ~ c \ f o l . c ! P i n c Y o l c I I U S ~ ~ I ~ ~ C ; bleaclo~: J1unpi.n;; llouse 1i'ootll-t:ild Jurnl,:il.lg IIouse P o l - c ~ ~ p l nc Sno\,~sIioc IIai-e Eui-opcan Hare E a s t el-11 C o t t ; o n t a i l 1;rhii;ci;ai.l Deci- hloosc

*. 1 - 'lrmppci. R e p o r t s , Qucbcc E l i n i s t r y o f Tourism, F j s h arld Gai11(- - F u r D i v i s i o n

2 t. I ; n v i r o ~ l ~ : ~ c : ~ t i i l Coliti*ol C o ~ ~ s u l t a l l t s L t d . 3 .. Pcl-son~11 (:oll;municnti.on w i t 1 1 s e v e r a l t i -appci-s and biol.c)gjst;s

Pers, 'Conun. G . Pageau and V.D. Vladykov ----- ----- -- --

Nor-.l;her.n brook lamprey

S i l v e r lamprey

American brook lamprey

G r e a t s e a lamprey

Laks s t u r g e o n

Long~zase g a r

Bowfin

Goldeye

Alcwif c

American shad

Gizza rd shad

Brown t r o u t

Rainbow t r o u t

Lakc t r o u t

C i s c o

Lake w h i t e f i s h

Rainbow sme l t

C e n t r a l mudnlinnow

R e d f i n p i c k e r e l

Chain p i c k e r e l

Nor the rn p ike

Muskellunge

Quil lbaclc

Longnose sucke r

FRENCH

Lamproic de r u i s s e a u du nord

Lamproie a r g c n t 6 e

Lamproj-e am6ricaine de r u i s s e a u de l fes-L

Lamproie de mer

Esturgeon de l a c

L6pJsos t6 osseux

Po i s son c a s t o r

Laquaiche

Gaspareau

Alose d ' h i ? r i q u e

Alose A g 6 s i e r

T r u i t e brune

T r u i t e a r c -en -c i e l

T r u i t e g r i s e

Cisco de l a c

Grand cor6gone

Epe r l an d tAni6rique

Umbre de vase

Brochet de mara i s

Brochet mai l16

Brochet du nord

Eiaskinong6

Coue t t e

Meunier rouge

S C I E N T I F I C ?TK\IE

Petromyzon - m a r i n u s -

Acipenser - f u l v e s c e l ~ s --

L e p i s o s t e u s o s scus - -- P ~ i a c a l v n

Hiodon t ergises

Alosa p s c u d o h n r e n : : ~ ~

Alosa sap id i s s i rna - --- Dorosoma cepetlinnum

Salmo t r u t t a

Salmo g a i r d n e r i

Cr i s t ivo iner namaycush - .- Leuc ich thys a r t edi-i.

Coregonus C u p e a f o r ~ n i s

Osmerus mordax

Umbra l i m i -- Esox amex-icanus -

amcricanus

Esox n i c e r - Esox l u c i u s - Esox m a s q u i n o n q -- Carpiodcs cyp r inus

Catostomus cai;ostomirs -

\\ih-i I ( . L ~ ~ ~ c : l i c : r ~

CO~?!""' 1'c'I~lo1-s(:

Rivc.1- recl1iur~:;e

S i l v e r I-edhorse

S h o r t head redhor-sc

Carp

F a l l f l s h

Creelc chub

Longnose dace

C u t l i p s mjinrlow

Redbe1l.y dace

Golden s h i n e r

Emerald s h i n e r

Common s h i n e r

Rosyface s h i n e r

S p o t t a i l s h i n e r .

B lackch in s h i n e r

S p o t f i n s h i n e r

Sand s h i n e r

Blacknose s h i n e r

Mimic s h i n e r

B r i d l e s h i n e r

S i l v e r y minnow

Fa thead minnow

Bluntnose minnow

Brown bu l lhead

Channel c a t f i s h

Tadpole madtom

American e e l

Banded k i l l i f i s h

Burbot

Trout -perch

Rock b a s s

Cclrpc n o i1.c

Carpc cu i.vr-c

Carpe b a l l o t

Carpe b lanche

Carpe a i l e s rouges

Carpe al lemande

Ouitouche

&fulet i cornes

Goujon l o n g ncz

~ e c - d e - l i & v r e

Goujon >: v e n t r e rouge

Cha t t e de l ' e s t

M6n6 kmeraude

M6n6 de 1-ulsseau

M6n6 2 t Gte. r o s e

Beveux - M6n6 i menton n o i r

bf6n6 bl eu

MQn6 de p a i l l e

MQnQ 5 nez n o i r

M6n6 p 2 l e

M6n4 d T h e r b e

M6n6 a r g e n t 6

M6n6 2 g r o s s e t 6 t e

Vent re -pour r i

B a r b o t t e brune

Barbue

Chat-f ou

Angu i l l e dTAm6rique

P e t i t b a r r 6 de 1 Test

Lotte

Omisco

Crapet dc roche

S e m o t i l l i s atromac:i~!- ;it:: - - - - - -.- - . - - . - -- Khi1licht11r.s ca tnrs : ! r ' i n : --_A. -_ _

EX&OSS~JTI rn;?.-j.l.:i 5 11 !:.I:'- -- .... .-~.--..- .

Chrosomus - -- cos

Not emif ;c~~l l~s crysLt:l ( ! [ I lee-

N o t r o p i s atilerinc-I - i (1~:

Notro7j .s c o ~ ~ n u t l l s

Not r o p i s rubel .1~:;

N o t r o p i s hudsonius

N o t r o p i s -- he t e r o d q n - N o t r o p i s s p i l o p t ~ r ? i i . s

N o t r o p i s st;ramirrc:us

N o t r o p i s ------- h e t e r o l c n i s

N o t r o p i s v o 1 u c e l . l ~ ~ --

N o t r o p i s ---.-- bifrennt;u.s

Hybognathus nu.cll;ll. is

Pimephales promclas --

Pimephales n o t a t u s -

I c t a l u r u s n e b u l o s ~ ~ . ~ ----

I c t a l u r u s pu11c.t at,1t.5 ---- Noturus g y r i n u s

A n g u i l l a r o s t r a t n

Fundulus diaphanus

Lota l o t n

P e r c o p s i s orniscor!!;~\-cu~

A n ~ b l o p l i t e s rupc~.-;:,;~i s

Lcir-gemout l l b a s s

Sniallmoutl: b a s s

Pumplcirlsced

Yellow pe rch

Tiall cyc

Srtugcr

Johnny d a r t e r

Logperch

E a s t e r n s and d a r t e r

Iowa d a r t e r

Freshwater drum

Eiott led s c u l p i n

Brook stickleback

B l u e g i l l :

Channel d a r t e r

Elooneye

G r e a t e r redhorse

$lari.gane ou criipec- -. Pomox:i __ s _d4___ n:i r?rsc,nl;tr-~tl _ ; i t ! I . ; .

c a l i c o t

Achigan 5 grande bouchc

Achignn p e t i t e bouche

Cr~ape t - so lc i l

Pcrchaudc

Dor6 jaulie

Dor6 rloir

Rasewc-dc-t e r r e

Dar-d-perche

Dard de s a b l e

P e t i t - g r i s de vase

Malachigan

Chabot t a c h e t k

Epinoche cinq &pines

ADDENDUM

bI:i.c~opt e l t l o l c-,m.ic:i~ :. -- . .--- -.-- +-.

L c p o m i s ~ i ~ ~ ~ ~ o : ~ l l s --

Perca Clavt~sc-c:r~s --- - ..--

Ethc:ostomn n i r > r u n i ---- -- . - Peroina capr_c)d i7s ---- A m r n o c r v p t a pcl I l ~ c . i t i , t -- J --A-

Etheostoma c x j J c - -- --- Apl.odinotus ~ I - L I I I R ~ C T ~ S

Cot tus ba i rc l i --- Culaea i n c o r l s k n n s ---

Crapet A o r c i l l e s b leues Lepomis - macrochi r i~s

Dard g r i s Pe rc ina - cope land i -- Laquaiche argentge Hiodon t e r i s u s

Carpe jaune Moxostoma valc!ncienncsi --- -

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

OF EFFECTS OF

PROPOSED REGULATION

OF

LAKE CHAMF'LAIN

WATER LEVELS

(U.S. PORTION OF THE STUDY AREA)

SUBMITTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL

CHAMPLAIN-RICHELIEU ENGINEERING BOARD

OF THE

INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE REPORT

FEBRUARY 22, 1974

J?"! ' ,..

'7 8 << '

* SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

In our judgment, the of Lake Champlain for flood control, b q g y of -- the proposals we have be environmentally undesirable in the U.S. -___ ...1̂ 1" L --- -.-- --_- _."__-- -

We were unable to identify any major long-term adverse impacts caused by the wide variations in annual water levels which appear to be a normal recurring sequence for Lake Champlain. Rather, we found a near-consensus of interdi~clipinar~ professional opinion that t se variations may be major factors in maintaining the "balance-11 of the highly diversified, z c t i v e ecosystem of the lake.

* --

Likewise, we were any si~nificant environmental benefits that could be expected to accrue to the lake as a result of regulation.

We did conclude, that, u w vrovosals incorporating significant flood control potential, the departure from normal timing, heights and duration of seasonal water levels would cause u n a ~ c e p ~ ~ v ~ e r s e environmental impacts.

7- --- - - -.---_1_-'.-_- --*-I-

Based on available data, we believe that the direct adverse effects of regulation, as indicated by the theoretical histogram for proposal 1-2, would be as follows:

-- Loss of major portions of irreplacable wetland nursery areas required by a wide spectrum of plant and animal life.

-- Loss of extensive areas of winter habitat for muskrats and beaver. -- Substantially increased floodins losses for nests of Mallard and BlacL-s.

__I_ _---IZI_ --- -- Much reduced spawning success for Northern pike. TI---

-.--- - - --

Our report chiefly addresses the probable quantitative or qualitative effects of artifically managed water levels on several fish and wildlife groups known to be sensitive to such change. There was not enough time to give similar consideration to many other species or groups less obviously but perhaps also significantly sensitive to water level manipulations.

As indicated, we recognize that our conclusions should be considered tentative, subject to review when more complete data become available. Likewise, ,we recognize t u

onservative attitude on the question of regulation vs. non-regulation - for a resource as valuable as Lake Champlain. We therefore recommend that the Board advise the International Joint Commission that none of the regulation proposals developed t o da& appear environmentally desirable.

We wish to reinforce our position against regulation of water levels by structural measures but suggest that appropriate study be directed to non-structural means of achieving flood control goals. If non-structural measures prove inadequate, conceivably a mix of structural and non-structural measures might prove both a feasible and desirable solution.

If, however, the Board elects to recommend a continuing search for less environmentally objectionable regulation schemes, it appears that no reasonably fihal judgments can be made until the probable environmental impacts are better defined by the several studies we propose.

CONTENTS

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HISTORY OF STUDY 1

EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DETERMINING FACTORS 5

NATURAL LAKE LEVELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

FAUNA

FISHERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

WATERFOWL ........................... 16

FURBEARERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

....................... INVERTEBRATES 2 0

. . . . . ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA USED FOR ASSESSMENT 2 1

. . . . . . . . . . REVIEW OF PROPOSED REGULATION SCHEMES 2 5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ASSESSMENT OF REGULATION SCHF,MES 2 6

RECOMMENDATIONS

. . . . . . . . . . . REGULATION vs . NON-REGULATION 2 8

ADDITIONAL STUDIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LITERATURE CITED 31

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS OF PROPOSED REGULATION OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN

AND THE RICHELIEU RIVER

SECTION I

HISTORY OF STUDY

The Environmental Committee was created in mid-June 1973 by the International Richelieu Engineering Board. It's charge was to study and report on "... the deisrability of regulating the levels of Lake Champlain as well as the levels and flows of the Richelieu River to alleviate extreme water conditions... (from the standpoint of) environmental factors including fish and wildlife.. . I'

The original members of the Committee were:

* F.E. Orr (Chairman) Vt. Agency for Environment Conservation * J. Finck, N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Conservation

D.I. Gillespie, Environment Canada * F. Gregg, N. E. River Basins Commission

G. Lernieux, Off ice de Planification et de ~gvelopement du ~6ebec G. Pageau, ~inistsre du Tourisme de la Chasse, et de la ~;c!he du Qukbec L. Rathushewitz, N. Y. District Corp of Engineers

However, changing work assignments and work conflicts caused a complete turnover in U.S. membership on the committee during it's brief existence. At the time of report preparation, membership was as follows:

C. Mason (Acting Chairman) N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Cons. * W. Albert, Vt. Agency for Environmental Conservation

B. Day, Vt. Agency for Environmental Conservation D. I. Gillespie, Environment Canada S. Hook, N.Y. District Corp of Engineers T. Klock, N. E. River Basins Commission G . Lemieux, Office de Planification et de ~kelo~ement du QuLbec G. Pageau, Ministere du Tourisme de la Chasse et de la du Qugbec

The Environmental Committee reached an early decision that it's limited resources of time, money and manpower would not permit it to address the full range of potentially favorable and unfavorable environmental impacts. Rather it was decided to concentrate efforts on use of fish and wildlife as environmental indicators, at least for U.S. conditions. However, by late July, Environment Canada had arranged for a consulting contract to prepare a somewhat broader Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment for Canadian portions of the proposed project.

Following the decision to give prime attention to potential impacts on fish and wildlife, the Environmental Committee in early August created a Fish and Wildlife Work Group to assemble available information, conduct and coordinate additional studies as required, and evaluate the results. The membership of the Work Group was as follows:

C. Mason (Coordinator, N.Y.S. Dept. of Env. Conservation L. Halnon, Vermont Fish and Game Department

6 /

G. Pageau, ~inistsre du Tourisme de la Chasse et de la Peche du Quebec M. Pfeiffer, N.Y. State Dept. of Environmental Conservation W. Thurlow, Environmental Controls (Consultants) Ottawa, Canada

The Work Group held four regular working sessions in Vermont, N.Y., and Quebec. In addition, several other meetings were arranged involving two or more members with specific common concerns. Early meetings were to exchange data, decide what additional work was needed, work out scheduling and common methodology of field work, and develop recommendations on several proposals for additional work by teams from the University of Vermont and State University of N.Y. at Plattsburgh. Later meetings reviewed progress, revised work priorities and consolidated and interpreted data obtained.

The Work Group located only limited data upon which to base estimates of probable impacts of lake level regulation.

Neither Vermont, New York nor the federal government have undertaken major studies of Lake Champlain in recent years. Since no pressing problems involving water quality, fish, or wildlife had been identified, and since the lake has been satisfying the slowly increasing demands of all users, both states have been giving primary attention to other areas.

Quebec, however, had recently undertaken an investigation of its burdgeonings winter fishery for perch, and both New York and Vermont have also conducted more limited surveys of their prime ice fisheries. Both states, with Quebec concurrence, have just launched a large scale, long-term research and development program for trout and salmonid fisheries in Champlain.

In addition to the paucity of recent biological data, Group members recognized the need for, but could not locate, until late in the report writing period, detailed records of lake level stages broken down for time intervals shorter than a month. Likewise, it was found that information was lacking on lake and shore contours within the elevation ranges subject to primary impact from lake level regulation.

In recognition of the need for additional data, some of which could still be gathered in 1973, the Work Group reached the following decisions:

1. New York and Vermont would concentrate effort of available staff on sampling water depths for a number of key bays, reefs, marshes and wetlands areas.

2. The Environment Canada contractor would give primary attention to ful- filling his contract obligations but would, if time permitted, try to also establish contours for several transects of Missisquoi Bay.

3. Several of the Studies and Services, earlier nominated to the Environmental Committee appeared to offer sufficient prospects for producing needed data. Accordingly, Work Group members recommended that the following proposals be authorized and funded:

a. Evaluation of Erosion along Vermont's shoreline

Principal Investigators:

R. Wagner R. Fisher

University of Vermont University of Vermont

Cost $ 2,900

b. Analysis of Effects of Water Level Regulation on Major Wetland Communities in Lake Champlain

Principal Investigators:

G. Gruendling D. Bogucki

Cost

c. Salary and Expenses Consultant Waterfowl and Aquatic Botany

Consultant:

Dirck Benson - former N.Y. S. Dept, ENCON

Cost (originally $750) amended - $ 1,000

An additional study, also nominated for approval and funding, involved Determination of the Effects of Changing Water Levels on the Thermal Structure of Lake Champlain. After reviewing the proposal with it's sponsor, Dr. G. Myer, SUNY-Plattsburgh, we recommended that it be deferred for possible reconsideration once the study could be structured around a firm regulation scheme. The Board concurred with the Work Group recommendations and gave verbal approval for work to proceed. This was based on the assumption that some U.S. governmental agency would provide appropriate funding.

4. Following completion of field studies in both U.S. and Canada, these would be interpreted on the basis of the best available information and reports would be prepared for use by the Environmental Committee in drafting it's report.

We have made substantial use of Work Group and Canadian contractors findings and reports, as well as those of Benson, in preparation of this assessment.

Unfortunately, the delayed authorization and further delay in funding of the two contract studies limited the investigators reports to description of pilot studies, and preliminary findings, at the time of this report preparation.

When available environmental data were summarized as a basis for evaluating the probable impact of proposed regulation schemes, U.S. members of the committee were led to a different conclusion from that reached by the Environment Canada representative and their consultant.

Environment Canada has concluded that the regulation of Lake Champlain and the Richelieu River water levels - including water profiles of proposal 1-2 - would be environmentally acceptable. In part, this probably reflects primary concern for the river which may be quite different, environmentally, from the lake itself. Also, the conclusion probably reflects a differing value scale since E.C. does not consider the Northern pike an important part of Quebec's Missisquoi Bay fishery. Moreover, E.C. does not believe that the Canadian areas subject to regulation produce significant waterfowl. They also believe that any loss of muskrat and beaver habitat would be compensated by newly productive areas, following the lowering of water levels.

Accordingly, Environment Canada has submitted a separate report, based primarily on recommendations of their consultant. The Canadian report indicates their belief that the environment of their portion of the study area is sufficiently resilient to withstand the flow regulations recommended by the Hydrology Committee.

Therefore, the report that follows will concentrate on Lake Champlain. The sections will detail the information - and assumptions - which persuaded us to reach a different conclusion for a different area.

SECTION I1

EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

DETERMINING FACTORS

General Discussion - The environmental setting that exists today in the Lake Champlain-Richelieu River study area is attributable in large measure to the interacting influence of three dominant forces - (a) the geology of the area, (b) the climatic conditions which prevail, and (c) the effects brought about by man's intrusion. The interplay of these forces has led to the creation of a setting which is recognized by many biological authorities as being almost unique in the northeastern part of North America, if not the continent (30) in terms of diversity and productivity. In spite of variables currently associated with weather and man, the natural environment of the study area can be considered in general equilibrium, if viewed over a period of several decades. This con- clusion is supported by analysis of these influences on the study area, and a review of life processes which exist as a result of these influences.

Geologic Determinants - The landscape features of the study area and the natural environment these features assist in supporting are the result of recent geologic action.

Lake Champlain itself is relatively young, having been formed through events occuring during the Glacial Age, subsequent invasion by the sea, and then substantial uplift of the landscape. Following the recession of the ice lobe which occupied the Champlain valley some 12,000 years ago, the Lake was formed between the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains by the damming effect of the retreating glacier (30). However, with melting of this northern barrier, the lake underwent a dramatic environmental change by flowing to the north instead of southward. This eventually allowed the marine environment, then established in the St. Lawrence valley, to invade part of the Champlain valley (30). Consequently, that portion of the study area influenced by the sea (northern environs of the Lake and the Richelieu valley) was overlain by an extensive till plain (46). Also certain marine life forms were established in the valley, principally related to the fishery, some remnants of which possibly are in existence today. This marine influence was concluded by the gradual uplift of the entire region, estimated to have been as much as 450 feet along the Canadian-U.S. boundary. Greater uplift at the northern as opposed to the southern part of the study area eventually brought the Richelieu River in contact with the more resistant horizontal beds of e k s s located in the vicinity of where St. Jean, Quebec now exists. This formation created a natural dam effect on the outflow of water from the basin - thus determining the physical characteristics of the Lake and to some extent the limnological patterns which prevail today. The shoals at St. Jean most likely are a part of this earlier formation, and are recognized as being the controlling natural factor on the lake's hydrologic conditions.

The considerable fall of the River that developed north of this point separated a part of the Lake's environment from further St. Lawrence River or marine influences. The uplift action also insulated to some extent the Lake's environment from the rest of the watershed, as free movement between the Lake and feeder streams was

greatly reduced, and in some cases eliminated by the creation of extensive falls in these streams. Thus the water-related aspects of the study area ecology have evolved for the last 9,000 years (30) in a manner which has been fairly well isolated from outside influences.

Climatic Conditions - The study area lies in the global zone of westerly winds and is also influenced to some extent by the mean path of tropical air masses from the Gulf of Mexico. Precipitation and temperature- effects in- the study area resulting from its location in the northern part of the temperate zone is accentuated by the mountains on either side of most of the study area. As a result, precipitation is very high in the surrounding mountains and occurs more often than not in a frozen form, creating essentially a cold water environment and a shortened growing season. Thus the climate generally favors those life forms which can adapt to a relatively cold climate and periodic harsh winter storms. However, because of the shallow Lake depths that occur in some bays, temperate micro-climates do exist which can support warm-water ecosystems, including warm water fisheries. The Lake, during its ice-free season, also tends to moderate the climate of the immediate environs, thus providing a wide variety of habitats related to degree of exposure to the elements.

Influences of Man - The presence of man in the study area has caused varying degrees of change to the natural environmental setting. Widespread deforestation and subsequent farming (especially on the Vermont side) has had an effect on water quality of the Lake, and probably relates to turbidity and amount of nutrients present. Clear curting of timber and burns on the N.Y. side of the watershed in the late 1800's probably was responsible for rapid early spring runoffs that occured for the next few decades. Construction of power dams on the Lake's tributaries has altered the fisheries, as those species such as Atlantic salmon which are anadromous could no longer reach favorable spawning areas. The location of population centers along the Lake and the River have obviated some ecologically important shorelines, and have created pockets of lowered water quality caused by waste disposal. Also man's direct actions have altered natural life balances perhaps slightly, for many fish and wildlife species either through management practices or through selective predation. One management practice has been the introduction of exotics such as Brown trout and Rainbow trout. Another is the re-introduction of formerly native species which have not flourished in recent times. However, it would appear from the biological surveys which have been made (30), and considered judgements of naturalists that man has had a relatively limited effect on the environmental balance of Lake Champlain in comparison with other large bodies of water in the Northeast. Most likely this is due to the fact that the Lake is not experiencing extreme utilization pressures, and the surrounding area remains for the most part in a rural state of settlement.

NATURAL LAKE LEVELS

Patterns and Trends - Because of the unique combination of climatic and geologic conditions (extremes in weather, mountainous terrain, and natural regulation) which prevail in the Lake Champlain Basin, compared to other large lake regions in eastern North America, it is easy to understand that the principal determinate in the evolvement of the Lake's ecosystem is its wide fluctuations in water levels. The normal annual fluctuation is 6 feet and the maximum recorded is 8.5 feet. Between

the extreme high and low levels there is a difference of almost 10 feet.

Other lakes in the region which are under nearly similar climatic influences have, as a result of regulation, significantly narrower water level variations. Canandaigua Lake, one of New York's finger lakes, has recorded a difference of only 5 feet between extreme high and low levels, with a normal fluctuation of only several feet. Seneca Lake, also one of the finger lakes, shows only a 4 foot fluctuation. Oneida Lake, somewhat closer to Lake Champlain in New York State, seldom fluctuates more than three feet.

Casual observation of the Lake Champlain's fluctuations would lead one to believe that it's extreme range of water levels would create general instability in the natural environment. However, upon closer analysis, one is able to observe normal trends and patterns which are of utmost importance to the Lake's ecosystem. The combination of the water level means and extremes have so influenced the evolution of the ecosystem that the wetlands which have been established are both highly attractive to and productive of waterfowl, furbearers, and many other wetland- associated game and non-game species.

The natural trends and patterns in lake levels which relate to the ecosystem it supports can be described by the following statements, which were derived from analysis of U.S.G.S. lake level records taken between 1908 and 1974 at Burlington, Vt.

(1) The lake reaches its low water level in late fall, and almost always before December. In only two instances was the lowest point reached during December or later. One could then conclude that the shallow edges of the lake which are not exposed at the onset of winter remain protected from deep freezing by a covering of ice which normally forms in mid-December. These shallow edges are in a fairly permanent zone, as the Lake level is usually between 93.5 and 94.5 feet by December 1st.

(2) The period of December to February is one of marked stability. In 43 of the 66 recorded years, the Lake level rose slightly during this period, and in the remaining years, the Lake stayed the same or decreased slightly. In only one case was there a recorded low for the year, or a lake drop of more than about one foot during this interval.

(3) Without fail, the lake has risen sharply during the period February to April. Usually this strong upward trend starts at the beginning of the period; however, there are exceptions where, because of extreme cold weather, the snow melt and resulting upward trend is delayed for several weeks. 'About 90 per cent of the time the rise is at least three feet, and more than one-half of the time the rise is four feet or more. Only in two years since 1908 was the rise less than two feet. In most instances, the lake has reached a level of 96.5 to 98 feet by the end of March or early April.

(4) The peak in lake levels has always occurred during the period April to June. Usually the peak occurs in late April or early May, depending upon the time rapid snow melt occurs. The succeeding immediate decline in water level is usually quite rapid during the latter part of the period, but not to the extent that the levels drop below those which occurred in the beginning of April. During the early part of the century, man apparently did affect this particular pattern, as the peak water periods occurred some-

what e a r l i e r - u s u a l l y a t t h e beginning of t h e pe r iod . This was probably due t o t he watershed d e f o r e s t a t i o n t h a t had occurred , and t h e r e s u l t i n g more r a p i d runoff . Nature, over t h e succeeding yea r s has hea led t h e s e s c a r s , and t h e l ake l e v e l p a t t e r n r e f l e c t s t h i s c o r r e c t i o n .

(5) The summer and e a r l y f a l l per iods a r e cha rac t e r i zed by a more gradual r eces s ion i n l a k e l e v e l s . There seems t o be very l i t t l e v a r i a t i o n t o t h i s t rend .

Because of t h e number of l a r g e s t reams which feed i t and t h e s t e e p g r a d i e n t s of t h e s e s t reams, t h e Lake responds qu ick ly t o any s i g n i f i c a n t changes i n c l i m a t i c condi t ions . Major s torms o r thawing pe r iods a r e r e f l e c t e d i n abrupt i nc reases i n l a k e l e v e l s , bu t more o f t e n than n o t , t h e s e n a t u r a l phenomena occur i n a way which co inc ides w i th long-term l ake l e v e l t r ends . La te w in te r snowstorms w i l l on ly de lay t h e time of thaw and i ce -ou t , b u t t h e s a m e c y c l i c a l p a t t e r n of Spring high water w i l l occur. La te s p r i n g o r e a r l y summer r a i n - storms usua l ly mean a s l i g h t ex tens ion of t h e per iod when t h e water l e v e l recedes. The win ter t ime i s l e a s t v a r i a b l e , a s low win te r temperatures causes t h e runoff t o be r a t h e r s t a b l e .

Conclusions on Water Levels - In a l l , t h e r e i s s u r p r i s i n g r e g u l a r i t y t o t h e n a t u r a l f l u c t u a t i o n s of t h e Lake, t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t h igh ly s e n s i t i v e ecosystems f l o u r i s h because of t h e cons is tency of t h e above i d e n t i f i e d p a t t e r n s . I n r e sea rch ing Lake Champlain and i t s envi rons , one must conc'lude t h a t t h i s body, t he s i x t h l a r g e s t f reshwater l a k e i n t h e U.S., i s among t h e most d i v e r s e and product ive anywhere on t h e con t inen t . Statements r e f e r r i n g t o t h e abundance and v a r i e t y of p l a n t and v e r t e b r a t e l i f e abound i n t h e voluminous h i s t o r i c a l and c u r r e n t w r i t i n g s on t h e Lake (1) (30) (43) (44). Modern day i n v e s t i g a t i o n s by Pageau (36) show an annual y i e l d of 160 tons of s p o r t f i s h (with an a s s o c i a t e d annual expendi ture of $170,000 by the fishermen) from t h e Canadian s e c t i o n of Missisquoi Bay a lone which comprises about 4 per cen t of Lake Champlain. Anderson ( 2 ) (3) working on t h e Inland Sea ( e a s t of Grand I s l e Country i n t he no r the rn segment of t h e Lake) has documented c l o s e t o a q u a r t e r of a m i l l i o n man-hours of f i s h i n g e f f o r t annual ly i n t h e 365 day a year f i s h e r y t h a t Champlain provides i n Vermont.

Inferences a s t o why t h e Lake appears so a b l e t o support such a t h r i v i n g fauna community of over f i f t y spec i e s of f i s h (30) a lone and hundreds of p l a n t spec i e s inc luding some of t he most r a r e (18) p o i n t t o t h e wide f l u c t u a t i o n s of i t s water l e v e l s a s t h e p r i n c i p a l f a c t o r i n t h i s r ega rd , (18) (30) (43). It i s a reasonable analogy t o compare t h e c y c l i c long range and annual f l u c t u a t i o n of Lake Champlain t o marine t i d a l undula t ions and t h e d i v e r s i t y of l i f e t h a t t h e e s t u a r i n e a r e a s harbor . I t i s a l s o reasonable t o assume t h a t t h e shallows of t h e Lake, and i n p a r t i c u l a r t h e many square mi les of surrounding wetlands, hold t h e s e c r e t of t h e Lake's d i v e r s i t y and success .

WETLANDS

General Desc r ip t ion - I n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o the l i f e cyc l e s of t h e fauna of Lake Champlain lends support t o t he u l t i m a t e importance of i t ' s surrounding 25,000+ a c r e s of wet lands i n Vermont, New York, and Quebec. These wet a r e a s s e r v e as t h e i n i t i a l , s ea sona l o r permanent home f o r v i r t u a l l y a l l spec i e s of f i s h , f u r b e a r e r s ,

NEW YORK

8 RICHCLIEU R.

MISSISQUOI R .

LAMOILLE R .

VERMONT N

0 5 10 15 - S c a l e of Miles LITTLE OTTER CRK.

TICONDEROGA

POULTNEY R .

M A J O R W . E T L A N D S

of

L A K E C H A M P L A I N

shorebirds, waterfowl, songbirds, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrate life associated with the Lake. At one point in time, all of this life is crowded into a discontinuous band of wetlands, in places only a few feet wide, totaling no more than one tenth of the Lake's 435 square miles of surface area. We consider these fresh- water "wetlands" to include swamps, marshes and shallow bays on which standing water, seasonal or permanent, has a depth of six feet or less and where the wet soil retains sufficient moisture to support aquatic or semi-aquatic life.

Until rather recent years, wetlands of the continent were being lost, at accelerating rates, to drainage or filling for agricultural, industrial or residential use. Fortunately, Champlain wetlands have remained largely intact since there has been only limited residential or industrial growth within the basin. Our wetlands are now generally agreed to be unique and irreplaceable, filling a variety of critical needs of the lake's ecosystem. This change in concept of highest and best use has resulted from better understanding of the role of wetlands as essential breeding and nursery areas, perhaps for the majority of the lake species of fish and wildlife - some of which spend much of their lives elsewhere. Additionally, it has recently been learned that marshes are playing an increasingly important role in maintaining the water quality of lakes and estuarines. Run-off waters, particularly from areas of active agriculture, now transport substantial loads of nitrogen and phosphorous. Where such enriched tributaries empty directly into a lake, they accelerate the rate of eutrophication - hastening the lake aging process and with it many undesirable side effects. However, when such nutrient laden tributaries first enter a marsh, this appears to serve as a relatively efficient waste treatment plant (34).

Economic Value of Wetlands - Historically, the natural resources of Lake Champlain have always played an important economic role in the valley. Both sides of the lake find themselves becoming more and more natural resource oriented and dependent upon related outdoor recreation. This area is most attractive when the ecosystem is in its best health. Healthful lake conditions are, of course, also best for wetland wildlife too. Thus economic values in relation to wetland resources and other recreationally oriented uses merit strong mention.

In an article by Benson and Perry (13) it was concluded that the contribution of an acre of marsh, when capitalized, ran into several hundred dollars when the interests of society, the community, and the individual were fused. With inflation and the changing value of the dollar, this capitalized value would now have to be put in excess of $1000 per acre of wetlands. With 20,000 acres of wetlands in Vermont and another 5000 in New York, the aggregate value of the wetland resource may approach 30 million dollars for the entire lake. Changing the natural water regime could greatly damage these marsh values.

Wetlands Sensitivity to Lake Levels - Lake Champlain has a variety of wetland types, ranging from narrow, shallow bands along meandering streams, to relatively broad swampy areas including sections of deeper water. These different wetland types react somewhat differently to the annual water cycles. In dry years, some of the shallow marshes remain dry, but are thereby revitalized by oxidation processes in the exposed bottoms. In such years, the deeper marshes must sustain the vital life processes for the new generations of fish and wildlife.

In spite of some recognized differences between Lake Champlain wetlands, it might be

of i n t e r e s t t o review the normal sequences of events f o r an "average" wetland f o r an "average" year.

The f i r s t k i l l i n g f r o s t usua l ly occurs about October 1st i n the Champlain Basin. This seems t o t r i g g e r the annual house bui ld ing chore of muskrats i n the shallower marshes with abundant food.

Soon the c h i l l i n g of these shallow waters sends aqua t i c i n s e c t s burrowing i n t o the bottom ooze t o wai t ou t the coming winter . S imi lar ly , f rogs , toads and t u r t l e s work t h e i r way beneath the marsh bottom t o h ibe rna te till spring.

' Normally, water l e v e l s gradual ly increase throughout the win te r months a s a r e s u l t of r a i n s and winter thaws increas ing runoff from the watershed. However, the trend i s q u i t e s t a b l e u n t i l e a r l y February when increas ing temperatures begin t o cause a more rap id r i s e i n water l eve l s . By mid-March f locks of male Redwing blackbirds have re turned from the South, and soon a d u l t Northern pike begin t o congregate near the mouths of ice-locked streams. The warm days and spr ing r a i n s t h a t con t r ibu te t o the ice-break-up a l s o unlock the snowpack of t h e watershed causing a r ap id r i s e of some two o r t h r e e f e e t i n water l eve l s . Now the p ike and o the r e a r l y spawners can move up i n t o the flooded marshes and f i e l d s t o deposi t t h e i r eggs, and r e t u r n t o the lake (28) (47) (48). Muskrat males embark i n cons tant search of mates. Black ducks, mallards and wood ducks drop i n , i n p a i r s , from t h e i r winter range. e marsh begins t o come a l i v e a f t e r the long q u i e t of winter . ,'P $&-${%A pl%?C * The black and mallard ducks quickly e s t a b l i s h t e r r i t o r i e s and g e t on with n e s t bui ld ing, o f t e n a top a r a t house o r i n the f i r s t c ro tch of a flooded willow. Most of these n e s t s w i l l be some two f e e t above s t i l l - r i s i n g waters. By mid-April, ducks have completed t h e i r c lu tch of eggs and s e t t l e d down f o r nea r ly a month of incubation. During t h i s period, usual ly i n l a t e Apr i l o r e a r l y May, spr ing high waters w i l l normally c r e s t , o f t e n only a few scant inches below t h e duck n e s t s a t lower e levat ions . If t h e cool waters r i s e above t h e n e s t platform, the c l u t c h of eggs w i l l be destroyed by c h i l l i n g .

In t h e meantime, p ike eggs a r e hatching and t h e t i n y pike f r y s t a r t t o forage i n the protec ted waters of the marsh. Here they must feed and grow f o r about a month before they can s a f e l y venture i n t o the l ake with i t s abundance of predacious f i s h . By mid-May, sp r ing waters s t a r t t o recede and t h e marsh begins t o f i l l with the female redwings and the many o t h e r marsh b i r d s l e s s t o l e r a n t of cold weather. Soon f l o a t i l l a s of mother ducks and t h e i r broods c r i s s - c r o s s t h e marsh, feeding on the abundant i n s e c t s among the f l o a t i n g and emergent p l a n t debr i s . Water l e v e l s continue t o recede from reduced runoff and increased evaporation, concentrat ing duck broods i n l a r g e r wetland areas . Many marsh edges s t a r t t o dry , and soon show t r a v e l lanes of raccoons foraging through the lush shore l ine vegeta t ion t h a t spr ings from germinating seeds.

By mid-September, many marsh b i rds depar t f o r the South leaving the marshes t o l o c a l ducks, soon t o be augmented by numerous migrants from Canada. These feed on the aqua t i c s a s we l l a s the band of flooded shore l ine weeds. Soon, it i s time f o r the f i r s t f r o s t y n igh t , completing t h e cycle.

Within comparatively recent years the v i t a l r o l e of wetlands - and hence the need t o preserve and p r o t e c t those t h a t remain - has become widely recognized. New York, i n p a r t i c u l a r , a f t e r su f fe r ing the l o s s of a s u b s t a n t i a l percentage of i t s o r i g i n a l wetlands, has moved t o p r o t e c t those remaining by a v a r i e t y of i n s t i t u t i o n a l safeguards.

These ac t ions include an amendment t o the S t a t e Const i tu t ion t o a f f i rm i n the "Conservation B i l l of Rights" ( A r t i c l e X I V , Sect ion 4) t h e S t a t e ' s cormnittment I t . . .

to conserve and protect its natural resources..." including the protection of "... wetlands and shorelines. .." This has reinforced the many provisions of New York's Environmental Conservation laws intended to protect and preserve wetland environments. Moreover, the N.Y. State Environmental Plan recognizes that "Fish and Wildlife are highly sensitive to environmental change ..." and that". .. drainage of wetlands ... can show an immediate effect in the abundance, diversity and viability of fish and wildlife populations.!' Perhaps even more significantly, N.Y. voters have over- whelmingly endorsed two massive Bond Acts which, together, authorized the expenditure of 26 million dollars to purchase and preserve wetlands of the State. Six million dollars of this total was earmarked for purchasing freshwater wetland.areas. Additionally, some seven million dollars more, including federal shares under several national programs, has been scheduled for purchasing other upstate N.Y. wetlands over the next six years.

Over 1300 acres of key wetland areas along Lake Champlain have already been purchased by New York to insure their preservation. Negotiations are underway at the moment to purchase substantially more.

Clearly, New York has already made a massive committment to preserving and improving its remaining wetlands. New York's Department of Environmental Conservation is administering this state policy by vigorously opposing any proposal which adversely effects wetlands, and it can be assumed that this position will continue to be adhered to on Lake Champlain.

~ermont's specific concern for their wetlands and recognition of their importance is reflected in the original Vermont Interim Land Capability Plan (50), later in the Vermont Land Use and Development Plan (51) and finally in the legislative draft of the Vermont Land Use Plan (52). With the exception of the latter, all have been enacted by Vermont Legislature into law. The Land Use Plan, Shoreland Zoning and Flood Plain Zoning are all being considered by the Vermont Legislative body during the 1974 term, and should result in further protection of wetland areas.

One-fifth of Vermont's 100,000 acres of wetland are directly affected by Lake Champlain water levels. These 20,000 acres are located at 53 major sites along Champlain's eastern shores.

Of the wetlands acreage on the Vermont side of the Lake, about one half are already in public ownership, under management by the Vermont Fish and Game Department, Agency of Erivironmental Conservation or the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife.

At this writing, an area at the mouth of the Missisquoi River on the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is under Congressional consideration to become a Wilderness Area under the Wilderness Area Act of September 3, 1964. The 114 acre parcel, known as Shad Island, is a conglomerate of open marsh, brushy marsh and seasonally flooded hardwood swamp primarily consisting of silver maple type. The island is currently recognized by the Department of Interior as a National Research Natural Area and by the Society of American Foresters as a Natural Area. The evolution of this island is thought to be unique and the result of long term effects of wide variations in lake level at the delta of one of Champlain's largest tributaries.

Lake Champlain wetlands, as already indicated, are not all large tracts. To the contrary, some areas of extremely small size (less than an acre) play disproportionately important roles for certain elements of the wildlife community during years of extreme water levels. In summary, it is these wetlands, large and small, and the plant associations that constitute them that form the living fringe of Lake Champlain.

FLORA

General Descript ion - Productive wetlands a r e b e s t v i sua l i zed a s shallow zones of emergent and submergent marsh vegeta t ion t h a t connect t e r r e s t r i a l vegeta t ion with open water. These provide both food and cover f o r w i l d l i f e and tend t o keep predation and o the r w i l d l i f e losses a t a minimum. Lake Champlain has many shallow water a reas which have developed i n t o n a t u r a l , well-balanced marsh a reas showing a gamut of species from (1) submergents on the open water f r i n g e , through (2) t y p i c a l marsh emergents, t o (3) t h e upland f l o r a . These shallow water and marsh u n i t s a r e very productive and support an unusual v a r i e t y of aqua t i c p l a n t s , q u i t e o f t e n i n lush abundance. This i s a consequence of the l ake l e v e l p a t t e r n during the growing season of varying by four f e e t o r less. The f i r s t major botanica l survey of the l ake revealed t h a t the p r i n c i p a l water weed a r e a occured a t t h e northern and southern ends. The r e l a t i v e l y few weed beds occuring i n the wide, middle por t ion of the lake were found near t h e mouths of s treams, p a r t i c u l a r l y on the Vermont s ide . About 100 species of l a rge aquat ics were detec ted wi th in t h e watershed.

Spot checks made i n l a t e summer of 1973 revealed no s i g n i f i c a n t change, e i t h e r i n numbers o r species composition. However, Benson (11) de tec ted some evidence of s l i g h t changes which he a t t r i b u t e s more t o increased enrichment than t o extreme high and low lake l e v e l s during the p a s t decade.

The narrow southern por t ion of the l ake is very shallow and every major windstorm muddies t h e water by eros ion of the s i l t o r c l a y shore l ine . S t i l l , t he mud f l a t s and shallow waters of the region support l a r g e a reas of important water p lan t s . From the v i c i n i t y of Por t Henry nor th t o Pla t t sburgh, the lake is deep and wide. Here, much of the western shore l ine i s rocky with only l imi ted areas capable of supporting rooted vegetat ion. There a r e only about 8 important weed areas i n t h e e n t i r e s t r e t c h so these p lay a p a r t i c u l a r l y c r u c i a l r o l e a s feeding and nursery a reas f o r f i s h and w i l d l i f e .

The cha rac te r of the l ake again changes northward from South Hero Island. Here the wide shallow waters a r e broken by severa l l a r g e i s lands . Some of the numerous shoals and r e e f s support weed beds although many of the smaller bays a r e nea r ly f r e e of vegetat ion. This nor thern reach of Lake Champlain contains some seven major communities of aqua t i c p l a n t s with Missisquoi Bay being one of the most important. Most of the marsh and wetland a reas a r e bordered by seasonal ly flooded swamps. Here, woody vegeta t ion ranges from such f lood- to lerant species a s panicled dogwood, buttonbush and red maples t o black ash , s i l v e r maple, black and sugar maples, and American elm. Locally, e i t h e r red o r white cedars may a l s o survive a t e l eva t ions below average high water marks. On those por t ions of the open marsh which a r e underwater during the growing season, a r e found many of the comon vascular p lan t s . Among t h e most prominent of these a r e narrow and broad l ea f c a t t a i l , burreed, rushes, sedges a s we l l a s o the r g rass types. The more comon broad leafed v a r i e t i e s found include smartweeds, c inquefo i l , water parsnip and l o o s e s t r i f e . I n t h e open water sec t ions of a t y p i c a l marsh would be found pondweed, duckweed, pickerelweed, waterweed, duck pota to , pondl i ly , m i l f o i l , bladderwort, coon ta i l and wild ce lery .

The i s l ands i n the broad s e c t i o n of Lake Champlain a r e dominated by such species a s beech, basswood, American elm, s i l v e r maple, white and red cedar, and p i n cherry. A t yp ica l i s l and understory would conta in staghorn sumac, wi ld grape, Virgin ia creeper , dogwood and raspberry. Herbaceous forms common i n i s l and c lea r ings a r e s t ing ing n e t t l e , bedstraw, night-shade, wi ld mustard, yellow c r e s s , mallow, baneberry and severa l of the grasses .

Floral Sensitivity to Lake Levels - Benson (11) observed in his field investigations in 1973 the extent of floral sensitivity to lake levels which are abnormal both in height and time of year of occurrence. He notes that the recent abnormally high water periods during late spring and early summer have affected submergent plant distribution because of the influence on bottom soil and light penetration. He points out that high waters mean less light penetration over some established aquatic beds. Outer, deep-water fringes tend to die out and the species extend their range inward to former shallower water. This phenomenom probably reverses itself in periods of abnormally low water, although observations do not exist to confirm this. In any case, Benson states that submerged vegetation, in terms of both abundance and variety, seem relatively unchanged.

However, he also notes that the effects of water level fluctuations are more obvious on emergent aquatic vegetation than on submergents. Perennial emergent species, as the bulrushes, cannot respond as rapidly to changing lake levels. Very low water levels leave an undesirable gap between escape cover and feeding areas for wildlife. Very high water levels may cover the emergents which are valuable for cover. In 1973 hard round-stemmed bulrush was the most frequent emergent followed by the soft round- stemmed bulrush, creeping spike rush and narrow-leafed cattail. All these species, but especially the hard round-stemmed bulrush, reflected the problems for perennials growing in too deep water. Under these conditions supporting stems rely too much on water buoyancy for support. When waters recede, the plants flop over, do not fruit normally, and fail to store food adequately for the next year. Likewise, they neither provide good shelter for larger wildlife, nor support the normal qualities of small animal life.

Backing up these deeper water emergents lies pickerel weed or in shallow, protected bays it may serve as a vanguard plant. This species, being low growing, provides even less shelter and animal food support at times of high water.

Mud flat and very shallow water species, as arrow leaf and water plaintain, were almost non-existent in their normal territory, being unable to compete with high water levels. Most specimens observed were squeezed up into a zone that in normal times is almost terrestrial. It did not provide a belt wide enough to be of value to most wetlands wildlife.

As an annual, wildrice seems to have been greatly reduced by high water levels. It has been unable to keep itself established in its normal niche because of problems caused by water action. Seemingly, perhaps because of competition with established perennial root systems, it has been unable to grow well in its more normal water depth. Currently wildrice on the lake fringe is greatly reduced. Return to normal water fluctuations will permit the reestablishment of this important species. Because of the reduction of seed stock in many areas, wildrice may take several years of normal water levels to return to former abundance. Countryman (18) observes that many species of vascular plants are most abundant in marshy areas characterized by widely fluctuating water levels. Some plant species are found exclusively in such habitats and it would appear reasonable to assume that such conditions, i.e., widely fluctuating water levels, are indeed a requirement for the successful growth and development of these species. A number of aquatic plant species appear able to maintain themselves in a vegetative state while totally submersed but flower only when emersed at times of extreme low water.

One of the most interesting plants in New England is in this category viz., Littorella americana Fern. This species, described by one eminent botanist as, "one of the rarest plants in North America" is known from only half a dozen localities in

New England. One of these locat ions i s i n northern Lake Champlain i n the marsh a t Kelly Bay i n the Town of Alburg (18). L i t t o r e l l a grows the re submersed i n shallow water but flowers only i n years when t h e water l e v e l of the lake is very low l e v e l and the p l a n t s a r e stranded and exposed t o the a i r . It is a wel l known f a c t t h a t many species of aquat ic p l a n t s normally grow with t h e i r roo t s submersed and t h e i r upper por t ions emersed. Such p l a n t s a r e among t h e most abundant and c h a r a c t e r i s t i c species of marshy areas. Many such species flower and f r u i t only a s t h e water recedes i n l a t e spring and summer. Included i n t h i s category a r e severa l species whose f r u i t s a r e of g r e a t importance a s food f o r waterfowl. Examples of such species include Sparganium spp. ( e spec ia l ly 2. eurycarpum), Scirpus spp. (especia l ly 2. f l u v i a t i l i s ) and Polygonum spp., a l l common i n Lake Champlain marshes. Controll ing the water l e v e l of the lake wi th in narrow l i m i t s would d r a s t i c a l l y r e s t r i c t the f r u i t i n g of such species and t h i s would quickly be r e f l e c t e d i n reduced food supply f o r waterfowl. I n summary, i t appears t h a t the changes i n emergent vegeta t ion on the New York shores of Lake Champlain i n the l a s t 40 odd years r e l a t e t o water levels . Most emergents a r e perennials and survive excessive highs and a l s o lows, but during these extremes they f a i l to provide the niches t h a t a r e important t o wetland w i l d l i f e . Within present knowledge, it i s believed t h a t water l eve l s permit t ing emergent p lan t species to con t r ibu te t h e most t o wetland w i l d l i f e , and perhaps lake hea l th , would be wi th in t h e maximum and minimum l e v e l s of 98 f e e t and 94 f e e t a s es tabl ished over the long term average during the growing season. However, occasional higher waters than these l e v e l s do flood out some emergents which from t i m e t o t i m e form too dense o r s o l i d stands. This is p a r t i c u l a r l y use fu l i n the n a t u r a l con t ro l of c a t t a i l and buttonbush.

It should again be noted t h a t Benson's .(11) f i e l d observations and conclusions r e l a t e d pr imar i ly t o e f f e c t s of abnormally high water during t h e summer period. Lacking s i m i l a r d a t a , we cannot specula te on the response of p lan t communities subjected t o abnormally

. l o w l e v e l s , seasonally o r over longer periods. Seemingly, t h i s would r e s u l t i n s h i f t s , both i n species composition, species d e n s i t i e s and t h e i r geographical d i s t r i b u t i o n throughout t h e wetland. Also, seemingly such low waters would have benef ic ia l e f f e c t s on vegeta t ive responses through t h e mechanisms of s o i l d e t o x i f i c a t i o n and organic mat ter breakdown.

FISHERIES

General Descript ion - Some of the e a r l i e s t wr i t ings of Lake Champlain r e f e r t o the abundance and v a r i e t y of f i s h l i f e (Murray) (Thompson). More recent s tud ies (1) (2) (3) (30) (40) have confirmed t h a t the Lake encompasses a v a s t f i s h e r y resource t h a t has y e t t o r e a l i z e f u l l po ten t i a l . This r epor t w i l l dea l only with those important f i s h species which appear most s e n s i t i v e t o lake l e v e l t rends and pa t t e rns . Exclusion of many o the r species from t h i s r epor t r e f l e c t s i n s u f f i c i e n t knowledge t o determine the degree of to lerance t o varying lake l eve l s .

Some species of f i s h , previously common i n t h e lake, have disappeared o r a r e so reduced i n numbers so a s t o be no longer s i g n i f i c a n t from a f i s h e r i e s harves t point of view. They a r e s t i l l considered important, however a s r a r e o r endangered species.

A t l a n t i c Salmon: The A t l a n t i c Salmon i s the only f i s h t h a t has been eliminated from Lake Champlain during modern times (29) (30) (45) (54). Although exact dates of ex t inc t ion a r e not known, i t appears t o have disappeared from the Lake e a r l y i n the 1800's. It i s genera l ly agreed t h a t exclusion from t r a d i t i o n a l spawning areas and t o a l e s s e r extent over harves t , de fo res ta t ion and po l lu t ion were among the p r inc ipa l causes of the salmon's dec l ine . (23) (30).

Lake Sturgeon: The l a r g e s t spec i e s of f i s h i n Lake Champlain i s t h e Lake Sturgeon. Specimens of t h i s s p e c i e s have been recorded i n excess of 100 pounds (40) (45). The s turgeon, once p l e n t i f u l i n Lake Champlain shal lows, i s now o f f i c i a l l y l i s t e d as an endangered spec i e s . The cause of t h e spec i e s d e c l i n e i s thought t o be b a r r i e r dams a c r o s s major Champlain t r i b u t a r i e s as w e l l a s increased s i l t a t i o n and gene ra l d e c l i n e of t h e i r remaining spawning h a b i t a t .

Muskellunge : Although h i s s t a t u s is more appropr i a t e ly termed r a r e r a t h e r than endangered, t h e muskellunge i s v igorous ly hold ing onto l i m i t e d areas of s u i t a b l e spawning h a b i t a t a long t h e lower reaches of t h e Missisquoi River. Exact knowledge of t h e t iming, s p a c i a l and h a b i t a t requirements of t h i s spec i e s a r e n o t a v a i l a b l e except t h a t they a r e tenuously and undeniably a s soc i a t ed wi th s p r i n g f l u c t u a t i o n s of water l e v e l s between t h e dam i n Swanton, Vermont and t h e d e l t a of t h e Missisquoi River. The Vermont F ish and Game Department's concern f o r t h i s f i s h has r e c e n t l y been expressed by t h e F ish and Game Department's r e g u l a t o r y Board's d e c l a r a t i o n of a minimum l e g a l l eng th of 30 inches and a d a i l y c r e e l l i m i t of one f i s h only (53).

Northern Pike: The no r the rn p ike i s one of t he outs tanding game f i s h e s of Lake Champlain exceeding 20 pounds and 36 inches f requent ly . The p i k e is a l s o recognized f o r h i s r o l e a s a p r i n c i p a l p reda to r i n maintaining the balance among f i s h spec i e s t h a t Lake Champlain has enjoyed f o r s o long. Perhaps more than any o t h e r f i s h spec i e s t h e p ike i s a l s o a f i s h whose very ex i s t ence and impact i n t h e Lake's cha in of l i f e i s b u i l t upon h i s s e n s i t i v i t y t o l a t e w in te r and sp r ing f l u c t u a t i o n s i n water l e v e l s .

Economic Value of F i s h e r i e s - J u s t as c e r t a i n l y a s e a r l i e r e s t ima te s of f u t u r e f i s h - ing p re s su res on Lake Champlain can be considered a s conserva t ive t h e huge Lake's r e p u t a t i o n a s a n e a r l y i nexhaus t ib l e s p o r t f i s h e r y i s becoming a r e a l i t y . Murray (29) e l abo ra t ed on some of Thompson's e a r l i e r p l a u d i t s about Lake Champlain f i s h i n g by say ing "...no body of water i n t h e country a f f o r d s b e t t e r s p o r t f o r a n g l e r s than Lake Champlain." Cheney (29) a f t e r f i s h i n g from t h e A t l a n t i c t o t h e P a c i f i c and from Can- ada t o t h e Gulf echos Murray by c r e d i t i n g Champlain wi th "... some of t h e very b e s t ang l ing wi th rod and l i n e t h a t i s t o be found i n a l l t h i s broad land."

A s a s c i e n t i s t , Greeley (30) p u t h i s f i n g e r on t h e probable cause of Champlain's success a s a f i s h e r y by p o i n t i n g t o t h e "balance" and "complex i n t e r - r e l a t i o n " of s p e c i e s , w i t h i n t h e g r e a t body of water . Trembley (30) agreed by desc r ib ing Champ- l a i n a s "one of t h e b e s t balanced l akes of N. Y. S ta te" i n r e l a t i o n t o i t s f i s h spec i e s composition.

I t i s no wonder then t h a t i n Vermont w e l l be fo re t h e t u r n of t h e l a s t cen tury (38) t h a t tourism and i n p a r t i c u l a r t h a t t o t ake advantage of t h e S t a t e ' s (and Lake Champlain's) e x c e l l e n t f i s h e r y was second only t o d a i r y farming i n impact. Nearly a century l a t e r t h e annual economic impact of s p o r t f i s h i n g on Lake Champlain i n Vermont a lone has soared t o the p o i n t where i t may be comparatively es t imated with- o u t use of a m u l t i p l i e r t o exceed 2 m i l l i o n d o l l a r s (20). This f i g u r e r e p r e s e n t s an es t imated h a l f m i l l i o n man-days of r e c r e a t i o n a l f i sh ing . Included a r e only expendi- t u r e s r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e d i r e c t economic impact on t h e S t a t e .

Northern Pike S e n s i t i v i t y t o Lake Levels - A b r i e f d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e no r the rn p i k e ' s annual c y c l e (28) (47) (48) begins w i th t h e c r i t i c a l l a t e w i n t e r - e a r l y s p r i n g period. This occas iona l ly begins even before t h e i c e has l e f t t h e Lake. The p ike moves t o t h e r e c e n t l y f looded shallows i n l a t e March a t o r j u s t be fo re i c e breakup and l a y s s e v e r a l t e n s of thousands of eggs. The adhes ive eggs a t t a c h themselves t o f looded v e g e t a t i o n o r f a l l t o t h e bottom. I f low sp r ing water l e v e l s deny t h e p ike access t o a r e a s of f looded vege ta t ion some spawning takes p l ace i n coves and bays a t t h e Lake edge o r a long r i v e r channels. Because of heavy p reda t ion on young p ike i n such unpro tec ted h a b i t a t s , however, a s we l l a s increased s i l t a t i o n and washing by s t ream

currents, such sites are not favored. The most productive spawning areas are the relatively placid, well vegetated sites from one and one half to two feet in depth in marshes, pastures or in wooded setbacks inundated by spring high waters.

After a two week period eggs hatch and the fry remain in the shelter for approximately three'more weeks or until May 10-15th. During this period, their food consists largely of invertebrate life found among the weed beds. In mid-May the fry begin to move from the marsh on the ebb of the high water. The critical period from the initiation of spawning in late March to the point in May when the young leave the marsh determines the abundance or lack of abundance of a particular age class of northern pike.

WATERFOWL

General Description - The importance of Lake Champlain to waterfowl species and their exacting needs should be emphasized, No fewer than 28 species of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and mergansers) use the wetland habitat of the Champlain Valley (12). The Lake Champlain corridor of the Atlantic flyway is used by nearly one quarter million ducks (lo), tens of thousands of geese as well as by large numbers of other species annually. This heavy waterfowl use of Lake Champlain is of long standing duration based on the Department of ~nterior's observation that the Missisco River (now Missisquoi) is derived from the Indian word meaning "much waterfowl" (61). The modern day use of the Champlain sub-flyway and subsequent use of Champlain associated marshes by 28 species of waterfowl is reflected in a recently completed wetlands survey by the Vermont Fish and Game Department (39). This report has determined that waterfowl breeding and migrational use of the area was substantially greater than the typical "inland" Vermont wetland. Waterfowl nesting within the Champlain Valley include the following species: black duck, mallard, wood duck, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, shoveler, American widgeon, goldeneye, ring-necked duck, hooded merganser, comon merganser, red-breasted merganser, and Canada goose. Total waterfowl production from Champlain wetlands is largely unknown.

Waterfowl hunting pressure along Lake Champlain marshes also ranked far higher in the same survey with respect to other Vermont wetlands. Part of the answer to the attractiveness of Champlain marshes is eluded to in the survey which rates Lake associated wetlands consistently among the highest quality as related to food and cover production.

The ability to maintain quality waterfowl hunting even through periods of "wet years" is inferred by the sale of Migratory Waterfowl Hunting stamps in Vermont which has increased from 3,100 in 1962 to over 8,000 in 1972 (5). The Vermont Lake Champlain

. waterfowl harvest during the same period rose from an average of 15,000 in the early 1960's to over 25,000 in the early 1970's. In addition to the many acres included under the traditional interpretation of the term "wetlands" must be added a sizable acreage of shoal or reef area, particularly on the eastern side of the Lake, used extensively by feeding waterfowl. The extent and exact importance of these areas is unknown but it is felt that the wide annual Lake fluctuations which expose or nearly expose these zones is somewhat tied to their attractiveness for diving and dabbling waterfowl.

Discussion of specific bird nesting requirements on Lake Champlain marshes will be limited, of necessity, to two important game species: the black duck and mallard. After courtship and mating egg laying for the Lake Champlain Island, black duck begins as early as April 6 and for the mallard as early as April 12. Marsh nesting birds nest slightly later and usually select a site above the damp floor of the marsh in a

spot which offers sufficient concealment and has ample nest construction material. In the vicinity of Lake Champlain many ideal nesting sites are available as indicated by densities in excess of five nests per acre which has been documented (19). Nesting densities for the 25,000+ acres of wetlands associated with Lake Champlain, however, would be at a much lesser density than five per acre on the average.

Renesting of black ducks and mallards is a common occurence and the importance of this compensating phenomena to maintenance of the population is well known (42). In Lake Champlain the most common cause of renesting has been found to be predation and flooding or human disturbance appear to be secondary factors. Renesting generally starts less than two weeks after destruction of the original nest site and in close proximity thereto (19). Third nesting attempts were not noted as frequently as the second effort. The general tendency for such successive efforts is to be less productive and increasingly susceptible to terrestrial predation as well.

Economic Value of Waterfowl - Waterfowl hunting on Lake Champlain is a rapidly growing recreational pursuit which generates an annual economic impact of one and three quarters million dollars on the Vermont side of the Lake alone (20). The increase of waterfowl hunting on the east side of the Lake and it's adjacent marshes did not just arise spontaneously but is an outgrowth of a nationally recognized waterfowl managementlland acquisitions1 controlled hunting program over twenty-five years in the making. The cost of this state sponsored program which encompasses several thousand acres of high quality marshland represents a multimillion dollar investment solely supported by Vermont sportsmen. The program is adapted to dovetail closely with a smaller but significant N.Y. Department of Environmental Conservation program and a Federal effort headquartered at the 5,000 acre Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge on the northeast corner of the Lake.

To assign an appropriate value of this highly successful waterfowl management effort directly to the Lake Champlain marshes themselves may be done by consideration of two principal factors. The first consideration should be to the waterfowl which frequent the area in the fall and to the annual harvest which this population sustains. The success of duck hunters in the northeast and in Lake Champlain in particular, is closely tied to the opening two weekends of the season. Early season weekend hunters have been credited with harvesting a large percentage of the total falls bag. To be more specific, it has been determined by band returns, bag check data and hunter questionnaires that 70 per cent of all Vermont waterfowl hunting is conducted on Champlain associated wetlands. It has also been established, that twenty percent or approximately 7,000 of all waterfowl taken in Vermont were reared on local Champlain marshes.

The next factor in assessing the value of Champlain's wetlands should be consideration of the high quality habitat that the marshes themselves provide. Concentrations of thousands of diving and dabbling ducks remain in the Lake throughout the hunting season until mid-winter ice drives them coastward or further south. Wide, flat open marshes, cattail slangs, and open water shoal and reef areas contain heavy crops o£ the most widely used waterfowl foods in the northeast. Stationary blinds, floaters and field sets by the hundreds dot the ideal interspersed cover along both sides of the Lake from its southernmost marshes to the mouth of the Richelieu River and Missisquoi Bay. As stated earlier, the capitalized value of an acre of marshland, such as Champlain's, approaches $1,000. This figure melds the widely diversified interests of the hunter, bird watcher, ordinary citizen, the community and society in general together as benefactors. The tremendous dollar value of 25,000 acres of irreplaceable wetlands and the tangible and intangible rewards derived therefrom indisputably place Lake Champlain wetlands in a prominent place among our most valuable natural assets.

This segment of the report has been devoted to a cursory discussion of waterfowl alone.

There a r e more than 100 other species of Champlain a r e a b i rds t h a t r e l y t o a g r e a t e r o r l e s s e r ex ten t on the Lake and i t s adjacent wetlands f o r migrating o r nes t ing h a b i t a t each year . In t h i s broad grouping of many d ive r se b i rd f ami l i e s a r e severa l species whose l i f e h i s t o r i e s a r e a s c l o s e l y t i e d t o Lake e leva t ions i f not more so than waterfowl a re . Time and cur ren t knowledge does not allow the c a r e f u l t reatment t h a t these o the r important species deserve.

Waterfowl S e n s i t i v i t y t o Lake Levels - Nesting of waterfowl i s not a function of water l e v e l s although, obviously, n e s t loca t ion would be. Nesting i s , r a t h e r , a b io log ica l event i n i t i a t e d by time although delays because of l ack of s u i t a b l e s i t e s do occur. Average nes t ing on Lake Champlain marshes f o r the two p r i n c i p a l species begins about Apr i l 10th and, although s p e c i f i c information i s lacking, the he igh t of the n e s t above t h e water would r a r e l y exceed a foo t o r two based on experience i n o the r areas . Although f looding i s known t o be responsib le f o r nes t ing losses , the water l e v e l seldom ( l e s s than 20 per cen t of the time) r a i s e s even one foo t above the e l eva t ion a t t a i n e d on Apr i l 10th. I n i t i a l nes t ing would put t h e laying o r incubating hen we l l above spr ing high water l e v e l s i n a l l but the exceptional peak year . Summer brood s i t i n g s and subsequent frequency of young l o c a l blackducks and mallards i n the e a r l y season bag during the recent years of high spr ing water would tend t o corroborate t h i s reasoning.

FURBEARERS

General Descript ion - The Champlain Valley has long been known f o r i t s furbearer . populat ions s i n c e co lon ia l days and even before (45). The muskrat and beaver i n p a r t i c u l a r have a t t r a c t e d s u b s t a n t i a l a t t e n t i o n . In add i t ion t o these we l l known spec ies , the Champlain lowlands a l s o provides i d e a l year round h a b i t a t f o r mink, weasel, o t t e r , skunk and raccoon. Both t h e gray and red fox a r e known t o frequent t h e marsh edges along with t h e l a r g e r predators , the bobcat and coyote.

Of a l l t he marsh furbearers the muskrat s tands by i t s e l f a s t h e most in t ima te ly associa ted with and t i e d t o the marsh and t h e i r seasonal and annual cycles. The most v i s i b l e muskrat a c t i v e l y begins with t h e f a m i l i a r r a t houses t h a t dot the marshes i n September and October. These houses constructed of common marsh vegeta t ion a r e four t o s i x f e e t i n diameter a t the base and may r i s e t h r e e o r more f e e t above t h e water l e v e l . On a t y p i c a l Champlain marsh an average of one house per a c r e i s expected although many si tes f i n d houses crowded i n much denser numbers. Muskrats overwinter i n these houses making use of the one o r two "plunge holes" which al low them access t o open water and feeding s i t e s below t h e i ce . In e a r l y Apr i l the breeding period begins and f inds t h e promiscuous males a c t i v e l y moving about the marsh i n search of r ecep t ive females. Following a 28 day ges ta t ion , a l i t t e r of two t o s i x b l ind , he lp less young a r e born i n a corner of the houses' r e s t chamber. The a d u l t female cares f o r t h e young r a t s f o r no more than a month before they become independent and leave the s i t e f o r new t e r r i t o r y . In nor thern l a t i t u d e s as many as four l i t te rs may be produced per season by one female.

Economic Value of Furbearers - Not only a r e muskrats the most common and v i s i b l e of the marsh furbearers but they a r e the most va luable a s we l l with beaver, mink and o the r assuming places of l e s s e r , though s t i l l s i g n i f i c a n t importance (12). Approximately 17,500 ac res (70 percent) of Lake Champlain wetland a r e of the type known t o be capable of annually supporting harves table r a t populat ions. Because of pe r iod ic and somewhat unexplained ups and downs i n muskrat numbers however, not a l l a r e a s , however s u i t a b l e , would be expected t o support heal thy popul&ions every year . Conservatively expecting one house per a c r e (as s t a t e d previously) and f i v e r a t s per house i n a f a l l populat ion a t o t a l populat ion of 70,000 muskrat would be an abso lu te minimum spr ing population f o r the va l ley . Of these a t l e a s t ha l f can be removed by

t rapping without d i s rup t ing the base population.

Champlain Valley muskrat a r e pr imar i ly of the l a r g e , dark v a r i e t y and a r e f requent ly r e f e r r e d t o by buyers a s ' s e a l ' q u a l i t y (12). Benson (12) r e f e r s t o Champlain r a t s a s rece iv ing "top market value" and "an important aspect of the regional (N.Y.) economy." Market p r i c e s f o r muskrat a r e a s high a s they have been f o r seve ra l years . P r i ce inc reases have been p a r t i a l l y r e f l e c t e d i n increased trapping pressure a s indica ted by l i c e n s e s a l e s . Recent i n t e r e s t i n t rapping a s a p r o f i t a b l e and enjoyable avocation . has increased t o the l e v e l of seve ra l decades ago i n Vermont and the Champlain Valley a r e a has shown a d ispropor t ionable share of t h i s increase. The t r u e value of the Champlain muskrat ha rves t i s not known although i t can e a s i l y be demonstrated t h a t a minimum of $80,000 can be supported a s a base f i g u r e f o r the r a w f u r s . Benson and Myers (12) r e f e r t o a c a p i t a l i z e d value of $31 per a c r e based on trapping records maintained on t rapper ha rves t s on Vermont Waterfowl Management Areas.

Other marsh furbearer species which a r e a l s o enjoying some of the h ighes t p r i c e s s ince t h e 19401s, a r e a l s o taken i n quan t i ty along Lake Champlain. L i t t l e q u a n t i f i a b l e information i s a v a i l a b l e on t h i s harves t although obviously the tendency would be t o boost the annual f u r value t o t a l s considerably higher.

Furbearer S e n s i t i v i t y t o Lake Levels - No o the r Lake Champlain furbearer i s a s suscep t ib le t o the seasonal v a r i a t i o n s of the water l e v e l s a s is the muskrat. In w r i t i h g of Lake Champlain muskrats i n 1941, O t i s (35) indica ted t h a t water l e v e l s w e r e the most important s i n g l e f a c t o r i n the v i t a l i t y of t h i s most important furbearer . The r a t s abso lu te p r e r e q u i s i t e s , food and water, however, a r e admirably met by t h e l a r g e major i ty of the ~ a k e ' s wetlands. Food must be ava i l ab le a t a l l times s ince the muskrat does not s t o r e l a r g e q u a n t i t i e s f o r use during t h e winter . To be denied access t o adequate suppl ies of the proper foods by unexpected changes i n t h e water l e v e l s r e s u l t s i n heavy damaging competition o r death f o r adversely a f fec ted members of the colony. Fortunately, Lake Champlain wetlands a r e adequately o r even i d e a l l y stocked over much of t h e i r reaches wi th regard t o p l a n t species used i n cons t ruct ion and f o r food. C a t t a i l s a r e f requent ly l i s t e d a s t h e s i n g l e most important aqua t i c p l a n t f o r muskrat i n northern l a t i t u d e s . There a r e many square miles of the narrow and broadleafed c a t t a i l species i n small pockets and i n l a r g e stands along the bay shores and r i v e r marshes of Lake Champlain. Other important food species , including arrowhead, smartweed burrows, yellow pondl i ly , sedges, duck pota to and bulrushes a l s o abound on the Lake. During t h e winter access t o the muskrat 's food supply must be through h i s lodges' plunge hole and cons i s t s of mainly the submerged r o o t s t a l k s of many of the previously l i s t e d species . Champlain's abundance of c a t t a i l i s an important f a c t o r i n determining t h e q u a l i t y of muskrat h a b i t a t avai lable . I ts r o o t s t a l k s , which a r e a v a i l a b l e t o the winter ing muskrat nea r ly everywhere on the Lake, y ie ld i n excess of f i v e tons t o a c r e (dry weight). This important food has been found t o be a s high i n n u t r i e n t value a s yellow corn with exception of the l a t t e r ' s f a t content . Water must be ava i l ab le wi th in r e l a t i v e l y loose ranges during the f r o s t f r e e months. Beginning with l a t e s m e r and e a r l y f a l l , however, house s i t e s e l e c t i o n and house building a c t i v i t i e s make appropr ia te water l e v e l s paramount t o the success of the houses occupants. Wetlands covered by approximately one foo t t o two and one ha l f f e e t of water a r e usua l ly se lec ted a s s u i t a b l e bui ld ing s i t e s i n the f a l l . Low f a l l water can do ser ious harm t o r a t populations by r e s t r i c t i n g house bui ld ing t o stream channels and potholes a t low marsh e leva t ions which a r e , n a t u r a l l y , subjec ted t o widest f l u c t u a t i o n s and maximum damage l a t e r on. Normal winter food supp l i e s become unobtainable o r reduced suppl ies are the sub jec t of much competition i n i n i t i a l i c e formation i s a t an unusually low Lake e levat ion .

If normal fall Lake levels are followed by a sufficient drop in conjunction with cold temperatures rather than the normal expected rise in early winter water, "freeze outs" occur. The muskrats lose access to open water through their now frozen "plunge hole1' and are often effectively trapped between two layers of ice. The rats able to emerge above the upper layer and forage for food are subjected to increased predation and other losses.

Low water during the spring trapping season which begins on the majority of Champlain marshes during the first week of April can also be frustrated by a lack of water as described by Seamans (41). Trapper access by boat to the muskrat population is limited to main channels and tributaries. "Legging" of rats also becomes a problem if sufficient water is not available in the marshes to drown the trapped animal. Postponement of the trapping season does not suffice as an alternative in this case since the trapping season is structured to take advantage of the primeness of the early April pelt and the not-to-be-delayed breeding activity of the adult males. Late season trapping is also often counter productive because of the increase in incidence of pregnant females in the trappers bag. Fortunately, natural water levels rise rapidly after mid-March and low April seldom a problem.

INVERTEBRATES

General Description - The shallow bays, reefs, deltas and marshes of Lake Champlain literally teem with invertebrate life from the smallest of protozoans to the largest of the nematodes, crustaceans, gastropods and insects. A large percentage of three groups of species are found in waters less than three feet deep with numbers declining rapidly beyond that point. These small animals fill the very basic elements in the food chain that eventually support the largest of the lake's fish, avian and mammalian life. The importance of invertebrate life to young fish and birds in particular is borne out in many studies (14) (24) (25). The smallest pike fry and freshly hatched waterfowl are found to base a very important segment of their protein seeking diet on this easily overlooked segment of the lakes fauna. The absence or scarcity of rich bottom- living invertebrate life has been associated with subsequent low levels of duckling survival and has been connected with substantial losses in small fish life as well. Recently it has been found that abundance or lack of invertebrate fauna is a factor in nest site selection by Northeast waterfowl (21).

Invertebrate Sensitivity to Water Levels - As water cools in the fall the invertebrate life in Lake Champlain becomes relatively dormant at or near the bottoms of the marshes and creeks. Some burrow as much as several inches into the muck or spend the cold months buried in vegetative debris and rubble which litters much of the shallows (37) (55).

Although many species and groups of freshwater invertebrate life appear to be quite resistant to freezing and thawing many equally important species are not. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures as well as mechanical grinding by shifting ice masses laying on or near the bottom could substantially limit numbers of the less resistant species in the affected zone.

Amphibians and reptiles of Lake Champlain many of which are important food items for fish, birds and mammals also overwinter in the soft shallow bottoms of the bays, coves and creeks. Exposure of salamanders, frogs and turtles hibernating in the bottom muck to winter ambient air temperatures, and mechanical ice action is not felt to be in the best interest of the species in question.

SECTION I11

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RESPONSE TO PROPOSED W ( E LEVEL REGULATION

ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA USED FOR ASSESSMENT

Introductory Statements - The Fish and Wildlife Work Group was requested to determine what environmental consequences could be expected from regulation of the lake level regime which would alter the natural patterns and trends. Also the Group was asked to identify what water levels should be interpreted as being critical to the continuance of normal life processes of those fish and wildlife species which are established in the study area. The following has been extracted from their report to the Environmental Committee (22).

General Reaction - A basic premise which we feel is valid in considering any artificial regulation or manipulation of the water levels of Lake Champlain is this: all life forms, plant and animal, at any time of year affected by the surface level of Lake Champlain are presently in harmony with natural levels, both maximum and minimum, as they occur and repeat from season to season and from year to year. This probably includes the extremes which occur at quite infrequent intervals although it would be difficult to determine whether it is actually so. For example, a year- class of a fish species might be lost by conditions adverse to that species that year, but this would not be an irremediable loss and how could it be shown that the overall effect on the population of that species has been damaging? However, dominant year- classes are important and should not be interfered with by artificial regulation with resultant loss of the year-class. Interspecific plant and animal associations existing today are those which have become best adapted to an environment affected by a fluctuating water level. In effect, populations are stabilized in an unstable water level situation. This stability would be disrupted or destroyed by a change in the nature of the environment to which they have become adapted. Any trend toward stabilization of the water level would immediately affect the littoral zone, resulting in instability in that area, and would be noticeable in a change in vegetative patterns. We would see gradual encroachment of all forms of plant life from terrestrial toward aquatic, with replacement of aquatic by terrestrial forms. This would have an immediate affect on fish species using wetlands, marshes and seasonally-inundated lands for spawning and subsequently as nursery areas. Reduction of peaks and lows would bring about a replacement of submerged by emergent vegetation to the detriment of the overall health of the vegetative pattern. We can see no benefits to fisheries to be realized through any move toward regulation of water levels which presumably would mean a decrease in degree of fluctuation between minimum and maximum levels, but adverse consequences are at once evident.

Along with a consideration of amount of regulation between maximum and minimum levels there are equally crucial factors of time and rate, especially of drawdown from high levels in anticipation of deleterious effects of levels above those acceptable to interests other than fish and wildlife.

Fisheries Concerns - Even though lake trout, salmon and rainbow trout were evaluated, of chief concern would be the effect of water-level on several spring-spawning warm- water species. The northern pike would be most affected by water levels, followed by walleyes, yellow perch, bullheads, and small mouth and largemouth bass. Some important forage species and others which might be considered "undesirables" or trash fish would certainly be affected by water levels, and it should not be discounted that perhaps the relative strength and abundance of the golden shiners, longnose gar or billfish are as important to the overall ecology of the lake as is the northern pike. There

a r e so many v a r i a b l e s i n i n t e r s p e c i f i c r e l a t i o n s h i p s of t h e l i f e forms of t h e l a k e t h a t t h e t a s k of t r y i n g t o a s c r i b e a va lue t o each wi th r e s p e c t t o water l e v e l r e g u l a t i o n goes beyond our p re sen t c a p a b i l i t y . The fol lowing a t tempts t o s e t f o r t h t h e environmental c r i t e r i a r e l a t e d t o water l e v e l r e g u l a t i o n f o r c e r t a i n f i s h s p e c i e s , s e l e c t e d because of t h e i r p a r t i c u l a r s e n s i t i v i t i e s t o t rends and p a t t e r n s i n water l e v e l s .

Northern Pike: This important game f i s h spec i e s i s t h e one most l i k e l y t o be a f f e c t e d by water l e v e l s . Pike u s u a l l y spawn i n e a r l y A p r i l , u t i l i z i n g marshes wi th a v a r i e t y of v e g e t a t i v e cover , and spawn s u c c e s s f u l l y i n inundated p a s t u r e o r woodlands. In gene ra l , t h e water l e v e l should n o t s t a r t t o d e c l i n e be fo re l a t e A p r i l o r e a r l y May t o permit access t o t h e g r e a t e s t p o s s i b l e amount of spawning and nu r se ry a r e a , and then any decrease i n water l e v e l should n o t exceed 1.4' f o r t h e month of May. To be s p e c i f i c , ou r graph f o r no r the rn p ike shows a lower l i m i t o f about 94.01, r i s i n g t o about 96.0' i n A p r i l , May and June. The upper l i m i t i s j u s t about a t 100.0'. The most accep tab le l e v e l a s i nd ica t ed on the c h a r t s t a r t s a t 95.0' i n October, i nc reases s l i g h t l y by March, then r i s e s t o 98.0 from March t o A p r i l , decreases t o somewhat below 98.0' by June, then drops t o about 95.0' f o r J u l y , August and September. L i f e h i s t o r y requirement5 of t h e cha in p i c k e r e l and muskellunge would apply s u b s t a n t i a l l y a s given above f o r t h e no r the rn p ike .

Walleye: The wa l l eye ' s spawning per iod occurs s l i g h t l y l a t e r than t h a t of t h e no r the rn p ike , a l though i t cont inues over a longer per iod of time. Whereas no r the rn p ike spawning reaches a peak about t h e second week of A p r i l , t h e wal leye peak may occur c l o s e r t o t h e last week of A p r i l o r even e a r l y May. The walleye spawning per iod covers a month o r w e l l beyond, wh i l e no r the rn p ike spawning of any s i g n i f i c a n c e seldom l a s t s much longer than two o r poss ib ly t h r e e weeks. The wal leye spawns i n t r i b u t a r y streams a s w e l l as i n s h o r e l i n e rubble. Water l e v e l would n o t be a s important a s type of sp r ing runoff t o t h e stream-spawning migra t ion , b u t low l e v e l s would adverse ly a f f e c t s h o r e l i n e spawning which occurs t o an e x t e n t g r e a t e r than i s r e a l i z e d by many. In t h e o v e r a l l a n a l y s i s , acceptab le water l e v e l s f o r wal leyes would fo l low c l o s e l y those descr ibed f o r t he no r the rn p i k e , a l though no t a s c r i t i c a l l y , bu t r a t e of d e c l i n e should n o t vary from t h a t g iven f o r t h e no r the rn pike. The optimum range i f from 95.0' t o 98.0' and t h e t o l e r a b l e l i m i t s f a l l between 94.0' and 101.0' . (The foregoing would apply to the sauger a s w e l l as t h e wal leye) .

Yellow Perch: The spawning per iod u s u a l l y occurs somewhat l a t e r than t h a t of t h e p ike , u s u a l l y i n l a t e A p r i l and e a r l y May. Since t h e spawn i s depos i ted i n ropes u s u a l l y hanging on vege ta t ion o r brush, i t becomes extremely vulnerable t o a sudden lowering of water l e v e l which would s t r a n d and des t roy t h e spawn. However, i n t h e ca se of t h i s p r o l i f i c pan- f i sh some egg d e s t r u c t i o n may a c t u a l l y be b e n e f i c i a l t o t h e o v e r a l l popula t ion .

Consulting t h e graph, we have an optimum l e v e l ranging from 95.0' t o 96.0' by March, r i s i n g t o 99.0' i n A p r i l , and decreas ing g radua l ly t o about 95.0' by Ju ly . The o v e r a l l range i n t o l e r a b l e e l e v a t i o n i s between 94.0' and 100.0'.

Brown Bullhead: Bullheads e n t e r t h e marshes soon a f t e r i ce -ou t , and a r e dependent upon h igh water l e v e l s during t h e s p r i n g spawning and e a r l y summer nursery period. They n e s t i n shal low water i n May and t h e male guards t h e young wh i l e i n t h e marsh through the summer. We have an optimum range from about 95.0' t o 97.01, w i th upper and lower l i m i t s r e s p e c t i v e l y showing n e a r l y s t r a i g h t - l i n e graphs a t 99.0' and 94.0'. A drawdown beyond t h e normal mean of 1.1' f o r t h e month of June should no t be exceeded.

Smallmouth Bass: The bass has a spawning period which occurs r a t h e r l a t e i n the sp r ing , a f t e r t h a t of nor thern p ike , walleyes and perch. It spawns usua l ly i n t r i b u t a r y streams o r i n rubble and g rave l ly shore- l ine loca t ions usua l ly a t a depth of two o r more f e e t . It i s the re fo re not a s vulnerable t o water l e v e l f luc tua t ions a s a r e the species he re to fo re considered, bu t a l e v e l s u f f i c i e n t t o a f fo rd good nursery waters should be maintained throughout the summer. Nesting usua l ly begins i n May, and egg deposi t ion occurs by June, but s i n c e the male guards the n e s t and young during the nursery period a drawdown g r e a t e r than the monthly mean of 1.1' i n June would cause d i s rup t ion of normal p a t t e r n s with damage t o the year-c lass r e su l t ing .

We have an optimum range i n water l e v e l f o r smallmouth bass s t a r t i n g a t 95.5' i n October up t o 98.0' i n Apr i l and May, descending gradual ly t o 95.0' from June through t h e summer months. The lower t o l e r a b l e l i m i t i s about 94.5' and t h e upper l i m i t a t 100.0'. The reduction of high and low l e v e l s would work t o t h e detr iment of smallmouth bass h a b i t a t i n t h a t incursions of vegeta t ion on shoal a reas might tend t o make the h a b i t a t more favorable t o o the r species including the l e s s d e s i r a b l e largemouth bass.

Largemouth Bass: The largemouth bass , spawning periods a r e j u s t about coincident , wi th the smallmouth, but h a b i t a t d i f f e r s between the two species . The largemouth bass p r e f e r s a more marshy s i t u a t i o n where it bu i lds a r a t h e r crude n e s t usua l ly i n shallower water than t h a t favored by the smallmouth. Thus it i s more vulnerable t o water l e v e l changes because of the danger of s t randing spawn deposi ted i n shallow water. A recurr ing cold snap during the incubation period of the eggs o f t e n lowers the water temperature i n t h e upper l a y e r s , and could reduce the temperature t o a point a t which t h e bass spawn i s destroyed. A range between 95.5' and 98.0' during spawning season f o r largemouth bass would be optimum, with not more than a gradual drawdown between May and July. Upper and lower t o l e r a b l e l i m i t s would be from about 100.0' t o 94.5'. The l i f e h i s t o r y i n t e r m s of the male guarding t h e s i t e i s s i m i l a r t o t h a t of the smallmouth and the same condit ions on r a t e of drawdown would hold t r u e i n the case of the largemouth bass.

Lake Trout: A s s t a t e d e a r l i e r i n t h i s r e p o r t , e f f o r t s a t r e s t o r a t i o n of a salmonid f i s h e r y i n Lake Champlain a r e c u r r e n t l y underway, with prospects f o r an e a r l y expansion of the program.

We do no t know a t t h i s po in t what impact water l e v e l s would have on the species . Much would depend upon spawning h a b i t a t se l ec ted by the s t r a i n o r s t r a i n s of l ake r s introduced. Lake t r o u t a r e known t o spawn over very shallow rubble r e e f s o r bars i n some lakes , while o the r s t r a i n s of the species spawn a t depths beyond the influence of any p red ic tab le range i n water l e v e l s . Since they a r e fal l-spawners, prime considera t ion must be given toward having a s u i t a b l e depth of water over spawning grounds i n e a r l y f a l l , and t h i s l e v e l must not decrease during the win te r , s ince the spawn would be extremely vulnerable t o f reez ing should the water above them be lowered during the incubation and hatching period, u n t i l swim-up f r y would leave the bed, which might not be u n t i l l a t e winter o r e a r l y spring.

Indica t ions a r e t h a t t h e optimum lake l e v e l during the winter i s one which remains almost constant . It s t a r t s a t 95.0' i n October, r i s e s t o 96.0' i n November, remains a t 96.0' through March. There appears t o be some c o n f l i c t with the March optimum l e v e l and the normal lake l e v e l t rend a t t h i s t i m e which i s s t rong ly upward; however no t enough information i s a v a i l a b l e t o determine the s ign i f i cance of t h i s c o n f l i c t . From March through September t h e water l e v e l s were not f e l t t o be of major concern t o lake t r o u t . The lower to lerance l i m i t , again of s ign i f i cance only from October through March, ranges from 93.5' t o about 95.0'.

Salmon: It i s not known a t t h i s point whether any salmon f i s h e r y which might become

established in the lake would be of landlocked or anadromous (Atlantic) background. The constraints for salmon should be much the same as those for the lake trout. It is a fall spawner, but uses tributary rivers in its spawning migration. Lake levels in the shoals, therefore, would have little impact on the species. However, it is conceivable that access to spawning locations could be adversely affected by low waterlevels in the lower reaches of streams and in the bars and deltas which might be formed at the point of confluence with the lake.

All Fish Species: Combining the various known optimum and tolerable lake levels for the few important species dealt with the combined optimum level starts at 95.0' in October, is quite stable at that level through February, rises in March, accelerates to 98.0' in April, drops gradually in June to 95.0' in July and stabilizes near that point for the rest of the summer. The upper optimum limits are nearly straight-line between elevations of 99.0' and 100.0'. The lower tolerance limit is at about 94.0' from October through March, rises to about 96.0' in April and May, drops slightly in June, and back to about 94.0' for the summer.

Floral Concerns - If the water level of the lake is controlled in such a way that the high and low limits are narrowly restricted most of the valuable marsh areas will be destroyed, as many of the abundant plant species are associated with widely fluctuating water levels (12). Occasional drawdowns and the consequent more complete oxidation of organic material is at times desirable. The dry year does this often enough so, except under exceptional season problems, water levels should not be drawn below 94 feet and preferably 94.3 feet." During winter periods, water levels should remain rather stable so that fragile aquatic plant seeds are protected from freezing. Extended high levels during the growing season would be detrimental to emergents.

Waterfowl and Wildlife Concerns - Any alteration of the natural lake level trends which would cause a lag in the spring rise, and thus be out of sequence with other natural signals, would largely destroy initial nesting attempts by black ducks and mallards. Renesting attempts by these species could also be virtually eliminated by a water level that continued to rise out of phase with natural conditions, even though the average crest of 98 feet were reached, perhaps as early as mid-May.

Food sources for young waterfowl is largely protein rich invertebrate life such as larval and adult insects, snails, etc. These food species remain dormant in various stages of development during the winter in mud along the marginal zones of the Lake. Drawdowns of lake levels, although essential, must not be allowed to occur in an unnatural manner or at the wrong time of year. Any drawdown after October is completely unwarranted from a wildlife standpoint. With the coming of fall many invertebrate wildlife species move into hibernation on the shallow marsh bottom. Any drawdown after October will expose these inactive species to winter freezing, and cause serious damage to the balance of species within the ecosystem. Similarly, any drawdown after October will also seriously disrupt the interrelation of houses, travel channels, and food sources of larger vertebrates, primarily muskrat and beavers. Winter freeze-out and death are inevitable. In order that Lake regulation not adversely affect waterfowl and wildlife, Lake levels from December through February should not be allowed to depart from the natural stable trend, which is to remain at a stable level - following a slight rise from the normal fall low.

Conclusion - From the wildlife standpoint, there is much to lose and little to be from any artificial control of Lake Champlain water levels. Available data

and observations suggest that potential deleterious effects on wetlands, waterfowl, furbearers, and other wildlife could far outweigh any anticipated benefits of water level regulation.

Environmental interests could be satisfied only with letting Lake Champlain seek it's

own natural level, with no regulation or manipulation by man, dam, or any other than natural means (22). However, if artificial regulation is pursued, extensive study would be necessary to determine the possibility of regulating by conformance with the natural lake level trends and patterns as set forth earlier in this report. Only through such conformance could the natural environment be maintained in its present highly productive state.

REVIEW OF PROPOSED REGULATION SCHEMES

Soon after the Fish and Wildlife Work Group was created, the Hydraulics Committee asked for a set of environmental criteria to consider in regulation formulation. Since these were not yet available, the first inter-committee discussions related to a critique of the hydrographs and preliminary regulation proposals covering typical flood, dry, and average years. By the time the Work Group completed a review of these proposals, it was learned that these hydrographs were chiefly illustrative and the Hydraulics Committee had already proceeded to a new family of curves.

When the several reports covering Fish and Wildlife in the U.S. section of Lake Champlain were completed by Work Group members, we attempted to summarize these to find the periods and times at which water levels appeared most critical for Fish and Wildlife resources.

These were summarized and somewhat over-simplified (see below) for use by the Hydraulics Committee in restructuring regulation proposals in attempt to minimize adverse environmental impacts.

"LAKE CHAMPLA IN TARGET WATER LEVELS & TRENDS FISH & WILDLIFE

CANADIAN CONCERNS - See Thurlow Report U. S . CONCERNS - (Vermont, New York)

APRIL 5-15 - Minimum 98' USCG Datum Justification: Northern pike, the fish which appears most sensitive to proposed lake regulation, requires about 2 feet of water for successful spawning. Spawning usually starts about April 5 in flooded marsh areas. The majority of identified spawning areas in the U.S. portion of the lake have bottom elevations of about 96 ' .

APRIL 5-MAY 15 - Do not permit levels to rise over 1 foot. Justification: Most Black ducks that will nest in the region will have completed a nest and laid their first egg by April 5 (Mallards 3 days later). Eight more days will be required to complete the clutch of 9 and 26 days more for incubation. Lacking more precise field data, it is assumed that the majority of these nests will be constructed between 1 and 2 feet above existing water levels. Hence, a rise of more than 2 feet during this interval will flood out and destroy many first nests of Black ducks and mallards.

APRIL 16 - JUNE 10 - Do not permit l e v e l s t o f a l l below 97'

J u s t i f i c a t i o n : Eggs of Northern pike a r e heavy and adhesive. They drop from spawning females and become a t tached t o flooded vegeta t ion o r the bottom. In Lake Champlain they hatch i n about 20 days. The young pike f r y spend t h e i r f i r s t week feeding near the bottom. They gradual ly extend t h e i r feeding throughout t h e flooded marsh where they remain u n t i l a month a f t e r hatching. A rapid o r extreme draw-down p r i o r t o June 10 w i l l s t r and the young o r f l u s h them prematurely from t h i s nursery area .

OCTOBER 1 - MARCH 1 - Stable o r s l i g h t l y increasing water l evk l s from 94

J u s t i f i c a t i o n : To b e n e f i t muskrat populat ions, a s we l l a s h ibernat ing v e r t e b r a t e s and inver t eb ra te l i f e i n bottom ooze."

The Environmental Committee has s ince had opportunity t o review and comment on a succession of new o r modified regu la t ion proposals. The four proposals on which we a r e commenting a t t h i s time a r e a l s o modificat ions of e a r l i e r proposals. However, even though these may s t i l l be sub jec t t o change, our review may he lp t o b e t t e r quant i fy and q u a l i f y the po in t s a t which water manipulations f o r f lood con t ro l a r e bel ieved t o c o n f l i c t with environmental concerns i n the U.S.

ASSESSMENT OF REGULATION SCHEMES

We found some d i f f i c u l t y i n v i s u a l i z i n g both normal h i s t o r i c a l lake l e v e l p a t t e r n s and t h e depar tures from these t h a t proposed regu la t ion would e n t a i l . We were advised t h a t we might be misled by depending on t h e "average of averages" from which the a r r a y of monthly highs and lows, f o r 35 years of record, were obtained. But we had no choice but t o use these , pending the breakdown of Champlain water l e v e l records i n t o s h o r t e r , more meaningful segments. We were a l s o advised t h a t the r egu la t ion proposal histograms were based on idea l i zed computer runs. Actual operat ions plans would probably d i f f e r . But, lacking cor rec t ion f a c t o r s , we had no choice but t o use the d a t a a s presented.

For our own convenience, we have r e p l o t t e d each regu la t ion proposal aga ins t t h e "natural" condi t ions , using bands which include 25 of t h e 35 (71%) a c t u a l o r .

projec ted occurances f o r each month. These graphic representa t ions a r e t h e bas i s f o r the following evaluat ions :

Regulation Proposal 1-2 - This proposal which i s credi ted with major f lood cont'rol b e n e f i t s , would cause a s u b s t a n t i a l change i n Lake Champlain water l e v e l s f o r a l l but: two weeks of the year (regulated and n a t u r a l would be s i m i l a r i n e a r l y June). As indica ted on the a t tached c h a r t , i t proposes t o lower lake l e v e l s by about a foo t while genera l ly confining water l eve l s wi th in a ha l f - foo t during f a l l and winter . It would a l s o r e t a r d spr ing high waters by about a month while reducing the c r e s t by about a foo t .

I f Lake Champlain were regulated according t o t h i s proposal, the following r e s u l t s a r e p red ic tab le :

- Lowered water l eve l s would adversely e f f e c t our wetlands a s shown below:

Vermont - near ly 100% of about 20,000 acres (based on 1973 survey of about 2,200 ac res )

N.Y. south - 75 - 90% of about 3,000 ac res (based on 1973 survey of about 600 a c r e s )

N.Y. nor th - 16 -28% of about 2,000 ac res (based on 1973 survey of about 1,300 ac res )

- Would withhold water from known important spawning areas f o r Northern pike u n t i l a f t e r t h e spawning season.

- Would s u b s t a n t i a l l y increase f looding losses of waterfowl nes ts .

- Would make much of the present f u r bearer h a b i t a t untenable during the winter season.

This proposal is judged i n t o l e r a b l e f o r the U.S.

Regulation Proposal E-1 - This proposal i s c red i t ed with providing about 85 per cent of the flood con t ro l b e n e f i t s of 1-2 and would r e s u l t i n somewhat l e s s extreme depar tures from "normal." L i t t l e con t ro l i s proposed f o r June o r July. The chief c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of r egu la t ion under t h i s scheme a r e a r e t a rd ing and lowering of high water l e v e l s during spr ing and e a r l y summer, then t i g h t r egu la t ion t o hold l e v e l s c l o s e t o 95 f e e t f o r the remainder of the year .

I f Lake Champlain were regula ted according t o t h i s proposal , t he following r e s u l t s could be expected:

- The lowered he igh t and delayed c r e s t of spr ing high water would adversely e f f e c t our wetlands a s follows:

Vermont - 95%

N.Y. south - 50%

N. Y. nor th - 15%

- Would have the same damaging e f f e c t s on Northern p ike and waterfowl a s Proposal I- 2.

- Would appear t o provide appropr ia te f a l l and winter water l e v e l s f o r f u r bearers . However, c a t t a i l , primary winter food of muskrats, would be much reduced by t h e h ighly s t a b i l i z e d water l eve l s .

This proposal i s judged environmentally unacceptable f o r the U.S.

Regulation Proposal M - 1 - This proposal is c red i t ed with about 60% of the f lood con t ro l b e n e f i t s of 1-2. It would permit the lake t o maintain "normal" condit ions from August through January. For reasons t h a t a r e no t c l e a r , i t would appear t o occas ional ly cause water l e v e l s t o r a i s e one ha l f foo t above normal during February. The proposal seems designed t o a t t a i n i t s l imi ted f lood con t ro l by regula t ing wi th in a narrow band ranging from 97 t o 98 f e e t during the month of Apr i l . This water regime would r e s u l t i n a sp r ing c r e s t delayed by about th ree weeks and reduced by about one ha l f foot .

Our da ta a r e not d e t a i l e d enough f o r evaluat ion of the probable e f f e c t s these M - 1

changes might cause in wetlands. Apparently fur bearers would be little effected, other than pre-emption from as-yet unflooded wetlands during the early part of their breeding season. Likewise, waterfowl would probably be less effected than under preceding schemes since a rise of only about two more feet (vs. 1% under unregulated conditions) could be expected following the start of nesting. This proposal also appears to address the need to avoid a rapid draw-down in early June to prevent stranding pike fry still in wetlands. Unfortunately, under this proposal, water levels at spawning time for Northern pike would seldom exceed 97 feet. It is doubtful that much successful spawning would occur. We must therefore judge this proposal environmentally undesirable.

Regulation Proposal N-1 - This proposal affords no appreciable flood control. Rather, it appears to be a test run to demonstrate manipulation of water levels in an attempt to conform to our specified fish and wildlife constraints. Perhaps its chief value to us is to reinforce a suspicion that our preliminary target of 98 feet for April 5 may be about a half foot too high. According to this curve, it would appear necessary to artificially raise February and March water levels to reach 98 with regularity in early April.

SECTION IV

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE

REGULATION vs. NON-REGULATION In our judgment, the flood control regulation of Lake Champlain by any of the proposals we have examined would be environmentally undesirable in the U.S. A11 were judged to have adverse effects less desirable than conditions occuring under the present unregulated fluctuations in lake levels.

If, however, the Board elects to recommend a continuing search for less environmentally objectionable regulation schemes, it appears that no sound final judgment can be made until their probable environmental impacts are better defined by the several studies we propose.

RECOMMENDATION FOR ADDITIONAL STUDIES

During the summer of 1973, the Environmental Committee of the Board, operating through the Fish and Wildlife Work Group, invited comments from environmental agencies of Canada, Vermont and New York as to probable impacts of lake level regulation.

Each agency advised that they possessed little "on the shelf" data responsive to the question. Environment Canada opted to commission a consultant study to provide desired information. Neither New York nor Vermont could find funds for such contract studies even though their staffs were already overcommitted to other high priority field work. However, it was agreed that all divertable staff efforts would be concentrated on establishing bottom contour levels for a sample of the more important wetlands in

, each state. It was recognized that such data were essential to meaningful estimates of more obvious consequences of proposed regulation.

During the next two months, New York and Vermont invested more than 350 man days - well over 2500 man hours - in field surveys, and tabulation and interpretation of results.

The 1973 bottom elevation surveys results proved invaluable in preparation of this preliminary assessment. However these surveys should be expanded and refined to the extent necessary to insure that we have at least a proven representative sample. Likewise, a number of other specific, short-term (18 to 24 month) biological studies should be undertaken to confirm (or correct) and better quantify the basic assumptions on which several of our preliminary conclusions are based. We therefore recommend that the Board adopt an interm position that regulation now appears environmentally undesirable; subject to confirmation or modification of this position depending on findings of the following short-term studies:

1: The shores and shallows of Lake Champlain should be mapped, by one foof --- ontour intervals;-n at least the r a n ~ ~ g g 92 to 102 feet above sea

?eve1 (~S~s=~-~'This . . information is needed to better aetermine just how much wetland-'area would be flooded and at what times and at what depths under natural and regulated conditions. These elevations are also needed to permit relating elevations and water depths to such biological events as fish spawning activities and waterfowl nesting as well as quantifying suitable shallow areas that might partially compensate for wetlands lost by lowered water levels. Estimated cost $150,000

2. A Northern pike spawning study is required to better define where and when successful spawning can occur in Lake Champlain. It is believed t h a t wike spawning now occurs, in late March or early April, over

-._ - teazestrial vegetation (hence at bottom elevations of some 96 feet).

is would require water depth of some 97.5 to 98 for pike access to these spawning areas. Since regulation proposal 1-2 would appear to permit only

a about a half foot rise (to 94.5) from winter levels at that time, pike would be totally excluded from their traditional spawning areas. Unless significant successful spawning can occur in lake shallows or tributary streams, lake regulation, as proposed, could endanger or eliminate the Northe9ike in Lake Champlaig. . - - --_.---_I__.

Estimated cost $ 15,000 L.JL & C d I L r r i / ~ p l - l ~ YPWK G.

3 WL & i i o b h - & '&Ax LA.& @ U I T ~ - ~ G C - j

\

3. A Lake Champlain waterfowl nesting study is needed to learn the proportion of Mallard and Black duck nests constructed at elevations secure from flooding under normal conditions but vulnerable to flooding loss under flood control regulations. Under the 1-2 proposal, these ducks would encounter water levels of about 94.5 to 95 at the time of nest building but with a three * foot rise still in prospect. Under unregulated conditions, nesting would usually start with water levels of about 9 7 feet but with only about an

hf ] ib ad ' ' 1 et expected during the incubation period.

@ p* 6 firynests are destroyed before hatching normally try

,* again but those that do succeed usually have 20 to 25 per cent smaller broods. Thus an increased rate of nest flooding in Lake Champlain could substantially reduce local waterfowl production and duck hunting success.

Estimated cost $15,000

4. A survey of Lake Champlain muskrats and beaver should be made to locate the major concentrations of muskrats, and individual beaver colonies, in relation to water depths, bottom elevations and their food supplies. The

1'' c e r l e v a bv about a foot would appear to d" exclude these valuable furbearers from large areas of their present winter f i (OeG range. We do not now have evidence that compensatory productive habitat

would be created as a result of lowered water levels.

Estimated cost $15,000

5. A study of the littoral zone - the shallow vegetated band - around the lake should be made to determine if the bottom gradients and soil types

PC are such that this vital zone could continue to retain its production of

$ Q*' plant and animal life if displaced by the proposed lowering of lake levels.

Estimated cost $15,000

6 . An inter-state study of the potential of Lake Champlain for salmonids and trout is now underway. It would seem highly desirable to expand this study to provide an "update " on warm water fisheries as well. This would provide "before" baseline data with which to compare "after" data acquired under a monitoring program that would certainly be required in the event a regulatory program was implemented in the future.

Estimated cost $40,000

Each of these studies could be expected to produce data, sufficiently accurate to be used in decision making by the Board, within 18 months to two years.

It is obviously difficult to "price" these nominee studies before specific plans of study are developed. The cost of contour mapping is particularly in doubt since cost could vary widely depending on what U.S. Government photo data and services may be available. Still it should probably be assumed that a minimum of $250,000 would be required to adequately fund these studies. w

LITERATURE CITED

ANDERSON, J.K. 1973. (In prep.) Lake Champlain fishery investigations . Vermont Fish and Game Department. Dingell-Johnson Federal Aid Project F-12-R.

, 1972. Lake Champlain fishery investigations. Vermont Fish and Game Department. Dingell-Johnson Federal Aid Project F-12-R.

, In prep. Lake Champlain fishery program. Vermont Fish and Game Department .

, 1971. Lake Champlain fishery investigations. Vermont Fish and Game Department. Dingell-Johnson Federal Aid Project F-12-R.

ANON. 1973. Proposal for a regulated special season for the taking of goldeneye ducks on Lake Champlain. Vermont Fish and Game Department in cooperation with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

, 1965. Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife.

-9 1973. Lake Champlain Trout and Salmon Restoration Program. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

, 1971. Birds of the Missisquoi. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife.

, Amphibians of Vermont. (mimeo) Vermont Fish and Game Department, Montpelier, Vermont.

BELLROSE, F.C. 1968. Waterfowl migration corridors. Illinois Natural History Survey. Biological Notes No. 61, Urbana, Illinois.

BENSON, D. 1973. Lake Champlain Surveys, Aquatic Vegetation, Lake Levels and Wildlife. Raybrook, N.Y.

, T.R. Myers. 1973. Wetland and wildlife considerations regarding control of Lake Champlain water levels. New York Department of Environmental Conservation and Vermont Fish and Game Department.

, R.F. Perry. 1965. The value of an acre of marsh. N.Y. State Conservationist. June- July, 1965 .*

BENT, A.C. 1962. Life histories of North American Wildfowl: Part I. Dover Publications Inc. New York

BOGUCKI, D.J., G.K. GRUENDLING. 1973. Feasibility Study for the Remote Sensing of Lake Champlain Wetlands. State University of New York at Plattsburgh.

DAY, B.W. Jr., L. GARLAND, F.L. McLAUGHLIN, C.H. WILLEY, T.R. MYERS, J.W. ARTMANN. 1971. ~ermont's Game Annual-1971. Vermont Fish and Game Department. Bulletin 71-1. Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid Project W-33-R.

CHENEY, A.N. 1800's. The game fish and fishing of Lake Champlain Lake Champlain and its shores. W.H.H. Murray. DeWolfe, Fiske and Co. Boston.

COUNTRYMAN, W.D. 1974. Personal Communication.

COULTER, M.W., W.R. MILLER. 1968. Nesting biology of black ducks and mallards in northern New England. Bulletin No. 68-2, Vermont Fish and Game Department. Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid Project W-8-R.

GILBERT, A.H., S. M. KHAYAMI. 1973. Expenditure Patterns of non-resident Sportsmen in Vermont, 1970. Research report MP78. Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Vermont, Burlington Vermont.

GOLET, F.C. 1973. Classification and evaluation of fresh water wetlands as wildlife habitat in the glaciated northeast. In press. Transactions 1973 Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference. Mt. Snow Vermont.

HALNON, L.C., M. PFEIFFER, J. ANDERSON. 1973. Lake Champlain water level 'regulation proposal: report'to fish and wildlife work group-impact on fisheries. Vermont Fish and Game Department and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

INDRIDASON, 0. 1973. Atlantic salmon runs. Vermont Life-Spring 1973. Vermont Agency of Development and Community Affairs.

KORTRIGHT, F.H. 1943. The ducks, geese and swans of North America. The American Wildlife Institute, Washington, D.C.

MENDALL, H.L. 1958. The ringnecked duck in the northeast. University Press, Orono, Maine.

MCLAUGHLIN,F.L., L.E. GARLAND, N.R. DICKINSON, C.H. WILLEY, T.R. MYERS, J.A. WALLIN, J.ARTMANN, W.F. SLADYK, R.W. FULLER. 1973. Vermont game annual - 1973. Vermont Fish and Game Department. Bulletin 73-1, Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid Project Wr33-R.

27. 9 9 3 9 >

, B.D. RYAN,J.W. ARTMANN,W.P. SIADM(. 1972. Vermont's game annual-197 Vermont Fish and Game Department. Bulletin 72-1 Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid Project W-33-R.

28. McPHAIL, J.D., CC. LINDSEY. 1970. Freshwater fishes of northwestern Canada and Alaska. Bulletin 173. Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Ottawa.

29. MURRAY, W.H.H. 1800's. Lake Champlain and its shores. DeWolfe, Fiske and Co. Boston.

30. NEW YORK STATE. 1930. A biological survey of the Lake Champlain Watershed. Supplement to the Nineteenth Annual Report, 1929, of the Conservation Dept. Albany.

31. . "Conservation Bill of Rights" (Article XIV, Section 4 of the State Constitution) Albany

32. , 1973. Environmental Plan for New York State. Preliminary Edition, N.Y.S. Department Environmental Conservation Albany.

33. NEW YORK STATE. 1973. People, Resources, Recreation, New York Statewide Comprehensive Recreation Plan. New York State Office of Parks and Recreation. Albany.

34. ODUM, E.P. 1973, The Economic Value of a Tidal Marsh-Estuary (Work Paper -tract) Institute of Ecology University Gerogia Athens, Ga.

35. OTIS, J.C. 1940. Vermont Fur Resources Survey. Vermont Fish and Game Service. Bulletin No. 3-3. Pittman-Robertson Project 3-R.

36. PAGEAU, G. 1973. (August 13) Preliminary Report on the fisheries involved in the Province of Quebec waters 3P mimeo-Montreal.

37. PENNAK, R.W. 1953. Fresh-water invertebrates of the United States. Ronald Press N.Y.

38. PERRY, F.J. 1964. Progress Report of the Vermont Fish and Game Department: from colonization and depredation to conservation and education.

39. RYAN, B.D. 1974. Vermont wetlands. Unpublished Vermont Fish and Game Department. Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid Project W-33-R.

40. STEWART, J.D., L.C. HALNON, R.C. BIGGINS, D.K. CALLUM, J.H. CLAUSSEN, J.K. ANDERSON, A. INCERPI. 1973. Vermont's 1st Fisheries Annual. Bulletin 73-1. Vermont Fish and Game Department. Dingell-Johnson Federal Aid Project F-12-R.

41. SEAMANS, R. 1941. Lake Champlain Fur Survey. Vermont Fish and Game Service. Bulletin No. 3-4. Pittman-Robertson Project 1-R.

42. SOWLS, L.K. 1949. A preliminary report on renesting in waterfowl. Trans- actions North American Wildlife Conference.

43. TABER, W.R. 1949. Lake Champlain Waterfowl Investigation. Final Report, Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid Project 36-R. New York State Conservation Department, Albany.

44. THOMPSON, Z. 1842. History of Vermont. 648 p. (Pub. by) Chauncey Goodrich, Burlington Vermont.

45. THOMPSON, Z. 1845. Guide to Lake George and Lake Champlain Montreal and Quebec. Chauncey Goodrich, Burlington Vermont.

46. THURLOW and Associates. 1973, Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment for the Proposed Champlain-Richelieu Flood Control Project. Environmental Controls Ltd. Ottawa.

47. TRAUTMAN, M.B. 1957. The Fishes of Ohio. Waverly Press Baltimore.

48. WALDEN, H.T. 2nd. 1964. Familiar freshwater fishes of America. Harper and Row, N.Y.

49. WAGNER, P., A.S. HUNT. 1973. Interm report of Lake Champlain Shoreline Erosion Study - University of Vermont Burlington.

50. VERMONT. 1972. Interm Land Capability Plan. Montpelier, Vermont.

51. VERMONT. 1973. Vermont's Land Use and Development Plan. Montpelier, Vermont.

52. VERMONT. 1974. Conservation and Development; Land Use. Draft 8a Vermont Legislative Committee on Natural Resources. Montpelier, Vermont.

53. VERMONT FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT. 1973. General Fish and Game Laws and Regulations.

54. WATSON, W.C. 1876. Report of the Conmissioner for 1873-74 and 1874-75. U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries Government Printing Office. Washington, D. C.

55. WELCH, P.S. 1935. Limnology McGraw-Hill, New York.

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P R E L I M I N A R Y ASSESSb lENT O F E F F E C T S

O F PROPOSED REGULATION

ON LAKE CHAhlPLAIN AND THE R I C H E L I E U R I V E R

A REPORT FOR THE

E N V I RONhlENTAL CObN I T T E E

by

1V. Albert D . Gillcspie 'T. Klock B . Scliupp B . Day, C1:airinan

S u b n i t t e d to t h e

IN 1'P,I~NA'1'IONAL CII. lb1PLAIN- !? I~ ' I I I~1 , I I ;U LNG T N E l . 1 i I N G COAliD

0 1: 'l~tlI<

J\ 'l ' l ,I:h~Yl LONAL ,JOTN'T CO,\IP.IlSSION

Qt~chec Cj.ty, Qucbcc, Canacia

August 19, 1974

PRELININARY ASS,-SSFIENT OF EFFEC'TS OF PROPOSED REGULATION

ON LAKE CtlAMPLAIN AKD THE RICHELIEU RIVER

GENERAL

The Environmental Committee herewi th submits t o t h e IRCEB i t s work i n f u l f i l l i n g t h e charge given t o it by t h e Board t o determine " the d e s i r a b i l i t y o f r e g u l a t i n g t h e l e v e l s of Lake Champlain a s wel l a s t h e l e v e l s and f lows of t h e Riche l ieu River t o a l l e v i a t e extreme water condi t ions- - ( f rom t h e s t a n d - p o i n t o f ) environmental f a c t o r s i nc lud ing f i s h and wi ld l i f e - - " . The work performed by t h e Committee i s summarized i n t h i s memo, and i s suppor ted by s e v e r a l documents developed f o r purposes o f responding t o s p e c i f i c Board assignments .

BRIEF SUMMARY OF PREVIOUS ENVIKONlllENTAL COblMITTEE FINDINGS

The f i r s t s e t o f documents prepared f o r t h e Board was submit ted on February 2 2 , 1974. Included were p r i n c i p a l r e p o r t s e n t i t l e d (1) "Prel iminary Asscssrnent of E f f e c t s o f Proposed Regulat ion o f Lake Champlain ITater Levels ( U . S . Sec t ion)" , and ( 2 ) "A Pre l iminary Environmental Impact Assessn~ent f o r t h e Proposed Champlain-Richelieu Flood Cont ro l P r o j e c t " (Canadian Sec t ion ) and o t h e r suppor t ing documentation. These were prepared t o f u r n i s h t h e Board wi th an assessment o f a s e t o f proposed r e g u l a t i o n schemes presented by t h e t lydraul ics Committee i n t h e i r r e p o r t , "Regulation Analysis o f Lake Chnmyiain, February, 1974.

A s requested, t h e Conirnit t e e focused i t s assessment on one scheme i n p a r t i c u l a r , 1-2, becau.;e of economic f e a s i b i l i t y i n combination wi th an assumed environmental a c c e p t a b i l i t y . However, t h e U.S. Sec t ion o f t h e Com- m i t t e e found t h a t 1 - 2 , a s we l l a s t h e o t h e r schemes Jcveloped t o t h a t d a t e , were undcs i l , ib le , and accordi l lgly, a p o s i t j o n was taken ag;lillst r e g u l a t i o n o f wa te r l e v e l s by t h e s e s t r u c t u r a l measures. On t h c o the r h:lnd, t h e Canadian S c c t j o n ' s firicling was t h a t r e g u l a t i o n o f tllc l ake v:ould be cnvil-onilicntally accep tab le i n a f f e c t e d p o r t i o n s o f Quebec.

In devc:loping i t s asscsslncnt o f t h e 1)roposcd 1-cg111:ltion sc.Iicmcs, t h e U.S. S e c t i o n o f t h e I-:lviroiimclital Cnnmlittcc P:,IS &lble t o \Icvclop 5r)i:iC z c ~ l c r a l con- c l u s i o n s about t h e l a k c c~nvisonmcnt fro111 t h e i iifor~ii~t t i o n ;r~,scn.blcd. 'I'licse c a n 11c s~lnlniarizcd by t h e fo l lowing:

1. Natural water l e v e l f l u c t u a t i o n s a r e rcsl3ons i b l c f o r t h e r i c h and V J r i c d ecosystem i n Lake C1:nmplain.

2. C r i t i c : ~ l i n 1 h:it ecosystclil a r e t h e 25,000 t o 30,000 I c rc s of l \ e i 1 and bordc1.i ng t h e 435 square r81i l c l a k e .

3 . D ~ p ~ l r t ~ i l - e from nat-ural t ir , i jng, h e i g h t s :uld du ra t ions of sc,:1~;onnl l inter l c v c l s 1 i70~ ld aclvci.scly a f r c c t t h e wctl :~l ids .

[I . '1'1:c i'ish ; ~ r - ~ t l v,,il.~lliSc ~ c s o u ~ c c \ \ . o ~ i l ( - l (1- i rcct ly ; I I I ~ i111Jiic:ctly :;i.r i'i.-c.r fi'0111 ~ ~ l c t l ; i n d rcc111c:t i on o r l o s s e s i n~.!li.cc.rl 1.1i1,lcr :illy o f t hc c, I - i ~i nil1 rcg111;lt ion p1.og-r-;iins 1 ~ 1 ~ 0 l : ~ ~ s c d by i-11c Il>-c!1.:1:1 I. i c s Co11;11i t t c c .

Also, t h e U.S. Sec t ion f e l t s t r o n g l y t h a t a d d i t i o n a l s t u d i e s would have t o be performed f o r ob ta in ing b a s i c environmental d a t a p r i o r t o any f u r t h e r assessment o f r e g u l a t i o n schemes. S p e c i f i c s t u d i e s t h a t should be undertaken were i temized .

The importance of t h e wetlands t o t h e l ake was aga in expressed i n a l a t e r r e p o r t t o t h e Board by t h e U.S. Sec t ion , da ted June 20, 1974. The r e p o r t no ted t h a t t h e S t a t e s o f New York and Vermont, and t h e U.S. Department o f t h e I n t e r i o r , have shoxn cons ide rab le i n t e r e s t i n p r o t e c t i n g and promoting t h e f i s h and wi ld- l i f e r e sou rces o f t h e l ake . Th i s i s r e f l e c t e d i n t h e expend i tu re s approved f o r purchase o f wetland a r e a s and f i s h i n g acces s s i t e s .

In New York, approximately one m i l l i o n d o l l a r s have been spen t f o r t h e purchase and development o f w i l d l i f e management a r e a s . An a d d i t i o n a l $700,000 w i l l be r equ i r ed f o r purchase o f proposed wetland a c q u i s i t i o n s i t e s . Over $500,000 has been spent i n acqu i r ing and developing f i s h i n g acces s s i t e s and r e s e a r c h i n g t h e f i s h e r y r e sou rce p o t e n t i a l , New access s i t e s a r e proposed a t an e s t ima ted c o s t o f $300,000, b r ing ing t h e t o t a l t o $ 2 . 5 m i l l i o n , i nc lud ing over $850,000 which has been funded by t h e U.S. Department o f t h e I n t e r i o r . Programs supported by on ly S t a t e funds have no t been segrega ted and a r e n o t inc luded i n t h e s e f i g u r e s .

I n t e r i o r has a l s o s u b s t a n t i a l l y funded Vermont f i s h and w i l d l i f e programs on Lake Chsilrplain. Federally supported programs (not i nc lud ing many s o l e l y S ta tc - fundcd programs) f o r a c q u i s i t i o n , development and r e s e a r c h t o t a l over $2 .8 m i l l i o n , of \ ~ h i c h I n t e r i o r ' s sha re was $2.0 m i l l i o n .

The U.S. Govern~llent i s a l s o involved i n a c q u i s i t i o n , development, and inanagement of t h e l a k e ' s wet lands through 'ihe bl iss isquoi Nat ional IVildl i fe Refuge program, f o r which $ 1 . 3 m i l l i o n has been expended. Th i s b r i n g s t h e t o t a l Federal and S t a t e expendi tures and a l l o c a t i o n s t o $6 .6 m i l l i o n , which r c p r e s c n t s n major monetary co~mnitmcnt i n t h c IJ .S . t o suppor t ing t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n o f t h e Lake Cllamplain \ilctlands.

S~~bscclllent t o t h c s e f indi-ngs o f t h e U . S ' Sect i.on, t h e IIyclsaulics Col~l~nittce l ) ~ - c l x ~ c d a ne\v s e r i e s of computerized water r e g u l a t i o n schemes, iind p re sen ted i-iicse t o the U.S. I'nvi l-onn~ent Co~nniittee meillbers a t a meeting on June 5 , 1974, iri Montpel ier , Vei-inont. These schemes were developed on t h e h a s i s o f environ- iiielltal ii~foj;il:ation Eul.nisl~ed by t h e U.S. Sec t ion i n i t s e a r l i c r yepor t . S u f f i c i c i i t iiliie v , ;~s not :i\:::.il:tble t o i 'ully cva111;xtc t h e ~:n~rir.onmental conse- c;ii~:nccs r c l a t c d t o tl:t:sc iicw s z h e i : : ~ ~ ; ho:\icver, geileral c c i ~ ~ c l u s i u n s were nrr.i.vcd at ;~ild p s c s c ~ i t e d t o the 1;oard a t i t s J u n e 20 , 1974, ~nec t ing i n Flontreal.

S e r i e s 1-2 (Revised) - IYater l e v e l s c o n t i ~ i u e t o f11~c:tuatc t o o f a r - -- - -- - - - -- - - .-- from I hc normal means. 1 - 2 con t inues t o be c r lv i ro i~n;cnt r~ l ly

Series R - I)~.crlgi ng t h e S t , Jcan s h o a l s ~ i o u l d pcri;~nr~ciit l y lower *tile . . . - - . . - . . . - - l . jke to 1 r-.vcls ncver bc fo rc ri lcordcd. Unacceptable.

S c r i c s 0 - i\'ill o p e r a t e dur ing pcak s p r i n g r ~ i r ~ o f f , ai1glncn.t a 11:ini- - . . - - - . . . - ;i!ll;n 3 , 000 c 1':; ~ ; ~ i . : i l : ; t ~ ~ e ; ~ ~ n , a1i~1 li:;~i 11-tain d a i l y I cvc l s w i t h i n c,ne . . ~~t;~:1c.1:1 c!;;~;i ; i t - I#.,~I ~ ) f tlic I . I ; I ~ l y l c i ~ g - . t e ~ ~ n lllean.

o f t h e y e a r .

Both schemes "0" and "P" appear t o be l e s s envi ronmenta l ly damaging than p r e v i o u s l y submit ted programs. However, bo th programs p r e s e n t problems which would u l t i m a t e l y l e a d t o changes i n t h e Champlain ecosystem.

1. blaximum high l e v e l s w i l l be permanently reduced. Th i s may l e a d t o p l a n t succes s iona l changes and u l t i m a t e l o s s o f , t empora ry and permanent wetland h a b i t a t . Vermont e s t i m a t e s t h a t without p e r i o d i c f l ood ing they could l o s e 20 pe rcen t o f t h e i r 25,000 a c r e s o f wet lands.

S ince e l e v a t i o n s o f t h e wetland a r e a s a r e l ack ing , no accu ra t e de te rmina t ion o f wetland l o s s e s i s a v a i l a b l e .

Based on an approximate average $400/acre c u r r e n t a c q u i s i t i o n p r i c e o f New York wetland a r e a s (range $200-$900), t h e l o s s o f t h e Vermont wetlands a lone , based on f i r s t c o s t on ly , would be 1 . 6 m i l l i o n d o l l a r s .

A r t i f i c i a l manipulation^ o f s p r i n g h igh water reduces t h e d u r a t i o n o f water coverage a t e l e v a t i o n s over 96 f e e t . Improper c o n t r o l of t h e du ra t ion and/or t iming o f h igh waters can have a de t r imen ta l e f f e c t on many spr ing spawning f i s h popu la t ions . Temperature o f t h e r i s i n g water , pr imary p r o d u c t i v i t y , t ime o f spalsning, matura t ion of eggs, growth and emigra t ion o f f r y , and t h e p o s s i b l e f a i l u r e o f an e n t i r e y e a r c l a s s i s con t ingen t upon ,

water l e v e l s and d u r a t i o n .

Thc d u r a t i o n ~vill a l s o modify t h e k g e t a t i v e success ion occui-ring a t a given e lev i i t ion .

3 . Lower than normal l ake l e v e l s dur ing peak runoff pcsiocls w i l l a l low j n c r e a s e d s i l t and n u t r i c n t l n a k t o e n t e r t h e bays due t o redLicc3 f i l t r a t i o n e f f e c t jn t h e wetland ax-eas. 'This s i l t ; ~ n d n i ~ t l.ic.nt bu i 1 tltip ~riay c a u s e ar lu3 t i c v e g e t a t i o n gruwth i n r c c r e - a t j onal ;irc:ls.

Gr : l n t iind P , ~ t r i c k (1970) found t h a t a 512 a c r e P(21lnsylv:mia mais11 d a i l y L . C I : I O V C ~ 7.7 t o i ~ o f i hc 13 . O , D . , 4 . 9 Ions pllobphate, 4 . 3 t ons , ~ ~ n n i o ~ ~ i a l l i t r ogcn , 138 11)s. o f ~ ~ i t r n t e n i i r ~ z c n , ,111d rc1c:i:;cd 20 t o n s o f oxygen.

I\'I1;j~.ton (i310) cst i l l ia tcs t h e va lue of a 2,300 a c r c Gcorgio s\tln!l:l) cccisystcm, from t h e s t andpo in t o f water c l u r ~ l i t y , a t $1 . 0 ~ i l i 11 ion :t~?~ii: i~l. ly, and t h e t o t a l biolo~ical11.7-g_o~&1_ct~_v_lty - -.----- vnl.t~c ;rt-S5'& , ? 4 0 per- Thesc I ~ G I I ~ : t n i y va l . ucs ~ l o no t i r i ( : 1 1 1 1 1 ~ the v;tl uc o f p t:i 1113ry 1>roclltction i l l t:ertlls o f Food Cor w i I d l i f ey o r i l l -tcrnts of t;he fi:;h o r ;111irn:.ils t h a t i . t :;llpports.

A:;sitinj.ng tl lc (:I~:il!,l)ln.i n wet 1 ;~iids :;cr\re 3 s.i.ini 1 a r f u n c t i on j n i . i ltc-1.i ng 1 1 1 t t r i t:i~l.s ; '~ld p r o d u c i n g osygcn, any s i g n i .f ic;int j . L : c . l . ~ ~ : . t i I ) I ~ i n ; I , . c : ; ~ \.,tjill (1 I I ; ~ V C d c t 1%; r l 1 ~ 1 1 t i 3 1 (I I ' C L S C ~ s 011 ;l~ju;it ic I.'( (l:;) ' : ; :-<~lll .

The U.S. Sec t ion reques ted t h a t tI ,e Board de l ay i t s formula t ion o f a f i n a l r e p o r t t o IJC u n t i l t h e Environmental Conunittee could o b t a i n a genera l rev ie \< o f i t s work by t h e U.S. F i sh and W i l d l i f e Se rv i ce . The Board au tho r i zed t h e Committee t o t a k e such s t e p s a s necessary t o accomplish t h i s , and s p e c i f i c a l l y t o have USFWS addres s i t s e l f t o t h e fo l lowing ques t ions :

1. Does t h e Dra f t Environmental Report o f June 20th, i n combination wi th t h e e a r l i e r r e p o r t , p r e s e n t a r e a l i s t i c environmental a p p r a i s a l ?

2. What i s t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e of wetland l o s s e s under scheme P-S?

3. \\%at m i t i g a t i o n o f t h e s e l o s s e s i s p o s s i b l e ?

4 . \{'hat p rocedures might be followed t o o f f s e t wet land l o s s e s ?

5. Does Scheme P-5 mer i t f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n , i nc lud ing p o s s i b l e m o d i f i c a t i o n s which might r e s o l v e p re sen t problems wi th some degree o f e q u i t y betueen t h e two c o u n t r i e s ?

The USFWS presen ted i t s d r a f t f i n d i n g s t o t h e Environmental Committee a t a meeting on ~ u g u s t 12, 1974, i n t h e form o f a r e p o r t en t i t l ed ,"US Fish and l v i l d l i f e Se rv i ce P re l imina ry Assessment of Proposed Regulat ion o f Lake Chainplain Water Levels". The r e p o r t ' s t e n t a t i v e conclusiol ls a r e i n s u b s t a n t i a l agreement wi th t h o s e o f t h e Environmental Committee. The r e p o r t will be a v a i l a b l e f o r review a t t h e Quebec C i t y Board meeting on August 19, 1974.

After thorough e l a l u a t i o n o f a l l p r i o r Committee work, i nc lud ing t h e d r a f t r e p o r t by USFWS, t h e Environment a1 Coi~~ni t t ee has concluded t h a t t h e b a s i s f o r environmental concerns of both t h e US and Canada a r e d i s s i m i l a r . The US concerns a r e t h o s e o f a s t a n d i n g water system (a lake) while t hose a t Canada a r e , f o r t h e i!lost p a r t , t hose o f a running water system (a r i v e r ) . Canada's po r t ion o f t h e wntcl-shed st!pports f o u r marshes whose t o t a l a r e a i s s l j g h t l y lilore than 500 a c r e s , whi le t h e IJS p o r t i o n suppor t s more than 30,000 a c r c s o f m~~r:;hlnnd.

Canada b c l i c v e s t h e envii-on:iiental e f f e c t s o f r e g u l a t i o n (liiost noti.cc?ably sc11en;e 1'-5) will l ~ e minilxi1 i n Canada and c a n be ; :ccepted. 'I'he 115, f o r i t s :;ccti on o f t h e I , ;~lie, b c l i eves n~ore d a t a cn tl;t'i r a-rca 's roi;e:?al>la ~ i a t i ~ r a l 1 - c s o ~ ~ r c e s a r e rcqt l i rcd b e f o r e t h e pxoj c c t can r e c e i v e c n ~ i ~ ~ v ~ i ~ i ~ c i i t a l s ~ i n c t i on.

The US and Canadian s e c t i o n s o f the Lnviron!rtclital Col:~nrittee zgi-ce c h a t t l i ree Fu~ldnmental a r c a s o f concern with r e s p e c t t o r e g u l , ~ t e d wal-er l e v e l s s t i l l rcma i n wj t h t h e P - 5 ~;cllc ne:

1 . J - L : ~ ; I I ~ ; I t ion de l ays i n i t i a t i o n o € t h e f lood

2 . ?-lie 1-loot1 peak i s depressed

3. tl;c : i ~ ~ r ' ; \ t i o n of f looding i s . r e d a c e d

I : L . ~ - , I ~ tIi(i~lgll tlic I'--~;c.'rj cs ;IIII)C;II-S, 1 0 II ; IVC' t h e :lio:;t 1, t .cj l i i i sc to~t,az.d 1.11 1 1'; 11 ing L . L ; ~ L , I ;11:(.)ry g ~ : 1 1 s l .~~i . th C , I ~ \ / < L . O I I ~ ~ : C I I ~ ~ I I (:o~i!:,.ide I . L I ~ i 011s i 11 i:iii~d, t l ~ e US S!;c:t i o n of

t h e Env i ronmenta l Committee f i n d s t h a t ,111 r e g u l a t i o n schemes examined t o d a t e , i n c l u d i n g t h e P - s e r i e s , a r e e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y q u e s t i o n a b l e . _I__-

-- The Envi ronmenta l Committee s t r o n g l y u r g e s t h a t t h e Champla in -Riche l i eu

Board r e q u e s t f u n d i n g f o r q u a l i t a t i v e and q u a n t i t a t i v e s t u d i e s t h a t would ansrGer c o n t i n u a l l y r e o c c u r i n g e n v i r o n m e n t a l q u e s t i o n s . These s t u d i e s a r e e s s e n t i a l t o any r e g u l a t o r y scheme t h a t might b e c o n s i d e r e d and would assist i n i d e n t i f y i n g w f f s t h s t might be r e q u i r e d . A list o f s t u d i e s t h a t would p r o v i d e t h e -

_C_-_II---- _ -------+a n e c e s s a r y i n f o r m a t i o n are. i n c l u d e d i n A ~ d i x 1. -------- ---c_____--- ---, -----*-

---- -

L i t e r a t u r e C i t e d

G r a n t , Rober t R . , Jr. and Ruth P a t r i c k , 1970. Tinicum Marsh as a Water P u r i f i e r , p . 102-123. The C o n s c r v a t i o n Founda t ion , Washington, D . C.

\ I fhar ton, C h a r l e s H . , 1970. The S o u t h e r n R i v e r Swamp - A M u l t i p l e Use Environment. Bureau o f Bus iness and Economic Resea rch , School o f 6 . Ad., Georg ia S t a t e Univ . , A t l a n t a , Ga,

E r ~ v i s o l ~ m e n t a l Conlini t t c e August 1 9 , 1974

Addi t iona l S t u d i e s _CI__l_-__l

J u s t i f i c a t i o n :

Both t h e Environmental Committee and t h e U.S. F i s h and W i l d l i f e Se rv i ce have i d e n t i f i e d t h e need f o r a d d i t i o n a l d a t a i n o r d e r t o adequate ly answer t h e environmental damages and b e n e f i t s o f r e g u l a t i o n scheme P-5 .

Proper ly designed s t u d i e s w i l l y i e l d informat ion from which P-5, o r any o t h e r r e g u l a t o r y scheme, can be eva lua ted and from which mod i f i ca t ions can be suggested t o reduce u n d e s i r a b l e environmental impacts , o r t o develop schemes t o enhance environmental o b j e c t i v e s .

This d a t a i s b a s i c t o any environmental impact assessment o r economic p r e d i c t i o n hhich w i l l adequate ly answer q u a n t i t a t i v e and q u a l i t a t i v e q u e s t i o n s posed by t h e Board.

S t u d i e s Required: ---

1. Wet lands b4npy i n g

Objec t ive : Topographic survey of wetlands and a d j a c e n t low-gradient shore a r e a s between 90 f e e t and 105 f e e t e l e v a t i o n s , i n 1 . 0 f o o t contour i n t e r v a l s .

2 . Vegeta t ive S t u d i e s -------

Objec t ive : Determine occurance o f v e g e t a t i v e s p e c i e s w i t h i n and a d j a c e n t --- t o t h e zone e f f e c t e d by water r e g u l a t i o n .

3 . Faunal S tu t l i e s --

Obj e c t i ~ r e : Examine t h e o f f c c t on assoc i a t c d 1) i o t a o f t l ~ c Lone clii l i innted ----- o r e f f e c t e d l)y t h e rb7;itcr regulation scheme.

4 . Nu t r i cn t ~ Lo;l~.!jng S t u d i e s

Obj cct ivc: Dc-tcr!~~ i.ne e f f e c t s o f l ake l e v e l chnngcs on cul: i'op11 i c ~ i r. i on i!nd .- - . . . -. . -. -- s i l t a t j on :~-?.tcs.

Object ive: C(71nyare t h e cco~iolnic 311d ~ c c s c a t i o n a l vnl i lcs o f t h e f i < I 1 arid - - .- - - - - .- ~vi l d l i f e rcc;ousccs untlcr t h e 1 1 a t i l ~ a l c i i ~ d scgulatcd w't'ier r c s i ~ l e s .

6. Mi t iga t ion ---- --

Objective: Es ;~ :n i~ le p o s s i b i l i . t i e s f o r I : I ~ t i g a t i o n :llid/or e~:linncc:;i~ent Ir,c;l:;11r-cs -. - - . . -. - -- rcclui 1-1:d t o o f f s e t p o t c ~ l t i . ~ i l rccrcnt inn:11 ::nd ~ : ~ ~ v ~ . I ' u I I ! ~ I L ' I ~ ~ i l l cl:nngcs il~?tlc.r

l - ~ : ~ ~ I l l . ~ t LO 1.y !;,:llC~l,.cs .

I

I ' ;~rt i c i p a n t s : - - -

'rhe Cnvironmcntal Committee of t h e Board w i l l s e r v e a s s t e e r i n g col:~rnit tce f o r 311 s t u d i e s . I t i s s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e U.S. F i s h and l z i l d l i f e S c r v i c c be a ; ~ p o i n t e l e a d agency t o assume r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e s t u d y . They w i l l work bt8ith s c i e n t i s t s from t h e Canntlian and U.S. S t a t e governmental a g e n c i e s and w i t h nss i s t r - .nce f'roin t h e academic and p r i v a t e s e c t o r s , where r e q u i r e d .

November 1, 1976 h a s been e s t a b l i s h e d a s t h e comple t ion d a t e . T h i s \<ill a l l o w two s p r i n g s e a s o n s f o r h i g h w a t e r e v a l u a t i o n pl ,us f o u r months f o r d a t a t a b u l a t i o n and e v a l u a t i o n .

C o s t s : >

The Environmental Committee w i t h t h e a s s i s t a n c e o f t h e U.S. F i s h and \Gild- l i f e S e r v i c e can p r e p a r e a n o v e r a l l s t u d y p l a n c o ~ n p l c t e r i i t h p l ' o j ec tcd s t u d y c o s t s and w i t h s u g z e s t t d a g e n c i e s c a p a b l e o f c o n d u c t i n g such e f f o r t s . S ~ c h i n f o r m a t i o n i s n o t a v a i l a b l e IIOIJ s i n c e t h e U.S. F i s h and W i l d l i f e S c r ~ , i c c ' s f i n a l r cco inmenda t io~s a r e n o t c i ~ ~ a i l a b l e d t t h i s w r i t i n g . Our b c s t c s t i m a t c n t t h i s p o i n t i s $500.000 _ t o accolnpl ish a11 b u t the wet l a n d s mapping d u r i n g t h e t lvo y c a r s t u d y p e r i o d . ISetland innpping h a s been exc luded s i n c e i n most c;!scs t h i s

-------I__)__ -_ __..-__I- - --- -- _ - i n f o r ~ i i ~ t i o n i s p r ovi (led by t h e p r o j e c t g roup . _ --- - - - ---

U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED REGULATION

OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN WATER LEVELS

Presented t o t he Environmental Committee of t he IRCEB

-. ..-

August 12, 1974 '

The basic concerns and probi e,ns identi f i cd in the Efiv7'ronn;en ia? K~,,,.rts

arc real and of s ignif icant irr~portancc. There i s cvcry indicatiorl i h h c

a1 tcrin!j th,: ri~lLur,l l rc?rjii~lc&n o l lovcl!, i n L,rkc. C ~ I ~ I I I ~ ~ ~ C I i t 1 w I 1 l CI l i; c,i the.

qucliltity and quality of weklands and the 1-ittordl zone irnportcint t o

~nigratory wsterfowl dnd pike f ishes. An sclcqua tc. appraisal of ti-,,.

~nagnitudc of the effects of wdter level nianipulation i s not possiblc

with existing data. Mitigation of dan~aye should be considered, and

possibi 1 i t i e s for enhancement should be explored.

General Concl usions

1 . Lake Champlain i s the 6th largest lake in the U. S. encompassioy

seine 435 square miles of surface water ( 9 6 U n the U. S . , 4% in

Canada). The lake level has fluctuated for centuries in essent ial ly

a rhythinic pattern resulting in plant and animal associations and

con~munities which are attuned to t h i s environment.

2 . The 25,000 acres of wetlands (U. S . portion) and a much larger

l i t t o r a l zone are vi ta l t o the variety and abundance of f i sh and

wildl i fe resources associated with Lake Champlain.

3 . The lake currently provides economically important recreation

amenities of large magnitude. Recreational amenities of s i i i l

greater extent remain unexplored and/or undeveloped.

4. ,'Z;ly ;cc,~riti t?;o:i of the litke level l:lacld cause ci-l<,i t~s ;r, 9'- I C I . --:- L iiiti

a,?iil:iii C O I ~ ~ : I I U ~ ! ' t i e s of t h ? zone subject "L seasonal and cycl i c

f , ~ctuatiny water 1 evel s .

- . 5. i ~ s h , wild1 i f e and related resource values should be consic2red O K

baldnce with flood control needs.

6. The reports of the Environmec-tal Cormittee within the constraints

of t i m , manpower, and avai 1 ab: e data represent an enpi r-ica;

eva iu~ t ion of the lake ' s f ish and wildl i fe resources and the

indi cdted ef fec ts of 1 ake 1 evel regul a t i on.

7. The environmerital impact of Scheme P-5 or any other reoulaiory

schcnle cannot be adequately evaluated wi t h o i l t additional aata .

Contour maps of wetlands and shaliow water areas are needea F6r

a def ini t ive assessment of the indicated changes in the biota.

8. From the information we have reviewed, P-5 or some modification

thereof appears to afford the leas t environmental disruption of

a l l schemes presented so f a r . For th i s reason, P-5 merits fur ther

consideration and, in additjon, i t would ap3mr_t-~ -us that P-5 _-----------. , . . nlay &fiord opportunities for both mitigation of environmenca!

".-" ___- - -... ___.---- "_ *_ - - .., - * - -.- - ---- li-- - - ---- " -

dsti~ucles and biol o ~ i c a l enhancetilent. --. "-- J... . . -. - "," , ----me--

9 . Proposed lake-.lg~e.l.rtgul-a._ti~n, while res t r ic t ing pike spawning -- /------ - ----", --* -----------*-- _.I^_Y-__

habi ta t , may benefit other f ishes. -._. . -- - . - - ---- __-"I*-- - - - -_ l_l___*

-, 13. lile Lcirvice ;s coljgizant o f t k c nzcd for ;-?I j c f f r c n c y c ; i c ,;:"~r,

s.9i:i ric;;nt -i!:;pact of f?ish, wildl i fe aad

whicii could resul t from sing1 c-!,urpose p l si-ining . Thel-cforc, wc

/ lava ccl,;cl uied t h a t r j r o c e d i n -- -- w i t h any fur ther viork "Lo!vard 7rr ; jcc t

conl;zruction rvoul ti n o t b b prudentuut i l s nore discree t ass~:.ss,;:?~;t Ce__--.~--L" .I.--..1U." .I.I_- I--- -----. - --I-- --.- -

i s co,~;pleted on the biological partiriieters of P-5, or any otli;li- --*--.- -. --.*..-- __I* .--.a ._-.I ---- .-.- .. ., _C--_̂_,_ -..- .. . . _

a l t e rn~. t iv?s which offer promise -for an equi tab: e so: utior, zo

seasanal water problem i n the Rich3lieu River Floodplain.

C -, 11. , , s o d protec'iion projects eventually lead t o dd~?t ior l&i f i o ~ d ?lz;r. 4 I-_-_ _ _--I--- - - _

dcve! opiusnt w i t h renewed demands for h*er 1 eve1 s of protecricr.. .---. -.̂ __,.- - _I-_ ..-- --------- -. ________I_.,____I~__

Z~.~&-.~_h_o_uul~~-be-pa_r_t_~off-the project - - ---- plan -- --- -. t o prevent - ever e sc~ la t i i rg -- ----.

den:axas -for-greater flood control_ _ measures. ..- .--- - - - " -

1 I , .

.L , -,

t h. C . " '-. ...f

..,,, <." -- - ". -- ... - . . fiicnard E . Gri:,i;itn Regional DS rec to r U. S. Fish and biildlife ~ervi-c; 30s-con, Massachusetts

LIST OF REFERENCES

FOR

PROPOSED REGULATION OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN WATER LEVELS

1 Regu la t i on Ana lys i s o f Lake Champlain, Supplementary Repor t No. 2,

June 1974. Prepared by Messrs. S. Khubchandani and M. Sydor o f

Environment Canada under t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t h e Hyd rau l i cs Committee.

2. .Pre l im inary Assessment o f E f f e c t s of Proposed Regu la t ion o f Lake

Champlain Water Leve ls (U. S. Sec t i on ) - Report f o r t h e Environmental

Committee, February 22, 1974.

3 . Comments on New Proposed Regu la t i on Schemes f o r Regu la t i on o f Lake

Champlain Water Leve ls , (U. S. P o r t i o n of Study Area). Environmental

Committee Repor t , June 20, 1974.

4. Ana l ys i s o f Use o f F r y e r ' s I s l a n d Dam as a Regu la to ry S t r u c t u r e .

Prepared by Department o f Na tu ra l Resources of t h e Prov ince o f Quebec

under d i r e c t supe rv i s i on o f Rene B o i s v e r t , P r o j e c t Engineer--August 1973.

Introduction

I t was resolved a t the International Richelieu-Champlain Engineering

Board-meeting of June 20, 1974, to o f f i c i a l ly request the assistance of

the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in evaluating cer tain environmental

components of the proposed regulation of Lake Champ1 ain water 1 eve1 s . Subsequently, the Board's Environmental Committee and the U. S. Fish and

Wildlife Service met on July 2, 1974, and the level of assistance was

c la r i f ied and agreed on as s e t for th in Mr. Klock's memorandum of July 8,

1974 (copy attached).

Findings by USFWS personnel are presented in the following three sections

of comments. Section I responds specif ical ly to the four questions stated

on page one of the July 8 , 1974 memorandum. Section I1 responds t o the

request fo r an overview of the Environment and Hydraulic Committee's work

with par t icular attention to Scheme P-5. Section 111 consists of comments

related to the lake level regimen under Scheme P-5.

OPTIONAL P(7IIM NO. I D M A Y Ice: LI , I I IOY

G.bA PI'MII ( 4 1 L T ~ ) 101.11.*

UNI'I'EI) STATES C; OVLiRNICIEIU'T

TO : Members of Environment Committee and

U. S. Section Co-Chairman of IRCEB

FROM : Tom ~ l o c k c L

SUBJECT: Meeting of Environment Committee and U. S. F i s h and Wildlife Service

ATTENDANCE

Ben Day Vermont F i s h and Game t

"\ Russel l Earnes t USFWS - Boston

Douglas Gillespie Environment Canada

Richard Griffith USFWS - Boston

Thomas Klock

Lee Mills

Pau l Neth '

Thomas Oliver

NERBC

USFWS - Boston

N Y Dept. of Environmental Conservation

USFWS - Concord

DATEANDPLACE

Meeting was held on Tuesday, July 2, 1974, a t the NERBC offices, Boston, Mass. Meeting chaired by Klock for NERBC.

PURPOSE O F MEETING

The meeting was arranged by NERBC Chairman Frank Gregg in response to the Board 's request for his help in obtaining a modest measure of assis tance f rom USFWS. The Board specifically sought U S F W S involvement through a brief evaluation of one version (Scheme P-5) of Canada's most recent regulation proposal. The Board des i red USFWS to address the following questions:

1. Does the Environmental ~ e ~ o r t of Juneh20th, in combination with the ea r l i e r report , . present a real is t ic environmental appra isa l ?

2. What is the significance of wetland losses under Scheme P -5? '

3. What mitigation of these losses i s possi e ? # 4. What procedures might be followed t o offset w trtlf~"\"Pf n

JUL 9 1974

I R. 0. S. Buy U.S. .Tuvitrg~ Boa& Regularly on dr PuyroZl $11 rzgr Platz

liESULTS O F M E E T I N G - Dick Griffith, Regional Director of USFWS, stated the following

on behalf of U S F W S :

.- - Under the F i s h and Wildlife Coordination Act, USFWS would eventually become formally involved in the project evaluation, but will par t ic ipate now on a limited bas i s in response to the Board ' s request .

- - USFWS accepts the offer by the Corps of $10,000 to underwri te USFWS involvement. This amount i s considered a token contr i - bution a s it wil l not cover expenses anticipated.

- - USFWS recognizes that Canada i s seeking a solution which accomodates U. S. i n t e re s t s , and supports the Board in pursuing a direct ion which seeks the bes t balance in t e r m s of a mutually acceptable and beneficial water management program.

- - USFWS will (1) provide an overview of the Environment and Hydraulic Committees ' work with par t icu lar attention to Scheme P - 5 , ( 2 ) r e l a t e this work to USFWS experience gained f r o m s imi la r si tuations in other p a r t s of the country, and ( 3 ) make comments on this bas is .

- - Comments will m o s t likeJy take the f o r m of determining whether Scheme P-5 m e r i t s fur ther consideration, including possible modifications which might resolve present problems with some

\\ degree of equity between the two countr ies .

- - Initial USFWS reaction is that t he re could be quality improvement in m a r s h productivity through regulation which might tend to offset productivity reduction f r o m ac reage loss . Degree of balance that might resu l t will be investigated fur ther .

- - USFWS views the assignment a s very interesting, but a l s o f rus t ra t ing in t e r m s of the t ime constraint. Will not have t ime to p r e p a r e fo rma l repor t , but will p re sen t comments and findings to the Environmental Committee a t a "skull session" to be scheduled in ea r ly August.

- - USFWS will respond to Board reques t by 'involving personnel with substantial background in s imi l a r m a t t e r s . Anticipate bringing in advisors fami l ia r with Lake Champlain, m a r s h ecologh, f i she r i e s , waterfowl, and lake fluctuation. However, exper t i se not available f o r examining i s sue of nutr ient contribution.

TEI< Page 3 7 / 8 / 7 4

--NERBC should advise the Board 's U. S. Chairman of the resul t s . of the meeting, and of USFWS' willingness to cooperate with

thc Corps under the arrangements which the Corps proposed.

There was a general feeling exhibited by the attendees at the con- c lus io i~ of the meeting that an important step had been taken, and that a contribution will be made which should prove beneficial to the Board 's efforts in responding to the direct ive f rom IJC.

Sect ion I

P r e l im ina ry answers t o quest ions asked a t "Meeting o f Environment Commi t t e e

and U. S. F i s h and W i l d l i f e Service," J u l y 2, 1974, M r . Klock.

Quest ion 1 - Does t h e Environmental Report o f June 20 th [ D r a f t "Comments on

New Proposed Schemes f o r Regu la t ion of Lake Champlain Water Leve ls " (U. S.

p o r t i o n o f s tudy area) submit ted t o t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Champlain-Richel ieu

Engineer ing Board o f t he I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission, Environmental Com-

m i t t e e Report , June 20, 19741, i n combinat ion w i t h t h e e a r l i e r r e p o r t , ("Pre-

1 im ina ry Assessment o f E f f e c t s o f proposed Regu la t ion o f Lake Champ1 a i n Water

Leve ls " (U. S. Sec t ion) Report o f t h e Environmental Committee, February 22,

1974), p resent a r e a l i s t i c environmental app ra i sa l?

Answer - These r e p o r t s a re a good app ra i sa l o f t he e x i s t i n g f i s h , w i l d l i f e

and a n c i l l a r y resources o f t he l a k e i n view o f t he c o n s t r a i n t s imposed by t ime,

fund ing , manpower, and a l a c k o f da ta s p e c i f i c t o t he i n f l uence o f va ry ing

l a k e e leva t i ons . Through no f a u l t of t he authors, however, i t i s n o t a

r e a l i s t i c app ra i sa l o f t he impacts o f t h e p r o j e c t upon these resources. A

r e a l i s t i c app ra i sa l cannot be made u n t i l more d e f i n i t i v e resource and

hyd ro log i ca l da ta a re avai 1 ab le .

( A ) No c h a r t e x i s t s showing l a k e shore contour's t o 0.5 f o o t increments o f

e l e v a t i o n . The ex is tence of a l a r g e share o f t h e l a k e ' s resources

depends upon a r e l a t i v e l y narrow l i t t o r a l zone i n f l uenced by l i g h t

p e n e t r a t i o n t o t he bottom and by the annual and long- term v a r i a t i o n s

i n l a k e su r face e leva t i ons amounting t o a maximum o f over n i n e f e e t .

Data of th i s type are required to accurately assess the acres of wet lands143

which will be affected by the project , overall vegetative changes, extent

of change in spawning areas of shore-spawning f i sh species, impacts on

waterfowl nesting and brood habi tat , and the extent of possible

reduction of passage of stream spawning f i sh over rivermouth bars.

The authors have recognized the need fo r such charting in the i r proposed

Study No. 1 . The minimum mapping range they propose i s elevations 92 t o

102 fee t . The Service recommends tha t this range be expanded to a t l eas t

elevations 90 to 105 fee t a t 1.0 foot contours fo r the purpose of - analyzing impacts on adjacent ecological communities. In c r i t i c a l areas, ----

0.5 foot contours may be necessary. F i rs t p r ior i ty should be given to ,, wetlands and low gradient shorelines.

(B) The report does not project f i sh and wildl i fe resource values and

potential ut l ization over the 50-year project l i f e . All other project

aspects such as damages, benefits and construction costs have or will

be projected and amortized a t seven percent. Environmental impacts are

not comparable to the project analysis unless t h i s i s done fo r f i sh and

wildl i fe and anci l lary resources.

To arr ive a t an accurate appraisal of impacts the resource values and

u t i l i za t ion projections (e i ther in narrative or quantitative form) must

be accomplished for without-the-project, with-the-project, and with-the-

project with mitigating modifications. Normally these projections are

made for the project l i f e and an annual average level i s developed for

each of the three conditions. Each s e t of data are then d i rec t ly

comparable, the impact being the difference between without- and with-

t h e - p r o j e c t and t h e e f f i c i e n c y o f m i t i g a t i o n i s t h e d i f f e r e n c e between 1 4 4

t he l a t t e r two s i t u a t i o n s . However, a d d i t i o n a l b i o l o g i c a l and

h y d r o l o g i c a l da ta a r e r e q u i r e d t o r e a l i s t i c a l l y ana lyze t h i s aspect .

( C ) We understand t h a t t h e annual hydrographs d e p i c t i n g 1 ake 1 eve1 s w i t h o u t

t h e p r o j e c t and w i t h t h e p r o j e c t ("P" s e r i e s ) a r e based upon t h e Rouses

P o i n t , New York, U.S.G.S. gaging s t a t i o n . We f u r t h e r understand t h a t

some comparisons have been made between t h i s gage and t h e one a t

B u r l i ng ton , Vermont. These comparisons r e s u l t i n an es t ima te t h a t under

average c o n d i t i o n s t h e B u r l i n g t o n gage, which i s about 22 m i l e s f rom

Rouses P o i n t , reads about 0.05 f e e t l owe r l a k e su r f ace e l e v a t i o n . Du r i ng

storms and f l o o d s t hey may v a r y by a w ide r b u t unknown marg in .

The v a r i a t i o n i n e l e v a t i o n s between t h e Rouses P o i n t gage and t h e

southern end o f t h e l a k e ( W h i t e h a l l ) about 100 m i l e s d i s t a n t , may sub-

s t a n t i a l l y be d i f f e r e n t than shown i n t h e hydrographs. I t i s incon-

c e i v a b l e t h a t t h e Rouses P o i n t gage d e p i c t s l e v e l s f o r t h e e n t i r e l a k e

o r t h a t t h e l a k e s u r f a c e i s f l a t . D i f f e r e n c e s i n e l e v a t i o n s can be

caused by h y d r a u l i c g r a d i e n t o r se iches caused by winds, r a i n f a l l ,

d i f f e r e n c e i n atmospheric p ressure o r o t h e r causes. T h i s aspect was

n o t addressed i n t he env i ronmenta l r e p o r t .

The o n l y da ta a v a i l a b l e a r e f o r t h e Rouses p o i n t gage. The accuracy

o f t h e hydrographs i n d e p i c t i n g a c t u a l l a k e l e v e l s p robab l y d e c l i n e s t h e

f u r t h e r one depar ts from t h e gage. I n t h i s s i t u a t i o n , where s l i g h t

e l e v a t i o n d i f f e r e n c e s appear t o have s i g n i f i c a n t env i ronmenta l e f f e c t s ,

such p o s s i b l e v a r i a t i o n s i n l a k e l e v e l s need t o be measured o r p r e d i c t e d .

guest ion--? - What i s t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f we t land l osses under Scheme P-5?

Answer - The r e p o r t i t s e l f e x p l a i n s t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f t h e wet lands o f

Lake Champlain i n t e r n s o f b i o l o g i c a l p r o d u c t i v i t y and human use. Losses

cou ld be s i g n i f i c a n t . The r e p o r t i n d i c a t e s t h a t an es t imated 20% o f

Vermont's Lake Champlain wet lands c o u l d be l o s t w i t h o u t p e r i o d i c f l o o d i n g .

However, i t should n o t be over looked t h a t t h i s 20% l o s s cou ld t r a n s l a t e

i n t o a much l a r g e r percentage o f l o s s f o r p i k e spawning areas and wate r fow l

n e s t i n g and brood h a b i t a t .

Whi le we cannot d i sag ree t h a t a 20% l o s s i s p o s s i b l e , ou r p o s i t i o n i s t h a t

p o t e n t i a l l osses and/or ga ins cannot be eva lua ted w i t h o u t add i t ona l data.

There may be p o t e n t i a l b e n e f i t s f rom P-5 which must n o t be over looked any

more than t h e p o t e n t i a l l osses should be over looked.

Ouest ions 3 and 4 a r e r e l a t e d :

3 . What m i t i g a t i o n o f these l osses i s p o s s i b l e ?

4. What procedures m i g h t be fo l lowed t o o f f s e t we t land l osses?

Answer - To t h e b e s t o f our knowledge t h e r e i s no f e a s i b l e measure o r . - -

p rocedure t o o f f s e t ( r e p l a c e ) wet land losses .. Only m i t i g a t i o n o f t h e l o s s

i s p o s s i b l e and t h e two p o s s i b i l i t i e s cons idered w i l l r e s u l t i n adverse

impacts on o t h e r resources as w e l l as be ing ex t reme ly c o s t l y . The c o s t s

have n o t been c a l c u l a t e d . Both ( A ) and ( B ) w i l l r e q u i r e ex tens i ve

b i o l o g i c a l and eng inee r i ng feas i b i 1 i ty s tud ies .

1 4 6 ( A ) Mi t igat ion through development of new wet1 ands on t r ibutary streams.

This involves construction of water control s t ructures , land acquisit ion,

and operation and maintenance. Desirable s i t e s would be f l a t areas on

t r ibutary streams which are not wetlands now or s i t e s t o improve existing

wetlands. Acreage requirements would approximate the acres of lake wet-

lands adversely affected by the project. This of course will r e su l t in

loss of t e r r e s t r i a l wildl i fe habitat and possible adverse impacts on

existing stream f i sher ies .

(9) Mitigation'through construction of dikes to control water levels in lake

wetlands in a manner independent of lake levels. This action would more

nearly avoid ttie loss and degradation of wetlands b u t would eliminate the

intimate association of these wetlands and the lake. I t may be feasible

to develop such areas to accommodate e i ther waterfowl or northern p i k e or

a combination of both species. This may require pumping water from the

lake to regulate water levels within diked areas.

Sec t i on I1

U. S. F i s h and W i l d l i f e Se rv i ce Overview o f t h e Work o f t h e H y d r a u l i c and

Environment Committees

Hyd rau l i c s Committee

We have n o t c r i t i c a l l y analyzed t h e v a r i o u s r e s u l t s o f t h e H y d r a u l i c Committee's

work. However, we b e l i e v e t h a t t h e H y d r a u l i c Committee has p rov ided a g r e a t

amount o f i n f o r m a t i o n i n t h e form o f hydrographs o f w i t h - t h e - p r o j e c t l a k e

e l e v a t i o n s . We rece i ved o n l y t h e hydrographs f o r P-5 i n connec t ion w i t h

ou r rev iew. We understand, however, t h a t t h e "P" s e r i e s c o n s i s t s o f an a n a l y s i s

o f l a k e l e v e l s under a scheme which would c o n t r o l v a r i o u s r e g u l a t e d l a k e

e l e v a t i o n s d u r i n g s p r i n g peak months w i t h o u t any s p e c i f i e d downstream f l o w

regime and w i t h l a k e l e v e l s s i m u l a t i n g n a t u r a l e l e v a t i o n v a r i a t i o n s . The

s p r i n g e l e v a t i o n s a t which t h e gates o f a dam would be opened under t h e "P"

s e r i e s a r e as f o l l o w s : P-1, 98 f e e t ; P-2, 97.5 f e e t ; P-3, 97.0 f e e t ; P-4,

96.5 f e e t ; and P-5, 96.0 f e e t .

The l a c k o f con tour mapping o f t h e l a k e and ad jacen t e c o l o g i c a l communit ies,

which c o u l d be a f f e c t e d by r a i s i n g o r l o w e r i n g l a k e l e v e l s , p rec ludes adequate

a n a l y s i s o f s tage-area r e l a t i o n s h i p s . T h i s i s o f s p e c i a l impor tance w i t h

r ega rd t o wet lands and sha l l ow water areas. Whether o r n o t t h i s endeavor

i s a r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f t he H y d r a u l i c Committee i s n o t w i t h i n our purv iew.

Th i s t ype o f i n f o r ~ n a t i o n i s norn ia l l y p rov ided by p r o j e c t p lanners and i s

regarded as fundamental i n t h e e v a l u a t i o n o f p r o j e c t impacts upon f i s h and

wi 1 d l i f e resources.

~ n v i rot&&@ Cornmi t t e e

The Committee has done a good j o b o f d e s c r i b i n g t h e l a k e ' s f i s h and w i l d l i f e

resources and o u t l i n g impacts . The February 22 r e p o r t was completed p r i o r

t o development o f Schemes "P" and "0." As a r e s u l t , these s e r i e s , e s p e c i a l l y

P-5, were n o t d i r e c t l y addressed i n s u f f i c i e n t d e t a i l . There fo re , t h e r e

i s no c l e a r s ta tement o f t h e impacts o f t h a t p a r t i c u l a r scheme. We

a p p r e c i a t e t h i s i s a r e s u l t o f i n s u f f i c i e n t t ime a l lowed t o e x t r a c t and

i n t e r p r e t a p p r o p r i a t e i n f o r m a t i o n .

The q u a n t i t a t i v e da ta presented i n these r e p o r t s a r e impress ive and lends

credence t o t h e va lue o f f i s h and w i l d l i f e resources i n t h e Lake Champlain

area. However, these da ta a r e n o t presented i n a manner which a l l o w s d i r e c t

comparison w i t h p r o j e c t cos t s and b e n e f i t s . An accu ra te a p p r a i s a l o f t h e

env i ronmenta l impacts r e q u i r e s t h a t ( a ) resource da ta be p resen ted f o r t h e

l a k e as an e n t i r e t y i n c l u d i n g p r e d i c t i o n s o f t h e average annual va lues ove r

t h e 50-year p r o j e c t l i f e , and (b ) t h e p o r t i o n o f these resources s u s c e p t i b l e

t o impact from t h e p r o j e c t need t o be i s o l a t e d and compared w i t h a n t i c i p a t e d

w i t h - t h e - p r o j e c t c o n d i t i o n s . Thus "a" i s t h e env i ronmenta l s e t t i n g d e p i c t i n g

a l l resgurces i nvo l ved , p o r t i o n s of which cannot be foreseen as s u s c e p t i b l e

t o d i r e c t p r o j e c t impact , w h i l e "b" i n v o l v e s those p o r t i o n s o f t h e resources

which a r e foreseen as be ing s u s c e p t i b l e t o d i r e c t impact . .. .

The s p o r t f i s h e r y i s a good example o f a resource va lue which i s p a r t o f t h e

env i ronnienta l s e t t i n g and, a t t h e same t ime, i s s u s c e p t i b l e t o d i r e c t impact .

The es t ima te g i v e n o f 500,000 man-days p e r yea r f o r t h e l a k e as a whole appar-

e n t l y i s a c u r r e n t es t ima te . Should t h e p o t e n t i a l f i s h i n g p ressure f o r t h e

50-year p r o j e c t l i f e be es t ima ted a t an average o f 10 man-days p e r yea r pe r 1 2 1) acre , t h e t o t a l average annual use would be 2,784,000 man-days (278,400 acres,

U. S. wa te rs ) . When mu1 t i p l i e d by a d o l l a r va lue f o r each man-day and

c a p i t a l i z e d a t 7% t h e r e s u l t i n g f i g u r e would be q u i t e l a r g e .

The c r i t i c a l ques t i on is--What p o r t i o n ( o r p e r c e n t ) o f t h i s resource i s

expected t o be a f f e c t e d by t h e p r o j e c t ? The n o r t h e r n p i k e has been i d e n t i -

f i e d as one o f t h e most v u l n e r a b l e spec ies because i t spawns over f l ooded

lands . The va lue o f t h i s f i s h as a p a r t o f t h e t o t a l f i s h e r i e s va lues i s

most d i f f i c u l t t o a s c e r t a i n . A survey o f f ishermen c a t c h would p r o v i d e

i n f o r m a t i o n as t o what pe rcen t o f t h e c a t c h i s composed o f n o r t h e r n p i ke .

That percentage cou ld then be used as a percentage o f t h e t o t a l f ishermen use

of t h e l ake . However, ad justments would be necessary because t h e n o r t h e r n p i k e

i s g e n e r a l l y cons idered a t r o p h y c a t c h and i t s va lue , p e r f i s h caught , f a r

outweighs t h e va lue o f o t h e r spec ies such as t h e y e l l o w perch.

The i n d i r e c t va lue o f t h e n o r t h e r n p i k e , a vorac ious p r e d a t o r on o t h e r f i s h ,

bears f u r t h e r i n v e s t i g a t i o n . Wi thou t ex tens i ve s tud ies , however, t h e r o l e

t he n o r t h e r n p i k e p l ays i n m a i n t a i n i n g optimum popu la t i ons o f o t h e r f i s h

spec ies i s a lmos t i rnposs ib le t o q u a n t i f y , b u t i t must n o t be over looked.

The f u t u r e (50-year ) p o t e n t i a l o f t h i s spec ies , i n c l ud ing any management

p lans , should be i n s e r t e d i n n a r r a t i v e form. .. ..

The water fowl resource i s one which i s , o f i t s e l f , e a s i l y i s o l a t e d as be ing

p a r t i a l l y dependent on wate r l e v e l s . However, i s o l a t i o n o f t h a t p o r t i o n o f

t h e resource which w i l l be a f f e c t e d by r e g u l a t i o n i s more d i f f i c u l t . Regula-

t i o n o f t h e wate r l e v e l s d u r i n g t h e f a l l months, f o r example, w i l l a f f e c t

waterfo$l~@r.vest which consi s t s of birds produced el sewhere b u t using the

lake during migration and of birds produced on the lake-associated wetlands.

Spring regulation, as proposed in the "P" ser ies of plans, could d i rec t ly

impact waterfowl production. Since birds produced a t Champlain a re hunted

not only on the lake b u t in States southward along the Atlantic Flyway, a

quantitative estimate of values, in terms of harvest or hunter day use, i s

d i f f i c u l t to ascer tain.

The preceding i s intended to portray the requirements to correctly ascertain

the quantitative values of the lake ' s resources. Time i s not suf f ic ien t t o

do t h i s in detai l for each species of f i sh and wildl i fe involved nor are

suf f ic ien t data available. Some of the information may be impossible to

obtain under any kind of reasonable study program. However, the studies

proposed el sewhere, and eval uati on of existing data with the requi rements of

appropriate without-the-project analysis imposed, would provide a bet ter

estimation of the pro jec t ' s impacts.

A digest of the quantitative data presented in the reports follows:

Digest of Economic Values in Champlain-Richelieu Environmental Reports

June 20, 1974, Reports

p . 2 - Estimate 20% of Vern~ont's 20,000 acres of wetlands will be

l o s t $400.00/acre current acquisition cost--loss would be $1.6

mil 1 ion

p . 2 - Total Federal and State investment and proposed expenditure $6.6

mill ion

February 22, 1974, R c ~ r t -- -- -

p. 8 - 250,000 man-hours o f s p o r t f i s h i n g annua l l y i n " I n land Sea" area

o f l ake .

p . 8 - 160 tons of s p o r t f i s h annual y i e l d and $170,000 annual expendi-

t u r e o f f ishermen i n Canadian waters

p. 8 - 25,000 + acres o f wet lands assoc ia ted w i t h l a k e = one- tenth o f

l a k e sur face

p. 9 - Marsh valued a t $1,000 acre = $30,000,000 t o t a l va lue

p. 11 - 1,300 acres acqui red i n p u b l i c ownership i n NY - more t o be

purchased. One-ha1 f o f Vermont's wet lands (10,000 acres) i n

acqu i red p u b l i c ownership.

p. 15 - Spor t f i s h e r y valued a t $2,000,000 annua l l y - 500,000 MD o f

f i s h i n g

p. 16 - Waterfowl Harvest - e a r l y 6 0 ' s - 15,000

e a r l y 7 0 ' s - 25,000

.. ..

p. 17 - Waterfowl Hunt ing - 81,750,000 annua l l y - Vermont o n l y

p. 18 - 1 niuskrat house/ acre - 5 muskrats/house - 70,000 muskrats (70%0f

17,500 acres a re muskrat h a b i t a t )

one -ha l f o f 70,000 muskrats a r e ha rves tab le - va lue $80,000

annual va lue (Bcnson $31 .00/acre c a p i t a l i z e d v a l u e )

I n essence t h e f a c t o r t h a t was o m i t t e d i s a p r o j e c t i o n o f t h e resources and

t h e p r o j e c t ' s impacts . The p r o j e c t proposal i s t o t ake some a c t i o n which w i l l

a f f e c t -- f u t u r e l a k e l e v e l s . There fo re , t h e env i ronmenta l s e t t i n g and t h e

p o t e n t i a l impacts , adverse o r b e n e f i c i a l , must be d e p i c t e d i n q u a n t i t a t i v e

and/or q u a l i t a t i v e terms f o r t h a t f u t u r e pe r i od . We r e a l i z e t h a t t h i s i s

a k i n t o c r y s t a l b a l l i n g , b u t such a c t i o n i s necessary t o compare t h e p r o j e c t ' s

impacts t o w i t h o u t - t h e - p r o j e c t c o n d i t i o n s . T h i s Se rv i ce has had cons ide rab le

exper ience w i t h t h i s t ype o f a c t i v i t y . We have found t h a t t h e b e t t e r t h e

i n f o r m a t i o n i s , t h e more con f idence we have i n t h e p r e d i c t i o n s . When t h e

da ta a v a i l a b l e a r e sketchy, and more commonly n o t o f t h e r i g h t t ype f rom

which t o make p r e d i c t i o n s , t h e y become no more than educated guesses. Whi le

t h e r e i s some a v a i l a b l e da ta on t h e l a k e ' s f i s h and w i l d l i f e resources , much

o f i t i s n o t o f t h e t ype t h a t l eads t o making p r e d i c t i o n s w i t h any con f idence .

For example, i s t h e f i s h e r y p ressure on t h e l ake , and e s p e c i a l l y t h a t f o r

n o r t h e r n p i k e , i n c r e a s i n g , decreas ing, o r s t a b l e ? What magnitude o f p ressure

can t h e l a k e w i t h s t a n d w i t h o u t d e t e r i o r a t i o n o f t h e y i e l d ? We a r e concerned

t h a t guessing about t h e l a k e ' s p o t e n t i a l s and t he impacts o f t h e p r o j e c t

i s n o t j u s t i f i e d i n v iew o f t h e l a k e ' s s i g n i f i c a n c e .

The Repor t f a i l s t o reconinlend any measures r e q i i r e d f o r m i t i g a t i o n o f losses

and t h e c o s t s o f such measures. Before m i t i g a t i o n measures can be cons idered

t h e magnitude and na tu re o f t h e losses must be eva lua ted as a c c u r a t e l y as

p o s s i b l e .

Repor t - "Comments on New Proposed Regu la t i on Schemes f o r Regu la t i on o f Lak J53

Champlain Water Leve l s " (U. S. p o r t i o n o f Study Area)

Environmental Committee Repor t , June 20, 1974

1. Page 2, paras. 3 & 4; page 3, para. 1

.. Ment ion o f U. S. Department o f t h e I n t e r i o r as a c o n t r i b u t o r t o S t a t e

investments i n research and a c q u i s i t i o n shou ld be changed t o U. S. F i s h

and W i l d l i f e Serv ice. The Bureau o f Outdoor Recrea t ion and/or t h e Na t i ona l

Park Se rv i ce may a l s o have c o n t r i b u t e d t o a c q u i s i t i o n a long t h e l a k e shore

th rough t h e i r programs. They a r e a l s o i n t h e Department o f t h e I n t e r i o r .

There fo re , t h e funds shown as c o n t r i b u t e d by t h e Department o f t h e I n t e r i o r

may n o t be t h e t o t a l Department i n p u t .

I n t h e same manner, S t a t e expend i tu res a r e mentioned. It i s n o t c l e a r

whether t h i s i s t o t a l S t a t e expend i tu res on lakeshore f a c i l i t i e s o r o n l y

expend i tu res o f S t a t e f i s h and w i l d l i f e agencies.

2. Page 2, para. Numbered 1

We b e l i e v e t h a t t h e es t imated l o s s of 2 0 h f Vermont 's wet lands under schemes

"0" and "P" i s an es t ima te t h a t needs ca re fu l j u s t i f i c a t i o n . As i s no ted i n

t h e t e x t , we t land l osses cannot be a c c u r a t e l y determined u n t i l f u r t h e r da ta

i s a v a i l a b l e . Contour mapping of t h e l a k e shore t o 0.5 f e e t e l e v a t i o n and

d e t a i l e d a n a l y s i s of v e g e t a t i v e changes t h a t would be expected i f the peak

l a k e l e v e l s a r e lowered as under Schemes "P" and "0" a r e needed even t o

e s t i l ~ ~ a t e 1 3 f ~ e s . 1 I t a l s o i s no ted t h a t t h e es t imated 207, l o s s i n Vermont

i s n o t c l e a r l y t i e d t o any one o f t h e " P " o r "0" s e r i e s o f p l ans .

Th i s paragraph g i v e s no es t ima te f o r New York wet lands.

Repor t - " P r e l i m i n a r y Assessment o f E f f e c t s o f Proposed Regu la t i on o f Lake

Champlain Water Leve l s " (U. S. Sec t i on ) Repor t f o r t h e Environmental

Committee, February 22, 1974

1. I n t r o d u c t i o n , para. 8:

T h i s paragraph ment ions t h e p r e f e r a b l e use o f n o n - s t r u c t u r a l f l o o d r e d u c t i o n

measures b u t does n o t l i s t s p e c i f i c measures. Perhaps t h i s would be a good

p o i n t t o l i s t n o n - s t r u c t u r a l a l t e r n a t i v e s f o r s tudy . These would be--

a. Zoning t h e s h o r e l i n e t o p reven t c o n s t r u c t i o n o f b u i l d i n g s i n f l o o d

. prone areas.

b. P u b l i c purchase and lease-back o r a c q u i s i t i o n o f p u b l i c f lowage

easements on a g r i c u l t u r a l areas t o reduce losses d u r i n g wet years .

c . Requi re t h a t new development be env i r onmen ta l l y adapted.

d. F lood p r o o f i n g .

e. Subs id ized o r compulsory insurance .

f. F lood warning.

g . Inst i tut ion of wetland and flood plain laws.

h . Cluster zoning to reduce sprawl.

i . Subdivision and encroachment regulations.

Page 11, para. 6:

I t i s noted tha t Shad Island, a 114-acre portion of the Mississquoi National

Wildlife Refuge, i s a National Research Natural Area and i s being considered

as a Wilderness Area under the Wilderness Act of 1964. The area now being

considered as a Wilderness Area has been enlarged to 640 acres.

Page 6, para. 1 , Lake Sturgeon:

The Lake Sturgeon was l i s t ed in the "Red Book" (Threatened Wild1 i f e of the

United Sta tes , 1973 Edition, U . S. Department of the In ter ior , Fish and

Wildlife Service) as a threatened species. The State of Vermont considers

t h i s species as endangered in pending 1 egi s l ation under the Endangered

Species Act of 1973.

Sec t i on 111

Resu l t s o f independent a n a l y s i s o f the p r o j e c t concepts by t he U. S. F i s h

and W i l d l i f e Se rv i ce . T h i s s e c t i o n con ta ins , i n a d d i t i o n t o a l i s t o f

recommended s t u d i e s , a number o f p r e s e n t a t i o n s o f da ta analyzed by personnel

o f t h e Se rv i ce . A l l da ta a n a l y s i s p e r t a i n s t o s e r i e s P-5.

Recommendations f o r A d d i t i o n a l S tud ies

The USFWS has rev iewed t h e l i s t o f s t u d i e s presented i n t h e February 22,

1974, Environmental Repor t . They a r e presented here as annotated and

expanded by t h e Serv ice . Our genera l comment i s t h a t t h e proposed scheme

o f l a k e l e v e l r e g u l a t i o n w i l l l a r g e l y d i c t a t e t h e n a t u r e and e x t e n t o f

env i ronmenta l s t u d i e s t o be under taken. I f o n l y t h e proposed P-5 i s t o be

cons idered, t h e s t u d i e s m igh t be narrowed t o some e x t e n t . I t would be

d e s i r a b l e , however, t o conduct env i ronmenta l s t u d i e s i n such a manner

t h a t t h e da ta generated can be u t i l i z e d t o eva lua te t h e impact o f a wide

range o f l a k e l e v e l r e g u l a t i o n schemes. Cost es t imates o f these s t u d i e s

cannot be reasonably accura te u n t i l d e t a i l e d s tudy p lans a r e completed.

However, we f e e l t h a t t he cos t s as presented a r e inadequate.

Environmental Commi t t c e --------.-

The shores and sha l lows o f Lake Champlain should be mapped, by one f o o t

con tour i n t e r v a l s , w i t h i n a t l e a s t t h e range of 92 t o 102 f e e t above sea

l e v e l (USGS Datum). Th i s i n fo rma t i on i s needed t o b e t t e r determine j u s t

how much wet land area would be f l ooded and a t what t imes and a t what depths

under natural and regulated condit ions. These e levat ions a r e a l so needed t o 1 5 7 pern~i t r e l a t i ng e levat ions and water depths t o such biological events as

f i s h spawning a c t i v i t i e s and waterfowl nest ing as well a s quantifying such

shallow areas t h a t might p a r t i a l l y compensate f o r wetlands l o s t by lowered

water l eve l s . Estimated Cost $150,000

USFWS: Contour mapping should depic t the 1.0 f oo t contour in terval and

the minimum range should be 90-105 f e e t above mean sea level (USGS Datum).

In c r i t i c a l a reas , however, 0.5 foo t contours may be necessary. I f i t i s

necessary t o s e t p r i o r i t i e s as t o which lakeshore areas should be completed

f i r s t , the wetlands and low gradient shorel ines should have f i r s t p r i o r i t y .

2. Environmental Committee

A Northern pike spawning study i s required t o b e t t e r define where and when

successful spawning can occur i n Lake Champlain. I t i s believed t h a t most

pike spawning now occurs in l a t e March o r e a r l y April over flooded

t e r r e s t r i a l vegetat ion (hence a t bottom elevat ions of some 96 f e e t ) . This

would require water depths of some 97.5 t o 98 f o r pike access t o the spawning

areas . Since regula t ion proposal 1-2 would appear t o permit only about a

half foo t r i s e ( t o 94.5) from winter l eve l s a t t h a t time, pike would be

t o t a l l y excluded from t h e i r t r ad i t i ona l spawning a reas . Unless s i gn i f i c an t

successful spawning can occur i n lake shallows o r t r i b u t a r y streams, lake

regu la t ion , as proposed, could endanger o r e l iminate the Northern pike

in Lake Champlsin. Estimated cost $15,000 USFSW: The study should be

expanded to include spec i f i c acreages used f o r spawning purposes and

t h e i r vegetat ive and topographical cha r ac t e r i s t i c s . In add i t ion , est imates

of t henumbers o f spawners and t he p r o d u c t i v i t y , i n young f i s h escapement

p e r acre, i s needed. The c u r r e n t and p o t e n t i a l va lue o f t h e n o r t h e r n p i k e

f i s h e r y should be determined.

3. Environmental Commi t t e e

A Lake Champlain wate r fow l n e s t i n g s tudy i s needed t o l e a r n t h e p r o p o r t i o n

o f m a l l a r d and b l a c k duck nes t s cons t ruc ted a t e l e v a t i o n s secure f rom

f l o o d i n g under normal c o n d i t i o n s b u t v u l n e r a b l e t o f l o o d i n g l o s s under

f l o o d c o n t r o l r e g u l a t i o n s . Under t h e 1-2 proposal , these ducks would

encounter wa te r l e v e l s o f about 94.5 t o 95 a t t h e t ime o f n e s t b u i l d i n g b u t

w i t h a t h r e e f o o t r i s e s t i l l i n p rospec t . Under unregu la ted c o n d i t i o n s ,

n e s t i n g would u s u a l l y s t a r t w i t h wa te r l e v e l s o f about 97 f e e t b u t w i t h

o n l y about an add i t ona l r i s e o f 1.5 f e e t expected d u r i n g t h e i n c u b a t i o n

per iod . Female ducks whose f i r s t nes t s a r e des t royed be fo re ha t ch ing

no rma l l y t r y aga in b u t those t h a t do succeed u s u a l l y have 20 o r 25 pe rcen t

s m a l l e r broods. Thus an inc reased r a t e o f n e s t f l o o d i n g i n Lake Champlain

c o u l d s u b s t a n t i a l l y reduce l o c a l wa te r fow l p r o d u c t i o n and duck hun t i ng

success. Est imated Cost $15,000. USFWS: T h i s s tudy shou ld be expanded

t o i n c l u d e a l l spec ies o f wa te r f ow l . I n a d d i t i o n , t o t a l wa te r fow l p roduc t i on

f o r t h e Lake Champlain area shou ld be assessed as w e l l as u t i l i z a t i o n o f

t h e l a k e by t r a n s i e n t wa te r f ow l .

4. Environmental Committee

A survey o f Lake Champlain muskrats and beaver should be made t o l o c a t e t h e

#.fd major concentrations of muskrats, and individual beaver colonies, in rela i

:o water depths, bottom elevations and the i r food supplies. The proposed

lowering of winter water levels by about a foot would appear t o exclude

these valuable fur bearers from large areas of t h e i r present winter range.

We do not now have evidence that compensatory productive habitat would be

created as a resu l t of lowered water levels . Estimated Cost $15,000

USFWS: The productivity of these animals i n re lat ion t o h is tor ic lake

levels should be assessed and optimum water levels determined fo r various

times of the year.

5. Environmental Committee

A study of the l i t t o r a l zone--the shallow vegetated band--around the lake

should be made to determine i f the bottom gradients and so i l types a re such

that t h i s vi ta l zone could continue to retain i t s production of plant and

animal l i f e i f displaced by the proposed lowering of lake levels .

Estimated Cost $1 5,000 USFWS: This study should be expanded to

evaluate the low-gradient areas to determine the potential of increasing

submerged and emergent marsh vegetation as a resu l t of the project.

6. Environmental Committee

.. . .

An in te r -s ta te study of the potential of Lake Champlain for salmonids and

t rout i s now underway. I t would seem highly desirable to expand t h i s study

to provide an "update" on warm-water f i sher ies as well. This would provide

"before" baseline data with which to compare "af te r" data acquired under

a monitoring program tha t would cer tainly be required in the event a

regulatory program was implemented in the future. Estimated Cost $40,000

Each of these studies could be expected t o produce data, suf f ic ien t ly

accurate to be used in decision making by the Board, within 18 months to

two years.

I t i s obviously d i f f i c u l t to "price" these nominee studies before specif ic

plans of study are developed. The cost of contour mapping i s par t icular ly

in doubt since cost could vary widely depending on what U. S. Government

photo data and services may be available. S t i l l i t should probably be

assumed tha t a minimum of $250,000 would be required to adequately fund

these studies.

USFWS: Total productivity of the lake should be broken down into cold-water

and warm-water species and current and potential recreatonal use determined.

USFWS Additional Studies

7. Lake elevaton correlations:

The lack of knowledge about existing and with-the-project lake surface

elevations a t areas d is tan t from Rouses Point should be rec t i f ied .

Synchronous correlations of h is tor ic elevations, and with-the-project . .

elevations, a t Burl ington, Vermont, Westport,' New York, and Whi tehall ,

New York are required. This i s an engineering, not a biological, study.

8. Post Project Studies

Funding for post-project long term studies on environmental impacts should

be provided as a part of the project authorization. These studies a re propose 8 2 3.. t o ( a ) detect adverse or beneficial impacts and ( b ) determine i f mitigating

IIiccisuroS ilro I ) C I ' ~ - O ~ I I I i rl!j (1s C X ~ C C t ~ d and t o d e t c r ~ ~ ~ i n e i f additional mi t i yati ng

nleasures are necessary and ( c ) provide adequate information for future

management of the lake ' s resources under with-the-project conditions.

152 Data Ana lys is #1

An ana l ys i s o f t he hydrographs and t a b u l a r data f u r n i s h e d us f o r t h e years

1937 t h r u 1972, shows t h a t up t o l a k e l e v e l 99 ( e l e v a t i o n i n feet-USGS),

Lake Champlain undergoes n a t u r a l l y a semirhythmic f l u c t u a t i o n o f water l e v e l s

w i t h low water cond i t i ons ( l e s s than e l e v a t i o n 98) o c c u r r i n g a t 6 o r 7

year i n t e r v a l s . Th is i s an impor tan t f e a t u r e o f Lake Champlain's env i ron-

ment. Ser ies P-5 w i l l a f f e c t t h i s f l u c t u a t i o n system as f o l l o w s :

E l e v a t i o n 96 t o 97 : There wi 11 be no s i g n i f i c a n t a f f e c t here.

E l e v a t i o n 97 t o 98 : There w i l l be no decrease i n t he frequency o f

t h e l a k e reaching t h i s l e v e l b u t t he re w i l l be

an average 30% r e d u c t i o n i n t h e t ime o f du ra t i on .

(Ranges 9% t o 94% r e d u c t i o n ) .

E leva t i on 98 t o 99 : There w i l l be a 20% r e d u c t i o n i n t h e frequency

(no. o f yea rs ) t h a t the l a k e reaches t h i s l e v e l

and an average 57% r e d u c t i o n i n t h e d u r a t i o n

t ime. (Ranges 22% t o 100% r e d u c t i o n ) .

.. ..

E l e v a t i o n 99 t o 100: There w i l l be a 20% reduc t i on i n t h e frequency

(no. o f yea rs ) t h a t t he l a k e reaches t h i s l e v e l

and an average 79% decrease i n t h e t ime o f

d u r a t i o n (Ranges 27% t o 100% r e d u c t i o n ) .

Elevation 100 to 101: There will be a 22% reduction in the frequency

(years) tha t the lake reaches th i s level and

an average 92% reduction i n the duration time

(Ranges 63% t o 100% reduction).

Elevation 101 : The lake never reaches t h i s level under Series

P-5 regulation.

Considering the above, Series P-5 leaves some serious questions tha t cannot

be answered without additional data for analysis. To acquire t h i s data ,

we f i r s t need good contour information between elevations 94 to 101

fo r Lake Champlain and surrounding shoreline. Special pr ior i ty must be

given to marshes, wetlands and low gradient shore areas. Aerial photography

i s one method of acquiring th i s information. With s l i g h t additional cost ,

complete land use,soil type and vegetative cover maps could be prepared

for Lake Champlain by University of Massachusetts photogrammetry department.

STUDY PROPOSAT, ANI) COST ESI'TMTES

T T 0 li

EVALUATING ENV I K O W N'ML JMPACT RESULTING

FROM WATER LEVEL KEGUIATION

OF

TAKE CIl AMPLAIN

Presented a s an addendum t o :

Date submi t ted :

Prepared by:

w i t h

Con t r ibu t ions by:

The I n t e r n a t i o n a 1 J o i n t C o m i s s ion Lake Champlain-Itiche l l e u River Engineer ing Board F i n a l Report.

October 2 , 1974

U . S , S e c t i o n of t he Environmental Conanittee

Cornc l l l l n ive r s i t y State I l n ive r s i t y of New York

a t P l n t t s b u r g Un ive r s i t y of Vermont New York S t a t e Department of Environmental

Conservat ion Vermont Agency f o r Environmental Conservat ion United S t a t e s F i s h and W i l d l i f e S e r v i c e

'l't~e U. S . s e c t i o n of t l ~ e Lake Cllatnplain-Hlchelieu River ~ n ' ~ i n e e r i n ~ Board Iia , requested addi t ion ; j l e t~vironmenta 1 s t u d i e s be fo re p o t e n t i a 1 impacts of reg- it! ' t i n g the lake l e v e l s a r e f i n a l l y determined.

The r equ i r ed s t u d i e s must be of s u f f i c i e n t magnitude t o answer a l o g i c a l ,equence of s p e c i f i c environmental q u e s t i o n s :

1 ) How much a r e a and what e l e v a t i o n s a r e included w i t h i n t h e Lake Clinmp l a i n wet lands ? llow much a r e a w i l l be a f f e c t e d by va r ious r e g u l a t i o n schemes?

2 ) Wlint type of p l a n t and animal a s s o c i n t i-ons e x i s t i n t he wet lands?

3 ) H o w important a r e t he Lake Charnplain w e t lands i n f i l t e r i n g n u t r i e n t s and s i l t froru t r i b u t a r y s t reams du r ing s p r i n g runoff pe r iods? Wi l l changes i n water l e v e l s a l t e r t h i s p roces s?

4) Wlint i s t he economic importance of t h e wet l ands , f lood p l a i n s and t h e i r i n h e r e n t va lues and r e s o u r c e s ? W i l 1 r e g u l a t i o n change t h i s econr)mic base?

5) Can t h e wet land r e sou rce base and economic va lue be enhanced by r e g u l a t i o n of water l e v e l s ?

6 ) Can p o s s i b l e nega t ive environmental impacts r e s u l t i n g f rotn f l ood c o n t r o l be ave r t ed by implementing n l i t i ga t i on measures?

Various s c i e n t i f i c d i s c i p l i n e s and techniques were r equ i r ed t o d r a f t t he s t u d y out l i n e . Cnn t r ibu t inns were rece ived from s c i e n t i s t s and a d m i n i s t r a t o r s rci.1 e s e n t ing Corne l l L1ni.versity. S t a t e Un ive r s i t y of New York a t F l a t t s b u r g , Llnivq?rs i t y of Vermont, Mew York S t a t e Department of Environmental Conservat ion, 'iri-mont Agency of Environmental Conservat ion and United S t a t e s F i sh and W i l d l i f e S e r v i c e . 'C'lle au tho r s o f the s tudy ou t l i n e consfder t h e document only a p r e l i m i n a ~ y p l:iri, bu t i t does i nc lude r e a l i s t i c appra i s a l s of t he scope and funding r equ i r ed t o answer t l ~ e envi rolinlental ques t i ons .

A time frnrne of two yea r s (two s p r i n g seasons from t i m e of funding) has been intpo:,ed t o e x p e d i t e a d e c i s i o n on r e g u l a t i o n . Although s e v e r a l of t h e c o n t r i b u t i n g s i e r l t i s t s cons idered t h i s time-frame somewhat r e s t r i c t i v e , t he s tudy ou t l i n e was c r - Cgnecl t r ) 111-ovide answers w i t h i n t he dead l ine per iod . I f funding can be a r ranged , f !d work can begin I n March 1975, and the s tudy can be f i n a l i z e d by December, 1 '75.

Not a l l of t h e s t u d i e s w i l l r e q u i r e two f u l l yea r s of f i e l d e f f o r t . However, i-I ~ ~ r d e r f o r exper imenta l segments t o be r epea t ed , where needed, and t o summarize, cc 11i)nre cind e v a l u a t e d a t a , t h e two yea r s w i l l be r equ i r ed . In s e v e r a l i n s t a n c e s , €11 , l u a t i o n of p o t e n t i a l impact on one segment of t h e r e sou rce base cannot proceed u n t i l o t h e r s tudy phases have been completed o r u n t i l base maps have been prepared.

q u e s t i o n s p rev ious ly o u t l i n e d evolved i n t o a s tudy p l an w i t h s ix s e p a r a t e b u t i n t e r a c t i n g segments. Items 1 through 5 a r e s e p a r a t e p r o j e c t s which w i l l i nc lude , 1.n t l i e i r conc lus i c~n s e c t i o n s , recommendations f o r implementing i t e m 6.

1. Contour t.lapping

a . P r e p a r e a c o n t o u r map a t 1 .0 f o o t i n t e r v a l s of Lake Champlain we t land a r e a s wi t -hin e l e v a t i o n s of 92 t o 102 f e e t .

V e g e t a t i v e S t u d i e s

a . Develcp a v c g e t a t i o n c o v e r - t y p e map f o r a l l Lake Cham- p l a i n w e t l a n d s . C l a s s i f i c a t i o n s w i l l be i n accordance wit11 t h e 1 2 c o v e r - t y p e s u t i l i z e d i n t h e New York S t a t e Wetlands I n v e n t o r y .

b . F u r t l ~ e r r e f i n e we t land c l n s s i f i c n t i o n maps i n t o pheno- t y p i c groups t o predic t - impact of w a t e r l e v e l changes .

3 . Faunal S t u d i e ~ ,

a . Inven tory t h e f i s h and w i I d l i E e s p e c i e s u t i l i z i n g t h e we t land a r e a s d u r i r ~ g peak higli wa te r p e r i o d s .

b . Q u a n t i f y t h e p r o d u c t j o n of i n d i c a t o r s p e c i e s .

c . Es t imate tile changes wl~ict-i w i l l occur i f r e g u l a t i o n c a u s e s changes i n v e g e t a t i v e phenotypes .

4 . - N u t r i e n t and S i l t a t i o n S t u d i e s

a . E s t i m a t e t h e v a l u e of t h e 1,ake Champlain w e t l a n d s i n f i l t e r i n g s i - l t and e x c e s s r ~ u t r i e n t s from t r i b u t a r y i n f I r ~ w .

b. P r e d i c t impact on a q u a t i c v e g e t a t i o n abundance and d e l t a f o r r ~ ~ a t ion i f w a t e r l e v e 1 r e g u l a t i o n s i g n i f i c a n t l y reduces w e t l :~nd a r e a and cltanges f i 1 t r n t i o n r a t e s .

5 . n . D e t c m ~ i n e t h e ecc)nc,utic v a l u e o f t h e n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s prc>tlt~ccd i n . o r nssoci: l ted w i t h t h e we t land a r e a s .

h . Es t irnat e t h e impact of w a t e r r e g u l a t i o n changes on the econorni c c o n t r i b u t i o n of t h e s e r e s o u r c e s .

6 . Enhancen~ent o r P l i t i g a t i o n Pnss i t ) i li- - --

a . Deterniine t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r enhancing t h e r e s o u r c e b a s e by u t i l i z i n g w a t e r l c v e l r e g u l a t i o n c a p a b i l i t y .

b . Determine t h e f e a s i b i l i t y and c o s t s of m a i n t a i n i n g p r e a - e n t l eve 1 s of n a t u r a 1 r e s o u r c e p r o d u c t i v i t y th rough m i t ign t i o n measures w h i l e implementing f l o o d c o n t r o l schemes of v a r y i n g magni tude.

Ilre c x t c n t and topography of tllc Lake Champlain wetlands a r e c r i t i c a l f a c t s r equ j r ed t o e v a l u a t e cnvironmcntal impact from water l e v e l regulation. Magnitude of irrlpnct cannot be determined without krlowleclge of t he phys i ca l l i m i t s o f t h e a r e a involved.

Contour mzps a r c necessary f o r p r e d i c t i n g v e g e t a t i v e changes i n and ad jacen t t o , t h e a r e a a f f e c t e d by r e g u l a t i o n .

Trade-of fs cannot be r e l i a b l y determined u n t i l t h e a f f e c t e d a r e a i s a c c u r a t e l y determined and eva lua t ed .

B. Objec t ives

1. To develop a contour map a t 1 .0 f t . i n t e r v a l s between e l e v a t i o n s 92 and 102 f t . f o r a l l , o r s t r a t e g i c a l l y s e l e c t e d wetland a r e a s on, o r ad j acen t t-o, Lake Champl.ain.

a . Methods: --

1. Coltduct low a l t i t u d e a e r i a l photography over s p e c i f i e d a r c a s .

2 . Dcvelop a f i n a l rnap s c a l e of 1" = 50 ' . 3. E s t a b l i s h ground c o n t r o l e l e v a t i o n s . These w i l l be

provided by the c o n t r a c t i n g photo g r a m e t r y f i rm. 4 . I.:slrablish accuracy t o n a t i o n a l map accuracy s tandards .

b. Cost ICstitnates:

Severa l p r i v a t e a e r i a l photography f i n n s were contac ted f o r c o s t e s t i n ~ a t e s t o provide 1.0 i n t e r v a l wetland contours . Without e l a b o r a t e , d e t a i l e d a n a l y s i s of wetland types , s i z e s and l o c a t i o n s no lump-sum quo ta t ions could be prepared.

Cos ts f l u c t u a t e according t o l i n e a r f l i g h t d i s t a n c e s necessary t o cover a t a r g e t a r e a , t he t o t a l a r ea of t he f i n i s h e d photograph u t i l i z e d f o r a n a l y s i s and t h e number of ground c o n t r c ~ l s t a t i o n s t o be e s t a b l i s h e d . Costs a r e r e - d ~ ~ c c c l a s a r e a i n c r e a s e s .

Gr~ ide l ine cstirirates of $15-$25 pe r a c r e have been provid12d. Tllcse compare favorably wi th ano the r e s t i m a t e of approx imotcly $450,000 t o map t h e e n t i r e Lake Charnplain sho rc l ine ( inc luding t11c i s l a n d s ) t o a urnximum d i s t a n c e o f 3,000 f t . in land .

U n t i l f u r t h e r ref inement o f t h e e s t i m a t e s a r e developed i n coopera t ion wi th p r i v a t e f i rms , i t i s e s t ima ted t h a t $300,000 w i l l provide s u f f i c i e n t wet land contour d a t a t o provide q u a n t i f i e d e s t i m a t e o f involved wetlands.

T o t a l Contour Mapping Cost $300,000

(:I~nngc:: i n the vegetative c l ~ i l r a c t c r i s t i c s of the wet lnr~ds and f lood p l a i n s of Lakc Clli~rnplain w i l l be t h e p r i n c i p a l ruechanism by wtlictl water l e v e l r e g u l a t i o n ntay a f f e c t f i s h and w i l d l i f e . Knowledge of the changes t h a t w i l l occur a s a resu1.t o f d i f f e r e n t water regimes i s e s s e n t i a l t o a s s e s s i n g the environmental impact. These changes w i l l be p red ic t ed from a comparison o f contour e l e - v a t i o n s wi th vege ta t ive mapping.

B. Objec t ives

1. I d e n t i f y g ros s v e g e t a t i v e cover types f o r a l l wet lands arld f lood p l a i n s w i t h i n the 102' contours .

a . Methods

( i ) I l t i l i z e e x i s t i n g s p r i n g and sunnner a e r i a l photos t o c l a s s i f y wetlands according t o the 12 cover types and m i x t r ~ r e s between any two of t h e cover t ypes , a s ou t - 1 ined i n t he New Y ork S t a t e Department Envirotunental Conservat ion Wetland Inventory program.

( i i ) Prepare a I." = 24,000" s c a l e map des igna t ing the cover types .

b . Time - One f u l l yea r .

2. I d e n t i f y p l an t phenotypes and spec i e s wit l l in t h e cover type zones and prepare l a r g e s c a l e vcgetat i -on maps.

a . Methods: A g r a n t f o r $75,458 from the United S t a t e s Dept. of t h e I n t e r i o r , Of f i ce of Water Resource Research was awarded t o SUNY P la t t sbu rgh t o u t i l i z e remote sens ing t o i d e n t i f y , a s s e s s , and p r e d i c t ecologic-a1 impact of water r e g u l a t i o n on T,ake Champlain wetlands. The p r o j e c t d i r e c t o r s have agreed t o coord ina te t h e i r p r o j e c t wi th the o v e r a l l Lake Chornplain environmental s t u d i e s .

D e t a i l s of t h i s p r o j e c t a r e not included h e r e i n , bu t a r e ava i l a l , l e i n t h e Of f i ce of Water Resources, Pro. No. C-6075.

b. Time - Two f u l l y e a r s .

3 . P l o t v ~ g r t a t ion zones and phenotypic a s s o c i a t i o n s over contour maps and p r e d i c t changes i n p l a n t spec i e s composi t ion w i t h i n t h e contours a f f e c t e d by water l e v e l r e g u l a t i o n .

a . Methods

( i ) U t i l i z e maps prepared i n contour mapping Study No. I t o prepare base maps over which t h e v e g e t a t i o n can be p l o t t e d .

( i i ) Conduct l i t c r a t r l r e scarcll t o determine docunientatlor~ of water l e v e l dcptlls, f l u c t u a t i o n and dura t ion on vege ta t ive phenotypic changes.

( i i i ) U t i l i z e Off ice of Watcr Resources Proposal. No. C-6075 t o a s s i s t i n vege ta t ive i d e n t i f i c a t i o n wi th s e l e c t e d sample zones.

( iv) Use e x i s t i n g navigat ion c h a r t s t o p r e d i c t changes below t h e 92' contour.

b. Time - One year. (Elevation mapping must be completed p r i o r t o p l o t t i n g vege ta t ive zones over contours.)

T o t a l Cost Estimates: $50,000.00

*Costs do not inc lude t h e $74,458 Water Resources g ran t .

PJortlicrn p i k c (I'snx l r ~ c i u s ) was cllosen a s tile i n d i c a t o r f i s h spec i e s t o e v a l ~ ~ a t c ! t he impact of water l e v e l r e g u l a t i o n on the f i s h e r y resource. Kcasorls f o r clioosing n o r t l ~ c r n p ike a r e va r i ed :

1) N o r t l ~ ~ r n piltc a r c a spccic's very depcmdent upon wetlands f o r s e v e r a l s t a g e s of t l l c i r l i f e - c y c l e .

2 ) Tlicy a r c popular s p o r t Cisll.

3) T l ~ c i r predatory r o l e j s tiiought t o be c r i t i c a l i n main ta in ing t t ~ t . s t a b l e populatiotk s t r u c t u r e of t l l c . yellow perch (Perca f l avescens ) , t l l c . most p o p u l ~ i r f i s h e r y i n Lalcc Champlain.

4 ) Tecllniques c x i s t t o conduct f e a s i b l e s t u d i e s which w i l l lead t o con f iden t c.stimntes of the impact of water l e v e l corl t rol on the no r the rn piirc pupu 1 n t i o ~ ~ .

Oh j cc t ivcs

1 ) Idcnt i l 'y p r i n c i p a l wet lands u t i l i z e d f o r spawning and quan t i fy thtb t o t a l a r e a oE no r the rn p i k c spawning marshes.

( i ) v i s u a l obse rva t ion - air ,ground, boat.

b. Tinlc - one o r two f i e l d seasons a s nc.cded.

2) E s t a b l i s h no r the rn p ike prcfcrenct> f o r spawning i n va r ious h a b i t a t s and determine r e l a t i v e f r y product ion of each v e g e t a t i v e pheonotype and /o r substrat-c..

a . I~l(.thods - (4 sc.lccted marshes i n c o n j t ~ n c t i o n wi th vet:cltati.ve t r n n s c c t s ) .

( i ) 1:ltc. ::l,clwi~i~i~: l o c n t i on t o vel:cXtat ive phcrlotype maps.

(ii) S;iiiq)lc m;lturcb piltc (and o t h c r spec i e s ) a s they e n t e r t i l t ; spawning iilnr:;11. Obtain lcugt t ls , weights , s c a l e snml'lcs and scs?: of salnple.

( i i i ) Sa1r11) Le egg: and f r y product ion per s u b s t r a t e type - r e l a t e t o product ion pe r a c r e p e r t o t a l phenotype.

( i v ) Cal.culate c s t i m a t e s of p ike d e n s i t y i n t he s u b s t r a t e t ypc.

(v) Conduct l i t e r a t u r e search t o compare spawning i n o t h e r waters .

b. Tirile - One complete sampling season.

3) Rva111at.c a~i , ; lc r prc.l-c>rc*~lcc for ntltl 11:1rvc~sl o r r ~ o r t l ~ e r n pikc,.

a. Mcthotls

( i ) Conduct s t n t i s c a l l y dc signed c r e e l census of Laltc Champlain i n con junction with e x i s t i n g ccnsus c f f o r t s oP Ncw Yorlc S t a t e I)cpartmc>nt of Environmental Cni~scrvation arzd Vcrmont Fish and G a m e .

( i i ) Conduct a e r i a l counts of angler use.

( i i i ) U t i l i z e data from user survey stuc\y. (See sec t ion No. V)

1 . Timc - one complete. open watcr and icc! l- ' is\\i~\g season.

4) Evalrinl-c t l ~ c r o l e of northern pikc a s a yt .110~ perch p reda to r ;~nd tlcLorniine t h e i r importance i n maintaining the yellow perch popul:~t:ion s t r u c t u r e nccessnry t o s u s t a i n the popular perch f i shcry .

( i ) Conduct a litcr.nturc! s c a r c l ~ f o r food h a b i t da ta c n l l e c t c d from otllcr waters.

( i i j Crcel r, tsi~sus af:cnts w i l l c o l l e c t pike stc)nractis and s c a l e s a ~ ~ i p l c s f o r s~rhseqr~cnt l ab ana lys i s . Stomachs w i l l provide seasonal food h a b i t a t da ta . Scales w i l l provide da ta For year c l a s s s t r e n g t h c o r r e l a t i o n w i tll h i s t o r i c ~naximuin water l e v e l s .

b. Time - one f u l l i c e f i s h i n g and open water season.

T o t a l Cost Est imate f o r f i s h e r y s t u d i e s and d a t a evaluat ion - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $120,000.

Wj Id l i f c spec ies associa ted with the wetlands and f loodpla in of Lakc. Cl~nmplnin provide a e s t h e t i c , r e c r e a t i o n a l and econon~ic va lues whi-ch may 1)e c i f c c t e d I>y watcr l e v e l regula t ion . These values must be quanti- f i e ( [ ant1 prtt i n t o perspect ive p r i o r t o approval of regula tory schemes.

I) To i d c l l t i l l y , mcasurP and r e l a t e use o f , and production by w i l d - l i f r slwcic*.; t o I l a l ~ i t a t types.

a . f f ~ t l ~ o d s ( i ) C;cnsur; by a e r i a l f l i g h t s , boat and land surveys.

( i i j Usc e x i s t i n g da ta from New York, Velmont and academic i n s t i t u t i o n a l inves t iga t ions .

b. 'J'inrc! - one f u l l year .

- 7 -

1 2; 4 2) To quan t i fy tile I l ;~rves t ol: wct land a s soc i a tcd wild l i f c spec i e s i n Lake Cl~amplain.

a. Methods

( i ) U t i l i z c S t a t e and Federa l programs of l e g banding; wing counts and mai l ques t ionna i r e s t o e s t i m a t e f i s h and w i l d l i f e I ~ a r v c s t .

( i i ) Supplcmcnt e x i s t i n g d a t a with surveys designcd t o provide s t a t i s t i c a l v a l i d i t y .

( i i i ) Cor~duct h u n t e r bag checks t o e s t i m a t e d a i l y and seasonal I ~ a r v c s t and determine s p e c i f i c l o c a t i o n s of h a r v e s t .

( i v ) Sample landowners and l i censed t r a p p e r s t o determine va lue o f f u r ha rves t .

(v ) P r e d i c t t he e f f e c t of h a b i t a t change upon w i l d l i f e ha rves t and r e c r e a t i o n a l p a t t e r n s .

b. Time - one f u l l yea r , p l u s ... Tota l c o s t - $40,000.

I V . NUTKllNT AN1) S LI,'J'A'1'ION STUD1 ES

C \ i~~ngc~s i 11 tlie l c v e l of T,;lltc Cltamplain may have a s i g n i f i c a n t i m - p . ~ c t on t l ~ c LL-ophic s t a t e of t11c lakc w i t l i p o s s i b l e d c l c t t r i o u s e f f e c t s O I \ wecll and nl:;nc growth, f i s h and w i l d l i f e resources and r c c r c a t i o n a l o l ~ l ~ r t t l n i t y . Orlc r e s u l t oE clungcd lake l e v e l s w i l l be d r a i n i n g of r,\,istin:: r~ltltlnnrls. Th i s may chctngc t h e seasonal o r t o t a l amount of I I ~ I L r i c ~ l t s nciclcd t o the lake from streams d r a i n i n g through these wet lands . Ec,cnusc. of po:;5iblc h a n i ~ l u l e f f e c t s , an a n a l y s i s of p o t e n t i a l e f f e c t s of c l ; < ~ n g ~ t l water l e v e l s on n u t r i e n t i n p u t s i n t o the lake appear desirable I I I ' I ( > ~ c ally ~lln-inr s t r u c t u r a l mcasilrcs t o c o n t r o l lake l e v e l a r e under tak tq .

Ilc~causc o t the i n t e r d i s c i p l i r ~ a r y n a t u r e of t h c above t a sk and t h e ~wtcl f o r cons ide rab le judgment i n eva lua t ion of r e s u l t s , the b e s t n~t,t-l~od of d i r e c t i n g and coord ina t ing the above t a s k would appear t o be t l ~ r o u g l ~ a t e c h n i c a l conunittee of resource managers and knowledgeable scientists.

1 ) ConsLruct iol~ o l a n r ~ t r i c n t bnlnnce f o r 1,nltc .(:hatiiplnin.

( i ) Ca lcu la t e pcrlcil and paper balance of t he lake us ing e x i s t i n g da t a .

( i i ) Determine need f o r and va lue of a d d i t i o n a l f i e l d strealn monitor ing t o b r ing accuracy of n u t r i e n t balance up t o an accep tab le l e v e l .

( i i i ) S e l e c t s i t e s f o r a d d i t i o n a l s t ream gauging and monitor ing e f f o r t needed.

( i v ) Carry out garlging and monitor ing program.

(v) Recalcula te n u t r i e n t balance us ing d a t a c o l l e c t e d .

b . Time - 2 f i e l d scasotls ( w i l l be completed by s tudy dead l i n e ) .

2) Evalltate the c f f e c t s of changed water l e v e l s on t h e t o t a l and seasonal c o n t r i b t ~ t i c ) n of n u t r i e n t s from s t reams d r a i n i n g wetland a r e a s .

a. Methods

( i ) Carry o u t a l i t e r a t u r e survey on wetlands and n u t r i e n t s to rage .

(ii) Inventory e x t e n t and n a t u r e of e x i s t i n g wet lands.

( i i i ) S e l e c t , a f t e r f i e l d reconnaissance , one o r two t y p i c a l wet land a r c a s s u i t a b l e f o r d e t a i l e d study.

( i v ) Monitor n u t r i e n t i npu t and ou tpu t from s e l e c t e d wetlands f o r one year .

(v) C a r r y ou t s p c c i a l s t u d i e s a s needed a. 1,aboratory b. F i e l d c . Modeling

( v i ) Evalua te d a t a a s t o e f f e c t s of changed water l e v e l s on n u t r i e n t input .

b. Time - w i l l be completed by s tudy deadl ine .

T o t a l Cost Est imate - $150,000.

Ecor~omic hcncfi t s rcsu l t inf; Cron~ I lood c c ~ n t r o l have bcen i d c n t i Eied. IkncCi t -cos t r a t i o s f o r va r ious wntcr lcve l c o n t r o l schcmes llave becn prcpnred. Ilowcver, an asscssmcnt of the econolnic va lue of Lake Champlain n a t u r a l r e sou rces must a l s o be prepared i n o r d e r f o r t h e t o t a l b e n e f i t - c o s t of t h e p r o j e c t t o be o b j e c t i v e l y considered.

A . Fish and W i l d l i f e Economics

Ob jec t ives

1. To develop e s t i m a t i o n s of the econnn~ic valrles of t h e f i s h and w i l d l i f e resources of T,altc (:llaml>lain.

a. Methods

(i) Contluct a ~ ) r c t c s t srrl-vey t o tlcscl-ibe l luoter , f i she rn~en , trappc'r and nnturn l rcsourcc c l ~ n t - a c t c r i s t i c s .

( i i ) Conduct a t lc tai lc t l snnq)lc sr1rvc.y t o I 'urther delineate sportsinen a n d n a t u r a l rc.snurct! c l t a r a c t e r i s t i c s .

( i i i ) Analyze survey d a t a t h a t w i l l provide sportsnlan r e s i - dence d i s t r i b u t i o n and the d i s t r i b u t i o n and amount of sportslnan a c t i v i t y on Lake Champlain.

( i v ) Analyze survey d a t a t o determine the magnitude of f i s h and w i l d l i f e ha rves t by spec i e s .

(v) Determine economj c va lues f o r Lalte Champlain f i s h and wi l d l i fe resources by a p p l i c a t i o n of economic informa- t i o n derived from the Nat iona l Hunting and F i sh ing Surveys f o r t h e Nortllcasterrl U.S.

( v i ) Deterninc cconomic va lue f o r ot11t:r outdoor r e c r e a t i o n a l a c t i v i L i.c:; c lepc~~dent upon Lake Chanlplain n a t u r a l r e - sources tllrough a d e t a i l e d l i t e r a t u r e review and i n f o r - mation from S t a t e and Federa l Agencies involved i n Outdoor r e c r e a t i o n management.

b. Time - 1% years .

B. Land Use and Developnlent I rhpl icat ions

Ob jec t ives

1. Determine impact of i n c r e a s i n g land a r e a f o r development through t h e r educ t ion of maximum high water l eve l s .

( i ) Est i r r~ntc n111o11nt 01 land t ~ o loni:t?r subjected tc , f loodi112: by a e r i a l plloto a n a l y s i s and comparisoti wi th contours .

( i i ) I d e n t i f y cover type and land use p a t t e r n s on a f f ec ted land a reas .

( i i i ) I d e n t i I y land use on lands above and ad j :~c tn t t o a f f cc t ed a rea .

( i v ) Dctcrminc eco~lomic va lue ol: lake p rope r ty and iclcnt i fy c u r r e n t t r ends i n land developnlent .

(v) I d e n t i f y p o t e n t i a l changes i n land use p a t t e r n s r e s ~ ~ l t i t l g from the e f f e c t of lowering maximum h i g h water l e v e l s .

( v i ) I d e n t i f y impact of p o t e n t i a l land use changes on lake ecology.

b. Time - one year £01 lowing completion of contour maps p repa ra t ion .

2. Determine p o t e n t i a l demand f o r a d d i t i o n a l r e g u l a t i o n of water l e v e l s a t e l e v a t i o n s lower than those o r i g i n a l l y scheduled.

a . Methods

(i) U t i l i z e p r o j e c t i o n s from o b j e c t i v e No. 1 and compare land use p o t e n t i a l of lower contour l eve l s .

3. To detcrmine e f f e c t i v e n e s s of e x i s t i n g and proposed land use zoning r e g u l a t i o n s i n d e a l i n g wi th concerns of o b j e c t i o n s 1 and 2 .

Research of c u r r e n t and propcsed zoning ord inances i n Vermont, New York and Quebec.

T o t a l Economic Valua t ion Cost Es t imates - P r i c e s a r e based on t h e assumption t h a t a e r i a l photography and map contours a r e provided ..................................................... $ 40,000.

V I . P;ir t ic ip; lnts a n d Adminis t ra t ion

I t i s : ~ n t i c i p n t e d t h a t funding w i l l be a l l o c a t t ~ d through a lead af;cncy. Th i s lead agency w i l l a c t a s t h e c o n t r a c t i n g o rgan i - z a t i o n t o n e g o t i a t e terms w i t h p r i v a t e c o n t r a c t o r s , u n i v e r s i t i e s ' a11d government agencies.

S p e c i f i c a t i o n s , f i n a l i z cd s tudy p l ans , and f i n a l reconanenda- t i o n s w i l l be prepared by a stccbring comntittee of s c i e n t i s t s and ndrn in is t ra tors appointed by S t a t e and Federa l agenc i e s . Sub- ccxmnittces wil l . be appointed t o oversee s p e c i f i c s tudy sebments. Tlin committce approach w i l l e l i m i n a t e need f o r c o s t l y admin i s t r a - t i o n of cncll s tudy group.

I t i s e s t ima ted t l i a t t h e s t e e r i n g committee approach w i l l save a ~ l ) r o x i m a t e l y $100,000.00 i n a d m i n i s t r a t i v e and t e c h n i c a l funding r c q u i r e n ~ e n t s of t h e s tudy proposa l .

V I I . Data S torage and I n t e r p r e t a t i v e Analys i s

l'he developnlent of r e l i a b l e e s t i m a t i o n s and p r e d i c t i o n s f o r t h e impact of wa te r l e v e l r e g u l a t i o n w i l l r e q u i r e i n t e g r a t i o n of d a t a accumulated from s t u d i e s proposed i n t h i s o u t l i n e .

Ob jec t ives

1 To coo rd ina t e and c r e a t e a d a t a s t o r a g e and informat ion r e - t r i e v a l system which w i l l pe rmi t r a p i d acces s t o a l l a s p e c t s o f the proposed s tudy .

Employ s t anda rd i zed e l e c t r o n i c d a t a p roces s ing techniques f o r coding and s t o r a g e of d a t a .

2 . To develop p r e d i c t i v e s imu la t i on models t h a t w i l l permit assessment of t h e e~ iv i ronmen ta l and economic impacts .

Employ computer f a c i l i t i e s t o develop a s e r i e s of s imu la t i on models.

T o t a l Cost Est imate: $50,000.

V I I I . Cost Suuunnry

A. Topographi-c Mapping

*B. Na tu ra l Kesource S t u d i e s

1. Vegeta t ion S t u d i e s (Not i nc lud ing $75,458 Water Kesource Grant)

2. Faunal Studi.(.?s a. F i s h b . W i l d l i f e

3. Nu t r i en t & S i l t a t i o n S t u d i e s 150,000

4. Economic Valua t ion 40,000

T o t a l Na tu ra l Resource S t u d i e s 400,000

C. Data S to rage & I n t e r p r e t a t i o n

T o t a l Es t l .n~a te $750,000

>t A d n ~ i n i s t r a t i v c and t e c l ~ n i c a l d i r e c t i o n s w i l l be provided by a :;t:eering committee and sub-conunittees composed of i n - s t a f f s t a t e .nld f e d e r a l personnel which p rov ides an a d d i t i o n a l $100,000 .OO i n s e r v i c e s n o t inc luded i n t h e o u t l i n e proposa l .