Learning about the Lake Champlain Watershed

Yesterday we had a very special guest from the Lake Champlain Basin Program! Ms. Kerry helped us see how polluted run off harms our lakes and rivers. She brought a water table model and allowed us to pour oil and different simulated pollutants on the landscape before a big rainstorm came. We watched as the water washed all of the water and pollution right into the lake!

Ms. Kerry helped us identify things that we do that harm or help Lake Champlain. Here is what we have learned so far...

Things that pollute or harm the lake:

• Oil from leaky cars

• Factories that dump into the lake

• Construction

• Farms - fertilizer and animal waste

• Run off from roads

• Pet waste

Things we can do to help the lake:

• Take care of our cars so they don't leak

• Clean up after our pets

• Be responsible with toxic waste

• Build fences to keep cows out of streams

• Don't cut down trees on the banks of rivers