Clear Impact logo

Conserve, protect and improve the health of native species habitats, water quality and quantity, and air quality.

Percent of Impaired Stream Miles

Current Value

8%

2018

Definition

Line Bar

Story Behind the Curve

In 2018-2020, 8% of all stream miles are impaired.   This indicator measures the lakes and ponds and the total number of stream/river miles that are either impaired, stressed, or altered with a pollutant that causes a violation of the Vermont Water Quality Standards and the Clean Water Act.

 

Impairment Level Stream/shoreline miles % of total lake/pond
2020 303d part a:  A total maximum daily load (TMDL) is deemed necessary for these waters in order to establish the maximum limit of a pollutant that may be introduced into the water and still ensure the Water Quality Standards are attained and maintained. 26.5 2% Lake Champlain (including Burlington Bay, Shelburne Bay, Malletts Bay, Main lake) Shelburne Pond
2018 Part b:Impaired and do not require development of a total maximum daily load (TMDL) because other pollution control requirements by local, state, or federal authority are stringent enough to implement any water quality standard (WQS) applicable to such waters. 7.8 1% Bulington Bay - Lake Champlain - Pine Street Barge Canal
2018 Part c: In need of further study to confirm the presence of a violation of one or more criteria of the Vermont Water Quality Standards 0 0% none
2018 Part d: Completed and approved TMDLs in place, though they are not meeting water quality standards 93.2 6% Burlington Bay, Shelburne Bay, Malletts Bay, Arrowhead Mountain Lake
2018 Part E: Altered by invasive aquatic species 0 0% Lake Iroquois, Indian Brook Reservoir, Arrowhead Mountain Lake, Shelburne Pond, Lake Champlain (including Burlington Bay, Shelburne Bay, Mallets Bay)
2018 Part F: Altered by flow regulation 3.36 0% none
Total impaired miles of streams* 110.2 8%  
Total Stream miles                                     1,453    

Why Is This Important?

Water bodies continue to face mounting pressures from development, farm, and forest activities. Cumulative impacts from these land use activities have degraded water quality, aquatic habitat, and altered the stability of river corridors and lake shores. Issues that predominate in the County include steady high pollutant loads (mainly from non-point sources such as unmanaged storm water), that result in nutrient enrichment and sedimentation, as well as other impairments. In addition, aquatic nuisance species continue to enter our water ways, contributing to the degradation of both habitat and recreational opportunities.

Clear Impact Suite is an easy-to-use, web-based software platform that helps your staff collaborate with external stakeholders and community partners by utilizing the combination of data collection, performance reporting, and program planning.

Scorecard Container Measure Action Actual Value Target Value Tag S A m/d/yy m/d/yyyy