Lake Champlain expected to reach flood stage by weekend

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(Host) More and more of the mountain snow pack is melting, and that’s filling Lake Champlain.

Meteorologists say they expect the lake to reach its flood stage this weekend because the weather is likely to stay warm and rain is in the forecast.

Lori Fisher of the Lake Champlain Committee says the rising water levels are good for the creatures that live in and around the lake.

(Fisher) “There are many important food and game fishes that really linked to the natural water level fluctuations. And that flooding supports fish spawning habitat. It helps replenish water in our wetland areas. So there’s certainly a strong benefit to that natural flow of water.”

(Host) But the rising lake levels can also have consequences for the human population that lives around the lake.

There was an effort in the 1970s to artificially control water levels on the lake. That ultimately was rejected and replaced with a flood warning system that exists today.

Fisher says development around the lake can make the rising water a threat.

(Fisher) “If we get high winds there tends to be a lot of debris moved up, potentially flooding in homes. And there can be a lot of property damage, to the tune of millions of dollars.”

(Host) Lake Champlain hasn’t reached that point, yet, but the potential exists.

The lake rose by more than half a foot from Sunday to Monday, and reached 99 feet above sea level Tuesday. That’s less than a foot below flood stage.

Serious flooding can occur when the lake reaches a level of about 102 feet.

 

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