ALA 3Q 2025 Newsletter

It’s stick season now in the Kingdom — the docks are in, the loons have gone quiet, and the hills are showing their bones again. It’s that short pause before winter settles in, when camp roads turn soft and every gust of wind sounds like change. For me, it’s also the moment to take stock — to look back on what we’ve accomplished together this year and what lies ahead for the Averill Lakes.

From Little Averill’s new Gold Lake Wise status, to our busiest season yet for boat inspections, to a watershed plan that charts the next decade of protection and resilience, there’s real progress to share — the kind that only happens when members and neighbors pull together.

So before the snow flies, here’s a look back at 2025 — a year of milestones, teamwork, and the steady work of caring for these two remarkable lakes. Little Averill Earns Gold Lake Wise Status

We’re proud to share that Little Averill Lake has been awarded the Gold Lake Wise designation by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) — one of only a few lakes statewide to achieve this honor.

The Lake Wise Program is a voluntary, non-regulatory initiative that helps lakeshore owners reduce erosion, manage stormwater, and maintain healthy vegetative buffers. Each property is evaluated in four areas — shoreland, recreation area, driveway, and structure & septic — and those meeting the standards in all four earn full certification. When 15 percent or more of a lake’s shoreline properties reach that level, the entire lake earns Gold status.

Little Averill met that threshold this year, reflecting years of collective effort. Many property owners invited assessments, planted buffers, regraded driveways, and added natural shoreline vegetation. These small, steady actions add up: less phosphorus, clearer water, and stronger habitat.

This award belongs to the entire community. It celebrates the partnership between residents, the Averill Lakes Association, the Essex County Natural Resources Conservation District, and the DEC team that guided and encouraged the process. “Gold” is not the finish line — it’s a marker of progress and a call to continue this work. We aim to achieve Gold status for Great Averill in 2026.

2025 Courtesy Boat Inspection Program – A Record Year of Protection

Our 2025 Courtesy Boat Inspection (CBI) season was the busiest to date — a testament to the dedication of our greeters and the effectiveness of this prevention program. Here is the tale of the tape:

Program Operations

• 348 paid hours of coverage

• 306 boats inspected, up from 290 in 2024 — a 5.5% increase
  

Use Patterns

• Great Averill: 78.8% recreational, 19% fishing, 1.5% Fish & Wildlife; 84% motorized / 16% non-motorized

• Little Averill: 65.4% recreational, 33.3% fishing, 1.3% Fish & Wildlife; 43% motorized / 57% non-motorized
  

Financial Overview

• Total program cost: $8,324

• ALA contribution: $1,589 direct + $1,000+ in-kind (for our new trailer based greeter station in the picture above!)

• Grant award: $6,735, with 40% received to date (the balance expected before year-end)
  

We have put your membership dues to work to protect our lakes. Each inspection is a frontline defense against aquatic invasives. Thanks to this work, no invasive species were detected again this year. We extend heartfelt thanks to our greeters, volunteers, program partners, and everyone who stopped to cooperate or just hang out at the launches. Your patience and participation keep both our precious lakes safe, clear, and healthy for all who visit.

Lake Watershed Action Plan (LWAP) – From Assessment to Action

On August 24, the Averill Lakes Association joined the Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA) and Essex County NRCD for the public presentation of the Averill Lakes Lake Watershed Action Plan at Jackson’s Lodge.

The LWAP is a science-based roadmap for lake protection and flood resilience. Over the past year, the MWA completed an extraordinary assessment:

• 25.8 miles of streams, 236 crossings, and 17.5 miles of roads surveyed

• 104 private driveways and 21 miles of shoreline evaluated

• More than 130 erosive features documented

• 45 priority projects identified, with an estimated 45.8 kg of phosphorus reduction per year if implemented
  

Top-ranked opportunities include:

• Jackson Road drainage improvements on both lakes

• Runoff and grading improvements at both boat launches

• Culvert-to-bridge upgrades on Jackson Road (south of Cattier Rd.) and over Averill Creek on E. Branch Rd.
  

These projects balance water-quality protection with flood-resilient infrastructure and habitat restoration. MWA’s current grant covers 30% designs and cost estimates for these priorities, with funding prospects through state and federal clean-water programs. Meeting participants expressed strong support for advancing the design phase, recognizing that while no construction commitments are required, planning now ensures we’re ready when funding opportunities arise. A virtual update is expected in January 2026 to review the 30% designs and next steps.

Looking Ahead to 2026

From achieving Gold Lake Wise status to expanding boat-inspection coverage and advancing a comprehensive watershed plan, this year has marked real, measurable progress in our shared stewardship of the Averill Lakes. These successes are rooted in a simple truth: our lakes stay healthy when our community works together — like one buffer planting or one courtesy boat inspection at a time.

With gratitude to our volunteers, partners, and members, we look forward to continuing this momentum into 2026. Together, we are protecting the legacy of the Averill Lakes for the next generation. Bernie Gracy President, Averill Lakes Association