The Rivers of Vermont Words To Know Watershed Drainage Basin Tributary Water Gap

Lake Champlain forms part of Vermont’s western boundary with New York State. The lake is about 118 miles long and 12 miles across at its widest point. There are many rivers and streams that flow into Lake Champlain from Vermont, New York, and Canada. The outlet for the lake is the Richelieu River in Canada, which flows north to the St. Lawrence River. The lake has about 75 islands. The largest are Grand Isle, North Hero, and Isle La Motte. 

The deepest spot in the lake is 400 feet. It is located just off Split Rock Point in Essex, New York. The lake level varies from season to season and year to year. The average is about 95 feet above sea level. The lowest recorded level was 91.4 feet above sea level in 1908. The highest recorded lake level was 103.57 ft. recorded in 2011 near Whitehall, NY (Burlington, VT recorded 103.27 ft. in the same year).
Previous to discovery by modern people the lake went by several names the NativeAmerican group the Mohawks referred to it asCaniadari Guarunte, which meant lake with abulge in it or door of the country. The Abenakis used the namePetonbowk,meaning waters that lie between (between being the Adirondacks and GreenMountains). Then in 1609 Samuel de Champlain named the lake after himself after discovering it. The lake has served as a natural transportation route for thousands of years. The importance of the lake was recognized by both the French and English colonists. For many years forts were built along the lake and many battles were fought on and near the lake. Whoever controlled the lake also controlled and important route into the heart of the northern colonies.

Burlington was hand picked by Ira Allen to be the sight for lumber shipments on Lake Champlain. Burlington grew to become the largest port in the region. In the 1870’s, the so-called “Queen City” was the third largest lumber port in North America, just behind Albany and Montreal.

Today Lake Champlain is important for the recreational opportunities it provides to residents and visitors. Boating, fishing, and swimming are all very popular. The wetlands around the lake serve as an important breeding and feeding habitat for many fish and waterfowl, making the area popular with fishermen and hunters.

Choose the best answer for each question:

1)      Lake Champlain has been important for all of the following except . . .

a-transportation b-recreation c-mining d-wildlife

2)      Which of these is not a lake in Vermont?

a-Caspian b-Champlain c-Seymour d-Bomoseen

4)      True or False – Lake Champlain has about 75 islands.

5)      True or False – Lake Champlain is about 118 miles.

6)      True or False – The outlet for Lake Champlain is the Richelieu River.