Cross-border efforts to protect Lake Memphremagog
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Lake Memphremagog, an international waterway spanning the Canada-U.S. border, faces a growing battle with invasive species, spurring collaborative efforts from both sides. Vermont’s Memphremagog Watershed Association (MWA), which recently completed another successful year of funding for aquatic nuisance control, continues to coordinate closely with Canadian groups and authorities in its fight to protect the lake’s delicate ecosystem.
For five years, MWA has overseen the Aquatic Nuisance Control Grant-in-Aid program in Vermont, distributing funds to municipalities and lake associations to manage invasive species. According to Jennifer Hopkins, Treasurer of MWA and coordinator of the program, “This funding goes directly to efforts like the greeter programs, which play a critical role in protecting our lakes from invasive species.”
Hopkins described in a recent interview the U.S. and Canadian collaboration as essential but challenging. Invasive species like zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil have infiltrated both sides of the lake, creating a need for bi-national coordination. “The Canadian side has been ahead of us in trying to keep invasive species out of the lake,” Hopkins admitted, highlighting Canada’s proactive measures to regulate ballast water and inspect boats, helping to minimize the spread of invasive species.
One of the most significant challenges in protecting the lake comes from the nature of Lake Memphremagog itself. The lake flows northward from Vermont into Quebec, effectively carrying any species introduced in Vermont upstream into Canadian waters. This dynamic makes preventing infestations particularly difficult for both Canadian and American conservationists. “We’re seeing the migration of zebra mussels coming down from Magog towards Georgeville,” Hopkins noted. “Because of the lake’s flow, these creatures are coming our way. And with wake boats holding ballast water that can carry zebra mussel larvae, or ‘veligers,’ it’s a serious concern for both sides.”
