Crystal Lake Boat Inspections
Final Report
1 October 2022
As was the case in the last few years the inspection season began with a virtual workshop reviewing Covid protocols and inspection procedures. The workshop was attended by our three inspectors and me. At the workshop it was announced that all inspection reporting would continue to be digital online, using a spreadsheet provided by the Department of Environmental Conservation. Once again, the DEC offered to loan associations an iPad to record inspection data and upload it to them, but logistical problems such as storing, charging and security continue to make that impossible for us. This year, therefore, we continued the time-consuming process of collecting the information in a log book and then manually copying it to their spreadsheet and transmitting it each day to the DEC.
As customary, our inspections began for Memorial Day weekend on May 28th and continued daily from 6AM to 6PM through Labor Day. We were fortunate to have our three inspectors from last year (Richard Romaine, Raymond Arnold and Bill Ruggles) return for this season. Many organizations in our area have found it difficult to find and maintain staff, and we are lucky to have these very reliable inspectors working for us.
Prior to putting the launch dock into the water in early May, it was discovered that one of its large floats was leaking and could not support the dock. Given the supply chain problems at that time it appeared that the float could not be replaced until July and that launching boats would be much more difficult. We were very grateful to Mike Wichrowski of VT Fish and Wildlife who managed to find a float and get the dock set up just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
The weather this summer has followed a common pattern, starting out cold and wet followed by slow improvement. As a result, boating activity and inspections were somewhat low in May and June but increased in July. A total of 1,554 watercraft were inspected as shown by month in the following table. This is slightly less than the number of inspections during the Covid pandemic.
Month Number of Inspections
May 70
June 277
July 709
August 414
September 84
Total 1,554
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The decrease in boating activity led to a corresponding decrease in plant life intercepted on boats being launched and retrieved. In addition, the invasive species awareness created among boaters by the Greeter Program also appears to be a major factor. As shown in the following table we had only 2 interceptions this year, both of which were native plants.
Date Identification Source
21 Aug Pondweed Caspian Lake
26 Aug Elodea Newark Pond
5 Sep Pondweed Crystal
In addition to the above aquatic species that were intercepted there were numerous findings of land based sources such as grass, leaves and dirt acquired while boats were being stored. These boats were decontaminated but were not included in the above list since they did not present a hazard to the lake.. An increased awareness of invasive species can be attributed to the Greeter Program educating boaters and providing an incentive for them to check their boats before our pre-launch inspection. About half the boaters stop at the access and inspect their boats before taking them for our inspection. Many also report washing their boats when they get home.
As in previous years kayaks, canoes and paddleboards have accounted for about 45% of launches this year. Plant material is sometimes found on them and their owners' equipment, so they are also inspected while entering and leaving the lake.
Our inspection data was uploaded in digital form to the Department of Environmental Conservation on a daily basis. Since we had no means to securely store or charge an iPad the data had to be transcribed and submitted manually. Although inspection data was submitted by most sites on a daily basis there was no way for us to view and relate these data in real time. It is our hope that the DEC will create a website next year where the collective data from all inspection sites can be viewed on a daily basis to better understand boating traffic and identify trends and potential problems.
We are grateful to the Town of Barton and the Department of Environmental Conservation for the funds they provide us each year. We're also grateful to the boaters who use the launch site in a very respectful manner. For the most part boaters and fishermen are well-informed and cooperative about fighting invasive species. Most are apologetic when plants are found on their boats or equipment, but some just shrug it off and will probably do it again.
The Agency of Natural Resources has described Crystal Lake as one of the cleanest lakes in Vermont and we wish to extend a big thank you to our inspectors for their role in keeping it that way.
Submitted by Andy Treiber
