The Grand Isle County Natural Resources Conservation District and the South Hero Land Trust have collaborated on an environmental stewardship model to ensure the future health of Keeler Bay, a vital resource for the South Hero community. Drawing on successful strategies from inland lakes such as Elmore and Eden, the Keeler Bay Action Plan promoted sustainable practices, empowered residents to contribute to the bay’s restoration, and identified 25 projects that, once implemented, will improve water quality.
Keeler Bay provides drinking water to approximately 700 South Hero residents and supports the local economy through activities such as fishing, kayaking, sailing, and swimming. However, the Bay faces significant challenges, including phosphorus levels nearly double Vermont’s target and invasive aquatic vegetation that threatens its ecosystem and water quality. The Bay has a 6.8-square-mile watershed that channels water from small streams, ditches, lawns, and parking lots into the lake. As water moves across the landscape, it picks up pollutants including fertilizers, oil, pesticides, bacteria, and debris. Runoff that doesn’t evaporate or seep into the ground eventually flows into the Bay, contributing to elevated phosphorus levels. Excess phosphorus disrupts aquatic ecosystems, fuels harmful algal blooms, and degrades water quality.
Funded in 2021 by the Lake Champlain Basin Project, the Keeler Bay Action Plan focuses on protecting the Bay’s ecosystem while maintaining its economic and recreational importance. The project team evaluated threats and, using data reviews, mapping, field tours, and landowner insights, collaborated with local stakeholders to develop ready-to-implement projects. These initiatives, ranging in scale, focus on reducing phosphorus runoff, managing invasive species, and improving overall water quality.
Through education and action, the Keeler Bay Action Plan ensures the preservation of this critical resource while fostering a healthier, more resilient future for South Hero.
Photo: Surveying of Keeler Bay shoreline. Photo by Grand Isle County NRCD.