Overview

The Lewis Creek watershed is 80 square miles and flows into Lake
Champlain. It is located in Addison and Chittenden Counties in
Vermont.

This watershed conservation plan integrates state and local

conservation planning goals.

Priority land areas and natural features were identified using ecosystem
based planning principles.
Purpose/Objectives

 To identify conservation priorities at a watershed scale using social

and science-based factors

 Create a nature conservation strategy that links local and state

policies and priorities

 Identify a conservation prioritization approach and process that can

be shared with other areas
Rationale
Significant ecosystems and wildlife habitat are generally defined by the
quality and quantity of natural features and their potential to insure
important ecological functions and biological diversity.

These include:
 Representative landform level ecosystems
 Surface and groundwater ecosystems
 Undisturbed natural areas (core habitat)
 Connectivity and cohesiveness
 Priorities species/natural areas
 Rare/unique species & natural communities
 Lewis Creek Watershed

Conservation Plan Components

By combining three map components, we can
view priority land areas for conservation
consideration at a watershed scale.
Map Components

1. Significant Landform-Level Ecosystems

Representative landform level ecosystems (with associated natural
communities), species and natural areas that are priorities for
conservation, rare/unique species and natural communities
Representation of native landform level ecosystems:
Champlain Valley Minor Landforms
Cheshire Quartzite Hills
Monkton Quartzite Hills
Dolomite Hills
Dolomite Valley
Lacustrine Plain
Western Green Mountain Minor Landforms
Basal till Flats to Mod Slopes
Ablation Till Flats to Mod Slopes, Shallow Soils
Ablation Till Flats to Mod Slopes, Deep Soils
Steep North and East Slopes
Steep South Slopes and West Slopes
Hollows
A qualitative selection of priority landform areas informed by:
Location (ex. By landform, biophysical region, local natural features)
Significant Attributes (data collection results)
Conservation Significance (ex. rare/priority species, linkage area,
high quality community and natural features)
Threats (ex. invasives, buffer encroachment, development,
roads, land use practice)
Critical Factors to Consider for Conservation and
Development (ex. landowner interest)
Current Information Sources
Information/Inventory Needed
2. Aquatic Systems
Surface and groundwater ecosystems, aquatic species and natural
areas that are priorities for conservation, rare/unique aquatic species
and natural communities

Streams- ANR Phase One stream geomorphic delineations

4x meander belt width on main stems and major tribs
50 feet buffers from top of bank for small tribs and upland
streams
Wetlands- NWI, Significant Wetlands, local mapped wetlands w buffers
Significant hydrology areas- TBD
Lakes and Ponds – 100 ft buffers, TBD
Riparian Land Areas- TBD/See habitat component
3. Contiguous Wildlife Habitat for Wide
Ranging Species

Core habitat and corridors/linkage areas used by wide ranging

species (bear, bobcat), and grassland bird habitat.

Core habitat
Large lots/low density areas and conservation investments
Key grasslands in agriculture areas, per size and mgmt practices
Linkage areas for wide ranging species movement
Riparian habitat areas- (to be delineated as active riparian areas) 330
feet on each side of stream mainstems and major tribs