Sabin Pond (Woodbury Lake) Lake Watershed Action Plan

In the summer of2025 the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (Winooski NRCD) was awarded funds through the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to complete a Lake Watershed Action Plan for the Sabin Pond (Woodbury Lake) watershed. 

LWAPs are typically conducted in watersheds where phosphorus and sediment levels are trending upward, which can lead to harmful impacts on water quality if not addressed. The purpose of an LWAP is to provide clear, science-based guidance on the steps needed to protect a lake and its watershed before phosphorus loading worsens and results in more significant environmental issues.The LWAP will assess land use across the watershed, including shoreland areas, tributaries, wetlands, and roads that drain directly to the lakes. The goal is to create a community-informed plan that prioritizes actions to protect and restore lake health.

This summer, the Winooski NRCD is working with FluidState Consulting and Just Water Consulting to develop an LWAP for the Sabin Pond (also known as Woodbury Lake) watershed. Sabin Pond is a 147-acre lake located in the towns of Calais and Woodbury, Vermont, within the Upper Winooski River watershed. Its contributing watershed spans approximately 9,270 acres in a region with a combined population of just over 2,500. This includes the connected waters of Greenwood Lake and Valley Lake (Dog Pond). 

As part of this effort, we are offering Lake Wise assessments to lakeshore property owners in the Sabin Pond watershed. This free and non-regulatory program provides an opportunity to further engage the landowners in Best Management Practices for stormwater management, storm resiliency and improved wildlife habitat. Shoreline property owners who score particularly well with their assessment will receive a sign that they can proudly display on their shoreline for their neighbors to see.

The final LWAP report will include a prioritized list of projects to reduce pollution and improve habitat, with some featuring preliminary design work. These projects may be eligible for funding through the Vermont Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP).

If you own a lakefront property and would like a free, non-regulatory property assessment to provide guidance on land use to promote lake health, please complete this form. Thank you!

Lake Wise Assessments on Sabin Pond (Woodbury Lake) & Forest Lake (Nelson Pond)

In the summer of 2024 the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (Winooski NRCD) was awarded funds through the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to provide free Lake Wise Assessments to the shoreland property owners along Sabin Pond (Woodbury Lake) and Forest Lake (Nelson Pond). The Lake Wise Assessment examines the flow of water on a site. The assessors will generate a collection of clean water best management practice recommendations such as rain gardens, buffer plantings, infiltration strips, and driveway water bars that keep rain water on site and grow wildlife habitat.

Winooski NRCD has partnered with FluidState Consulting and Just Water Consulting to identify and address priority opportunities that remediate stormwater runoff and phosphorus pollution to improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and climate change resilience.

Over the summer of 2024, FluidState and Just Water completed 21 Lake Wise assessments. The assessments followed pre-existing protocols and provided an opportunity to further engage the landowners on Green Stormwater Infrastructure and best practices to on-site stormwater management for clean water and wildlife habitat. Typically, 3-6 projects were identified per assessment.

We are pleased to announce that 9 of the 21 properties assessed earned a Lake Wise Award. A property that earns the Lake Wise Award represents a “model” shoreland property. The Lake Wise Award certifies that a property is well managed, using shoreland Best Management Practices, and is maintained to care for the lake.

Just Water and FluidState produced a prioritized list of potential future projects on the properties that were assessed (for example: infiltration trenches, bioretention landscape elements, filter basins, etc.). It is the hope that the Winooski NRCD will be able to follow up with land owners in coming years to implement these projects.

Thank you to all the property owners on these lakes who signed up for a Lake Wise Assessment!

If you have any questions please contact WNRCD District Manager, Daniel Koenemann, by email at Daniel@winooskinrcd.org