Carleton's Prize or Arnold's Mystery?

So for those that don't know there is a very small (about an acre or two at best) island in Lake Champlain off the southern tip of the town of South Hero. It rises vertically from waters edge up sheer cliffs to a 30 foot plateau. Called Carleton's Prize, it sits between two larger islands, Stave, and Providence. Its been so named since the revolutionary war when the Governeur Generale of Canada, Sir Guy Carleton brought it to notoriety.


As local lore goes the morning after Benedict Arnold escaped from behind Valcour Island with what was left of his small fleet, it was very foggy on Lake Champlain. Not believing the Americans could have slipped by them in the dark (which they did), the British patrolled to the north and east searching. In the heavy fog they sighted a ship and summarily lined up and pounded it with their cannons. Of course once you begin firing blackpowder you can't see what you're shooting at. After a half hour to hour of not being fired back at, either a breeze came up or the fog burned off. It was then the British realized they had not been firing on a ship.


This distraction is what allowed Arnold to escape to the shores of Addison county where he then proceeded to burn his fleet to prevent capture. Local lore goes further to say that local Islanders felled logs and floated them out and were then hoisted on the small island to look like masts. I dismiss this as there is no way anyone on the islands could have been in contact with Arnold's fleet, or known their plan to escape.


The problem is only one book I've ever read about Arnold or the Revolutionary war confirms this. No less than a dozen others completely fail to mention "Carleton's Prize". They all say the British fleet sailed down the lake after Arnolds fleet. Talk about a project for Art Cohn and the others down at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. All we need to do is find a few cannonballs to confirm the story. To think, Lake Champlain has kept this mystery to herself even to this day.

Toxics In Lake Champlain

Toxics include many different substances that produce negative effects, usually on human health. Knowledge is incomplete with regards to many of these toxics and the control strategies are complex. Toxics include trace metals, synthetic organic compounds (such as DDT), dioxins, and PCB's. The primary toxin of concern in Vermont has been mercury.


The source of half the mercury in the Lake Champlain basin comes from outside the basin via the jetstream and lower level winds. Mercury is a concern in Lake Champlain because it is a toxic that bio-accumulates in individuals as it proceeds up the food chain. Mercury is stored in the fatty tissues of animals and remains indefinately.


The cycle starts when micro-sized planktonic organisms ingest the mercury while they feed on the bottom, and are then eaten by small minnows. Predatory fish like Walleye and Northern Pike, eat many of these small minnows and build up mercury in their own tissues. This is why the State of Vermont has had to post health advisories for childeren and women of childbearing age. Another Lake Champlain food chain that is affected by mercury starts with Myces.


Myces are a freshwater shrimp that feed on the bottom during the day and rise up in the water column at night. When they rise they are fed upon by schools of Rainbow Smelt, who are the number one forage of Lake Trout. This is why the health advisories also pertain to Lake Trout. What if humans are not the ones at the top of the food chain? That's when we find dead loons, herons, osprey, and eagles that test high in mercury.


Besides mercury, there is concern about high levels of manganese and arsenic in Outer Mallets bay. These contaminants settle to the deepest parts of the bay near the Champlain Islands. It is a very protected bay and only real influx of water is from the Lamoille River. The manganese has been attributed to runoff from old talc mines in Johnson, Vermont. The arsenic is believed to have originated from an old lead smelter to the north that regularly vented its pollution over the Lamoille river valley.

Late Winter On Champlain Brings Waterfowl Delight

The late ice on the north end of Lake Champlain, has been affording some spectacular birding opportunities. Common and Hooded Merganser, Goldeneye, and Mallard ducks among others in large numbers. With cold temps allowing the ice to remain it concentrates waterfowl along the edges in open water.

The Lake Champlain has risen, and floodplain wetlands are loaded with wood ducks. With snow covering the land time and again Canada geese can also be seen congregating in wet spots in agricultural fields. Seems like the weather caused them all to pause, and think twice about headed north.

Incidentally its just about last call for getting nest boxes out to be used this season. Whether intended for waterfowl, bluebirds, or bats, they'll be looking for homes soon. Don't forget about the road when you're starring off the side looking at signs of spring!

Let Me Tell You About My Lake.........

Lake Champlain is an everchanging creature. It is calm and serene, and on a clear day you can see forever. The next it may be a foggy torrent of wind and waves crashing upon shore. A boater's paradise, a fisherman's dream, nestled between two of the worlds oldest mountain ranges to the east and west.


It was covered by retreating glaciers around 10,000 years ago, and inhabited thereafter by native americans. "Discovered" in 1609 by Samuel D. Champlain, it was tugged between the french and british till the states took form. As always before, and during the first two wars to face the United States (Revolution and 1812), Lake Champlain was an important invasion route both north and south.


In it today swim Lake Sturgeon, a relic of many years. Alongside with new comers like White Perch and Double Crested Cormorants. Its ecology and water quality have changed as a result of human use. It is also the jewel of the regions aquatic recreation, drawing quite a large gas driven flotilla. A couple annual bass tournaments are held here, because of its notable smallmouth bass.


Water quality issues are surfacing because of human issues; shoreland development, wetlands loss, agricultural runoff, stormwater runoff and erosion within watersheds. Invasive species like zebra mussels, purple loosestrife, water chestnut, and eurasian milfoil that are spread by humans. The list goes on and on.


We need to separate between the science of managing Lake Champlain, and the politics. Sounds so simple doesn't it? If we apply ourselves now we can have results in the future, maybe in time for our grandchildren.