In Spring-Like Conditions, Lake Champlain Hit Record Water Level

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BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Spring-like conditions have pushed the water level of Lake Champlain to a near-record height for this time of year. Friday, the lake level was 99.1 feet above sea level, which is equal to the old record or just surpasses it, according to several records. The lake level is about 4 feet higher than it usually is in mid-January. The lake starts to flood at 100 feet, but officials said the water level may not reach that height.

A wet autumn, followed by this month's thaw and snow melt, caused the high waters. On Wednesday, rain drove rivers in Vermont and New York over their banks, and most of that water flowed into the lake. The high water doesn't mean lake shore residents have to automatically worry about flooding this spring.

There's about half as much snow in the mountains this year, said Greg Hanson, a hydrologist at the National Weather Service in South Burlington. That means about half as much snow could wind up in the lake this spring.

But large snowstorms toward the end of winter in March could spur spring flooding. Dry and cold weather would let the lake level lower and reduce the amount of water rushing in to the lake in the spring, Hanson said. The lake is expected to reach its highest point in the next day or two and then slowly begin to recede.

EDIT

http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2006/01/22/mild_weather_pushes_vt_lake_to_record_level/