Ripples from the Reservoir: Greeting visitors, targeting invasives, eyeing eaglets
July 21, 2025 | By Sheila Goss and Francine Chittenden
A heron enjoys a fish from the reservoir for a meal. Photo by Sheila Goss
Summer made a steamy, muggy and hot entrance. The warm weather and Independence Day holiday weekend brought many visitors to the reservoir, keeping rangers, park staff, vendors, and our Aquatic Invasive Species greeters very busy.
Reservoir greeter Robin gives a treat to a dogs visiting the reservoir at Blush Hill. Photo by Francine Chittenden
Have you met our greeters yet? Phil, Robin, and Elena are stationed at the busiest boat access locations at the reservoir: the Blush Hill boat launch, the Waterbury Dam at Little River State Park, and the Waterbury Center State Park boat access.
They meet boaters putting their vessels, large and small, into the water. They educate reservoir users about how to best protect our waterways from invasive species such as Eurasian milfoil and zebra mussels. They will help inspect boats, provide educational materials, answer questions, and provide a friendly face for folks coming to enjoy this precious resource. They are part of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ mission to educate the public about how to reduce aquatic invasive species spreading from lake to lake. Their positions are funded by donations from our supporters as well as a state grant.
Our greeters are especially fond of canine visitors to the reservoir and will offer them a special doggy treat from the Bellcate School in Essex. These treats are healthy. Dogs love them, and they are the product of an amazing Vermont program offering educational and vocational training and experience for youths with special needs. We are honored to support Bellcate School in its important mission.
Though our program deals only with aquatic invasive species, you may wonder about other invasives that we have on the reservoir. Japanese knotweed is pervasive on the reservoir and has taken hold to such a degree that eradication here is not possible.
A few years ago, we also noted only two small bunches of yellow iris, yet another invasive plant. Since the 2023 and 2024 flood and high-water events, yellow iris has spread and is now found in all areas of the reservoir shoreline. As is the case with knotweed, eradication is not as simple as just “pulling the plants up.” Specific techniques and protection must be used, and we are looking into that process regarding our yellow iris issue. Find more information on invasive yellow iris plants in Vermont on the Vermont Invasives website.
Eagles and loons
Young eagles perch near their nest high in a tree near the Waterbury Reservoir. Photo by Sheila Goss
Our resident eagles have successfully hatched two eaglets, who are now almost as large as the adults! They are still hanging out in the nest and will continue to be dependent upon the adults for a while. They should soon begin “test flights,” so you may see some young eagles out earning their wings and learning to fish for themselves.
The presence of these eagles, plus all of our herons, geese, ducks, otters, and loons, puts a great responsibility on reservoir users to protect the environment. We appreciate all the anglers who are using our fishing line recycling bins and keeping our shorelines and water clear of hazards to these animals.
In June, a contingent of volunteers from Darn Tough contributed their time and effort for a reservoir trash pick-up event. Every bottle, can, piece of foam, food wrapper, tire, wood scrap, or plastic container they recovered makes the reservoir safer and more enjoyable for all users.
A crew of Darn Tough employees recently visited the reservoir for a cleanup project. Photo by Emma Brownlee
Our loons did not nest this year, and we are not sure why. The water levels in the reservoir have been low for quite a few weeks, and the nest raft we built became a challenging spot for them to potentially use as a nest. The Vermont Center for Ecostudies has not given up on us, or our loons. We have plans for some improvements in the nest placement and design for next year that may better suit the unique reservoir environment.
Please enjoy the reservoir on these hot, and sometimes wet, summer days! We look forward to hearing from you and welcome any questions or concerns you may have. As part of our mission, we ask for your feedback and ongoing communication to ensure that the Waterbury Reservoir community has a voice in the future of this valuable resource.
Sheila Goss, of Stowe, is vice president of the nonprofit organization Friends of Waterbury Reservoir; Waterbury resident Francine Chittenden is the group’s treasurer. Learn more and contact the group on their website friendsofwaterburyres.org.