Halls Lake in Newbury earns Gold Lake Wise Award

Newbury, Vt., constable Glen Godfrey watches as Leo Cots of South Ryegate, Vt., pulls out into Halls Lake to fish early Saturday, July 6, 2013. Godfrey greets boats putting in at the launch two days a week, checking them for millfoil and other invasives. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) James M. Patterson—James M. Patterson

Published: 03-26-2025 1:19 PM

NEWBURY, Vt. — Halls Lake is now the second Upper Valley lake to be recognized with a Gold Lake Wise Award, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation announced Wednesday.

The state grants a Gold Lake Wise award when more than 15% of properties around the lake have been individually recognized as being Lake Wise, meaning property owners have taken steps to make their properties lake-friendly and protect water quality.

The voluntary Lake Wise program is administered by the state’s Agency of Natural Resources which provides technical assistance to homeowners and recognizes properties following best management practices.

The 85-acre Newbury Lake joins Lake Morey in Fairlee as the second Upper Valley lake to be recognized by the state. Lake Morey achieved Gold Lake Wise status in 2023.