Champlain Valley facts for kids
The Champlain Valley is a special area in the United States and Canada. It surrounds Lake Champlain, stretching across Vermont and New York. A small part of it also goes into Quebec, Canada. This valley is part of the larger St. Lawrence River area. Water from the valley flows north through the Richelieu River into the St. Lawrence River near Sorel-Tracy, Quebec.
In Vermont, the Champlain Valley is the most populated area. It reaches from the lake's edge to the Green Mountains. Burlington, Vermont's biggest city, is right on the lake. Many towns around Burlington are also part of this central valley area. Outside of these cities, the valley is mostly farmland. It's Vermont's best area for growing crops and raising animals.
The New York part of the Champlain Valley includes parts of Clinton County and Essex County. Much of this area is inside the Adirondack Park. This park offers amazing views of the Adirondack High Peaks and lots of outdoor activities. You can explore the park or enjoy the quiet shores of Lake Champlain. Plattsburgh is a city in the northern part of this region. The historic town of Ticonderoga is in the south. The northern end of Lake George is also near Ticonderoga and is considered part of the Champlain Valley.
What is the Champlain Valley?
The Champlain Valley is a long valley that stretches from Canada all the way down to Alabama. It is one of the northernmost parts of what is known as the Great Appalachian Valley. This huge valley system runs along the Appalachian Mountains.
How the Valley Formed
The Champlain Valley is a specific type of landform within the larger St. Lawrence Valley region. This St. Lawrence Valley is part of the even bigger Appalachian land division. In Vermont, the Champlain Valley is also called the Vermont Lowlands. It extends south into another area called the Valley of Vermont. The Vermont Lowlands are mostly made of soft rocks like limestone and shale. You can also find harder rocks like marble and slate there.
Lake Champlain and Its Rivers
Lake Champlain sits in the middle of the Champlain Valley. It's nestled between the Green Mountains in Vermont and the Adirondack Mountains in New York. The lake's water flows north through the Richelieu River into the St. Lawrence River near Sorel-Tracy, Quebec.
Many rivers flow into Lake Champlain. In Vermont, these include Otter Creek, the Winooski River, the Missisquoi River, and the Lamoille River. From New York, rivers like the Ausable River, the Chazy River, the Boquet River, and the Saranac River feed the lake. Lake Champlain also gets water from Lake George through a river called the La Chute River.
