ECHO announces construction of Vermont’s largest freshwater aquarium

Rendering courtesy of ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain.

Vermont Business Magazine ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Vermont’s science and nature museum, will complete a large-scale renovation of its well-known “Into the Lake” exhibit. The current gallery is twenty years old and hosts the museum’s largest aquarium, a 7,000-gallon freshwater habitat that displays Lake Champlain’s largest, most charismatic fish species, including lake sturgeon, bowfin, channel catfish, freshwater drum, and muskellunge.

Lake Champlain is home to a robust freshwater ecosystem that provides benefits for the surrounding community and countless species of animals and plants. It requires protection to ensure it continues to benefit future generations. This $3.3 million project will upgrade ECHO’s “Into the Lake” exhibit gallery and enhance public education about native wildlife and stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin ecosystem. The upgraded gallery will feature an expanded aquarium, updated exhibits, a new presentation space, and more. 

Key experiences include:

FEATURE AQUARIUM

A brand new 15,000-gallon aquarium featuring ECHO’s iconic lake sturgeon and other large fish native to Lake Champlain.

NATIVE ANIMAL DISPLAYS

Updated habitats for the American eel, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and lake trout with interactive and educational experiences for guests.

NEW HOME FOR THE SNAPPING TURTLE

ECHO’s beloved snapper will move up to the mezzanine and into a larger and deeper river display.

INVASIVE SPECIES DISPLAY & EXHIBIT 

With information about how they got here, what you can do to help prevent the spread, and their negative impact on ecosystems and economies. 

PLANKTON EXHIBIT

A large, luminous 3D plankton sculpture and digital interactive about plankton’s role in the food web.

LIVE DEMOS + PRESENTATION SPACE 

With large viewing windows for visitors to marvel at the amazing creatures in front of them, comfortable seating, and supporting AV.

RESEARCH & STEWARDSHIP CONNECTIONS 

Interactive exhibits and interpretive graphics about the life cycle and habitat needs of native aquatic species. Content will reflect current research and share stewardship actions visitors can take to protect the Lake.

Ted Lawson, ECHO’s Executive Director, adds, “We eagerly await this transformational renovation to our beloved Into the Lake exhibit. Beyond improving the home of our native lake ambassadors, this project elevates our commitment to Lake Champlain stewardship and education. It will be an engaging and interactive space for learning and inspiration.”

The renovations will begin in September and continue through May 2025. During the month of September, the museum will be closed M-F but open on weekends. The tank’s grand re-opening will take place in June 2025. You can find more information at 

This exhibit was prepared by the Leahy Center under award No.NA23SEC4690010 from the Office of Education of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

About ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain 

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is Vermont’s science and nature museum on the Burlington waterfront. The Museum’s mission is to inspire and engage families in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain. Visitors can discover over 100 interactive family experiences, 70 live species, seasonal changing exhibits, and The Northfield Savings Bank 3D Theater. ECHO aims to make the world accessible to developing minds in a way that children learn best, through hands-on science play, in Champ Lane, an early childhood exhibit. In Awesome Forces and Engineer It exhibits, visitors of all ages tackle daily engineering challenges at our tinkering bench as well as delight in discovering the forces that have shaped the Lake Champlain Basin. ECHO encourages visitors to view the natural environment as part of their neighborhood and to explore, learn about, and consider opportunities for stewardship. 2024 marks ECHO’s 30 years of teaching more than 3 million visitors about the role of science in our culture and lives. To learn more about ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, visit: 

Source: BURLINGTON, Vermont- ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

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