Champ of Lake Champlain
America's answer to Nessie has been reported since colonial times, with hundreds of sightings and one famous photograph that has never been debunked.
Champ of Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain stretches 125 miles between Vermont and New York, reaching depths of 400 feet. Since at least the early seventeenth century, people have reported seeing a large, unknown creature in its waters—one that locals call “Champ.”
Historical Background
Samuel de Champlain, the French explorer who gave the lake its name, reportedly described seeing a serpentine creature in 1609. Native American traditions spoke of a creature called “Tatoskok.” Throughout the nineteenth century, reports accumulated, with P.T. Barnum offering a reward for its capture.
The Mansi Photograph
In 1977, Sandra Mansi photographed what appears to be a long-necked creature near St. Albans. The image has resisted debunking despite extensive analysis. Without the original negative, conclusive authentication remains impossible.
Modern Investigation
Expeditions have used sonar and underwater cameras to search for evidence. In 2003, researchers recorded a large moving object. Some investigators have recorded what may be echolocation clicks, suggesting a whale-like mammal.
Both Vermont and New York have passed resolutions protecting Champ from harm—a creature whose existence remains unproven but whose cultural significance is undeniable.