The LWIA has been awarded a $1,000 payroll grant from the NH Lakes Association for Lake Winona’s 2016 Lake Host Program. Last year, thanks to the efforts of paid and volunteer Lake Hosts, 166 complimentary boat and water craft inspections were conducted at Lake Winona’s boat launch. Statewide, the NH Lake Host program conducted a total of 91,670 courtesy boat inspections and 46 ‘saves’ of aquatic invasive species were made by 786 Lake Hosts staffing 100 boat ramps!

For Lake Winona, the Lake Host program is a critical “line of defense” to ensure our lake remains free of aquatic invasive species, in particular milfoil, which has taken hold in Winnipeasakee and Squam Lake making those areas inaccessible to boats and swimmers.

This year it will be especially important for all us to keep watch on our lake. The early ice-out means an early start to the growing season for all plants in the lake – native and invasive. And, an early ice-out means that the water will warm up sooner than in previous years. While this may be good for swimming, it may also be good for the growth of nuisance and potentially toxic algae and bacteria.

The Lake Host grant is used to cover the salaries and benefits of individuals hired as NH LAKES employees to work as Lake Hosts at local ramps open to the public. Participating groups are required to match their payroll award by a minimum of 100% by providing volunteer labor and/or by contributing funding to extend Lake Host employee coverage at their ramp. Funding for the payroll grant award programs comes from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services’ Exotic Species Prevention Grant Program which is funded by a portion of the revenue generated by in-state boat registration fees. Funding for the payroll grant program also comes from foundations and local sources.