The Water Quality Committee is a group of volunteers who share a concern about the health of our lake. We are not the “property police” but we do make suggested guidelines regarding how you can care for your lakefront property in a manner that is not damaging to the lake. Reports provided to LWIA members speak about the causes for the decline in the lake quality, if that is the case, and will include suggestions for how each of us…
Today the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) removed it’s advisory for Lake Winona following another round of water sampling. No cyanobacteria cells were found. The initial advisory issued on June 19 was not based on a toxin evaluation and was intended as a precautionary measure for short term exposure. Cyanobacteria are natural components of water bodies worldwide, though blooms and surface scums may form when excess nutrients are available to the water. NHDES advises lake-goers to look out for green surface…
A sample collected on the lake tested positive as a cyanobacteria bloom prompting the state to issue an advisory effective today. Advisories are issued when cyanobacterial cell concentrations exceed 70,000 cells/ml. The sample tested was 365,000 cells per milliliter. NHDES advises lake users to avoid contact with the water in areas experiencing elevated cyanobacteria cell conditions, also known as a bloom. NHDES also advises pet owners to keep their pets out of any waters that have a cyanobacteria bloom. Cyanobacteria…
According to the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor released June 18, the entire state of New Hampshire has been categorized as abnormally dry. Over the last 60 days, the state has received significantly less than normal precipitation. The majority of the northern half of the state including Belknap, Grafton, Carrol, and Coos counties have received 25 to 50% less precipitation than normal. Consequently, stream flows throughout the state are very low and if these weather trends continue, groundwater levels and water…
The NH LAKES Team announced another new program for summer 2020—the “Working for Clean & Healthy Lakes” webinar series! New Hampshire is home to nearly 1,000 lakes and ponds. While our state boats some of the cleanest and healthiest lakes in the country, they face many threats. Tune in and hear how biologists, nonprofit organizations, and volunteers are working together to monitor our lakes and keep them clean and healthy—and learn how you can help! This four-part weekly series starts…
With limits in place on attendance at public gatherings and for our residents’ safety, our June 21, 9 AM meeting will be hosted online. Details were emailed to residents (for safety reasons this information is not being posted online). Our proposed agenda: Presidents Welcome – Katie Hedberg Secretary’s Report/Approval of Aug Meeting Minutes – Wendy Traynor Election of Treasurer Treasurer’s Report – Jay Buckley Lake Host Program – Nora Foster Water Committee Update – Charlie Goodwin Loon Update – Linda…
A large number of household detergents and cleaning agents contain components called phosphates, which have been known to cause environmental hazards. The most controversial uses involve dish-washing and laundry detergents, and some states have imposed restrictions or bans on their use. Negative Impact Phosphates carry into waste systems and are hard to break down by septic systems. As they seep into groundwater, they are later carried into streams, lakes and rivers, they increase algae growth and subsequently decrease the oxygen…
April 7 was our official 2020 ice-out date. Earlier than the last three years, this year we had several unusually warm days in late March and early April. A long rainy day on April 6 was all we needed to remove the last of the lingering ice in the lake’s center. Similar to prior ice-out dates, we were one day behind Winnipesaukee’s April 6 ice-out. Ice-Out records in New Hampshire have been kept since 1887 as a way to keep…
The Lake Association’s 13th Annual Summer Social & Potluck, held on Saturday, August 10, was blessed with beautiful weather (minus the short rain shower that forced us into The Anchorage for the business meeting). Over 50 lake owners and their families attended the event, bringing with them delicious dishes and desserts to share. Former LWIA president Don Thibeault and West Shore Rd resident Ted Saia handled the burgers and dogs with expert hands. A big thank you to The Anchorage…
This article was originally published by Rick Green on July 22, 2019, in the Laconia Daily Sun. There is an unwanted visitor at Wicwas Lake and elsewhere in New Hampshire — it’s called the Chinese Mystery Snail. Volunteers rake thousands of the snails, an invasive species, out of the 328-acre lake every year. David Thorpe, who has lived on the shore for 37 years, says the battle to remove the brown snail – which can reach the size of a…