Volume XX ~ November 2019
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Lake Sunapee Protective Association
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A Flash Of The Beacon
Welcome to A Flash of the Beacon!
A quick look at what's happening
here in the harbor,
what's going on outside in nature,
and highlights from last month.
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November is often known as the "in between season." Mother Nature begins settling down for the cold months ahead. Here in New Hampshire the outside world turns brown and gray. Yet, if you look closely you can spy yellow beech and aspen leaves, green mosses and ferns, and the prevalent bright red winter berries which all provide contrasting shocks of vibrant color. Small lakes and ponds will begin to freeze as soon as the water temperature reaches a uniform 39°. Water has the unique property of becoming lighter as it cools. Therefore, when ice forms at 32° it is lighter than the warmer water below it at approximately 39°. For this reason, ice floats and lakes freeze from the top down! If it weren’t for this unique property, aquatic life would not be able to survive in the bottom waters during the winter months.
Overhead migration season is in full swing! Many hardy stragglers (robins, bluebirds, kingfishers) hang around as long as there’s a food and water source. Snowshoe hares are all white by the end of November, and, like some of us, are hoping for a good snowy winter. Enjoy getting outside during this “in between” season and discover the awe of nature’s fine details and the delight of surprising colors!
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In this season of thanks, we are truly grateful for the generous support of the many environmentally minded individuals who give of themselves, share their love of the Lake Sunapee region and understand the connection between a healthy watershed and a healthy community.
We are blessed!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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2020 Watershed Management Plan
Work is coming to an end on the 2020 Watershed Management Plan after a year and half of gathering and analyzing data and meeting with towns and other property owners where LSPA hopes to implement potential water quality improvement projects. A draft is currently being completed that soon will be reviewed by the Watershed Committee and NHDES before being finalized. A public meeting is scheduled for the end of January where the plan results will be presented, and questions answered. Over the next ten years, LSPA will work toward meeting the water quality goal identified in the plan through the implementation of said projects and outreach programs.
Even though the plan is not yet completed, LSPA has already begun to seek 319 Grant funding for three projects identified in the 2020 plan. Proposals are due early December and award or denial letters are sent by the end of the year for all applicants.
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"Out and About"
PreSchool Program!
Join us on
Tuesday
mornings!
We have a
new venue
for the months of November and December!!
November 5th
and
12th @Abbott Library!
November 19th @The Fells
December 3rd
and
10th @Abbott Library!
December 17th
@ The Fells
All
at
10:00 am
.
"Out and About" is a weekly educational program designed for pre-school age children and their caregivers, with exploration at two different locations every month. Come to one session or all - each month's programs are organized around an ecological theme and each one is unique. All programs are filled with hands on learning through sensory experiences, guided exploration, creative play, art, and music.
Come join the fun!
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Continuing Education ~
This fall the staff here at LSPA have participated in a wide variety of conferences, meetings, and discussions which include topics that range from bioacoustics to phosphorous loading, to cyanobacteria, to wild bees, to place based education... to name just a few! Sharing our data, becoming better informed, and continuing our educational goals is an ever gratifying, on-going process.
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Watershed Moments:
Harnessing Data, Science, and
Local Knowledge to
Protect Lakes
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2019 Dock De-Icer Law
It's that time of year again when dock owners consider the use of de-icers.
Please be aware of the recently updated 2019 law for Dock De-Icers (NH RSA270:33)
The new law reflects new technologies, increased safety and access for property owners. Time/temperature controllers are easy to install and circulators or agitators should be mounted vertically.
To read more or the entire law click below.
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As the colorful leaves fall from the trees, please be alert to where your leaves end up! Leaves that end up in our waterbodies rot and during that process use up oxygen. When too many leaves get blown into a lake or stream they deplete the oxygen levels that is so vital to the many aquatic animals that live there. Leaves that get dumped into the edges of lakes, ponds and streams can also change the bottom consistency and the water's chemical balance.
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Thanks to all who participated in our septic system survey! The data
gathered will give us a better understanding of the status of septic systems in the watershed. Results will be included in the final 2020 Watershed Management Plan.
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Outreach and Educational Moments ~
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Our fall programs highlighted the wonder and joy of the changing season, the glorious trees and their colors, the crunch of leaves under foot, the sounds of the wind, the feel of the cooler air settling in, and the myriad of all things autumn.
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Watershed Discovery Day 2019!
Watershed Discovery Day was an exciting day of hands-on science learning at its best! Approximately 300 fifth graders, from the Sunapee Watershed area, attended the all day event at Mount Sunapee Resort participating in five different ecology based stations. We were most grateful for the support from NH DOT, NH DES, NH Fish and Game, NH Forest and Lands, NH LAKES, and Sullivan County Conservation District, plus our multitude of incredible volunteers!!
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Did You Know
...
That the first railroad came to Lake Sunapee in 1872?
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~ Newbury Historical Society ~
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Snapshots of and around Lake Sunapee ~
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Lake Sunapee Protective Association
63 Main Street
Sunapee, NH 03782
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