News from Newfound

August 28, 2020

Welcome to the Newfound Connection

Each edition of the Newfound Lake Region Association newsletter features events, news, trivia, and the people of the watershed—everything a Newfounder needs to know!

Mythbusters Edition!

Get the facts about how Newfound works.

Myth 1: Newfound is mainly spring-fed.

The major water source of Newfound Lake is its many tributaries, which represent an estimated 75% of the inflow volume of the lake. This is followed by precipitation (11%), groundwater inflow (8%) and surface runoff (6%).

Many tributaries are made up of significant groundwater contributions, especially the Fowler River due to the Fowler River Aquifer in Alexandria.

Fun fact: The Fowler River Aquifer in Alexandria supplies most of the drinking water for the Town of Bristol, one of the many reasons why keeping our water clean is important.

Learn more about where our water comes from: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3ZgrJ7Tv9sZTmFEUmprU3FwbEE/edit

Myth 2: The Lake experiences turnover twice a year.

Many people believe "turnover" means that the lake replaces all of its water volume twice a year. While this is not true, lake turnover is a real and fascinating phenomenon!

During the summer, the top level of the lake is warmed by the sun while the bottom level stays cool. This division of water into layers with different temperatures is called thermal stratification. Because cold water is denser than warm water, the wind cannot easily mix the layers together. During spring and fall, water temperatures are similar throughout the depth of the lake, which allows wind to mix the water at different levels, causing "turnover". Lake turnover causes nutrients and oxygen to be mixed more evenly throughout the lake, making it an essential mechanism for a healthy lake ecosystem.

Learn more about this process, including some fancy terms to impress your friends around the lake: https://www.iisd.org/ela/blog/commentary/lakes-stratify-turn-explain-science-behind-phenomena/

So how long does it take for Newfound to replace it's water volume?

About two years, which means over 49 billion gallons of water pass through the Newfound River every year!

Myth 3: Newfound Lake is the cleanest lake in New Hampshire/the U.S./the world!

Newfound Lake is one of the cleanest lakes monitored by the UNH Lakes Lay Monitoring Program (keep up the good work everybody!) but it is impossible to rate it against all lakes due to a lack of standardized water quality testing measures, even in New Hampshire. Many lakes and ponds further away from development and infrastructure, and likely very clean for this reason, do not get tested at all.

Are you curious whether something you have heard is fact or fiction? Ask us! Send your questions to: info@newfoundlake.org

Read Around Newfound

Print out your StoryWalk® passport and explore the Newfound watershed!

In partnership with the Minot-Sleeper Library, Slim Baker Foundation, and Pasquaney Garden Club we are excited to bring you Read Around Newfound, a program that combines a love of Newfound and a love of literature to inspire discovery for families of all ages.

A StoryWalk is a book that is displayed page by page along a path. There are currently three StoryWalks on display in the Newfound watershed as part of Read Around Newfound, and a printable passport to check off each StoryWalk you visit. Print out your passport on the Minot-Sleeper Library website and start your StoryWalk adventure!

Read Around Newfound

A partnership between the Newfound Lake Region Association, Slim Baker Foundation, the Pasquaney Garden Club, and the Minot-Sleeper Library. Join us for a...

Read more
www.minotsleeperlibrary.org

Upcoming NLRA Events

Paddle with Executive Director

September 26, 9am-11am

Grey Rocks Conservation Area

178 N Shore Rd Hebron, NH

Back by popular demand! Join Executive Director Rebecca Hanson on a tour around the northern end of Newfound Lake. Enjoy the great diversity of the area while learning about our native carnivorous plants and other interesting aquatic species, the life cycle of lakes, and discussing Rebecca’s vision for the future of NLRA and the Newfound watershed. Bring your canoe or kayak and your questions. Limited capacity, register now!

Event Registration

Keep an eye out for upcoming new programs in our email newsletter and posted on our Events page!

The MegaRaffle is cancelled, but you can still earn this prize!

The NLRA MegaRaffle is a fun and exciting way for local businesses and ticket purchasers to support the work that keeps Newfound clean. This year, with the strain of COVID-19 on local businesses, NLRA made the decision to cancel the MegaRaffle and do our part to support the businesses that have so long supported us.

While there will be no prize packages this year, you can still make a contribution to the work that protects Newfound and claim the best prize of all: clean water, green forests, and a thriving community.

Claim your prize!

Monthly Membership (preferred!)

Annual Membership

The Stewardship Journal

Read about the latest work of our Watershed Stewards.

Stewardship Journal - Colleen Clausen - Newfound Lake...

Through the pines I could hear the familiar screeching call. A call, sometimes singular and sometimes in chorus, that I have heard numerous times while at Grey Rocks Conservation Area this year.

Read more
newfoundlake.org

Loon-Friendly is Lake-Friendly

With the recent report of an injured loon on Newfound Lake, we're highlighting ways to protect this threatened species.

While loons are making a comeback in New Hampshire, the loon population is still just half of its historical level. Loons still face many threats, including:

Lead poisoning from ingesting lead fishing tackle
Climate change
Shoreline development
Water level fluctuations
Human recreational pressure
Fishing line entanglement

You can protect loons by:

Following the law and using only lead-free fishing tackle,
Reducing your impact on loon shoreline habitat
Giving loons plenty of space (300 feet is recommended) when you encounter them in their nesting areas.

Learn more about loons, their threats, and how you can help from the Loon Preservation Committee.