Volume LXXVIII~ October 2024

Harbor Happenings

Welcome October! The cooler weather and changing leaves confirm autumn’s arrival. As we usher in the new season, we want to pause and reflect on the summer that flew right past us!

Summer 2024 was bright and sunny compared to last season’s intense rains and high waters. Warmer temperatures and less rainfall resulted in noticeably lower water levels this year. Across New Hampshire, we saw a record number of cyanobacteria blooms in 2024, with particularly frequent blooms on Lake Winnipesaukee. Fortunately Lake Sunapee remained free from cyanobacteria alerts this summer, although other lakes and ponds in our watershed did experience blooms. These are all important reminders of the need for continued action in support of preserving and enhancing the environmental integrity of the Lake Sunapee Watershed.

Thank you to our members and volunteers who make our work possible!

We are grateful to all of you who continue to be actively engaged in helping to keep the Lake Sunapee Watershed a healthy place to live and enjoy.

Want to help out? Join Us!

Click here for volunteer information.

Click here to become a member.

Thank you Lake Hosts!

Thank you to our 2024 Lake Hosts! Lake Hosts were stationed at Lake Sunapee’s five boat ramps from May to September and they are the first line of defense in protecting Lake Sunapee from invasive plants and animals. Lake Hosts offer free complimentary boat inspections to teach boaters about the Clean, Drain, and Dry method for aquatic invasive species prevention.

This season, our Lake Hosts were able to catch the aquatic invasive species curly-leaf pondweed on a departing trailer in Georges Mills and alert LSPA staff. With the alert from our Lake Hosts, LSPA was able to work quickly to find and remove the invasive species.

The Lake Host Program is administered by NH LAKES and LSPA was happy to partner with them once again to bring this important program to Lake Sunapee.

A Warmer Than Normal Fall

New Hampshire experienced record heat this year and the National Weather Service predicts a warmer than normal fall. What does this mean for our lakes? Warmer waters result in lower oxygen levels, more rapid plant, algal and bacterial growth, and less ice cover - all of which can have negative consequences for water quality and lake ecosystems.

As our staff and volunteers monitor water quality and keep a close watch out for cyanobacteria and invasive species, we are also partnering with researchers to better understand the impacts of a changing climate on our lakes. We currently collaborate with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Dartmouth, UNH, Virginia Tech, Colby-Sawyer College, New England College and many others as we piece together a better understanding of these complex systems.

This summer, LSPA’s new water quality buoy was launched with additional equipment. Calhoun Fellows Katie Hoffman and Sean Kenny from Virginia Tech spent the summer on Lake Sunapee using data from the buoy to launch a new project aimed at better understanding the factors that lead to sudden increases in cyanobacteria and phytoplankton growth. Temperature is one important factor that interacts in complex ways with many other variables (like nutrients from fertilizers and aging septic systems) to affect the timing of cyanobacteria blooms. You can read more about Katie and Sean’s work here.

This year’s Calhoun Fellows, Katie Hoffman and Sean Kenny.

The graph below shows the average daily water temperature by year at approximately 1m depth at the LSPA water quality buoy. This summer (2024, shown in red) was the warmest summer recorded by the buoy! 2023 (light blue) was the second warmest summer recorded at the buoy.

The graph below shows the changes in water temperature at eleven different depths as we head into October.

Next week LSPA’s water quality buoy will return to the Harbor after its first season on Lake Sunapee.

Keeping Lake Sunapee Blue and Safe for All to Enjoy

In response to Governor Sununu’s statement that cyanobacteria are “not toxic”, LSPA shared this article from NH Bulletin to our social media in September. The article provided sound science from Dartmouth Professors and LSPA Scientific Advisory Committee members, Dr. Jessica Trout-Haney and Dr. Kathy Cottingham setting the record straight that cyanobacteria often do produce toxins that can be harmful to human health.

We were moved when Beth Rescsanski commented her thanks to LSPA for providing sound science and monitoring for cyanobacteria in our watershed. Beth’s five year-old son, Cal, is a liver transplant recipient and generally is not allowed to swim in lakes because of the possibility of cyanobacteria exposure. Beth shared that their family has received special permission for Cal to swim in Lake Sunapee partly because of LSPA's diligent work to create a safe swimming environment. Cal enjoys his summers at their family cottage on Lake Sunapee and even draws amazing pictures of his memories at the cottage (see Cal and his drawing below). Thank you to Cal's family for sharing this amazing story. We can’t wait to see Cal in Sunapee next summer!

Cyanobacteria Updates for the Lake Sunapee Watershed

During September, cyanobacteria blooms were reported on several lakes and ponds in New Hampshire, including two in the Lake Sunapee Watershed: Baptist Pond and Little Lake Sunapee. LSPA Staff were out on Lake Sunapee in mid-September doing deep-site sampling and invasive watch surveys and noticed an increase in Gloeotrichia echinulata (pictured above), a type of cyanobacteria found in Lake Sunapee that is visible to the naked eye. Fortunately, Lake Sunapee hasn't had a cyanobacteria warning or alert this year and last year.

To report a potential bloom, please call LSPA at (603) 763-2210 or send an email to Susie at susieb@lakesunapee.org. We will share your observations with DES and will be sure to communicate with the public if a warning is issued in the Lake Sunapee Watershed.

You can also call or text the DES hotline at (603) 848-8094 or email HAB@des.nh.gov or report your sightings directly to NHDES using their online form.

NHDES's Healthy Swimming Mapper provides up-to-date information on cyanobacteria warnings and watches.

For more information about cyanobacteria click here or visit the harmful algal blooms page on the DES website. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Cyanobacteria blooms are most likely to occur when nutrient levels in lakes are high. You can reduce the chance of toxic cyanobacteria blooms through these actions:

Do not apply fertilizer within 100+ feet of shorelines and streams
Pump your septic tank every 3 years and inspect the whole system frequently
Pick up your pet waste
Direct stormwater and roof runoff into rain gardens and natural areas
Minimize your lawn area and plant a wide buffer (at least 50 feet or more) if your property is along the water's edge

For more information, visit LSPA's "Let's Be Clear" webpage or watch this great video.

Randy Shuey from Northpoint Engineering shares information about different types of erosion control practices and the maintenance required to keep these methods working correctly at small construction sites.

Erosion Control Workshop

LSPA partnered with the Merrimack and Sullivan County Conservation Districts to bring an Erosion Control Training Workshop and Field Day to Sunapee on September 20. Soil erosion contributes to water pollution and adds nutrients to our lakes and ponds which can make toxic cyanobacteria blooms more likely.

This full day training presented the latest technologies aimed to project water quality and to address growing challenges posed by more frequent and intense storms. About 60 people attended the workshop including zoning and planning board members, town employees, members of local conservation commissions, homeowners, engineers, environmental consultants, stormwater designers and other professionals working in erosion control, water quality and septic system installation.

Emma Erler, Lead Horticulturalist at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, explained the importance of using native plants in the landscape to help with erosion control. Please click here for resources regarding

native plants.

The morning session included presentations on how soil erosion affects water quality by Lisa Doner, Plymouth State University Professor, and performance of green infrastructure in light of changing weather patterns by Tom Ballestero from the UNH Stormwater Center.

Karl Benedict from NHDES also shared information about erosion control in the protected shoreland and Mike Everhart, Erosion Control and Stormwater Specialist with EJ Prescott talked about protecting shorelines especially on steep slopes. In the afternoon, attendees rotated through five field stations to learn how to reduce erosion at project sites. Strategies included using native plants in the landscape, hydroseeding, using geotextiles to help stabilize soils and using permeable pavers which allow the water to drain through. It was a great day filled with a lot of very useful information!

September Deep Site Sampling

On September 16th, LSPA Staff members Geoff Lizotte, Teriko MacConnell and Susie Burbidge and Water Quality Intern, Vinny Leone, conducted fall deep site and near shore sampling on Lake Sunapee. The data are used to monitor short and long-term trends in Lake Sunapee. It was a gorgeous morning on the lake!

Click here to learn more about LSPA's Water Quality monitoring.

LSPA's Past Presidents

On September 9th, 30 years of LSPA Past Presidents gathered at the Center for Lake Studies for their annual dinner. They shared memories, insights and on-going support for the current work of the organization.

Pictured from left to right (with term years): Betsy Lyons (2021-2024), Willie McLaughlin (2018-2021), Kristen Begor (2015-2018), Charlie Forbes (2012-2015), Tanya Wilkie (2009-2012), Deb Benjamin (2006-2009), Walt Goddard (2003-2006), Midge Eliassen (2000-2003), Bo Quackenbos (1997-2000), Al Griggs (1994-1997)

LSPA’s Board Strategic Work Session

LSPA’s Board conducted a strategic planning session in September focused on prioritizing our efforts and using our resources efficiently as we work to maintain the environmental quality of the Lake Sunapee Watershed. With the increasing challenges that lie ahead, it is more important than ever that we are effective and efficient in our approaches. LSPA Board and staff remain dedicated to our approach integrating education, research, and collaborative action into all that we do.

Fall Drawdown - October 14th

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) announced the annual fall drawdown of the lakes and ponds controlled by dams owned by NHDES.

October is always the annual Lake Sunapee drawdown. This year it will occur on the 14th. Large lakes, like Lake Sunapee, generally do not reach their full drawdowns until mid or late March.

NHDES states that "lake drawdowns are conducted each fall to reduce winter ice damage to shoreline properties and to reduce spring flooding. Drawdowns also give property owners an opportunity to conduct any necessary repairs to their waterfront property, provided they first secure a permit from the DES Wetlands Bureau at (603) 271-2147."

To learn more about Lake Level Management, click here to watch a presentation LSPA hosted with Jim Gallagher and Dan Mattaini from the NHDES Dam Bureau.

Loon Updates

In the fall, loons are preparing to leave the freshwater lakes and head to the ocean where they will spend the winter. If you get a close look at an adult loon, you will notice they are molting into their winter plumage, starting with the feathers near the bill, followed by the head and back. Adults leave the lakes usually in October or November but the chicks will remain almost until ice-in. Loons typically do not molt their flight feathers until they are on their ocean wintering grounds, although with climate change and warmer winter temperatures, some begin their wing molt before leaving our lakes. They find themselves in trouble, though, because if they drop their flight feathers while on our lakes and we get a sudden cold snap, they become trapped in the ice because there isn't enough open water to take flight or they don't have enough feathers to fly!

Keep your eyes out for larger groups of loons together this fall. They become more social at this time of year and may gather in staging areas, often on larger lakes, as they head to the ocean. Loons that breed in New Hampshire typically spend the winter off the New England Coast and as far south as the Long Island Sound. If you would to see a loon this winter, take a ride to Rye Harbor (or drive along the NH coast) and you will most likely see one! Photos by K. Wilson (top) and M. Eliassen (bottom).

Snowfighters Seminar

On October 16, UNH Technology Transfer Center (UNH T2) is bringing the Snowfighters Seminar back to LSPA. During this training snow removal contractors and property managers will learn how to minimize the use of chloride products and will learn practices that will reduce their impact to water quality, including equipment calibration, application rates and how salt works and doesn't work. For more information and to register, click here.

Water Quality and Leaves

Please be aware that dumping leaves in the lake is not only a nuisance to others, it can cause a multitude of problems... murky waters, slimy lake floors, algal issues... to name just a few. Leaves, grass clippings and similar debris add nutrients to the water that use up precious oxygen as they decompose. A wide variety of aquatic organisms need that oxygen. Please be good stewards of our water and land by disposing of leaves and similar waste to a compost pile either on your land, or at a designated compost site near you. Check in with your town transfer stations; most are now accepting leaf and yard waste.

Note that even leaf piles left on impervious surfaces like driveways or along the road (a place they can’t recycle naturally back into the earth) can end up contributing additional nutrients to the lake via rainwater runoff. Raking leaves off your driveway or street can dramatically reduce the amount of phosphorus in runoff!

Please talk with your landscape contractors to make sure we are all working together to maintain our healthy waterbodies. Enjoy the wonder of autumn leaves as you recycle and add them to your plants and gardens as mulch, or shred them with your mower and put the nutrients right back into your lawn where the earth will decompose them naturally.

Leave the leaves for wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation writes, "You shouldn’t feel obligated to get rid of every last fallen leaf in your yard this fall. Leave the leaves — they offer a lot of benefits for wildlife and your garden." Read on to find out why and for tips on how to minimize the time you spend raking this autumn and maximize the benefit to wildlife and the greater environment that fallen leaves offer.

Want to learn more about the nutrients that leaves bring to your lawn and gardens?

Read:

Xerces Society's Leave the Leaves: Winter Habitat Protection

Audubon's "To Help Birds This Winter, Go Easy on Fall Yard Work"

Leave Leaves Alone

8 Ways to Use Fall Leaves in the Garden

Who cares about our lakes? Find out post-primaries!

The weekend leading up to NH’s State Primaries on September 10th, there were 16 active cyanobacteria warnings or watches across the state. Now more than ever, we need to vote like our lakes depend on it. Check out NH LAKES for voting resources.

Watershed Wise

Have you ever wondered what you can do on your own property to help protect water quality? Your landscaping choices can have a big impact. LSPA’s Watershed Wise Program helps property owners to identify changes that can be made, such as additional plantings near the water’s edge, to improve the water quality of streams, lakes and ponds within the Lake Sunapee Watershed.

LSPA staff provide a free evaluation and consultation. Owners of properties that meet the Watershed Wise criteria are awarded a plaque to display on their property. Owners of properties that don’t yet meet the criteria are provided with detailed recommendations about improvements that can be made.

The water quality of our lakes depends on the decisions and actions of individuals like you. Click here to become a Watershed Wise Partner.

Waterfront Property Transfers Now Require Septic Evaluations

As of September 1, 2024 all buyers of waterfront property with septic systems in the protected shoreland throughout New Hampshire will be required to have a professional septic system evaluation conducted by a state-licensed evaluator in advance of the sale. Reducing wastewater pollution helps reduce risks to public health and reduce the risk of other negative impacts, such as cyanobacteria blooms. Read the full NHDES article here.

Learn more about responsible septic system maintenance here. Stay up to date on local septic regulations by visiting our website.

Working on Your Dock? Check for invasives!

When you go to take your dock or boat out this fall, keep an eye out for any unusual looking plants, animals, or shells. If you spot anything new please Susie Burbidge, LSPA’s Invasive Watch program coordinator. You can also check our website for images and information on a wide variety of harmful aquatic invasives. Thank you for being a valuable and positive steward of the lake!

Closing up for the season? Preparing for winter - Dock De-icers

Now is the time to check to make sure your dock de-icer is up to code and working properly.

Set up your de-icer to form a narrow open water area around your dock (bubbler device works best for this)
Point a circulator device in a vertical direction rather than at an angle towards the middle of the lake to minimize dangerously thin ice (use a purpose built bracket rather than ropes for easier adjustment - most manufacturers offer them as an accessory)
Use a thermostat or timer to run the de-icer only when the air temperature drops below freezing
Run the device for only 2-4 hours a day

Dock de-icers that are not functioning properly can pose safety hazards for winter ice recreation like skating, skiing and fishing. They also stir up lake sediment which reduces water clarity and releases nutrients stimulating the growth of algae and cyanobacteria and they allow more light into the lake year-round, increasing plant growth and disrupting the lake’s natural winter resting period.

Lake residents are encouraged, as they prepare for winter, to double check the wiring that connects to their docks and de-icers. Remember, regular inspection, testing, and maintenance can find electrical system deficiencies that permit electric currents to pass through the water.

Learn more about dock de-icers here.

LSPA Education Events and Programs Update

Nature Exploration Story Time (NEST)

Nature Exploration Story Time started again on September 17th and will continue each Tuesday through the school year (there are exceptions, so please check LSPA’s calendar). Preschoolers and their caregivers explored the numerous initial signs of seasonal change. A wonder-filled walk had the group finding colorful leaves and noting the activity of meadow insects and birds. Monarch butterflies were the highlight of last week’s theme. The children and their accompanying adult learned fascinating facts about the endangered butterfly and the migrational patterns of many of our region’s birds and insects. Please join us in October for some fun with apples, leaves, seeds, chipmunks, pumpkins and bats! Click here for October’s schedule.

Full Moon Cruise

LSPA’s Full Moon Cruise is a seasonal favorite and this year’s cruise was another delightful success. The moon tried to find its way out from under the cloud bank, only showing itself after we returned to the harbor, but the highlights of a glorious sunset, sparkling ripples on the water with loons popping up every now and again made the evening spectacular. Proceeds from this event support LSPA’s educational programming. We are very grateful to all those who were able to join us and help sustain future educational programs.

Watershed Discovery Days

Fifth grade students from area schools will soon be arriving at LSPA’s Center for Lake Studies to participate in Watershed Discovery Days. This is a full day of hands-on learning and science activities. Students will rotate through four different stations learning about what makes up a watershed, determining the many ways water travels through the water cycle, designing their own water filter, and discovering how critical and precious clean fresh water is. Students will also explore LSPA’s exhibits and learn more about Lake Sunapee’s amazing watershed.

Resources

The LSPA Kid's Ecology Corner page highlights a wide variety of fall activities. Find out all about New Hampshire's....... Go to the Kid's Ecology Corner and find out! October is an exciting and wonderful time to explore the outdoors!

Be a Lake Sunapee Watershed Explorer!

Get outside, explore and earn a patch!

This fall is a perfect time to get to know the Lake Sunapee Watershed! LSPA invites you and your family to explore the Lake Sunapee Watershed. Enjoy the lake and the forests of the watershed while you learn a bit about the science and history of Lake Sunapee. Pick 5 of the activities from this list and when you have completed them fill out the simple documentation form on our website.

You will have good memories, new knowledge and a patch to remember the experience by!

Saving Lake Sunapee's iconic lighthouses!

Thank you to all who have contributed to the Lighthouse Fund. Supplies have been purchased for the reconstruction of the foundations for Lake Sunapee’s historic Herrick Cove and Burkehaven lighthouses. Ice damage has compromised the existing rock-filled wooden cribs, which will be replaced with steel pilings anchored in bedrock. Hansen Bridge LLC is set to start construction this fall.

LSPA has raised enough money to replace the two foundations, and is welcoming contributions that will fund long-term maintenance of the structures going forward. Many local families have already given; ALL who love Lake Sunapee’s lighthouses are encouraged to become Lighthouse Keepers by donating to the Lighthouse Fund. Gifts of all sizes are welcome. Please visit lakesunapee.org/lighthouses to learn more.

Send us your favorite pictures around the watershed!

If you have photos from around the Lake Sunapee Region from all seasons that you would like to share, send them to photos@lakesunapee.org and please include your name in your email so we can give you photo credit.