It's Salt Season

Salt is an important tool for keeping roads, parking lots, and walkways safe in winter, but it also pollutes waterways. Under current state and federal guidelines, a teaspoon of salt is enough to permanently pollute five gallons of water. Recent studies suggest even smaller quantities of salt can be toxic to freshwater ecosystems like Newfound Lake.

After a snowstorm, melting snow dissolves road salt and it washes into waterways. The chloride in salt doesn't break down, so once it is in the water it is there to stay. Over time, it can accumulate to toxic levels. The biggest impact is on zooplankton - tiny organisms that keep water clear by eating algae and phytoplankton and an important food source for fish and other predators. Declines in zooplankton can mean murkier water and fewer fish and wildlife.

Last year NLRA joined a national program, Salt Watch, to track road salt pollution in the streams and rivers that flow to Newfound Lake. The good news is that tests showed relatively low levels of salt pollution!

This year, we are expanding the Salt Watch program to better understand the impact of road salt on Newfound's waters...and we need your help!

We are looking for volunteers to test waterways for salt pollution after winter storms. Volunteers choose from one or more of our 35 monitoring sites, perform a simple 5 minutes test, and report the results to NLRA.

Learn more at NewfoundLake.org/volunteer or email Conservation Program Manager Paul Pellissier: Paul@NewfoundLake.org

Stopping Salt Pollution

Take these simple steps to help keep salt pollution out of Newfound's waterways:

• Shovel first. Salting without removing snow only leads to slush and ice.
• Use salt only in the right conditions. Salt is most effective around 30° F, and quickly loses effectiveness in colder temperatures. In colder weather, use sand for traction instead.
• Use salt sparingly. A single 12-oz mug is enough to cover twenty feet of driveway.
• Sweep it up. Sweep up leftover salt and it can be reused after the next storm!
• Use a Green SnowPro certified snow removal contractor. Find a list here, or ask your contractor to get certified today.
• Stay indoors during storms. Can your errand wait? Let conditions improve and give road crews time to clear the roads before you venture out.  

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Newfound Lake faces growing threats from pollution, toxic cyanobacteria, and invasive species. Make a donation today to support the on-the-ground, year-round programs build Newfound's resilience to these challenges.

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