Dear Members, Neighbors, and Lake Lovers:

Boat Ramp Update:  The goal of this project is to reconstruct the boat ramp to make launching and retrieving watercraft safer and easier. Among other improvements, a new concrete ramp extends an additional 30 feet into and under the water. This design will prevent the formation of 'power-loading' berms. Unseasonably dry weather helped us draw down the lake such that 'in water' construction work was largely completed in 3 days. 

While more work is still to be done, the most challenging parts of the project have been completed. Installation of permeable pavers and a new asphalt apron will have to wait till spring 

In the meantime, the boards at the spillway were re-installed on November 27 to allow the Lake to rise to the 'managed' winter level. This should allow plenty of time to bring the water back to summer levels by May.

Many thanks to all who had a hand in this project.  The Board of Selectmen agreed to the project, created the Boat Ramp Committee and allocated a portion of the Town's ARPA allotment to fund the project. Ron Coburn contributed his time, expertise, and money. Pat Rawson Construction of West Chesterfield is the general contractor and Jeff Carter, Concrete Works of Spofford is the concrete provider. Civilworks New England of Dover is the consulting engineering firm. Again, thanks to all. 

All Hail Our Volunteers:  Many many thanks to you all.  Here are a few year-end thoughts from our team leads. 

Stormwater Runoff Grants (aka 319 grants): Team Lead, Bruce Soltys.   As we close out 2024, we are happy to report that the work associated with the phase 2 funds of the 319 grant has been completed at the third and final shoreline property (Silverdale).  In addition, the final phase of the boat ramp parking lot renovation is also complete now that a new outlet pipe has been installed on the east side of the boat ramp. 

Lake Hosts:  Team Lead, Frank Turner.  Our Lake Hosts had an improbable find of an invasive species, which was sent to the state lab for verification. An unusual plant was noticed on the underside of a new boat's trailer. The owner stated his new boat had not been in the water yet. What the owner didn't know (or remember) was that a test run, apparently in an infected waterbody, had been made by the person who sold him the boat and trailer. This is why every boat is inspected.

In 2024, across the state, over 87,000 inspections were made with 87 suspicious specimen being tested, 7 of which are considered “saves,” including the one from Spofford.  In 2002, 45 ramps had Lake Host coverage.  By last year that number had grown to 93.  

Water Quality Monitoring Program:  Team lead, Chris Oot.  Our team sampled for Total Phosphorus during Spring turnover shortly after Ice Out when the water in the Lake is fully mixed. They also sampled in May, July, August, and September to collect data on biological and chemical parameters monitored under the NH DES Volunteer Lake Assessment Program.  Our VLAP program comprises: 1) sampling at 20 stations on selected tributaries draining into the Lake and at the Lake outlet, 2) taking bacteria (E. coli) samples at all 7 beaches and the boat launch, and 3) taking temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles, various types of other water samples and water clarity measurements at the Deep Spot (depth ~60 feet). The only remaining activity to complete this year is the measurement of Total Phosphorous during Fall turnover, which we expect will be done sometime in the next few weeks.

In 2024, a continuous monitoring buoy (CMB) was installed at the Deep Spot.  The CMB, submerged so that it won’t interfere with boating activities, will take constant readings of temperature and dissolved oxygen.  This data will provide a better understanding of the changes over time in the amount of dissolved oxygen at different depths.  The SLA, the Town, and the Conservation Commission all contributed to fund the cost of purchasing and deploying the CMB.  Thank you. 

And sincere thanks to all the volunteers who contributed in many different ways to the success of the 2024 WQMP.  

Weed Watch, Aquatic Invasive Species:  Team Lead, Val Starbuck.  Our 25 Weed Watch (WW) volunteers scour the entire shoreline once or twice a summer to search for any exotic invasive weed or animal that may have set roots.  Our hope is to catch any invasive while the patch is still small.

Our partners, the Lake Hosts, are doing an excellent job and once again found an exotic weed hitchhiking a ride on a boat and pulled it off before it could enter our waters.  

With this two-step process in place, our lake is well protected but not 100% safe from invasives coming in.  I encourage all of you to check out the SLA website to learn about the weeds that are native to Spofford Lake and those that are invasive.  If you patrol around your own dock and shore areas the lake will be even more protected.

In early November, after the lake level was lowered, my husband and I took a two and one-half hour boat ride around the shoreline to do a final search.  We did NOT find any invasives, and in fact we found very few weeds at all.  Our own shoreline has been full of large pondweed over the last few years but very little detected this year. The weed watch volunteers have told me the same thing over the summer.  I'm not sure for the reason behind the decreased weed coverage, but it's a good thing.  

Lake Spofford continues to dodge the invasive weed bullet, and we can all be very thankful for that.  See you next year.

Different Lakes, Many of the Same Problems:  Many lakes in NH are facing similar if not some of the same problems: cyanobacteria, invasive aquatic species, over development, high phosphorous levels, and so on.  Many lake associations also ask our local communities to pitch in to control the problems.  Here's how the Lake Sunapee Protective Association approaches road/driveway salt, which seems apt for Spofford.  Thank you LSPA for your helpful information. 

“What’s the Problem with Road Salt?  Most ice melting products contain chloride which is: 

• toxic to aquatic life
• damaging to plants
• corrosive to vehicles
• harmful to pets

Lake Friendly Tips to Reduce YOUR Impact this Winter

• shovel & scrape—to minimize the need for salt, don’t let snow build up
• apply sand and ashes if needed for traction—these materials can be swept up and reused later
• apply ice melting products sparingly.  A little goes a long way. You do not need to feel the CRUNCH. 
• use chloride free alternatives, such as Branch Creek Entry Ice Melt, available at Hamshaw’s in Keene. And be aware, “pet safe” does not mean the product is lake-friendly.  
• use a snowplow service?  Support those who are Green SnowProcertified by the State. "

Thanks for the Thanks:  This just in from a member who renewed her membership…”Thank you for everything the Association is doing to sustain our beloved lake!!”  Have you renewed your membership?  Click here to do so or send a check to PO Box 177, Spofford, NH 03462.

Kind regards, 

The Spofford Lake Association