Dear Members, Friends, and Lake Lovers: 

Boat Ramp Parking Lot Construction:  Work is set to begin, weather permitting, on April 22 to address collapsing retention drains.  Fingers crossed that the work will be completed by the end of the week.  For the storage of equipment and materials, it is expected that the parking area will be closed.  Ware’s Grove will be available for your parking needs.  Please pay attention to all posted signs and to any workers or Lake Hosts that might be in the area.  

SLA Website Privacy Policy: The SLA has recently engaged the firm Termly to help us manage our compliance with data privacy requirements. A number of new policies were put into place in mid/late March. When you next visit the SLA website, you will be asked to establish your cookie preferences, much like you do on all other websites.  Please visit our new policy center and take some time to familiarize yourself with these new policies.  

Be aware that the SLA only shares information with two outside sources, Affinipay and Google Analytics.  Affinipay processes online membership subscriptions and event payments, e.g., annual meeting tickets.  Google Analytics tells us, in a non-customer-specific way, about traffic on the website and the types of devices (e.g., phone, table) accessing content.  If you have any questions, please reach out to us. 

SLA Board Meetings:  The dates for 2024 Board Meetings have been set for the second Monday of each month during the season.  The dates can be found on our Board Meetings page.  A hearty welcome to Dianne Champion who will represent the Spofford Yacht Club at SLA meetings. 

Become a LakeSmart Business Partner:  The SLA is working hard to remediate runoff and assure a healthy lake.  An important part of this process is making sure there are businesses you can trust to do work in a lake-friendly way.  NH LAKES is looking for more service providers in Cheshire County that understand the value of clean and healthy lakes to our environment, community, and economy.  Why not suggest that your current landscaper, septic pumper or inspector, or snow removal team explore how becoming a LakeSmart Service Partner might set them apart from others in the field.   For more information, visit NH LAKES or email the program coordinator.  

Worsening Dissolved Oxygen / Internal Phosphorus Loading:  Last month we reported (see the Archive) on the results of the updated Lake Loading Response model.  It identified a dramatic increase in internal phosphorus loading.  While the SLA and Town are working hard to resolve systemic culprits of stormwater runoff, homeowners too can pitch in to help us re-balance the Lake.  Here are 6 things to do this Spring: 

• Remove from the shoreline/beaches any plant matter that has accumulated over the winter months.  Decaying leaves only add to the phosphorous problem.
• Skip man-made lawn fertilizer.  Adopt a lake-friendly approach by using lawn clippings.
• Ditch dyed (e.g., red or brown) mulch.  Use undyed wood chips instead. 
• Use native landscaping plants wherever possible.  Their roots systems are more robust and provide better soil filtration.  
• Direct drains to slowly disperse water into rocky or vegetated areas.
• Add rain barrels to capture the Spring showers for later use.

Renew Your Membership in 2024:  It’s time to renew your membership.  To do so online, click here.  If you prefer to send a check, our mailing address is; The Spofford Lake Association, PO Box 177, Spofford NH 03462.  Thank you.  We very much appreciate your continuing support.

In 2023, SLA received a number of matching employer donations.  Will your employer match your personal donation to the SLA?  Please inquire with your Human Resources department to find out.  Thank you.

SLA Store:  Spring is in the air and it’s time to freshen your wardrobe.  Show your Spofford spirit this summer with a logoed T-shirt, cap, mug, hoodie or even an apron.  

Annual Meeting:  The Annual meeting is set for Saturday, July 27 at the Spofford Yacht Club.  The rain date is Sunday, July 28.  Mark your calendar and keep reading this Gazette for ticketing info. 

Cyanobacteria, NH’s Statewide Strategy:  In February, NH DES held a Zoominar on the State’s Cyanobacteria Action Plan.  Attended by 400 folks, the results of the session have been posted on YouTube.  On Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 12pm, NHDES will host its third webinar based on the startegies and actions identified in the NH Cyanobacteria Plan: Statewide Strategy.  Click here for more information about the program and to register for this free Zoominar.

Town Vote: We failed to mention in the last Gazette that Budget Article 36 also passed overwhelmingly.  This article allows the Town to expend monies (up to $10,500) on environmental lawyers to investigate what might be usefully done with the contaminated properties on Route 9A, the former Spofford Garage, Electronics Company, and Pierce’s Mill.

Bass Tournaments:  Eight tournaments will be held this season.  Please refer to our calendar or visit NH Department of Wildlife.

Kind regards, The Spofford Lake Association