Dear Members, Neighbors, and Lake Lovers:  Hope you’re having a wonderful summer enjoying the Lake. We’ve spent this month “digging deep” on Spofford!  Here’s the latest:  

Core Sediment Sampling Complete:  On Tuesday, August 12, a field team from FB Environmental (Laura Diemer and Amelia Wallis) conducted core sediment sampling at 12 locations across Spofford Lake, including the deep spot.  Armed with a 25+ pound gravity corer — think of it as a heavy tube that plunges into the lakebed to collect layers of sediment — the team gathered samples along major flow lines and at varying depths within Spofford Lake. 

These samples were sent to the highly regarded University of Wisconsin Stout Lab for analysis of the different fractions of phosphorous, allowing for an estimate of the total mass of phosphorus stored in the lakebed and, importantly, the portion of phosphorus that could be released into the water column when deep waters lose oxygen, a condition which occurs each summer in Spofford. 

As you may recall from our report on August 1, (check the Archive) the data coming from the continuous monitoring buoy located over the deep spot, shows prolonged periods of low dissolved oxygen (DO) at 14 and 16 meters. When bottom waters go anoxic (oxygen-free), sediments release phosphorus, a condition called “internal loading,” which can fuel excessive toxic algae and plant growth.  The August 12 samples will assist in determining the scope of any remedial action. 

What’s Next?  Test results are expected at the end of October. The SLA will hold a public meeting, likely in early November, at the Town Hall and via Zoom, to explain the results and our future steps.

Many thanks to Art Huggins and James Corliss for providing assistance in the field to enable this important work.  

By the way, we are working on a video of the core sediment sampling.  We will share it shortly in a special edition of the Gazette. 

Water Quality Monitoring Testing: The WQMP On-Shore and Deep Spot Teams will be back at it on the morning of Tuesday, August 26, gathering our third set of samples for this season at 28 locations in and around the watershed. The final on-shore testing date this year is September 30.  All the results and trends from this year will also be shared at the November public meeting,  

Membership Dues are Due:  Thank you to all who have already made  their donations this year! It truly helps our planning to receive them as early as possible. 

Just to keep it fun for those receiving and logging membership dues, here’s what one member sent us.  (This is not the first time.)  Thank you.  It brings us a chuckle every time.

Please follow the jokester’s lead and renew your SLA membership now.  Members with online accounts can log in here. If you are not a member, we would be delighted if you join to help us help Spofford Lake.  Please use this link to set up an account.  Or if you’d to prefer to pay by check, our mailing address is The Spofford lake Association, PO Box 177, Spofford NH 03462.  Members and newbies alike, thanks for your continuing support.

Wear Spofford Lake Proud—Get your SLA Gear:  It’s still summer.  But soon the temps will dip and we’ll all be looking for long sleeves, sweats, and maybe a vest.  Now is the time to place your order for SLA branded fall and winter gear.  It takes 2-3 weeks to fulfill an order.  Everything beyond the cost of the merchandise goes directly to the SLA, so this is another great way to donate, while showing off your Spofford Lake style.

New Invasive Species, Spiny Water Flea:  This new invasive has already been found in Lakes Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam.  While small, it poses harm in many ways:

• Impacts fish population as the fleas are dangerous for young fish to eat and they compete for native foods, 
• Increased susceptibility to cyanobacteria and algae blooms, and, 
• Decline in recreation.

What Can Be Done?  According to NH LAKES, there is no known control method ONCE the spiny flea has been introduced into a waterbody.  Prevention is the KEY.  

• Here are the steps you can take to assure Spofford remains clear of the spiny water flea.

1.   Know what to look  for-- smaller than a fingernail, long spiny tail, large black eyespot, and clumping together on a line or rope

2. Clean your craft with high pressure (2500psi) and hot (water (140 degrees F) in an area where water won’t run into the lake.  
3. Soak your gear in hot water.  That includes fishing lines, lures, and nets.  Boat lines too!.
4. Dry everything.
5. Report it.  Drop a pin in Google maps, email your pin and photos to Amy.P.Smagula@des.nh.gov.  For more information, visit NH LAKES.

319 Runoff Grants:  Spofford Lake has benefitted greatly from being awarded two Section 319 grants.  These grants have addressed serious stormwater runoff problems at e.g., B&K Club, Family Rec Club, Lake Rd, and Linfield Lane.  

Section 319 grants are made possible by provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act and are administered by each state. Steve Landry, the NH DES director administering program advises that ‘2026 requests for pre-proposals for Section 319 Watershed Assistance Grants …. are being delayed.’ This delay will remain in effect until NHDES has more certainty in the grant awards that will be provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Earlier this year the engineering and design study of stormwater runoff from the Pinnacle Springs Road area was completed.  It was envisaged that remediation work would be accomplished through 319 grants. 

The SLA will continue to identify all opportunities for improving the health of the lake, but no remedial action is currently planned until there is more certainty around  319 grant program.

We trust you are enjoying the summer, 

Kind regards, 

The Spofford Lake Association