Dear Members, Neighbors, and Lake Lovers:

As we settle into the days that begin with chilly mornings and sweatshirts but end in abundant sunshine, we have a lot of exciting updates for you in this issue. As a reminder, enjoy the sun while it lasts as we prep for earlier sunsets given clocks going back one hour this coming weekend. 

Closing Up for Winter

Thursday, October 15 was the final day for our Invasive-Species-Saving Lake Hosts. While that is not their formal title, it is one worthy of mentioning. On August 30, a Lake Host was credited with a verified save by DES! Watchful eyes caught an invasive ‘European Naiad’ on a trailer attempting to enter Spofford Lake. Thank you! Pending test results, there are 3 more potential saves on Spofford Lake this season. To learn more about the critical role that Lake Hosts play, please click here.

Offseason Prep

Boat Ramp Dock - The dock at the boat ramp will be removed on/about October 26 and will have a few repairs made to hinges and brackets ahead of the Spring 2027 re-install.

Pierce Island - Thank you to SLA team lead, Art Huggins for replacing some signage and doing a bit of tidy up on Pierce Island. As a reminder, there is no burning on the Island and trash policy is carry-in/carry-out.

Weed Watchers Final Survey - Our dedicated team of volunteers reported the following: “Just wanted you to know that Jon and I conducted our final weed watch of our high risk area as well as the rest of the shoreline of the lake today (Oct 15)…” We found no invasives!

Lake Draw Down Schedule - The Town began drawing down the lake on October 15 with boards being lowered, initially, by 6 inches. After lake turnover (which is expected to occur around Thanksgiving), more boards will be removed to lower the water level to “winter level” 30 inches from the top of the dam. The lake is lowered to allow homeowners to conduct shoreline maintenance on their properties and to reduce the damage caused by winter ice.

Falling Leaves! - Speaking of maintenance, please be sure to clean up leaves around your property so that they do not end up in the lake as that just adds more unwanted phosphorus as you can read about here.

New Water Level Monitoring

A new lake level monitoring system will be installed at Ware’s Grove. All the hardware and conduits are in hand and trenching will begin late October to install the well and conduit. The electronic integration and software will be installed shortly thereafter.

Two factors motivated this project. The first is to make obtaining the measurement safer. Presently, Chesterfield Board of Selectman Gary Winn, tape measure in hand, sits on or hangs over the dam to obtain the measurement. He does this several times a week!

With safer conditions, more accurate readings will enable better lake level management. Debris builds up at the dam, from both beaver activity and other natural debris, thus making it difficult to get solid readings.

Thank you to James Corliss and Brad Roscoe for their work on this project

Membership Dues are Due!

We had very good success with letters sent in September to folks who have not yet renewed for 2026. Still there a few we have yet to hear from. Before the rush of the holidays, please make your tax-deductible contribution to the SLA and maybe add a bit more for the Lake Preservation Fund. Login into your account or send a check the Spofford Lake Association, PO Box 177, Spofford NH 03462. As always, thank you for your ongoing support.

If you don’t already, remember to seek out company match for any donations or Benevity volunteer hours.

Shop & Save!

Speaking of the holidays, do not forget about our SLA store as you think about gifts for the Lake Lover in your life! Please enjoy a 20% off coupon to the SLA Store. Use the code HOLIDAY20 at checkout. Limited edition 2026 Holiday items will also soon be added!

Chesterfield School Watershed Days

A few years ago, the Chesterfield Conservation Commission (CCC) designed a multi-year, multi-part project on Chesterfield’s watersheds. In 2026, youth education, specifically middle schoolers, was the focus.

In collaboration with the CCC and the Chesterfield School, and using our experts, the SLA was proud to participate in educating the next generation.

To launch the study of watersheds, Susie Spikol, (Harris Center) shared her love for and the lifestyle of otters, an indicator species of a healthy watershed. That afternoon, the SLA’s Harry Compton and Chris Oot took the stage to educate the students on Spofford Lake and what the SLA is doing to keep and protect our lake (Thanks to Peter H, who put together a PowerPoint). Students gained knowledge in seasonal temperature conditions, what conditions may harm and how we are taking care of our lake.

One student noted, "This is like a college course."

A few days later, the students spend the entire school day learning outdoors at the Camp Spofford (Thanks Dan S) with 8 different learning stations. Compton and Oot, along with Susan Donahue coached students on water sampling and what the results have been in Spofford.

The Weed Watch program details were shared by the SLA's Lauren Turner, CCC's Lynne Borofsky, and Georgia Bunnell, Exotic Program Coordinator (NHDES). Georgia passed around live specimens of native and exotic milfoil for the students to compare. Hopefully, that is the closest Spofford Lake will ever be to exotic milfoil!

Emily Peters from NH Audubon talked about loons and eagles and noted Spofford’s habitat as a healthy one.

With an engaging performance, Andy Woodcock, Chesterfield resident and retired meteorologist, demonstrated the use of an Enviroscape and how water running downhill brings numerous chemicals and contaminants into the watershed.

Students engaged in building dams, farms and houses, and watching the impact that running water has on the landscape with the Stream Table that Abby Reed from the Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District (WCNRCD) brought for the day. Water play is always fun and informative!

The last learning station was at the boat ramp. Mike Powell (SLA Lake Host) and Kelly Beerman (Connecticut River Conservancy's Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager) discussed detrimental plant life and how our very own Lake Hosts check boats, kayaks, and trailers for any "hitch-hikers" that might try sneak into Spofford Lake. The students got a chance to inspect a kayak with hidden plastic invasives.

The CCC members, Kathy Thatcher and Ken Holvik kept the groups moving, taking pictures along the way.

It was a classic Fall Spofford Lake day, chilly morning fog turned into clear sunshine with mild waves and many sightings of our bird friends diving for a mealtime treat. This was a day of connections, of adults, students and nature through a hands-on place-based learning experience for all.

Thank you to all our partners, the Chesterfield Public School Foundation for financial support and the work of Chesterfield School’s inspirational 5th grade teacher, Laura White. 

Reeling in a Whopper

Mike Calamari shares the following:

“…my Son turned 13 on September 23rd and he asked if we could go fishing in NH as part of his birthday present (we are from Central MA). I agreed… (we) arrived at Spofford Lake at sunrise. It didn't take long and Adam hooked this Monster (37" Northern Pike). This is the first Northern Pike he has ever caught and it made his day! We released the beautiful fish back into the lake.”

Congratulations Adam and happy belated birthday from the SLA!

Ice Out Lottery

The SLA will once again be holding an Ice Out Lottery for the winter season. Be on the lookout for details on how to enter on/around December 1 at a cost of $10 per entry. Proceeds will be contributed to the SLA Lake Preservation Fund.

Last But Not Least

If you have been keeping up with all the hard work the SLA puts in, you know that our focus is keeping our beautiful lake healthy today and well into the future. This includes, e.g., monitoring phosphorus and dissolved oxygen levels, and keeping an eye out for cyanobacteria blooms. You have probably heard us also refer to a “tipping point,” which would require extensive treatment to restore a body of water to a healthy state. We are not alone on this journey. This article documents efforts from our friends at Moultonborough’s Lake Kanasatka, who embarked on an alum chemical treatment in 2024 that seems to be paying off. We hope to bring members of their lake association to one of our 2027 meetings.

Enjoy the colors. 🍁

Sincerely,

The Spofford Lake Association