Cyanobacteria, Lake Level, Lake Preservation Fund, and Community Events th Fun, Annual Meeting, August 17 |
Dear Members, Neighbors, and Lake Lovers: A bit more on the Annual Meeting Report: Our featured speaker, Laura Diemer, FB Environmental, provided “Spofford Lake’s Health Report.” Her original presentation, as posted to the website did NOT contain her speaker notes. A few folks asked for those notes, which she has provided. They can be found here. Also, we have updated the webpage with our new officers and Board members. Lake Water Level: During the Annual Meeting, a member suggested that the Lake was running high, as judged by rocks and docks. To remind everyone, the Summer Water Level is 14 inches from the top of the dam. The Town actively manages the water level by adjusting the boards to maintain that level bearing in mind anticipated rain events or the lack thereof in the coming days/weeks. Another factor is the activity level of our local beavers, whose gnawed off branches accumulate at the dam and slow the outflow of water. These branches are removed regularly by the Town. On August 16, the Boards were set at 15 inches. The water is at Summer Level, 14 inches. Weather Station: While you are on the Lake Level webpage, check out the Spofford Weather station, hosted by a local resident. Cyanobacteria Mapping: We have learned that our experiences with and history of cyanobacteria blooms will play a role in receiving a State permit for any future remediation that might become necessary. Most commonly, lakes experience planktonic cyanobacteria, the floating blue green paint type. Spofford is, however, atypical. The predominant type of cyanobacteria here is benthic, the thick, black, sludgy variety, which forms mats on the lake bottom, but through wave and wind action break off, rise to the surface, and land, perhaps, on your beach. To get a better handle on the location and species of the mats, a team from FB Environmental, the University of NH, and NH DES will film, with an underwater drone, the littoral (shoreline) area to create a map of our benthic mats. Weather permitting, the team will be here on Thursday, August 27 (back-up date is Tuesday, September 1) for 6-8 hours. The team will begin its work on the western shore, where most mats have been reported. We expect most, if not all, of the Lake will be mapped. So, if you see a small craft moving slowly in front of your home on August 27, never fear it’s the cyanobacteria team. Give them a wave of thanks. We’ll share the findings as soon as we are able. Reporting a Bloom: It’s the season when cyanobacteria tends to appear, though the cooler weather help minimize blooms. Be on the lookout for either benthic mats or blue green paint variety, see sidebar. Report any bloom to both NH DES and the Spofford Lake Association. Our cyanobacteria team will investigate the bloom, sending samples off for analysis. For your reference, our cyanobacteria webpage includes the links above to report a bloom. Lake Preservation Fund (LPF): The LPF was first established to create a rainyday fund to combat any milfoil infestation. In 2024, the purpose of the LPF was broadened to enable use of the fund to remediate declining lake health. We have made good progress on building the Fund, taking in earmarked donations and regularly transferring funds from the SLA operating account to the Fund. With some sort of remediation likely in our future, preceded by an array of ever-more specific tests or other projects, e.g., cyanobacteria mapping, we urge you to help us build our reserves. To donate to the LPF, please send a check to the SLA, Box 177, Spofford NH 03462 or login into your account. In either case, indicate that the funds are intended for the Lake Preservation Fund (rather than Membership). We and Spofford Lake thank you so you much for your ongoing support. Spofford Yacht Club: The Spofford Yacht Club has membership openings. To inquire and get details, contact SpoffordYachtClub.com. Community Events:
Our Inbox: Testimonials. “First of all, THANK YOU for all your hard work and commitment to the SLA and newsletter and the multiple things that happen behind the scenes that we don’t see. We appreciate it more than you know. “We had the best 4th of July ever! Fireworks at Camp Spofford were amazing! I only wish we could have cloned ourselves so we could have seen Echo Cove’s as well. “The boat parade was incredible! More boats than ever. Our only complaint was when they arrived at our part of the lake, boats were 3 and 4 deep so we couldn’t see and admire them all…. We remember the days they’d all loop around for a 2nd or even a 3rd pass. Thank you again for all you do! … (and thanks to Val Starbuck for keeping the loons safe).” --------- “Thank you for all you do for wonderful Spofford Lake! “ In Memoriam: The SLA would like to extend its condolences to the families of Kathy Green and Sean Plumb on their recent passing. We understand both Kathy and Sean were long time devotees of Spofford Lake. Kathy thought of Spofford as ‘her happy place.” The SLA is pleased to accept the donations sent from a resident family in Kathy’s memory and that of Scott Samson. Enjoy the rest of the summer, The Spofford Lake Association | Benthic Cyanobacteria
Planktonic Cyanobacteria 
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Water Quality
 | Spofford Lake Association PO Box 177 |