Volume LXXVII~ September 2024

Harbor Happenings

Welcome September and Happy Labor Day weekend! September 22nd marks the official start of autumn. It’s hard to believe the final weeks of summer are already upon us. Even with what is considered LSPA's "busy season" coming to an end, our team is still working hard to navigate through challenges to ensure the safety and preservation of the Lake Sunapee Watershed.

Our doors are open here at the Center for Lake Studies, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Come in and explore our exhibits and discover the dynamic role the Lake Sunapee Watershed plays in keeping area lakes and ponds healthy habitats for all. You can support the Lake Sunapee Watershed by becoming an LSPA member. Be part of what it takes to preserve this watershed for the future generations to come!

Click here to become a member.

Save The Date For This Upcoming September Event:

Full Moon Cruise

Tuesday, September 17

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Boarding Time - 5:15 PM

Please click here to purchase your tickets.

Join LSPA for an excursion under the light of the full moon. Refreshments will be served during this annual fundraiser for LSPA’s education programs.

Challenge Grant for Water Quality Projects - Additional $60,000 raised!

We reached the $30,000 goal for the Watershed Challenge Grant from the generosity of thirty donors. Thank you to Steve Howard for creating this challenge grant and matching the $30,000 fundraised. This will allow for an additional $60,000 to be used on projects outlined in the Watershed Management Plan.

A distant picture of five loons together in Jobs Creek on August 20. Photo by Kristen Begor.

Loon Updates

As of late August, the lone loon chick on Lake Sunapee is still doing well! At approximately 10 weeks old it is able to catch much of its own food, but it will continue to beg its parents for food as most tweens do! Click here to read more about loon chick development.

LSPA was happy to host a potluck for Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) volunteers on August 19. Volunteers from Lake Sunapee, Lake Coniston (aka Long Pond), Kolelemook Lake, Messer Pond and Pleasant Lake gathered for a wonderful meal followed by a great presentation by LPC Executive Director/Senior Biologist Harry Vogel.

He presented preliminary results from the 2024 nesting season which showed about 350 pairs of loons in the state but fewer nesting pairs this year. Higher temperatures in June and July most likely contributed to lower hatching success too. So far 7 loons have died in New Hampshire from ingesting lead fishing sinkers or lead-headed jigs. Lead poisoning is the leading cause of adult loon mortality in NH and is completely preventable by using lead-free fishing tackle. Did you know that LPC has a lead tackle buy-back program? Since 2018, about 57,000 pieces of lead tackle have been collected so far. That's a major win for our loons and other wildlife! To learn more click here.

Saying goodbye to our 2024 Interns - Thank you Noelle, Ryan, Danny & Vinny!

Summer 2024 has come to a close and we said goodbye to our four amazing interns at the end of August.

Ryan is heading into his senior year at Franklin Pierce University. After Ryan graduates he is hoping to find a career path that allows him to stay in New Hampshire. Ryan shared his favorite part of the internship was going out and collecting water samples at Lake Sunapee’s deep sites.

Vinny graduated in spring 2024 from New England College. He is deciding if he wants to enter a Master’s Program focusing on genetics at UNH or take a position as a lab technician. Vinny shared his favorite part of the internship was collecting samples for the Lake Sunapee eDNA project which entailed kayaking on the lake. Vinny will pass the project along to Will Scala.

Welcome Will!

Welcome Will Scala! This fall Will is going to do an internship with LSPA for college credit at New England College. He will continue the eDNA project started by Vinny Leone who graduated from New England College in spring 2024. Working in collaboration with Dr. Geoff Cook of New England College and UNH’s Hubbard Center for Genome Studies, Will is investigating the biodiversity of Lake Sunapee and how it is related to conductivity. This research will help us better understand the potential impacts of road salt on the food webs of lake ecosystems.

Keeping an Eye Out for Cyanobacteria on Lake Sunapee

Lake Sunapee remains free of cyanobacteria blooms so far this year, but September is a time when we often see an increase in Gloeotrichia echinulata (or Gloeo for short), a type of cyanobacteria found in Lake Sunapee. It is the only species of cyanobacteria that is visible to the naked eye and it looks like a small, fuzzy yellowish sphere in the water.

To report a potential bloom, please call LSPA at (603) 763-2210 or send an email to Susie at susieb@lakesunapee.org. We will come take a look and collect a water sample if necessary. You can also call or text the DES hotline at (603) 848-8094 or email HAB@des.nh.gov. Or report your sightings directly to NHDES using their online form. If you suspect a bloom, please avoid contact with the water and keep your children and pets out too. One good rule of thumb is if it resembles a starry night, there is probably a low risk, but if it resembles the Milky Way galaxy, you should not go in the water. "When in doubt, stay out!"

A cyanobacteria bloom on Little Lake Sunapee from 2023.

While cyanobacteria are naturally occurring in our lakes, certain environmental conditions can lead to blooms, including extra nutrients running into the water, bright days with plentiful light and warm temperatures. Here are some steps that every landowner can take to help reduce the chance of a cyanobacteria bloom:

Do not apply fertilizer within 100+ feet of shorelines and streams
Pump your septic tank every 3 years and inspect the whole system frequently
Pick up your pet waste
Direct stormwater and roof runoff into rain gardens and natural areas
Minimize your lawn area and plant a wide buffer (at least 50 feet or more) if your property is along the water's edge

LSPA Water Quality Buoy - Seeking Winter Storage Location

LSPA is seeking a location to store and secure the water quality buoy in Sunapee Harbor to prevent ice damage between October and May on an annual basis. The new buoy needs to be in water with a minimum depth of 8 feet, taking into consideration winter lake drawdown, due to the suspended instrument cage and ballast weight. Please let LSPA's Watershed Director, Geoff Lizotte, (geoff@lakesunapee.org) know if you have a boat slip or pier in deep enough water and are willing to help us in this endeavour.

Thank you for joining us at Love Your Lake Day & the Antique Boat Parade!

On August 11th over 100 people came through the Center for Lake Studies to celebrate our love and appreciation for the incredible gifts Lake Sunapee shares with us at Love Your Lake Day. The event concluded with LSPA’s annual Antique Boat Parade. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us!

Antique Boat photos by Midge Eliassen.

Congrats Jerry Cooper!

Executive Director, Elizabeth Harper, presented Jerry Cooper with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Secchi Disk Award at LSPA’s annual Volunteer Appreciation BBQ on August 14th. The Secchi Disk Award recognizes individuals who display outstanding volunteerism. Jerry has dedicated over two decades to NHDES’s Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (VLAP) sampling on his home lake, Kolelemook, in Springfield. Jerry’s volunteer efforts also included serving as the Town of Springfield’s representative on LSPA’s Board.

If you would like to volunteer with LSPA, please click here.

Two Great Workshops at LSPA This Fall!

An Erosion Control Field Day is being held at LSPA on September 20 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. It is designed for code compliance officers, public works personnel, town boards that approve plans and service professionals working in soils, erosion control, water quality and stormwater system designs. Erosion Control has changed dramatically over the years and new technologies are constantly in development. This full day training will help participants stay current on useful practices and will incorporate both classroom sessions and outdoor, hands-on demonstrations in small group settings.

This event is being held in partnership with Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) and the Sullivan & Merrimack County Conservation Districts. Click here to download a brochure with more information about the event.

In mid-October, we will be hosting a Snowfighter's Seminar with UNH T2. This workshop will review best practices and innovations in winter operations including equipment and anti-icing & de-icing options and hands-on equipment calibration. Discussion will include how salt works - and how it doesn't work - brine, liquids, and pre-treat & pre-wet options, as well as determining application rates from awareness of pavement and air temperature, weather forecast, and other variables. Winter safety, pre-season and pre and post-trip inspection, driver wellness and defensive & safe driving will also be discussed.

Seats are limited so please help us spread the word to your local snow removal contractors. Click here for the registration link.

Watershed Wise

Have you ever wondered what you can do on your own property to help protect water quality? Your landscaping choices can have a big impact. LSPA’s Watershed Wise Program helps property owners to identify changes that can be made, such as additional plantings near the water’s edge, to improve the water quality of streams, lakes and ponds within the Lake Sunapee Watershed.

Thank you to Mike Morgan of Little Lake Sunapee for becoming LSPA's newest Watershed Wise Partner!

LSPA staff provide a free evaluation and consultation. Owners of properties that meet the Watershed Wise criteria are awarded a plaque to display on their property. Owners of properties that don’t yet meet the criteria are provided with detailed recommendations about improvements that can be made.

The water quality of our lakes depends on the decisions and actions of individuals like you. Click here to become a Watershed Wise Partner in 2024.

Septic Smart Week: September 16th - 20th

Join LSPA in celebrating SepticSmart Week! SepticSmart week was developed by the EPA and focuses on the importance of maintaining septic systems. Proper septic system maintenance is critical to help protect the water quality of our lakes and will also help extend the life of the septic system. To learn more about septic systems and to find a list of local septic service providers, visit LSPA's website here. Help protect the Lake Sunapee Watershed by following the tips below not just this week but all year long!

How to Maintain & Extend the Life of Your System:

Routinely Clean & Inspect System - Have a septic service professional pump your tank and clean filter(s) every 3 years or sooner & inspect entire system if it's 10 years or older.
Protect the Drainfield - Keep field clear of trees & shrubs and avoid driving on it to prevent damage to the system.
Practice Indoor Water Conservation - Fix leaks, install low flow fixtures, use water efficient appliances and spread out daily water use to minimize stress to the system.
Flush Only Toilet Paper - Don't use your commode as a trash can!
Limit What Goes Down the Drain - Don't dispose of grease, food waste, chemicals or paint down the drain and avoid using a garbage disposal. The materials can prevent the system from operating properly.

LSPA Education

August brought LSPA’s final summer programming to a close. The Natural History Cruise made a beautiful late afternoon circuit around the lake. Participants joined in interactive activities, examining specimens, and learning about the flora and fauna in

the watershed. Thank you to Sunapee Cruises for an exceptional event! LSPA was grateful to collaborate with the Sunapee Historical Society and Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust on two other great programs, Corbin’s Animal Park and a Dragonfly Walk.

The first week of August found the LSPA Educators walking among dragonflies with Ausbon Sargent’s Interim Executive Director Andy Deegan, and Forest Society's Reservation Stewardship & Engagement Director and LSPA Board Member, Carrie Deegan. An excited group of dragonfly enthusiasts learned the various distinctions between the diverse families of dragonflies found at the Esther Currier Wildlife Management Area in New London. Though the day was extremely hot, which the dragonflies love, participants still chased and observed countless numbers of the amazing colorful insects!

The last of the summer Nature Exploration Story Times were held in August. The Discovery Room was bursting with activity! The theme of rocks was a big hit and, after reading “Everyone Needs a Rock,” children explored rock stations weighing, measuring, balancing, and observing the incredible differences and uniqueness of the wide variety of rock samples. Everyone left the morning with beautiful samples of mica donated to LSPA by the Eliassen family.

LSPA Educators are gearing up for the school year. Lessons on seasonal changes, migration, and what plants and animals do in preparation for winter top the docket for programs. In the fall, area 5th graders can participate in Watershed Discovery Days.

Students from the local schools are invited to come to LSPA’s Center for Lake Studies to explore what makes a watershed, discover how water moves and cycles through our

environment, investigate how to design a water filter, and learn how everything is connected - with water being the critical unifying component.

Teachers! Save the Date!

Thursday, September 26th

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

LSPA Open House for Educators!

Come explore all that LSPA has to offer in support of your science curriculums.

Refreshments will be served!

Nature Exploration Story Time (NEST)

Tuesday September 17th & September 24th

10:00 AM

Come join LSPA environmental educators for nature themed activities on September 17th and 24th at LSPA’s Center for Lake Studies. Each Tuesday will offer a different theme and include a story, activities, a craft, and exploration. These programs are designed for young children and their caregivers. They are free and open to all! We look forward to welcoming you in the Discovery Room, a room full of fun ways to investigate the out of doors. In September we will explore the seasonal change to Autumn and Monarchs and Migration. We look forward to seeing you!

Resources

The LSPA Kid's Ecology Corner page highlights a wide variety of summer activities. Find out all about New Hampshire's incredible frogs, birds, and fish. How can we help wildlife during heatwaves? Go to the Kid's Ecology Corner and find out! September is an exciting and wonderful time to explore the outdoors!

Be a Lake Sunapee Watershed Explorer!

Get outside, explore and earn a patch!

This fall is a perfect time to get to know the Lake Sunapee Watershed! LSPA invites you and your family to explore the Lake Sunapee Watershed. Enjoy the lake and the forests of the watershed while you learn a bit about the science and history of Lake Sunapee. Pick 5 activities and when you have completed them fill out the simple documentation form on our website.

You will have good memories, new knowledge and a patch to remember the experience by!

Help save Lake Sunapee's iconic lighthouses!

Construction is beginning on new foundations for Lake Sunapee’s historic Herrick Cove and Burkehaven lighthouses. Ice damage has compromised the existing rock-filled

wooden cribs, which will be replaced with steel pilings anchored in bedrock. LSPA, which maintains the lighthouses, worked with marine engineering experts to develop a reliable, long-lasting (60 years) and cost-effective solution. The plan meets NH Department of Environmental Services requirements and LSPA’s own high environmental standards. The new foundations will be constructed by Hansen Bridge LLC of Springfield, NH.

LSPA has launched a $1.3 million fundraising campaign to replace the two foundations, and to establish a long-term fund to maintain all three lighthouses going forward. Many local families have already given; ALL who love Lake Sunapee’s lighthouses are encouraged to become Lighthouse Keepers by donating to the Lighthouse Fund. Gifts of all sizes are welcome. Please visit lakesunapee.org/lighthouses to learn more.

Outside Observations

September offers to the observing eye the first signs of seasonal change. This month look for colorful wildflowers such as blazing star, goldenrod, jewelweed, purple and blue asters along the roadside and open fields. It is a wonderful time to enjoy gardens! Many are still producing a bounty of vegetables and fruits. This is also a great time of year to begin planning on where the bulk of leaves will go when they are all off the trees. Just a gentle reminder that dumping leaves into the lake is detrimental to the lake's health. As leaves decompose they use up precious oxygen that some aquatic organisms rely on! Keep the lake healthy by composting or having your leaves taken to a town compost site.

Look for September’s full Harvest Moon to appear just after sunset on Thursday, September 28. As you look to the skies note all the birds beginning to flock together. After nesting season is over, migratory birds can wander widely as they fuel up for their journeys, and many are on the move. A cold front followed by winds from the northwest will signal a host of birds to head to warmer climes. Check out Migration Dashboard, a migration monitoring tool, to see how many birds flew over our county last night, or track them in near-real time as they depart after sunset each evening. Need a migration-science refresh? Check out The Cornell Lab's primer on the how, where, and why of bird migration, or read about some of the species that are the among the earliest movers.

This is the time of year when change is both subtle and dramatic. Sounds change. Some birds are quieter (conserving energy), others are broadcasting their movements to the rest of their flocks, while the field cricket can be silenced by the first hard frost. Monarchs too are finishing their season in the north and will begin the long migration south soon. The natural world is well in tune with all the changes that are in the air! As the temperatures and the lighting change, animals in the northeast begin to search in earnest for food that will carry them through the cold winter. Note the holes in your yard - they may be from either hungry skunks, opossums, or flickers as they forage for grubs and other insects, looking for that extra protein!

So, head on outside, marvel at the uniqueness of Mother Nature, celebrate the Autumnal Equinox on the 22nd, delight in all the changes, and enjoy all the beauty this wonderful time of year has to offer!

Early signs of Fall - Photos by Midge Eliassen

To read more about what’s going on during this time of year check out

Send us your favorite pictures around the watershed!

If you have photos from around the Lake Sunapee Region from all seasons that you would like to share, send them to photos@lakesunapee.org and please include your name in your email so we can give you photo credit.

How to get involved with LSPA

We invite you to be involved with LSPA, whether it comes in the form of volunteering your time or making a donation to our mission. Every bit of generosity helps us continue our important work. Here are all the ways you can become involved at LSPA:

Become a member: Membership donations fund the majority of LSPA's work.
Donate: Support our initiatives financially to help us continue our important work.
Visit us: The Center for Lake Studies is open Monday- Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Join us: Attend our events and bring a friend.
Volunteer: We always need helping hands whether it's at the Center for Lake Studies or on the water.
Spread the word: Share LSPA's mission, so we can continue our stewardship for generations to come.

Check out the Events Page on our website and follow us on social media for the latest updates and event announcements. Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us remain devoted to the environmental integrity of the Lake Sunapee Watershed.