First Cyanobacteria Warnings of 2024 Issued for Lake Winnipesaukee

[Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance]

We've fielded many calls today regarding blooms observed all around the lake. NHDES has also received reports of blooms in the Broads, Center Harbor, and Governor's Island.

Bloom conditions are dynamic, potentially changing hourly. Perform your self risk assessments by looking at the water for any unusual growth or discoloration, such as clouds, ribbons or flecks in the water prior to recreating. If you see anything suspicious or are uncertain, stay out of the water, and please keep pets out as well.

Warnings are issued by NHDES when cell counts exceed 70,000 cells/ml. Counts reported today at the Broads were 80,500 dolichospermum off of Rattlesnake Island, 245,000 cells dolichospermum at Sleepers Point.

Counts at the Center Harbor town beach were 847,000 cells dolichospernum, Additional bloom reports were received for Salmon Meadow Cove and between Avery and Cook's Point.

Sample analysis for the Moultonborough town beach reported 394,000 cells/ml dolichospermum, and Hermit Cove at 476,000 cells/ml.

Additional samples were reviewed from Winter Harbor, Jockey Cove, Sewall Road area and Wolfeboro Bay, all in Wolfeboro.

To stay up to date on these warnings, you shoud sign up for NHDES Waterbody Specific Notifications. You can check the status of the warnings and alerts using the Healthy Swimming Mapper. If you suspect a bloom, please use the NHDES Reporting Tool and contact LWA.

As Cyanobacteria blooms become a more frequent topic of conversation with your friends and family please take the opportunity to tell them about LWA’s work on this issue, and remember, "When in doubt, stay out!"

NHDES will be resampling the areas that had warnings implemented on 6/12 as well as additional areas around the lake tomorrow

Bree Rossiter
Conservation Program Manager

[chachee52]

I would never have thought that after such a windy day on Saturday and the deep water of Broads would have this issue, but LSP now have the blooms. I have noticed that in the last 8-10 yrs the algae on the rocks/sand have increased significantly. We never had snails on the broads there, and now they are everywhere. Not saying that is was is causing these blooms, but the water temp has definitely increased since I was a kid, and the ice is NO WHERE near the coverage. This all helps not killing things in the lake. How, that's not for me to explain or decide, but it is in my mind a true factor. Sad to see the lake get this "ill" from what it used to be. No matter what anyone thinks is the reason, it is just sad.

[ApS]

I see it as "A Perfect Storm".

1) The lake's level has been kept artificially high, causing waves (but especially wakes) to reach deeper into the sub-soils which have sequestered tons of phosphorus and nitrogen.

The justified call for a "no-wake" condition was never made.

(I've edited/moved the above to "cause #1").

2) Recent Lake Kanasatka's obvious blooms "seeded" the Big Lake last season.

(Apply "Occam's Razor" to Lake Kanasatka's adjacent septics problem)..

3) No recent breezes to dilute blooms, so hot surface waters are quietly "cooking the broth".

4).Last season's heavy rains have washed countless (and distant) green lawns' fertilizers into the greater Winnipesaukee Basin.

5) Pine-tree pollen, which slows the normal mixing and dilution of Spring's lakefront waters is occurring presently--warming surface waters.

6) A hot seasonal weather pattern which encourages biological growth is upon us and likely to put a synergistic action into this mess.

7) This is not to mention the sandbar problem.

Salts, from water softening devices, road salt, natural erosion and urine will "gravitate" to the depths. Evaporation of pure water vapor concentrates these various salts.

Lakeport drains surface waters when it should have a long pipe drawing water from the deepest parts of the lake. IMHO.

Primarily a cod-like fish of the cold and salty Atlantic Ocean, Cusk nonetheless thrive in Lake Winnipesaukee's depths.

On this rainy day, I reorganized the file cabinet. In my "Environment" file, I stumbled across a Swiss study that found prescription statins in their ground water. Switzerland doesn't manufacture statins, and the study is 20 years old!

8) In former years, snow on thick ice cover kept our waters from "solar gain".

This past winter scarcely rated an "Ice-In".

9) Due to an exotic disease, the lake's many Eastern Hemlock trees are experiencing a major loss of their stubby needles. Throwing needles (leaf-blower fashion) into the lake, does this affect acidity?

10) Phosphorus is one of many chemicals that are used in fireworks' aerial displays.

https://www.thoughtco.com/elements-in-fireworks-607342

I'd shelve that concern for now, as a huge number of northern-tier lakes can be affected by this byproduct.

Injuries from fireworks are bad enough, so restrictions on excessive recreational fireworks need to be studied.

11) Drilled wells have "robbed" from the pure springs that feed the lake. Camps from the 1950s drew their water from the lake. For whatever purpose, that water got filtered in the deep soils below leach fields.

Evaporation can be fierce on windy days--concentrating impurities, nutrients and Cyanobacteria in our waters.

.

12) Cleaning your boat:

"These tips don’t just apply to washing your boat in the lake but also to washing your pets and yourself. We urge you to do a little research into the products you’re using and remind yourself that a “green” label may increase the odds of a green lake. Do all your washing away from the lake, and use clean, drain, dry practices so we can Keep Winni Blue"
--WMUR

ETA:
With this Memorial Day Weekend's very high waters and huge wakes, I observed being unable to see my feet even ten feet from shore! These abusive wakes are seriously eroding the banks of Lake Winnipesaukee...!

13) Black "bathtub rings" have returned.

While Winter Harbor shorelines sport two prominent rings (which correspond to the beginning and end of the boating season) the Wolfeboro town docks display a single (and thick) broad band.

Someone of high school age could take and chemically examine a sample. Make the test a "presumptive" test for petroleum. My suspicion is the rings are primarily of petroleum deposition and are:

a) composed of asphalt leaching from roadways. Because of fairly recent extensive cutting of trees near utility poles, heavy rains can strike the roadways harder, eroding the surface more readily.

Asphalt house shingles also produce asphalt leaching.

b) grease seeping from powerboat lower units.

c) Oils deposited from sunblock lotions.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by ApS

I see it as "A Perfect Storm".

1) Last season's heavy rains have washed countless (and distant) green lawns' fertilizers into the greater Winnipesaukee Basin.

2) Recent Lake Kanasatka's obvious blooms "seeded" the Big Lake last season.
(Apply "Occam's Razor" to their problem nearby).

3) No recent breezes to dilute blooms, so hot surface waters are quietly "cooking the broth".

4) The lake's level has been kept artificially high, causing waves (but especially wakes) to reach deeper into the sub-soils which have sequestered tons of phosphorus and nitrogen.

5) Pine-tree pollen, which slows the normal mixing and dilution of Spring's lakefront waters is occurring presently--as normal.

6) A hot seasonal weather pattern which encourages biological growth is upon us and likely to put a synergistic action into this mess.

7) This is not to mention the sandbar problem.

Great post APS! I agree with this 100% except for #7. I don't think people swimming (or peeing!) at sandbars has anything to do with algae blooms. #1 through #6 are spot on in my humble opinion however...

I see a lot of people on facebook are mis-identifying cyanobacteria as pollen. Pollen is all over the top of the lake (all lakes) right now and is nothing to worry about as it happens every year at this time...

Dan

[retired]

What is the danger of putting my feet in the water if there is a high level of cyanobacteria? Does it affect the skin? It's very hot today and a dip in the lake is needed. Can I go up to my shoulders? Do I need to shower after? Some facts please!

[WinnisquamZ]

Originally Posted by retired

What is the danger of putting my feet in the water if there is a high level of cyanobacteria? Does it affect the skin? It's very hot today and a dip in the lake is needed. Can I go up to my shoulders? Do I need to shower after? Some facts please!

Terrific question. It’s always been around. Testing has become better and many more “eyes” around. It’s here deal with it as you wish


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by retired

What is the danger of putting my feet in the water if there is a high level of cyanobacteria? Does it affect the skin? It's very hot today and a dip in the lake is needed. Can I go up to my shoulders? Do I need to shower after? Some facts please!

For some it will cause a rash.
Cuts or other abrasions would not be that great...
But ingesting it or getting into your mucus membranes by inhaling water vapor can also have some strong consequences depending on your sensitivity.

[tis]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

For some it will cause a rash.
Cuts or other abrasions would not be that great...
But ingesting it or getting into your mucus membranes by inhaling water vapor can also have some strong consequences depending on your sensitivity.

And if you don't see any where you swim is it ok to go in?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by tis

And if you don't see any where you swim is it ok to go in?

My unprofessional opinion would be yes...

Dan

[John Mercier]

Avoid where they have placed warnings.
If you can visually see a bloom (not pollen just floating), that is usually a very high rate and probably is either in a warning area or soon will be.

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Great post APS! I agree with this 100% except for #7. I don't think people swimming (or peeing!) at sandbars has anything to do with algae blooms. #1 through #6 are spot on in my humble opinion however...

Peeing in the lake may not be a cause of cyanobacteria, but it is certainly causes the water quality to decline. Think of all the medications that people take and the birth-control pills that women use. If you are peeing, you are also adding all this to the lake. Certainly can’t be good for the fish and other creatures.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Susie Cougar

Peeing in the lake may not be a cause of cyanobacteria, but it is certainly causes the water quality to decline. Think of all the medications that people take and the birth-control pills that women use. If you are peeing, you are also adding all this to the lake. Certainly can’t be good for the fish and other creatures.

Just the thought of swimming at a crowded sand bar grosses me out!
But obviously, many people love swimming in warm pee.

[8gv]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Just the thought of swimming at a crowded sand bar grosses me out!
But obviously, many people love swimming in warm pee.

I hear it's an acquired taste...

[sky's]

its good to see some mature people have accepted the facts. The fact that man with the big egos have been ruining this lake for years. now bring on the beautiful condos like the new mess next to Cumberland farms towards Weirs Beach omg. we recently ran out of Moultonboro after 24 years and now reside in nice peacful Sandwhich. Sandwhich is what Moultonboro use to be like 24 years ago. real New England People that trust and do business on a hand shake. the lake is just the tip of the ice burg folks sorry for the reality check. best wishes to all.

[LoveLakeLife]

Originally Posted by sky's

its good to see some mature people have accepted the facts. The fact that man with the big egos have been ruining this lake for years. now bring on the beautiful condos like the new mess next to Cumberland farms towards Weirs Beach omg. we recently ran out of Moultonboro after 24 years and now reside in nice peacful Sandwhich. Sandwhich is what Moultonboro use to be like 24 years ago. real New England People that trust and do business on a hand shake. the lake is just the tip of the ice burg folks sorry for the reality check. best wishes to all.

It’s sad that the rules of capitalization elude even some of the self-proclaimed mature people.

Thankfully, divergent opinions about any number of things don’t correlate with maturity level. The truly mature understand and “accept”this “fact.”


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[tis]

It's nice to see so many experts who know exactly what is causing this.

[winterh]

I am no expert on this matter but it seems to me like there are many causes that contribute to the problem. Some would be easier to solve than others. Old leaking septics and lush green lawns seem to be well within our power to fix. I am not proposing we adopt these methods but I see the crazy environmentalist stop oil types who throw paint on famous works of art or more recently on Stonehenge to protest. Makes me think a similar approach to some of the bigger greener lawns on the lake might work. It should be a source of shame to have a lush green lawn on the lake not something to be proud of.

[tis]

Originally Posted by winterh

I am no expert on this matter but it seems to me like there are many causes that contribute to the problem. Some would be easier to solve than others. Old leaking septics and lush green lawns seem to be well within our power to fix. I am not proposing we adopt these methods but I see the crazy environmentalist stop oil types who throw paint on famous works of art or more recently on Stonehenge to protest. Makes me think a similar approach to some of the bigger greener lawns on the lake might work. It should be a source of shame to have a lush green lawn on the lake not something to be proud of.

My lawn is green and I am proud of it and don't use fertilizer or sprinkle it. Yes, it usually gets brown in August but the rest of the time it looks pretty nice. It was originally an old cow field. How many places were cow fields in the old days?

[winterh]

I think there is a difference between having a naturally growing lawn thats a mix of grass, clovers, weeds... but looks nice when cut (I have one myself) and having a perfectly manicured lush green obviously fertilized lawn that looks like a golf course. It's pretty easy to tell who is using fertilizer and who is not.

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by winterh

I think there is a difference between having a naturally growing lawn thats a mix of grass, clovers, weeds... but looks nice when cut (I have one myself) and having a perfectly manicured lush green obviously fertilized lawn that looks like a golf course. It's pretty easy to tell who is using fertilizer and who is not.

This is so true! I don’t use any fertilizer on my lawn and try to pull as many weeds by hand as possible. By having a mix in your lawn, you do not need to add fertilizer.

[John Mercier]

Slightly...

There are a lot more non-phosphorous fertilizer options for lawns... as nitrogen is really what the turf grass wants - that is what makes it green.
The clover mix adds the nitrogen... so it reduces the need for additional.

Blooms are the effect of phosphorous...
The situation with the lakefront lawn is really more a matter of how well it slows a downpour reducing the amount of anything being carried into the lake.

That, and they can attract geese that love the salad with the sight line to shrubbery being far enough back to provide some protection from predation.

The geese will add manure with phosphorous that can be washed in.

[Grant]

Another problem with lawns is that grass has very shallow root structures, and is a very poor filter for runoff. More runoff = more nutrient for blooms. Natural, native vegetation is far more effective in reducing runoff into the lake. It's not just fertilized lawns that help promote cyanobacteria blooms. Cyanobacteria occurs naturally -- almost everywhere. There's lots in the average shovelful of topsoil. And it's always in the lake. Not all varieties are toxic, but many are. But the combination of excess nutrients and warmer water causes these big blooms. More nutrients + More warm water = blooms of greater frequency, magnitude and duration.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by winterh

I think there is a difference between having a naturally growing lawn thats a mix of grass, clovers, weeds... but looks nice when cut (I have one myself) and having a perfectly manicured lush green obviously fertilized lawn that looks like a golf course. It's pretty easy to tell who is using fertilizer and who is not.

Absolutely! I have the same type of "lawn" at my island camp. It's green, never gets fertilized and the dog certainly does not seem to mind pooping and peeing on it!

I planted it 16 years ago by basically throwing out the cheapest grass seed Sam's Club sold, just threw it on the island sand that was washing in the lake every rain storm. Well if that seed didn't sprout like wildfire and in no time by just watering it. It's been holding everything together and has completely stopped the erosion that was occurring previously...again without a speck of fertilizer!

Dan

[tis]

It must be a wonderful clover year because it has taken over most of my lawn this year. I have been wondering why.

[Descant]

Grant makes good points about runoff. Fertilizer or not, grass still has runoff resulting in silt flowing into the lake too. Lowbush blueberry has a better root structure, Geese don't like it and it doesn't need to be mowed. Here's one source: https://turfinstaller.net/sod-turf-p...ry-native-sod/
And, I understand grass muffins and pies require a lot of chewing unless you're a goose.

[Grant]

Originally Posted by Descant

Grant makes good points about runoff. Fertilizer or not, grass still has runoff resulting in silt flowing into the lake too. Lowbush blueberry has a better root structure, Geese don't like it and it doesn't need to be mowed. Here's one source: https://turfinstaller.net/sod-turf-p...ry-native-sod/
And, I understand grass muffins and pies require a lot of chewing unless you're a goose.

I was gonna say, "Don't get me started on the geese," but now that you mention it...

Geese LOVE grass. Need some validation of this claim? Drive through Meredith on any given day and note where the geese are. On the grass. Although the damn things never showed up in any real numbers before, say, 2011 or 2012, we NEVER had them on the property -- with 200+ feet of shoreline. Why? It was all rocks and native shrubs. Nothing to eat here...nowhere to graze or spawn/raise our young, so move on.

Now consider this: ONE adult Canada goose craps out TWO POUNDS (minimum) of those nasty green tootsie roll logs per day. And they do it about every 12 minutes...just to spread the love. This stuff is PURE nutrient for cyanobacteria. Multiply those 2+ pounds by the (growing) number of geese on the lake, and you get the picture. They destroy lakes for a living...I've seen it first-hand in Pennsylvania over the years. So, while many folks thinks they're "adorable" and "majestic," they are truly a menace. If you see them on your property, shoo them away. They multiply like rats and rabbits and poop like it's their job.

And, for the record, they do NOT taste good.

[tis]

Originally Posted by winterh

I think there is a difference between having a naturally growing lawn thats a mix of grass, clovers, weeds... but looks nice when cut (I have one myself) and having a perfectly manicured lush green obviously fertilized lawn that looks like a golf course. It's pretty easy to tell who is using fertilizer and who is not.

True except there is a fertilizer that is safe.

[imyourhuckleberry]

I am in the lawn care industry and am very familiar with the problem of fertilizers.
You don't have to use chemicals to have a nice lawn. You can use low nitrogen, zero phosphorus, slow release inputs and have a great lawn. So i wouldn't immediately assume anyone with a great lawn next to the lake is part of the problem. Though they're suspect.
Readily available sources of Nitrogen in the towns surrounding the lake seems like a big problem. I was in a local hardware store today and found all of the usual brands with synthetic nitrogen and phosphorus-heavy starter fertilizers readily available.

As long as there no ordinances in place to ban N and P apps in these towns, people will continue to over-apply these elements to their lawn and they will run off into the lake. This is, at least in part, a failure of local town government.

[John Mercier]

It is actually State law.
And we can't sell anything in NH that violates State law...

We just can't stop homeowners and professionals from violating the law.

[YOLO]

….. nevermind

[imyourhuckleberry]

Then we can't have nice things.

If people can't act responsibly then they cant have access to the stuff thats causing the issue.

I read the law and its pretty soft. Eg, there's exceptions for people "growing new lawns" which allows stores to stock high phosphorus fertilizers. Leaving it up to the discretion of homeowners never actually works.

Time to update that law huh?

[John Mercier]

10-10-10 is pretty common for a farm... but not really made for turf grass. Starter for Turf Grass is usually x-x-4, so a lot less phosphorous than what we would use for farming.

So not sure how they could update the law to make it more effective.

Slow release can help... in that the turf grass has more time to absorb it... but a soil sample before application would go a long way. Which should be what the professionals are doing; just guessing that they start most lawns.

[rodgcsa]

Do people really think Geese are a major cause of this?? Really think about it.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by rodgcsa

Do people really think Geese are a major cause of this?? Really think about it.

They are one of many!

[sunfishman]

The geese contribute to the problem. The question is why do people tolerate the mess from the geese. If the mess was from the dogs, would it be tolerated.
For some reason, people don't mind stepping in goose poo.

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by rodgcsa

Do people really think Geese are a major cause of this?? Really think about it.

Four adult Canada geese produce as much phosphorus as a septic system!

[Rosemarie Rung]

The June onset of cyanobacteria blooms in NH lakes has been a wake-up call for many about the fragile health of lakes. The main culprit is warming water temperature that has been trending up for many years (see ice-out history). This will continue as climate change worsens, but there are things in our control that can be done. First, reduce phosphorus to lessen the role of warmer water temperature in triggering blooms. It's not just from fertilizer but septic systems that run off into the water (must be inspected to know for sure), stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces (go out when it's raining and see where water goes, it needs to soak in where it falls or close to it), animal waste (don't feed the ducks or let animal defecate near water), and erosion (don't create boat wakes in shallow water which pulls out aquatic plants needed to take up phosphorus and add oxygen to water. Deep wakes can disrupt phosphorus-rich sediment which add phosphorus to water). In addition to reducing phosphorus, add vegetation near the shoreline to prevent run-off and take up phosphorus, maintain trees and bushes at shoreline to shade and cool the water, don't disrupt aquatic plants, have septic systems evaluated. A study done in 2014 for areas of LW identifies needed action: https://winnipesaukeegateway.org/lak.../introduction/
Finally, become educated and educate others on what a bloom looks like. You cannot rely on DES to stay up to date as not all blooms are reported and tested and they drift. Don't go into water during or just after a bloom as toxins take time to degrade. The cyanotoxin, BMAA is linked to ALS, even breathing droplets from a distance away, so the threat is not just water contact. See this presentation for more on that research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfDtMqnBjvk&t=1452s The folks at DES are great, but they are short-staffed and underfunded. NH LAKES is a great resource, too, on proactive measures.

[barefootbay]

Originally Posted by rodgcsa

Do people really think Geese are a major cause of this?? Really think about it.

Contributing cause. Their numbers have dramatically increased !

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by imyourhuckleberry

Then we can't have nice things.

If people can't act responsibly then they cant have access to the stuff thats causing the issue.

I read the law and its pretty soft. Eg, there's exceptions for people "growing new lawns" which allows stores to stock high phosphorus fertilizers. Leaving it up to the discretion of homeowners never actually works.

Time to update that law huh?

Since your in the business, you can probably confirm this but I heard that "guano" (Bat / seabird poop) is an excellent phosphorous free (or much lower in phosphorous) fertilizer that is completely safe to use around waterways and also works excellent. If so why isn't more of this being used??...is it a cost related issue??

Thanks!

Dan

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by tis

It's nice to see so many experts who know exactly what is causing this.

We spend more money on studies than we do on remediation. Then, when we finally decide to do something, the price has gone up so much that we can't get the funding.

[Lakegeezer]

Originally Posted by Biggd

We spend more money on studies than we do on remediation. Then, when we finally decide to do something, the price has gone up so much that we can't get the funding.

This might be true in some cases but there are recent examples where the process worked. For example, in the M'boro Bay sub-watershed, about $40K was spent on the study - which identified the problem spots and over 40 projects that would reduce phosphorus level. Over the past eight years, the town DPW has used that plan to get grants and work through the project list. In another case, about $70K was spent studying the cyano problem in Kanasatka which resulted in over $500,000K spent on remediation. The common thread here is the Lake Winnipesaukee Association. They are good at making plans and even better at using the plans to obtain grants for projects. No plan, no grant - so money needs to be spent on studies. The trick is rapid follow-up.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Lake Winnipesaukee Assoc

We've fielded many calls today regarding blooms observed all around the lake. NHDES has also received reports of blooms in the Broads, Center Harbor, and Governor's Island.

Bloom conditions are dynamic, potentially changing hourly. Perform your self risk assessments by looking at the water for any unusual growth or discoloration, such as clouds, ribbons or flecks in the water prior to recreating. If you see anything suspicious or are uncertain, stay out of the water, and please keep pets out as well.

Warnings are issued by NHDES when cell counts exceed 70,000 cells/ml. Counts reported today at the Broads were 80,500 dolichospermum off of Rattlesnake Island, 245,000 cells dolichospermum at Sleepers Point.

Counts at the Center Harbor town beach were 847,000 cells dolichospernum, Additional bloom reports were received for Salmon Meadow Cove and between Avery and Cook's Point.

Sample analysis for the Moultonborough town beach reported 394,000 cells/ml dolichospermum, and Hermit Cove at 476,000 cells/ml.

Additional samples were reviewed from Winter Harbor, Jockey Cove, Sewall Road area and Wolfeboro Bay, all in Wolfeboro.

To stay up to date on these warnings, you shoud sign up for NHDES Waterbody Specific Notifications. You can check the status of the warnings and alerts using the Healthy Swimming Mapper. If you suspect a bloom, please use the NHDES Reporting Tool and contact LWA.

As Cyanobacteria blooms become a more frequent topic of conversation with your friends and family please take the opportunity to tell them about LWA’s work on this issue, and remember, "When in doubt, stay out!"

NHDES will be resampling the areas that had warnings implemented on 6/12 as well as additional areas around the lake tomorrow

Bree Rossiter
Conservation Program Manager

So you are saying look before you swim, that it's obvious if it's there? We don't have to all stay out of the water entirely? Do you know when they started testing for cyanobacteria?