Cyanobacteria Alert Issued for Blackey Cove (Moultonborough)

[Descant]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

All of that gave me an idea...

We regularly show off new large lake homes built in October as part of the Parade of Homes... they have immature landscaping being new builds or large renovations.

A spring garden show of lake homes with mature landscaping best designed to minimize run-off into the lake while giving that strong classic lake ambience may change the mindset on the value of landscaping to protect the lake while still enjoying a property.

NHLAKES has developed criteria for properties to be "Lake Smart". Landscaping, septic, low volume flush, etc. You can do a self evaluation online, and if you like, they will send somebody to look your place over and certify the property as Lake Smart. To me, there should be a market value bonus for certified properties.

[John Mercier]

But they have no tour like we do for the builders...

The PoH has a landscaping award in it... but that is usually new immature landscaping.

Because the blooms are becoming more predominate, in every water body, the fix - if it even exists - is going to be expensive.

Laconia might have been better off to build its own HUB with several indoor pools instead of spending all the money on the beaches. Because I have no idea what more the city can do to protect Opechee.

[John Mercier]

When I read the shoreland protection act. No fertilizer can be applied within 25 feet... not just of the lake, but any fourth order stream or river.
And anything applied within the 250 foot shoreland protection area requires a licensed professional.

But how many people actually obey this? How many even know what a first order stream is? How many know if they live close to one?

The Winni empties into the Merrimack... so the Winni is a third? But what about the rivers/streams/brooks that enter the Winni? Durkee Brook and the Tioga in our area would qualify as second? And anything entering them would qualify as a first?

I am betting there is a lot of violation far from the merger points seeing the blooms.

[secondcurve]

The Shoreline Protection Act is good in theory but there is no enforcement so it has little value in my opinion. The only thing that may save Lake Winni is the same thing that is killing it today. Money. There is so much value on the shores eventually the home owners will wake up and something will be done. Hopefully, it won’t be too late.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

The Shoreline Protection Act is good in theory but there is no enforcement so it has little value in my opinion. The only thing that may save Lake Winni is the same thing that is killing it today. Money. There is so much value on the shores eventually the home owners will wake up and something will be done. Hopefully, it won’t be too late.

The problem is that many of the new generation shore front owners, don't understand the Damage that there beautifully landscape yards and perched beaches can and do create. They just want their paradise.... And while they see the changes in the lake, many take the attitude that the damage will never be catastrophic in their life time, so ignore it....

I certainly don't believe that even in my life time that the lake will become undesirable.... but ultimately that is what it will take for reversal to happen. The lake will have to get to a point, that it is no longer attracting Tourism dollars, people are no longer able to rent their homes to offset the cost of ownership etc.... and some other location will be the ideal summer spot for tourism...

[mishman]

This particular thread is perhaps the most important on the whole forum. Cyanobacteria blooms are increasing in frequency. We can sit back and hope Winnipesaukee's water quality doesn't get worse or we can do something to protect the lake well into the future. On a personal front, we can all become better educated about how phosphorus finds its way into the lake. Many commenters on this thread have it exactly right - green lawns and hard surfaces are major contributors to phosphorus runoff into the lake. We need to educate every lakefront home owner about the importance of maintaining a buffer of natural vegetation. And if they do have a lawn, they need to insist that their landscape company uses a fertilizer (if they must fertilize) that contains no phosphorus at all.
The Lake Winnipesaukee Association has been fighting this fight for many years and is ramping up efforts to do even more going forward. This effort will combine education, research, monitoring and advocacy to protect and improve the lake's water quality. LWA is the only organization dedicated solely to protecting our lake and they have a proven track record of action.
LWA needs more public support if we are going to fight the good fight. Please consider becoming a member and be better informed about all that LWA is doing. Check out their web site for more information
https://www.winnipesaukee.org
or go to this page to become a member
https://www.winnipesaukee.org/donate/
Don't assume Lake Winnipesaukee will always be the wonderful resource it is today. We need to band together to protect our lake. Please join LWA today!

[ITD]

I was speaking with someone over the weekend about this issue. Apparently there were about 8 houses with failed septic systems on the lake, those have been fixed. Rumor has it there is also a house on the lake whose owner was a prolific fertilizer. Not sure if that has stopped. Those are all issues that need to be addressed, but.....


I posted a link to a sewer line failure on rt 25 in Center Harbor a week or so ago that didn't receive any comments. The break released about 1,500 gallons of sewage. According to my measurement on google maps, the approximate location of break is about 1,500 feet from the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, much closer to a little stream that feeds the lake. From the pictures in the link you can see that most of the sewage ended up in the lake. What surprised me is the quickness of the contamination from 1,500 feet away. These issues are not just lakefront property owners issue.

I've purchased two lakefront properties in the past 20 years ( bought and sold one, presently living in another.) Each sale required a septic inspection, similar to Title 5 in Massachusetts. I thought this was for all NH RE sales but figured out from a post here, it is just required for properties covered by the wetlands act. That's a little shocking to me, if you sincerely want to clean up the water in NH, these inspections should be required for all RE sales in NH.

The Lake Kantaska issue should be resolved next summer which hopefully will resolve the Blackey cove issue. I would guess a majority of homes in Blackey now have been redone, meaning septic systems are relatively new and not failed. It would be nice to know that homes in the watershed, which can be miles from the lakes but still have a big impact, are held to the same standard. We'll see.

[NH.Solar]

In response to my own earlier post I found out today that Wakondah Pond, which feeds directly into Lake Kanasaka is apparently not experiencing a bacteria bloom, so that narrows the culprit search down to Kanasaka.
A few years ago I I filled in some free time working briefly for Scotts while my new solar venture ramped up. One fact that both amazed and disturbed me was to find out the the Gilford Lowes is one of the highest volume fertilizer stores in New England, and therein I submit lies the main problem!
The solution in my mind is quite simple both to enact and enforce, No lawns or agricultural fields allowed within 150' of any shoreline, no exceptions and no grandfathering allowed. Some of existing homeowners with lawns may not initially like this but it is again a simple solution and for the public good. My waterfront was initially thinly leveled with sand and is heavily mulched over the undisturbed original forest duff and it is wonderful. Pleasantly soft underfoot, safe to trod upon even after a few toddie, the beneficial bacteria are in their original happy state, and any time I need to add fresh mulch over the decomposed former layers it smells great ...and the naturally occuring beneficial ground bacteria are happy

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by NH.Solar

In response to my own earlier post I found out today that Wakondah Pond, which feeds directly into Lake Kanasaka is apparently not experiencing a bacteria bloom, so that narrows the culprit search down to Kanasaka.
A few years ago I I filled in some free time working briefly for Scotts while my new solar venture ramped up. One fact that both amazed and disturbed me was to find out the the Gilford Home Depot is one of the highest volume fertilizer stores in New England, and therein I submit lies the main problem!
The solution in my mind is quite simple both to enact and enforce, No lawns or agricultural fields allowed within 150' of any shoreline, no exceptions and no grandfathering allowed. Some of existing homeowners with lawns may not initially like this but it is again a simple solution and for the public good. My waterfront was initially thinly leveled with sand and is heavily mulched over the undisturbed original forest duff and it is wonderful. Pleasantly soft underfoot, safe to trod upon even after a few toddie, the beneficial bacteria are in their original happy state, and any time I need to add fresh mulch over the decomposed former layers it smells great ...and the naturally occuring beneficial ground bacteria are happy

There is no Gilford Home Depot.

[camp guy]

NH Solar posted Gilford Lowes

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by camp guy

NH Solar posted Gilford Lowes

He edited it.

[Pineedles]

I don’t know SAB, in the 60’s and 70’s there were quite a few boats around but my point was that the MT. Washington created enormous shore wave action in Center Harbor bay. There are quite a few more lawns than there were though. We’ve kept our shore frontage grass free with the majority of our trees white pines, and even replaced our septic system this past year. That wasn’t cheap, but absolutely necessary.

[LIforrelaxin]

The problem here is that this problem doesn't have a singular solution. The only clear problem is continued development of the area.....

There are steps that can be taken, to reduce environmental impacts of continued development...... Look at Maine, it its laws regarding direct water front, and leaving a natural buffer... and what you hope is that over time enough reduction in environmental impacts, turns things around. Better drainage plans, natural buffers, education, etc. are all needed. I haven't planned anything or been part of any project in a while in NH, so exactly what is being required these days I am not up to speed on.

What I know is what I see people still being allowed to do, and that is develop right to the shoreline... Good bad or indifferent time will tell.... I have however seen something with some development in my area, that give me hope that people are waking up.... I see improvement being made, that lead to better drainage solutions, Home Owners opting to purchase land on the other side of the road, and put better septic systems in. (this isn't a solution for everyone because of the money involved, but it is good to see)..... I still am concerned in my area about fertilizer application, but hope that landscape companies are trying to follow the rules...

I don't want to see development regulated to the point that development is hampered by it..... But continued regulations that have been shown to help with watershed health and quality have to be enforced and created...

Last outdoor showers, come on really.... people have been bathing in lakes and streams for generations..... I would rather see more outdoor showers, and less people bringing soap down to the lake front.... have even been giving this some consideration myself.... done properly the water just leaches into the ground... verses running on top of it....

[John Mercier]

I think they worked around the solutions... I just think that maybe those of us farther from the lake are not doing our part. We seem to have ''its the other guys problem'' attitude.

I didn't even know until this discussion the Durkee and the Tioga were most likely second order waterways that need to be conserved to protect the greater good. Now I know and can take some action to help.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by ITD

I was speaking with someone over the weekend about this issue. Apparently there were about 8 houses with failed septic systems on the lake, those have been fixed. Rumor has it there is also a house on the lake whose owner was a prolific fertilizer. Not sure if that has stopped. Those are all issues that need to be addressed, but.....


I posted a link to a sewer line failure on rt 25 in Center Harbor a week or so ago that didn't receive any comments. The break released about 1,500 gallons of sewage. According to my measurement on google maps, the approximate location of break is about 1,500 feet from the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, much closer to a little stream that feeds the lake. From the pictures in the link you can see that most of the sewage ended up in the lake. What surprised me is the quickness of the contamination from 1,500 feet away. These issues are not just lakefront property owners issue.

I've purchased two lakefront properties in the past 20 years ( bought and sold one, presently living in another.) Each sale required a septic inspection, similar to Title 5 in Massachusetts. I thought this was for all NH RE sales but figured out from a post here, it is just required for properties covered by the wetlands act. That's a little shocking to me, if you sincerely want to clean up the water in NH, these inspections should be required for all RE sales in NH.

The Lake Kantaska issue should be resolved next summer which hopefully will resolve the Blackey cove issue. I would guess a majority of homes in Blackey now have been redone, meaning septic systems are relatively new and not failed. It would be nice to know that homes in the watershed, which can be miles from the lakes but still have a big impact, are held to the same standard. We'll see.

May I ask how the Lake Katasaka issue is being resolved?

[Pineedles]

ITD’s post of the sewer line breakage is interesting. That’s exactly where 40 -50 cows used to enter the lake many years ago on a daily basis, and we had no cyno bloom then. We also had many aging septic systems or very poor excuses for a system. We did have a big old Mt. Washington come into the harbor twice a day with its huge waves also. What we didn’t have, were property lots stripped of trees, and fertilized lawns. Hmmm, food for thought?

[John Mercier]

That ship has already left the harbor.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

ITD’s post of the sewer line breakage is interesting. That’s exactly where 40 -50 cows used to enter the lake many years ago on a daily basis, and we had no cyno bloom then. We also had many aging septic systems or very poor excuses for a system. We did have a big old Mt. Washington come into the harbor twice a day with its huge waves also. What we didn’t have, were property lots stripped of trees, and fertilized lawns. Hmmm, food for thought?

Or did they not test the lake like they do now?

[Pineedles]

Originally Posted by tis

Or did they not test the lake like they do now?

We would have noticed the blue color.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

We would have noticed the blue color.

We would? I haven't seen it, only pictures. But it's really obvious?

[SAB1]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

ITD’s post of the sewer line breakage is interesting. That’s exactly where 40 -50 cows used to enter the lake many years ago on a daily basis, and we had no cyno bloom then. We also had many aging septic systems or very poor excuses for a system. We did have a big old Mt. Washington come into the harbor twice a day with its huge waves also. What we didn’t have, were property lots stripped of trees, and fertilized lawns. Hmmm, food for thought?

That's a totally different time period and really not comparable. There were a fraction of the number of people and BOATS on the lake then and the stress on the lake now is incredible. Most of the boats back then were fisherman and if you were lucky enuff to own a boat with 85hsp and water-ski you were styling!

[ITD]

Originally Posted by Biggd

May I ask how the Lake Katasaka issue is being resolved?

The plan is to treat the lake with Alum. I believe there is a fundraising effort going on now, plus money from the state. The lake association is very active in identifying and fixing problem areas on the shore also.


There is an association on face book.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by ITD

I was speaking with someone over the weekend about this issue. Apparently there were about 8 houses with failed septic systems on the lake, those have been fixed. Rumor has it there is also a house on the lake whose owner was a prolific fertilizer. Not sure if that has stopped. Those are all issues that need to be addressed, but.....


I posted a link to a sewer line failure on rt 25 in Center Harbor a week or so ago that didn't receive any comments. The break released about 1,500 gallons of sewage. According to my measurement on google maps, the approximate location of break is about 1,500 feet from the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, much closer to a little stream that feeds the lake. From the pictures in the link you can see that most of the sewage ended up in the lake. What surprised me is the quickness of the contamination from 1,500 feet away. These issues are not just lakefront property owners issue.

I've purchased two lakefront properties in the past 20 years ( bought and sold one, presently living in another.) Each sale required a septic inspection, similar to Title 5 in Massachusetts. I thought this was for all NH RE sales but figured out from a post here, it is just required for properties covered by the wetlands act. That's a little shocking to me, if you sincerely want to clean up the water in NH, these inspections should be required for all RE sales in NH.

The Lake Kantaska issue should be resolved next summer which hopefully will resolve the Blackey cove issue. I would guess a majority of homes in Blackey now have been redone, meaning septic systems are relatively new and not failed. It would be nice to know that homes in the watershed, which can be miles from the lakes but still have a big impact, are held to the same standard. We'll see.

Some homes do not change hands very often... lakefront even less so.
If my septic was working in 1996 when I purchased this place would not stipulate that it is currently working.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by mishman

This particular thread is perhaps the most important on the whole forum. Cyanobacteria blooms are increasing in frequency. We can sit back and hope Winnipesaukee's water quality doesn't get worse or we can do something to protect the lake well into the future. On a personal front, we can all become better educated about how phosphorus finds its way into the lake. Many commenters on this thread have it exactly right - green lawns and hard surfaces are major contributors to phosphorus runoff into the lake. We need to educate every lakefront home owner about the importance of maintaining a buffer of natural vegetation. And if they do have a lawn, they need to insist that their landscape company uses a fertilizer (if they must fertilize) that contains no phosphorus at all.
The Lake Winnipesaukee Association has been fighting this fight for many years and is ramping up efforts to do even more going forward. This effort will combine education, research, monitoring and advocacy to protect and improve the lake's water quality. LWA is the only organization dedicated solely to protecting our lake and they have a proven track record of action.
LWA needs more public support if we are going to fight the good fight. Please consider becoming a member and be better informed about all that LWA is doing. Check out their web site for more information
https://www.winnipesaukee.org
or go to this page to become a member
https://www.winnipesaukee.org/donate/
Don't assume Lake Winnipesaukee will always be the wonderful resource it is today. We need to band together to protect our lake. Please join LWA today!

They would need to make it a law... and it would still have some issues.
When I moved from the Tilton Home Depot as the top garden associate to Lavalleys in Meredith; we worked to move towards Bonide Turfgrass fertilizer. Bonide only has phosphorus in the starter mix... which should at best be done in the fall around when overseeding. The main store buyers over ran me and kept sending us the Scotts 4 Step program. I currently keep small amount of Triple on the shelf at Bristol (basically what the buyer sends) but promote a more natural approach were clover can produce the nitrogen the grass needs and no fertilizer is needed - simply don't spread any broadleaf herbicide on the lawn.

But again, that would need to be promoted. And the LRBA that does the PoH has skin in the game to work toward better landscape practices. They make a lot of money off people moving to the lakes region to enjoy our natural environment.