Province Lake Association Newsletter

Fall 2009

 

Newsletter editors:
Jack and Barbara Wilkins
  

To all PLA members:


This Newsletter is being emailed to all that requested it that way. This really helps out the association by reducing postage costs and us by eliminating the stuffing of many envelopes. So thanks to all that requested it. You also receive it about a week before the snail mail version. (In last years’ case about 2 months before.)

 

Hello  PLA Members,

Another summer at our lake is over and the cold weather is close at hand.  It seems like this summer was shorter than normal with all the rainy weekends.

 

Those of you who have been up this fall or who are permanent residents have no doubt noticed the higher than normal level of the lake.  This was caused by our friendly beavers who insist on blocking the culverts under Bailey Road in the South River.  The Town of Effingham was notified and they dispatched Evans Brothers (our road contractor) to clean the culverts.  They cleaned them and within a week the beavers had them blocked again and the lake was rising.  The road crew came back again today (10/24) in the rain and cleaned both culverts again.  In addition to dispatching Evans Bros. to clean out the culverts I think it is time to “dispatch” the beavers.  They now appear to be using a lodge between our flow control device (FCD) and Bailey Rd rather than the numerous lodges that were in the South River.


Boat Parade

The annual boat parade was held on July 5th this year. This year we had fair weather but a pretty poor turnout as only 4 boats participated – The McKelvies of Effingham won first prize. If you would like this event to continue we need a couple volunteers to step forward and take charge. You basically set the date (Sunday nearest July 4th), print up some posters and post them at various local places, appoint some judges, lead the parade around the lake then pass out the prizes.

 

Annual Meeting 2009

Following are the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Province Lake Association held on July 18, 2009 at the Province Lake Golf Club. Please read them as they WILL NOT be read at the 2010 annual meeting to save time. They will also be available on our website for awhile. Our change of meeting date in 2009 caused some confusion as previously it had been the third Saturday in July. It was changed so as to not conflict with Celebrate Effingham as some members must attend that also. If you missed the meeting you missed some great pastries and coffee.

Province Lake Association Annual Meeting    July 18, 2009

Welcome:  Mary McLoughlin, President, called the meeting to order at 9:34 AM and welcomed everyone to the 37th annual meeting of the PLA. She thanked the Porters for the use of the room and for the coffee and refreshments they provided.  The Porters told us how glad they were to host the meeting and outlined the restaurant schedule.

 

Speaker: Adam Shoukimas, Technical Director of the Acton/Wakefield Watershed Alliance, gave a presentation describing various means of preventing erosion into waterways as a means of improving lake and stream water quality.  He also told us of the organization’s youth group which can help with design and installation of erosion prevention systems.

    He also outlined the new firewood movement restrictions now in place to protect New Hampshire and Maine trees from harmful insects.  He told us of the Asian Longhorned Beetle, which attacks all hardwoods, and has resulted in the destruction of thousands of trees in Worcester, MA.  The beetle is spread by movement of affected wood from infected areas to uninfected areas.

   The Acton/Wakefield Watershed Alliance website address is:  www.awwatersheds.org.

 

   At the conclusion of Adam’s presentation, Stan Maluchnik described an erosion problem on Bonnyman Road that he has been trying to get Wakefield to fix for several years.                                                                               

Secretary’s Report: Marion Chouinard moved to accept the 2008 meeting minutes as published in the Fall 2008 newsletter. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer’s Report: Marion Chouinard reported that we have $6537.77 in the checking account, and two CD’s, for a total of $27,730.96.  She also reported that we have received $355 in weed control donations this year.

 

Audit Report:  Dennis Derby reported that he had audited the books recently and found them to be in good order.

 

Loon Report:  Tori Ketner reported that we have one pair of loons and one single loon on our lake this year.  There have been no signs of eggs or babies on the raft.

 

Weed Report:  Steve Craig reported that no invasive weeds have been found to date, but emphasized that we must keep looking for them.

 

Membership Report:  Carl Davis reported that we have 85 members at this point, and our membership has historically fluctuated between 80 and 90 members.  He and Jon Samuelson have researched town records and found that there are about 500 potential members, counting Wakefield and Effingham landowners and campers near the lake.  His goal is to get 50% membership, in order to improve the growth of our weed control fund.  He has sent letters to potential members explaining the benefits of association membership and asking them to join.

 

Boat Parade:  Four boats  participated; the McKelvies won.  The Cartwrights have decided this year is the last for them to organize the parade, so anyone interested in organizing future boat parades should contact our president, Mary McLoughlin.

 

Water Quality Report:  Norm Dudziak reported that 2008 was the 18th year of water testing, and the water quality was very good, similar to that in 2007.  His full report can be found on the website.

 

Water Control and Lake Level:  Dennis Derby reported that the logs were installed on May 17th with the lake level at nominal.  Rainfall to date has been 14 inches, and the lake level is now 3 inches above nominal.

 

Newsletter and Website:  Jack Wilkins reminded members to send in any interesting

happenings or photos around the lake.

 

Raffles:  Several groups of photos, notecards, Cabin Life magazine subscriptions, and one icebox were raffled off.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:47 AM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jim Steltenpohl, Secretary

President’s Message

Once again I am back home in Western Massachusetts.  It is snowing this morning.  I can’t believe last Monday was Columbus Day.  Saturday, my husband drove his boat to the ramp to be picked up and stored for the long winter ahead.  Sunday, my daughter and son in law came to take the dock out of the water and pack up our summer furniture.  With the last piece of summer toys put away, it hits us that the summer is officially over.


During the summer Carl Davis was busy sending out letters to lake owners telling them about our organization and welcoming them to join us.  In September, Carl and I met the Towle Farm community and told them of our primary goal of maintaining good water quality and being vigilant about washing our boats before we put them in the lake to prevent the dreaded milfoil.  Several of their members took applications.  We hope that they will join our family.


We observed Adam Shoukimas from the Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance rally his troops to work on erosion control on Bonnyman road.  This alliance offers free technical assistance and designs for simple, low cost erosion control measures.  If you would like to explore this Alliance and see if they might assist you in controlling erosion on your property, you can call them at 603-473-2500 or email them at techdirector@AWwatersheds.org.  I know from my own experience that they are very knowledgeable and user friendly.  And did I mention, free!


We have so many members who put in many hours to make sure our lake is clean and loon friendly. I would like to thank several of them. Mary and Steve Craig have once again done an excellent job doing the water testing and transporting the tests to Concord to be processed.  They also monitor the loon nesting areas as well as are available to members who find weeds that are unfamiliar to the member.  Marion Chouinard puts in time tracking new membership forms, paying our bills, checking the PO Box, going to the bank.  Jack and Barbara Wilkins maintain the website, put together this newsletter for all of us to read, keep us up to date on what is happening during the winter.  Carl Davis for all of the hours he has put into researching who owns property surrounding our lake, working on expanding our membership.  He also is ever ready to jump in a canoe with Steve Craig and go up the various waterways to find out if we are having beaver problems and resolving the problem so that we do not have property damage.  Dennis Derby has had his eye on the water flow device and has adjusted it several times this season after our heavy rainfall raised our lake level as well as this fall’s apparent beaver daming problem.  Norm Dudziak for the excellent water report he submits every year at our annual meeting.   Jim  Steltenpohl for his work as our secretary. Shirley and Noel Cartwright for planning, getting prizes, lining up judges, and running the annual boat parade.  Thank you for all the time you spend on these endeavors.


Next year we will be having elections for the board.  If you are interested in serving our association or would like to nominate someone, please let me know.  I can be reached by email at President@ProvinceLake.org.


I hope you all have a healthy and happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you all next summer!


Mary McLoughlin

President

Dam Report

 

From the Dam Master at Province Lake:

 

Another good year at Province Lake. The water level remained relatively high during the summer, thanks to over 24” of rain from May thru September.

 

The logs at the dam went in on 5/17/2009 at a lake water level of 480 ft. above sea level, which is the ideal level according to the State. This equilibrates to a 6-7” mark below the top of concrete abutment at the dam.

 

During the summer the logs were separated on two occasions to allow faster drainage of the lake water after some heavy rains. For the past three years we have had significant summer rains which have kept the water level on the high side.

 

Also during these three years we have had no algae blooms or evidence of cyan bacteria, zebra mussels or milfoil. Marine plant growth has also been inhibited, particularly in the Hobbs Brook area. I suspect that the higher water levels have a part to play in this,

 

The logs were removed on 10/2/2009 at a water level of 9” below the concrete abutment. Obstruction at the Bailey road culverts is being cleared by the town of Effingham. Hopefully this will allow the lake water level to drop before ice forms.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Dennis R Derby

Water Quality Report

Water Quality Monitoring of Province Lake in 2008                              Presented to PLA on July 18, 2009

2008 was the eighteenth consecutive year of water quality monitoring conducted at Province Lake.  We sampled four times last season.  The test results for 2008 on water samples collected by Steve & Mary Craig were reviewed by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES).  State reports for a number of years are available by clicking this web site.

Many of the terms below include hyperlinks to interesting related web sites.  By clicking on most of the underlined terms, you can access additional information. If the same word is hyperlinked more than once, the different occurrences lead to different web sites.  The NHDES report on the quality of water in the lake for 2008 indicates the following:

1.         The average amount of algae in the lake in 2008 was virtually identical to that measured in the previous year, which itself was the lowest seen since 1999, as indicated by the chlorophyll-a concentration.  We have never returned to the high levels observed during the weed removal activities of 1996 and 1997, and their lingering effects in 1998.  The amount of algae is only 77% of the average for New Hampshire lakes.  This low level is good because dying algae forms the brown floating bottom masses that come to your shore when the wind blows hard in July and August.  The algae masses settle loosely on the bottom when the lake is still and cloud the water when wind or boat wakes stir things up.

2.         Water transparency (a measure of how deep you can see into the water) was an average of 2.5 meters (8.1 feet), about 8 inches less than the previous year, which had been a very good year for us.  As always, this was less than the statewide median of 3.2 meters (10.5 feet), but is not unreasonable considering that we have a shallow lake, so sediments are easily stirred up.  The shallowness means that it is important to educate lake users on the importance of operating jet skis and boats at slow speeds in shallow areas to minimize disturbance to sediments and vegetation.  Churning up the bottom sediments releases phosphorus, which promotes algae growth, increases turbidity (scattering of light by suspended particles), and decreases clarity.

The deepest part of the lake is only 16—17 feet deep, as shown on the bathymetric chart.  

3.         Phosphorus is a nutrient required for plant and algae growth and is typically the nutrient whose availability most limits plant and algae growth in NH lakes.  The average phosphorus levels in the upper water layer in 2008 were also virtually identical to those measured in the previous year and were only slightly higher than in 50% of the lakes in NH (the median).  In the lower water layer, the phosphorus levels were less than in the previous 3 years and were approximately equal to the NH median, but significantly below the median for lakes in NH that are similar to Province Lake.  This is a good thing.  Again, powered watercraft disturbance of bottom sediments is probably an important source of phosphorus for our lake.  Too much phosphorus may increase the growth of plants and algae in the lake.

The phosphorus concentrations at the Rt. 153 Inlet and the Island Inlet on Bonnyman Road continue to be elevated.  These locations have a history of elevated and fluctuating total phosphorus concentration.

4.         We have never sampled Province Lake for nitrogen as part of the monitoring program.  However, a 1987 DES Lake Assessment Program survey determined that plant and algae growth in Province Lake is actually limited by the amount of nitrogen, rather than by phosphorus.  Therefore, it is important to be sure nitrogen-containing fertilizers are not used near the shoreline, or streams or ditches feeding the lake, and to be sure septic systems are operating properly.

5.         Cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) have occasionally been detected among plankton samples in Province Lake in the past.  If present in large amounts, cyanobacteria can be toxic to animals and humans.  Large concentrations would be caused by a bloom, which would be seen as the formation of a green, blue, or pink surface scum in a section of the lake.  Bear in mind that this is different from the tan or yellowish foam seen sometimes after strong winds.  It will likely look different than what you have seen before.  While the current report does not mention cyanobacteria in our lake, please be aware that these bacteria are always here.  Eleven other lakes in the VLAP program had cyanobacteria bloom conditions in 2008 that resulted in public health warnings to lake residents, two lakes for several months.  While recreational exposure to cyanobacteria toxins is a major concern of NHDES, there have been no documented cases of cyanotoxin-related illnesses in New Hampshire.  

If you think you are seeing a bloom, stay out of the water and call the NHDES Cyanobacteria Hotline at (603) 419-9229 to describe what you see.  If suspicious, NHDES will sample and analyze the suspected bloom, then post a No Swimming advisory if there is any danger.  They will monitor the situation and remove the postings when all is clear.             

The best ways to avoid having cyanobacteria blooms are by eliminating fertilizer use on lawns, keeping the lake shore natural, protecting against shoreline erosion, and properly maintaining septic systems.

6.         A pH between 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for fish.  Ours in 2008 was an average of 6.5, almost the same as the 6.6 average for the state.   The pH at the Rt. 153 inlet was 5.7, more acidic than its long-term average of 6.0.  Since it drains a large wetland, it has a high concentration of tannic, humic, and fulvic acids, which give it the color of tea and reduce its pH.  No problem is indicated.

7.         The dissolved oxygen concentration measured in June 2008 showed 95 to 100% saturation at all depths sampled in the deep part of the lake.  A high oxygen level is a sign of the lake’s overall good health.  I encourage powered watercraft to operate far from the shore to mix the deep waters and boost the oxygen concentration, while minimizing their operation in the shallows.

Loons and Lead:  A recently released study[i] (in Northeastern Naturalist, June 2009) addressed the ingestion of lead objects by loons in the six New England states.  Most birds swallow small stones to help them digest food.  Many fishing sinkers fall into the size range that loons prefer.  Loons can also eat fish that have fishing gear attached.  Of 522 loon carcasses examined in the study, 118 had ingested one or more lead objects, 87% of which were fishing weights and 11% of which were firearms ammunition.  Being fish-eaters, loons have a lower stomach pH than waterfowl that eat vegetation, such as geese and most ducks.  The lower pH more effectively dissolves the lead, which then kills the bird.  Poisoning from ingestion of lead objects is the № 1 cause of loon deaths in fresh water.  Therefore, if you still own any lead fishing gear, please stop using it immediately.  This web site, recommended in the study report, includes far more on the subject, including information about bans on the sale and/or use of lead sinkers in New Hampshire  and Maine, and a list of manufacturers who sell lead-free alternative fishing gear.  The Loon Preservation Committee visitor center is one of the many locations where old lead gear can be disposed of safely.

Asian Longhorned Beetle:  The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) is a tree-killing beetle 0.75 - 1.25 inches long, with long antennae and a black body covered with white spots.  It is an invasive beetle that was first detected in New England in August 2008 in Worcester, Massachusetts.  Since then, >$40 million have been spent removing and destroying about 24,000 trees so far in a quarantine area of >63 square miles.  There is a fulltime staff of 40 working on this problem, operating out of a National Guard armory, with 30 more staff planned in the next 2 months.  I present these statistics only to convey the seriousness of the infestation.  This beetle attacks all hardwood trees except oak.  It does not attack conifers.  The major effort in Worcester has been taken to keep this beetle out of the New England forests, where an estimated $600 billion in damage would be possible.  The Asian Longhorned Beetle affects you in two ways:

1.      Please always use local firewood, to keep from spreading this beetle and other wood pests around.  There is a up to a $25,000 fine for businesses knowingly removing wood from the Worcester quarantine area, with smaller fines for individuals moving wood for their personal use.

2.      Watch for the beetle (July – October, most active in August), and more importantly, for signs of it.

·         3/8 to 1/2 inch diameter round exit holes, which may ooze sap

·         Sawdust in tree crotches

·         Tree leaves with only the midribs eaten out

·         Trees dying from the top down (since the beetles and their larvae start eating at the top)

·         Firewood with 3/8 to 1/2 inch diameter round tunnels through it, eaten out by the larvae

What To Do:

·         If you suspect you see an Asian Longhorned Beetle, try to capture it.  Place it in a jar and freeze it to kill it.  It cannot bite you.

·         Write down the exact location where you found it, and at what date and time.

·         If you suspect you see tree damage from this beetle (but no beetle), write down the location of the tree and the nature of the damage.  Tie survey tape or string on the tree, if you can.

·         Call 866-702-9938 from anywhere in the northeast US to report your possible discovery.  Your call will be relayed to the appropriate agency, based on the area code you call from.

·         NOTE that all Asian Longhorned Beetle infestations in the US so far have first been discovered by individuals with no professional training.  If you think you may have found something, don’t be shy.  Tell the professionals and let them check it out.  This beetle can appear anywhere infested wood may have been moved to, which makes areas in and around campgrounds especially vulnerable.

·         You can learn much more at the following web sites:        http://www.massnrc.org/pests/alb/
                                                                                          http://www.uvm.edu/albeetle/
                                                                                          http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/

THANK YOU NOTE:  I want to thank Steve Craig for taking the lead on the sampling activity since 2004.  Each year the State report grades each sampling program and each year Province Lake receives Excellent ratings for sample collection and submittal.  Thank you to Steve, and others who have helped out from time to time!  We can always use more volunteers to help Steve with sampling, deliveries, or both, so please contact Steve or me, or any member of the PLA board if you are interested in helping out.  You may also use the general PLA e-mail address, info@ProvinceLake.org.

Respectfully submitted,

Norm Dudziak, P.E., I.M.

Independent subconsultant to full-service environmental consulting and engineering firm ESS Group, Inc.

The views contained in this report are my personal views and do not represent the views of ESS Group, Inc.

 

 

Province Lake Statistics from Appendix F of the State Report,
Which has Statistics for All VLAP Lakes

Maximum depth

4.9 meters

16.1 feet

 

Average depth

2.8 meters

9.2 feet

 

Volume

11,268,500 cubic meters

2.98 billion gallons

 

Lake area

410.37 hectares

1,014 acres

1.58 square miles

Watershed area[ii]

1,890.7 hectares

4,672 acres

7.30 square miles

Flush rate

1.0 time per year (annual outflow = lake volume)

[i] Pokras, Mark; Kneeland, Michelle; Ludi, Anna; Golden, Ethan; Major, Andrew; Miconi, Rose; and Poppenga, Robert H.  “Lead Objects Ingested by Common Loons in New England.” Northeastern Naturalist 16(2):177-182, Humboldt Field Research Institute, Steuben, Maine, June 30, 2009.

[ii] Watershed area includes the lake surface area. 

Miscellany

 

Ways to contact us:

 

Question pertaining to weeds in the lake email: Weeds@ProvinceLake.org

 

General questions about the PLA email: President@ProvinceLake.org

 

If you want to submit any pictures or have questions about the website or change your email or regular mail address during the year email your changes to: info@provincelake.org

 

Ads for sale, wanted, lost and found, etc email: Adboard@ProvinceLake.org

 

Change of address may also be mailed to our P.O. Box 24, Effingham, NH 03882-0024 


 



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