After a very wintery winter, summer is finally here, and we can look forward to the warm, sunny weather ahead. It’s hard to believe ice-out on Highland Lake was just eight weeks ago, with the resident loons returning the very next day. Highland Lake had 141 days of ice coverage this winter, which compares to only 103 days in the warmer winter of 2011-2012.
The Highland Protective Association (HLPA) exists primarily to support water testing to monitor the health of the lake water and to educate residents within its watershed. The HLPA also provides lakeside services (including the Porta-Potty by the boat launch), supports our loons, and encourages invasive weed monitoring practices.
Membership in the HLPA is a good way to get to know your fellow watershed residents and demonstrate your support for keeping Highland Lake a clean, safe, and healthy place to live and play near. The HLPA welcomes all members of the community who are interested in protecting and celebrating the beauty of Highland Lake.
The water testing program, or Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (VLAP) is managed by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) and involves the purchase and maintenance of specialized scientific collection and measuring equipment, submitting these samples monthly to the state lab, and monitoring the test results for any changes or trends that should be addressed. There is an investment in this equipment plus the monthly lab tests that must be funded.
To that end, the HLPA offers a few fun fundraising activities in the summer to support these expenses, with membership being the primary source of funding. The schedule this summer includes the lighting of the flares around the edge of Highland Lake on Thursday, July 3. Again this year you will have the option of ordering solar-powered lights instead of the traditional flares.
The Fourth of July will feature a whimsical boat parade around the lake, with a $50 cash prize for the best decorated boat.
Our annual ice cream social will be at the East Andover Fire Station on Saturday, July 5, starting at 7 PM. The HLPA annual meeting will be on Saturday, July 19, featuring a guest speaker and other updated information.
Annual dues are still $15 per voting member, and the HLPA encourages anyone interested to become a new member.
Maintaining Healthy Lake Water
Our testing has shown that while they have been holding somewhat steady, we always have to be careful about rising phosphorus levels. High phosphorous levels can cause blooms of cyan bacteria, which can be fatal to pets and livestock if ingested.
One of the most common sources of phosphorus is erosion from the shore around the lake. We’re hoping that everyone will do their part to protect the lake.
As a reminder, here’s a list (taken from the DES Web site) of things that you can do to help limit the amount of phosphorous going into the lake:
- Maintain your septic system properly. Pump out your septic tank every three to five years, or whenever the sludge level exceeds one-third of the tank capacity. Be sure your system is designed to handle the load it receives. A leach field should be increased in size whenever the frequency (seasonal to year-round) or volume (additional people, washing machines, etc.) of use increases. Check your leach field for soft or wet areas or septic smells.
- Do not bathe, shampoo, or wash boats, pets, or other objects in the lake with soap or phosphorus-containing detergents. Do not wash automobiles where the detergent can run into the lake.
- Keep land clearing to a minimum. Maintain a buffer zone of natural vegetation along the shore to contain erosion. Roads and paths leading to the lake should be curved to reduce erosion. Tree cutting must be approved by the DES, per recently enacted laws, within a 250′ margin from the lake shore.
- Do not use fertilizer near the lake shore (or only non-phosphorus fertilizers).
- Do not burn brush or leaves near the shore; the nutrients remain behind to be washed into the lake during the first rain. Do not dump leaves or grass clippings in or near the lake. They also add nutrients to the water.