InDepthNH.org (https://indepthnh.org/series/lake-health-nh)
This summer, InDepthNH.org is taking a deep dive into water quality issues facing the state’s almost 1,000 water bodies and what is being done to protect their health.
These cooling lakes and surrounding forested land, are main drivers in the state’s economy. We are talking with lakefront property owners, scientists, lawmakers, and association groups to bring you the latest information.
State officials saw records broken for the number of months of posted warnings for cyanobacteria on lakes and ponds and while awareness has increased, funding to address the problem has not kept up.
Gov. Chris Sununu’s veto of a bill related to reducing cyanobacteria in the state was overridden by the House and Senate which met for the last time this session Thursday to go over 15 vetoes.
With the water temperature a pleasant 70 degrees, it could be a good time for a swim in Lake Winnipesaukee as the state has taken down all cyanobacteria warnings and watches for the Big Lake Wednesday.
Just days after the White Oak Pond Watershed Association filed a $100,000 grant application with the state to create a watershed management plan for the 298-acre water body, the red warning sign went up Monday warning of cyanobacteria.
The cyanobacteria warnings have been decreased to watches for Governor’s Island, The Broads, and Wolfeboro areas of Lake Winnipesaukee. The watches remain for the Alton and Tuftonboro areas.
New Hampshire boasts some of the cleanest, clearest lakes in the world from various reports and points of view, none of which is verifiable or certifiable
Saying “this is not ‘Jaws,’” Gov. Chris Sununu ripped the state Environmental Services Department Friday for its messaging on cyanobacteria as a number of blooms have appeared on Lake Winnipesaukee in time for the busy Labor Day holiday weekend.
Lake Kanasatka now has its first cyanobacteria watch issued for 2024 after the lake association has taken efforts to fight the problem.
The state Department of Environmental Services reports a form of cyanobacteria known as gloeotrichia which presents as blobs floating up and down in the water column, are the primary concern on the Big Lake while other water bodies are having some form of cyanobacteria warnings or watches including Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro and Pool Pond in Rindge.
A $300,000 state contract to protect New Hampshire lakes from the spread of invasive species this summer has resulted in a “save” of Conway Lake from an invasive species.