Health of New Hampshire lakes
At the July annual meeting of the Pleasant Lake Protective Association, some sobering comments were made by Craig Williamson, a well respected freshwater scientist and who has been around Pleasant Lake since 1959. He has made these observations, certain aspects of the chemistry of the lake are declining, leading to increased cyanobacteria blooms. This is the fourth year in a row where Pleasant Lake has had cyanobacteria outbreaks or warnings with one warning recorded earlier this summer.
In Williamson’s words, these are a sign that the lake may be reaching a tipping point. We need to work to control cyanobacteria outbreaks by reducing phosphorus inputs to the lake. The climate is warming, and a warmer climate is more conducive to cyanobacteria outbreaks. Cyanobacteria can produce toxins that cause health effects on humans, pets and wildlife that range from dermatitis to liver and brain damage, to death to pets or small children that drink the water. It also can decrease lakefront property values.
Malfunctioning septic systems and lawn and garden fertilizer applications are the primary human components of the changes in Pleasant Lake and other lakes. Residents anywhere in the greater watershed of any lake need to minimize or eliminate the use of lawn and garden fertilizers, and make sure their septic systems are functioning properly and have them pumped every three years. The New Hampshire Lake Association website has great information on cyanobacteria.
This could be a wake-up call for other lakes in the area as I am sure we are not the only one experiencing these problems. Those of you living on lakes, please pay attention to the health of your lake before it is too late. Let’s preserve these natural features and in turn our property values. The water is clear but….