Cyanobacteria Warnings in Lake Winni

[Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance]

Over the last 48 hours we have received reports of the Cyanobacteria, Gloeotrichia, in various parts of Lake Winnipesaukee. We are working with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to collaborate on sampling areas of high density, and tracking any additional reports. Use the NHDES Healthy Swimming Mapper to view current warnings, watches and observations.

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/8d84a6b03acb4efaab571b222c78447b

If you suspect a Cyanobacteria bloom, please report it to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Take photos, document your location, description of your observation, contact info and send it to NHDES using the reporting form below and LWA by emailing brossiter@winnipesaukee.org

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/151c9fc3c8214c2e93325f77e0f1d578?fbclid=IwY2xjawE8 D0pleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHS3S4818i15a2o_sC_qAenzBzXHx7f 1-78NnhckMV8kKHiMg5U4iuZYlVA_aem_K8FdH8-9gRhZAi78uo8ddg

Please see this 2022 Fact Sheet on Gloeotrichia from NHDES. “When in doubt,stay out.” If you were swimming in areas with suspected bloom conditions- shower immediately. Kids and pets are especially at risk due to ingestion. Please, be smart, be safe, and head to www.winnipesaukee.org to find out what you can do to help protect Lake Winnipesaukee.

https://www.des.nh.gov/news-and-media/cyanobacteria-sightings-reported-gloeotrichia-1?fbclid=IwY2xjawE8D2NleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRkLefd8Il3 itLr9Rf27XeRBD5u_fRnqXSCV0uBBL_odtA3H6scKCCzW-w_aem_iqmlwfKcu5TlLBjb_abp0A

[retired]

West Alton, Spring Haven was clear today. Enjoyed a nice swim.
Happy Labor Day to everyone.

[WinnisquamZ]

https://indepthnh.org/2024/08/30/sununu-blasts-des-on-cyanobacteria-messaging-saying-it-does-not-kill-people/


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[Biggd]

Very quiet up here this weekend. I wonder if the news of bad water quality kept people home?

[thinkxingu]

Very quiet up here this weekend. I wonder if the news of bad water quality kept people home?I think more likely the weather? And the water hasn't really been warm for a few weeks now...

Edited to add: the weekend weather turned out much better than originally forecast and the water wasn't too cold, though I did notice a lot more people just hanging on their boats rather than swimming.

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[rick35]

Very quiet up here this weekend. I wonder if the news of bad water quality kept people home?

Gov. Sununu wasn't too happy with DES. Not good timing for the holiday weekend.

https://indepthnh.org/2024/08/30/sununu-blasts-des-on-cyanobacteria-messaging-saying-it-does-not-kill-people/

[SAB1]

The closing paragraph says DES is doing as good as possible with only one person handling Cyanobacteria issue…..

Little thin on staffing if that’s the State’s staffing level …….

[longislander]

After $800,000 Treatment in Spring, Cyanobacteria Back on Lake Kanasatka, and Others
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org August 29, 2024


Numerous articles on this

https://indepthnh.org/

https://indepthnh.org/2024/08/29/after-800000-treatment-in-spring-cyanobacteria-back-on-lake-kanasatka-and-others/

https://indepthnh.org/2024/08/28/a-form-of-cyanobacteria-gloeotrichia-is-causing-multiple-warnings-on-lake-winnipesaukee/


The State owns lakes that are 10 acres or higher.

[TomC]

this study suggests a 3-4% decrease in property values can be expected due to cyanobacteria.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921800922001434

[longislander]

And that was in 2022.

Ecological Economics Volume 199 , September 2022, 107481

[ApS]

Longislander,

Paula Tracy's article's last link refers to "a Perfect Storm" which produces cyanobacteria warnings.

That was the exact term I used when the Cyanobacteria subject first came up this season.

Left out was (among others) the extended months of an overfilled lake by the dam people. The early boating season ate away so much of our shoreline that the lake bottom couldn't been seen for the dark soil eroded from a ("new", years-long-in-the-making) shoreline that has collected the necessary nutrients for a bloom to occur.

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showpost.php?p=394327&postcount=59

:look:

[John Mercier]

Since the prediction is for another warm, wet winter (predictions are never perfect)... we may see that again.

The dam operator can't just simply flood the properties downstream.

[longislander]

this study suggests a 3-4% decrease in property values can be expected due to cyanobacteria.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...21800922001434

My last comment was in support of TomC 's post (property values).
Since it referred 2022, just think how bad it is now in 2024 and 2025 budgets already being discussed.

I didn't bother bringing up that property assessments are going up, and that property taxes will probably come up again, ad nauseum, on this forum. Maybe someone will ask ... what do you mean by ... property value? It won't be me.

The state owns the lakes, not the towns, and a Merrimack state rep. who owns property on Katnasatka has done and is doing a phenomenal job pursuing cyanobacteria pollution.

[rhubarbpie]

We had planned to, but did not come up this weekend - I got really, really sick a few years back after swimming in what we thought was pollen, but was actually gleoetrichia. Not worth risking that with kids and also small dogs who like to drink from the lake.

Sununu should be ashamed of himself for saying it was safe. I realize he's trying to maintain tourism and get re-elected, but just absurd to try to throw DES under the bus. Does he want someone's dog or kid to die?

[John Mercier]

Sununu isn't running.

[rhubarbpie]

Ahh thank you, my bad. In that case it makes even less sense to me that he's out there with this.

[fatlazyless]

So, it's been my experience that when the yellow 8.5x11" fecal bacteria or the orange 8.5x11" Cyano bacteria warning signs get posted by the NH DES employee into the sandy beach at Weirs Beach, Laconia, close to the Lake Winnipesaukee water, the signs pretty much get ignored and people make their own choice on whether or not to go swimming or wading. It's like the signs are there for everyone to see, but many or most go enter the lake, despite the signs. The City of Laconia leaves the choice up to the individual as for what to do.

I do not know if this similar situation is the case at Ellacoya State Beach in Gilford because I have never been there when the yellow or orange DES signs have been posted into the water's beach sand edge? I wonder what does the Ellacoya State Beach do when the warning signs are posted? Do people still go into the water similar to Weirs Beach or is entering the State Beach water
closed?

To swim or not to swim when the NH DES signs are posted, that is the New Hampshire lake swimming and wading question.

What do you do?

Apparently, the NH DES tests the water and posts the warning signs but it is up to the NH town, city, or state to actually close the lake water from swimming/wading.

When people see others already in the lake, out beyond the warning signs, they usually go in the lake, too, because that's what they came to do, to go swimming or wading.

So, live free or die, go swimming in the Cyano green refreshing lake water because almost no local towns actually enforce the warning signs so the signs usually get ignored ...... no big deal ..... and so N.H. what?

If the local town doesn't take the NH DES warning signs too seriously, then what the hay ...... is time to go splash that cool water on a hot and humid day .... and besides, for Weirs Beach and Ellacoya State Beach, their swim beach helps to generate revenue for the city and the state beach so closing the water is a serious thing to do. No swimming probably means no money, or at least a big reduction in money.

You know, "If we was to enforce these no swimming warning signs, it would stop the people from paying to come here to the beach." Isn't that right?

[FlyingScot]

this study suggests a 3-4% decrease in property values can be expected due to cyanobacteria.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921800922001434

A lot more than that if you look at Lake Champlain

[ApS]

My last comment was in support of TomC 's post (property values).
Since it referred 2022, just think how bad it is now in 2024 and 2025 budgets already being discussed.

I didn't bother bringing up that property assessments are going up, and that property taxes will probably come up again, ad nauseum, on this forum. Maybe someone will ask ... what do you mean by ... property value? It won't be me.

The state owns the lakes, not the towns, and a Merrimack state rep. who owns property on Katnasatka has done and is doing a phenomenal job pursuing cyanobacteria pollution.

While the attempt appears to be the right thing to do, the treatment didn't hold up. :(

Ahh thank you, my bad. In that case it makes even less sense to me that he's out there with this.

This post and #14--above--puts this thread on thin ice (so to speak).

:look:

BTW: A neighbor was out there again wakeboarding in the dark with nav-lights on...

:confused:

[longislander]

The saga continues ...

https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/state/sununu-slams-des-cyanobacteria-warnings/article_a0cf0786-671d-11ef-90e0-db3a5fa82293.html

[The Real BigGuy]

I can’t read the article but I assume he is upset because of the potential economic damage before one of the biggest weekends of the year (I apologize if “assume” got me) but, if so, would he rather people potentially got sick? Wouldn’t that put the state at risk of legal liability and adverse publicity if someone did get sick and the found out that DES knowingly withheld its findings?


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[longislander]

Try this URL.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/sununu-slams-des-cyanobacteria-warnings-224900226.html

[fatlazyless]

Corcoran's Pond, a town owned water body in Waterville Valley, a 7-acre resort pond had two yellow fecal bacteria warning signs posted into the town sand beach from August 20 to Friday, August 30, when they got removed on Friday, August 30.

That was a totally welcome change in the pond's water condition status and excellent timing for the 8.5x11" yellow warning signs, "Unsafe for Swimming or Wading" to disappear just prior to the busy three day, Sat-Sun-Mon Labor Day weekend.

The water surface had been looking very clean and clear throughout these ten days with no visible surface growth and no ugly scum present, and there was one big rain event that lowered the water temp from about 70 down to 65-degrees which is wicked cold for swimming the deep water but ok for wading.

All throughout this summer and past summers I've been swimming a 200-yard triangle course across the pond, to the dam, and back to the beach, so I am very familiar with Corcoran's Pond plus I make it a habit to pick up small pieces of plastic and paper litter from the large sandy town beach.

This weekend has seen a lot of visitors using the beach area for volleyball, fishing, picnics, music, family, a lot of weekend visitors come to Waterville Valley on this big holiday weekend so it was great that the two yellow warning signs were gonzo on Friday. Thank-you NH DES for doing what you do!

[The Real BigGuy]

Thank you, that worked!

After reading it, I have to disagree with the gov. I think it is the responsibility of the state to warn people. It then falls to the individuals to do their research and determine if the risk is acceptable to them. If the state has evidence of a “toxic” bloom and fails to notify the potentially impacted population I believe that puts them at liability for negative impacts that arise.

However, I have to agree with his concern for the use of the word “toxic.” It is one of the most overused & often misused words out there. I spent 40 years in the hazardous waste cleanup & disposal business and always had issues with environmentalists use of “toxic” for every chemical they came across. Yes, a lot of the waste we dealt with were dangerous but, I wouldn’t call them toxic unless one consumed a lot more than was humanly possible.

Dangerous puts people on warning, toxic scares the crap out of them.


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[retired]

This sounds familiar. When in doubt, get four vaccines, stay 6 feet away from everyone and wear a mask for the rest of your life. Does anyone trust the government anymore? You may choose to do whatever the government tells you to, but I choose to educate myself and make my own decisions.

[FlyingScot]

Thank you, that worked!

After reading it, I have to disagree with the gov. I think it is the responsibility of the state to warn people. It then falls to the individuals to do their research and determine if the risk is acceptable to them. If the state has evidence of a “toxic” bloom and fails to notify the potentially impacted population I believe that puts them at liability for negative impacts that arise.

However, I have to agree with his concern for the use of the word “toxic.” It is one of the most overused & often misused words out there. I spent 40 years in the hazardous waste cleanup & disposal business and always had issues with environmentalists use of “toxic” for every chemical they came across. Yes, a lot of the waste we dealt with were dangerous but, I wouldn’t call them toxic unless one consumed a lot more than was humanly possible.

Dangerous puts people on warning, toxic scares the crap out of them.


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It's sad to see the governor, who tries to portray himself as a reasonable guy, to be so off base here. Nobody said this would kill you, but it can give you a very bad rash, and REALLY mess you up if you are a child, dog, asthmatic, or otherwise compromised.

While we might debate the candidates to replace Sunnunu, I hope we can all agree that the next governor should take this more seriously and protect our lakes

[camp guy]

The last sentence in FlyingScot's post is all anyone needs to know about caring for our Lakes. The economy of the Lakes Region is the LAKE, whether it is swimming of boating, it is the LAKE. If the "warning" signs start appearing early in the season, the economy is at serious risk. It is a little like snow in the ski areas - no snow, poor economy.
"Jaw boning" people into protecting the Lake isn't working. We need some serious legislation designed specifically for the immediate problem. Maybe it is time, in some areas, that the "grandfather clause" be eliminated in favor of saving the ecology for our grandkids.

[Biggd]

This sounds familiar. When in doubt, get four vaccines, stay 6 feet away from everyone and wear a mask for the rest of your life. Does anyone trust the government anymore? You may choose to do whatever the government tells you to, but I choose to educate myself and make my own decisions.Yes, but this information also shouldn't be suppressed by the government. You can't make that decision without the information, from however you choose to believe.

[WinnisquamZ]

The last sentence in FlyingScot's post is all anyone needs to know about caring for our Lakes. The economy of the Lakes Region is the LAKE, whether it is swimming of boating, it is the LAKE. If the "warning" signs start appearing early in the season, the economy is at serious risk. It is a little like snow in the ski areas - no snow, poor economy.

"Jaw boning" people into protecting the Lake isn't working. We need some serious legislation designed specifically for the immediate problem. Maybe it is time, in some areas, that the "grandfather clause" be eliminated in favor of saving the ecology for our grandkids.

“The grandfather clause”. Absolutely should be abolished. Two neighbors of mine are still on leaching fields.


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[John Mercier]

I thought for septic systems it was anything within 100 feet of a public system had to hook up, or get a municipal waiver if the system was newer?

[ApS]

ALS, a fatal disease with ties to the prevailing wind's shores of lakes from Lake Champlain to Maine.

On Lake Winnipesaukee, Tuftonboro is a major target of wind driven cyanobacteria--and their spores.

It's sad to see the governor, who tries to portray himself as a reasonable guy, to be so off base here. Nobody said this would kill you, but it can give you a very bad rash, and REALLY mess you up if you are a child, dog, asthmatic, or otherwise compromised.

While we might debate the candidates to replace Sunnunu, I hope we can all agree that the next governor should take this more seriously and protect our lakes

Repeatedly, this forum hasn't been the place to debate the candidates. (Or any candidates).

If one reads the article from The Union Leader, the Governor had asked the NHDES Director to not be ''alarmist".

Since everyone here knows what letter [ ✓ ] follows this Governor's name, I'll tag this thread as "political".

[WinnisquamZ]

I thought for septic systems it was anything within 100 feet of a public system had to hook up, or get a municipal waiver if the system was newer?

City system is more than one mile away uphill. Was told grandfathered until property deed changes hand.


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[WinnisquamZ]

ALS, a fatal disease with ties to the prevailing wind's shores of lakes from Lake Champlain to Maine.

On Lake Winnipesaukee, Tuftonboro is a major target of wind driven cyanobacteria--and their spores.



Repeatedly, this forum hasn't been the place to debate the candidates. (Or any candidates).

If one reads the article from The Union Leader, the Governor had asked the NHDES Director to not be ''alarmist".

Since everyone here knows what letter [ ✓ ] follows this Governor's name, I'll tag this thread as "political".

You are correct.


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[The Real BigGuy]

Stop trying to make everything a political issue. It isn’t until you push it that way.

No government should hide potential health issues because it is concerned about a negative economic reaction. That would be no different than cigarette companies hiding potential cancer ramifications of smoking. Look where that got them.


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[John Mercier]

ALS, a fatal disease with ties to the prevailing wind's shores of lakes from Lake Champlain to Maine.

On Lake Winnipesaukee, Tuftonboro is a major target of wind driven cyanobacteria--and their spores.



Repeatedly, this forum hasn't been the place to debate the candidates. (Or any candidates).

If one reads the article from The Union Leader, the Governor had asked the NHDES Director to not be ''alarmist".

Since everyone here knows what letter [ ✓ ] follows this Governor's name, I'll tag this thread as "political".

Since Sununu isn't running. I don't think he had a political reason for his reaction.
More likely it is because DES doesn't have a definite solution - personally not sure there is one. It seemed more like frustration to me.

[Mr. V]

Dogs are used in Sandpoint, Idaho to get rid of geese.

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/aug/28/geese-police-sandpoint-licenses-team-of-pet-dogs-t/

[ApS]

From your article, a major takeaway:

"Still, these lethal methods still didn’t keep other geese away.
The green park with its groomed grass along the water was just too attractive.

A few years ago the city even hired a professional dog to chase the geese."

[WinnisquamZ]

The geese need to be terminated. Wash and repeat as required


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[John Mercier]

We can't hunt them in most areas of the Winnipesaukee watershed.

[Mr. V]

We can't hunt them in most areas of the Winnipesaukee watershed.

To quote John Mayall: "The Laws Must Change."