Lawns, fertilizer and Lake Winnipesaukee's health
Read a very disturbing article in yesterday's NY Times about a cyanobacteria outbreak that closed down the largest lake in New Jersey.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/n...ong-algae.html The prime factor causing the cyanobacteria bloom was nutrients getting into the water from storm water runoff and poorly maintained septic systems. Fertilizer runoff from lawns of homes surrounding the lake was also cited as a contributing factor. Everyone, it seems, wants a lush green lawn right down to the water's edge yet that is mainlining nutrients right into the water. Seeing all the green lawns around our lake causes me to wonder what is it going to take to cause people to wake up to the danger these lawns and the resultant fertilizer application pose for water quality. People need to educate themselves (and their neighbors) about this threat and towns around the lake need to do more to mandate a non lawnbuffer around the lake and restrict the use of fertilizers. Better yet, don't plant grass at all, use native plants and bark mulch. All of us need to do more to protect lake water quality. Read the NYT article about this lake in NJ and think about "what if it happened here?" Property values would plummet and people would be up in arms about how did this happen? We need to take action now. The Lake Winnipesaukee Association is educating people about the water quality threats to our lake. More people should become members and spread the word. Landscape companies should all be required to use lake friendly practices (including limiting fertilizers and use only those designed to be used near water bodies) and educate their customers about the danger of lawns immediately adjacent to lakes. Towns along the lake and the NH DES need to be far more aggressive in protecting water quality. Please help. |
As I see the increase in population of geese around our lakes I can't help but wonder what effect their 4-6 pounds of daily waste have on water quality. I witness first hand the "mess" they make of my shoreline. They are eating and pooping machines.
Also, I am curious if lower water levels contribute to higher surface water temps. It seems that lower volume of water may allow higher water temps which would create a better environment for cyanobacteria. |
Lakesmart
NHLAKES has a program called "LakeSmart" You can do a self evaluation to see if your property is "LakeSmart" You don't have to be direct shorefront, lots further back have runoff too. www/NHLAKES.org/lakesmart.
Getting a few places certified. I've just started the procees,and I think it will be straightforward for most islanders who have lots of trees and no lawns. I heard recently of "blueberry sod" you can use instead of grass. Native. No fertilizer, doesn't need to be cut and it doesn't obstruct your view. AND you can eat the berries. I want to try some. Anybody know where to buy? |
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http://greenthumbfarms.com/our-products/native-sods/ https://wildsodsofmaine.com/pictures...blueberry-sod/ |
water quality
I thought there were regulations on fertilizing lawns close to shore. Problem is how do you enforce that? I guess you have to prove that some one violated the regulation.
People don't care. This weekend some one was feeding ducks where I and friends were anchored. There were informed nicely not to and its against the law. The did not acknowledge the warning and continued. |
It is not against the law to feed ducks unless you are on public property in a town where it is prohibited. There are regulations on fertilizing lawns close to the water and the landscapers that I know use the special fertilizer for lawns.
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Middle Number Should be Zero
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If you are anywhere within one of the towns that's on the lake, it's best not to use fertilizer. But if you must, please make sure the middle number on your bag is "0". Many excellent gardeners are not aware of this. Please make sure they know if they're working at your house |
Phosphate in Lake
1 Attachment(s)
Braun Bay July 4, 2019
Any guesses on the increase in phosphate levels? |
Good info
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Braun Bay pollution threat
I don't understand how these large gatherings are allowed by the state and Marine Patrol. The amount of pollution (not to mention noise) that stem from these type of uncontrolled parties (let's face it, it's just one big party) with no sanitary facilities available should be measurable. E-coli levels use be high with people wondering off into the woods to relieve themselves and subsequent rains washing that back into the lake. What can be done to better protect the lake and water quality from these type of crowds?
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Hijack?
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Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
Ya know I just read a law that was enacted in Connecticut making people culpable for any damage they do to their neighbor’s property if they plant bamboo in their yard. Why the hell can’t NH enact a law prohibiting fertilizer distribution within 25 yards or so from the lake?
Sent from my iPad using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app |
Why do people never read previous comments?
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Fertilizers
I've been talking about this for years, the green lawns are not good for the water quality. 60's and 70's I could find crayfish under every other rock I flipped over. By the 90's they were few and far between and now there are NONE! Some say they have moved offshore but I'm not so sure. I used to tell my next door neighbor who had the green lawn and he did not seem to care or believe me that his fertile lawn was ruining the water. Very sad
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Well, my lawn grows plenty on its own. I'll never encourage it with fertilizer!
:D |
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Also another post mentioned about boats having facilities oboard these days. And while that is true, have you every tried to use those facilities? Plus you have to have them pumped out etc..... So how many people want to go through the hassle to use there on board facilites.... On larger boats I am sure they do.... on smaller boats not so much..... There is plenty of Pee-Pee in that water every weekend..... |
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