Cyanobacteria Advisories on Winnipesaukee

[Lake Winnipesaukee Assoc]

DES HAS REMOVED THESE ADVISORIES

Due to the ephemeral nature of cyanobacteria it is likely that these blooms may make a reappearance. While the bloom accumulation has dissipated, NHDES advises that lake-goers look out for green surface accumulations and green clouds in the future. Please continue to monitor your individual shoreline for changing conditions. If you observe accumulations in the future, stay out of the water, and report it (along with pictures, time and location) to the HAB Email (HAB@des.nh.gov) or the HAB Hotline (603) 848-8094 AND the Lake Winnipesaukee Association (brossiter@winnipesaukee.org).

Summer has just begun, but the reports of cyanobacteria are coming into LWA and NHDES at an alarming rate. Over the last few days, we are hearing about sightings all over the lake. NHDES has issued an official cyanobacteria advisory for Winnipesaukee at Ellacoya State Park beach, Gilford and for Jockey Cove, Wolfeboro. Water quality samples were collected and Cyanobacteria (Dolichospermum) were estimated in concentrations of 199,733 cells/ml at Ellacoya and 414,667 cells/ml in Jockey Cove. Advisories are issued when cyanobacterial cell concentrations exceed 70,000 cells/mL. The advisory is not based on a toxin evaluation and is intended as a precautionary measure for short term exposure.

Cyanobacteria sightings have also been reported in the following areas on Lake Winnipesaukee. Check out LWA's Cyanobacteria Tracking Map and Weekly Report

Cyanobacteria Sighting Locations
Dolly Island
Kinneho/Breezy Island
Glendale docks, Gilford
Sally's Gut, Meredith
Fish/Round/Flag, Meredith

If you suspect a waterbody is experiencing a cyanobacterial bloom:
Call or text the NHDES HAB hotline at (603) 848-8094 or email HAB@des.nh.gov and follow these steps to minimize immediate risks:

Don’t wade or swim or drink the water.​
Keep pets and/or livestock out;
Wash your hands if you’ve had contact with the water.
Cyanobacteria are natural components of water bodies worldwide, though blooms and surface scums may form when excess nutrients are available to the water. Some cyanobacteria produce toxins that are stored within the cells and released upon cell death. Toxins can cause both acute and chronic health effects that range in severity. Acute health effects include irritation of skin and mucous membranes, tingling, numbness, nausea, vomiting, seizures and diarrhea. Chronic effects may include liver and central nervous system damage.

NHDES has created an infographic on cyanobacteria for the public.

The LWA is co-hosting two Cyanobacteria talks in July. The first talk, 'Cyanobacteria and What You Need to Know' will be held at the Moultonborough Public Library on July 12, from 3-4pm. The presentation will feature Dr. Amanda McQuaid, Water Quality Specialist, Professor of Water Quality and Ecotoxicology, and Director of the Lakes Lay Monitoring Program at the University of New Hampshire. The second talk will be held on July 20th, 7-8pm, at the Community Center in Meredith in partnership with the Waukewan Watershed Advisory Committee and the Windy Waters Conservancy. The Lake Winnipesaukee Association will present on their work to address excessive nutrient loading to the lake, and provide information on what homeowners and lake users can do to live lake-friendly.

Please feel free to call (603) 581-6632 or e-mail mail@winnipesaukee.org with any additional questions.

Thank You,

Bree Rossiter
Conservation Program Manager

Lake Winnipesaukee Association
P.O. Box 1624, Meredith, NH, 03253
(603) 581-6632

[dickiej]

It’s going to get much worse as long as green lawns, that are fertilized, are allowed along the lake. Having a lawn is pretty much irresponsible in general, but along the lake is a recipe for disaster. Someday, Winni could be a “dead” lake.

[AC2717]

let's not forget the amount of geese that have made this lake home that deposit an average 2lbs (each bird) directly into the lake. While the fertilizer get into the lake more than should for sure this also trickles trough the ground first in most cases being absorbed or broken down. The fecal matter being dumped directly into the lake from the geese is far more problematic, just think when you see a row of 25 of these birds or more in a lot of cases, each one dropping an average of 2lbs of the good stuff directly into the water.

These reports always concentrate on fertilizers, well what makes up a lot of fertilizers? The environmentalists will never look at beyond human interactions. Again making it clear, that lawn maintenance is apart of this

[Grant]

AC2717 -- Yes, the goose population has gone from zero to out of control on the Lake in the past dozen years. Down here in PA, I've seen first hand what it can mean to lakes, ponds, reservoirs, etc. And it ain't pretty. Glad you added that to the thread, as I feel like I'm kicking the proverbial dead horse every time I bring it up. But until people stop having lawns and the state decides to get serious about the infestation, it will only get worse--quickly. So I think we know which direction this is heading. Sad.

[wentworthwhitbreadIII]

Originally Posted by AC2717

let's not forget the amount of geese that have made this lake home that deposit an average 2lbs (each bird) directly into the lake. While the fertilizer get into the lake more than should for sure this also trickles trough the ground first in most cases being absorbed or broken down. The fecal matter being dumped directly into the lake from the geese is far more problematic, just think when you see a row of 25 of these birds or more in a lot of cases, each one dropping an average of 2lbs of the good stuff directly into the water.

These reports always concentrate on fertilizers, well what makes up a lot of fertilizers? The environmentalists will never look at beyond human interactions. Again making it clear, that lawn maintenance is apart of this

Take a boat ride around Governor’s Island and look at all the fertilized green lawns and irrigation. It’s pretty clear when the runoff goes.


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by AC2717

let's not forget the amount of geese that have made this lake home that deposit an average 2lbs (each bird) directly into the lake. While the fertilizer get into the lake more than should for sure this also trickles trough the ground first in most cases being absorbed or broken down. The fecal matter being dumped directly into the lake from the geese is far more problematic, just think when you see a row of 25 of these birds or more in a lot of cases, each one dropping an average of 2lbs of the good stuff directly into the water.

These reports always concentrate on fertilizers, well what makes up a lot of fertilizers? The environmentalists will never look at beyond human interactions. Again making it clear, that lawn maintenance is apart of this

AC, the lawns are why the geese are here!

"Canada Geese feed by dabbling in the water or grazing in fields and large lawns." https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Canada_Goose/id

[fatlazyless]

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/ca...-vs-migratory/ .......

"Canada Geese are one of the few bird species that can digest grass, so they do well on large expanses of lawn in parks, backyards, golf courses, farm fields, and airports."

Eating that grass is basically like eating a salad, and is not their first choice for what to eat. Is more like what is easily available and low priced.

So what's their first choice? Why, it is the Cheez-it, original flavor, in the $4.75 family size box. One Canada goose will eat an entire family size box of Cheez-it originals in one day! .....

[fatlazyless]

http://www.twitter.com/NHDES_Beaches...17194247901184 ..... a Thursday, June 30, 10:35-am advisory from the NH Beach Inspector, w/ photo, for cyanobacteria in the Lake Winnipesaukee water at Ellacoya State Park .... http://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/st...oya-state-park which has a 600' long sandy beach divided into two sections by the large Poor Farm brook that flows down into the big lake between these two sandy beach areas

Adults: $5.00, high-use, State of NH, park entry price to park your car and go swimming

Today is Saturday, July 2, noon ..... this cyanobacteria advisory with photo is dated Thursday, June 30, 10:35-am ..... and I do not see a removal for it ..... so, who knows what's up, down there with the green cyanobacteria floating on the surface of Lake Winnipesaukee, or what is the cause? Could be the NH Beach Inspector is off-work for the weekend, or something ........ weeeoooo?

[mowtorman]

Water quality advisories and the biggest tourism weekend of the year are like oil and water, they don't mix.

Samples Monday evening or Tuesday morning would be interesting.