Just over a month into serving to protect Newfound lake and its watershed and I have already learned so much. On our first day with Newfound Lake Region Association, the other watershed Stewards and I helped set out a loon nest raft in the Hebron Marsh. Newfound Lake has only had two loon chicks hatch and survive in the last 13 years. In efforts to help we put out the raft, it provides a safe place for the mating loons to nest since many loons have been displaced due to recreational fishing use of the lake, shoreline development, climate change, and increased number of predators.
Newfound Lake has zero aquatic invasive species in it and a large part of that is because of the work that watershed stewards and volunteers have done to protect the lake. Part of this work is monitoring kayaks and other recreational boats and gear entering the lake and checking them for invasive species. Recreational boats moving from one waterbody to another is a major way that invasive species can spread. This work along with monitoring the lake bed for invasive plants like variable milfoil are helping keep Newfound clean. Weed Watchers are our volunteers that help us monitor the lake.
Not only does the introduction of invasive plants have effects on the ecosystem, but also has effects on the chemistry of the lake. As plants decompose they release phosphorus, methane, and other chemicals that change the chemistry. When you see small bubbles rising from the bottom of a waterbody, chances are its methane coming up from decaying organic matter. Decomposing plants also leave a mucky layer of sediment on the bottom of lakes. Over time, as lakes age, more of this sediment, along with sediment introduced by stormwater runoff, causes lakes to become more shallow. This is a process that can take hundreds of thousands of years, but the introduction of excess nutrients can speed up the process drastically. Excess nutrients can come from agriculture, faulty septic systems, stormwater runoff, and decomposing organic matter.
Slowing Stormwater from entering the lake is an important part of keeping water high in quality. One of the first projects the other watershed stewards and I did together was install a system to prevent erosion on Route 3A in partnership with the NH Department of Transportation. The system involved digging trenches into the bottom of berms on the side of the hill caused by stormwater running over it and carrying sediments with it into the lake. This was then covered with landscape fabric and filled with rocks to keep it steady. Finally, we covered the top with grass seed to try and get growth back on the hill. Having native plant growth also helps prevent erosion, as roots keep the sediment together.
We also recently completed our first small scale stormwater project with the Rudof family. This project involved adding a garden of native plants to their front yard along with wood chips to help slowdown stormwater as well as keep sediments in place when heavy rain storms happen. Further down the lawn we added infiltration steps with a path of pebbles to decrease the speed of water from entering the lake and give the ground a chance to soak it up. The path of pebbles also prevents the ground from being compact. Compacted ground is unable to soak up water and leads to more runoff.. Under their rain spout we dug down a few feet and filled it back up with 5 inch river rocks so there was a place for water to collect and soak into the ground before entering the lake. The entire experience was very rewarding, especially since it was raining while we were working and we got to see first hand how our work was helping slow down the water.
Antoni is a half-year member serving at the Newfound Lake Region Association. Learn more about Antoni here!