Hello Everyone,

Spring has arrived and while Lake Warren slowly wakes up from its icy sleep, the LWA Board has been working through the winter season to focus on matters of importance to the lake, our members and the community.

Toxic Algal Bloom: We closed out last season with a concerning event, a cyanobacteria bloom. These blooms occur all over the world in both inland and coastal waters and are not specific to any one region or climate. There is almost too much information available from numerous sources so we have been working to formulate answers to the most common questions that may come to mind and will post this information on our website within the next couple of months. In the meantime, the State of NH HB 1066 is a proposed plan to put in place the knowledge and understanding of how to deal with cyanobacteria blooms in the future for the benefit of all lakes. The Resources, Recreation and Development Committee voted unanimously that the bill ought to pass with an amendment that would direct the Department of Environmental Services to create a plan by November of 2023 with the intent to focus on identifying the tools and resources for managing the blooms going forward. Both NHDES and NHLakes websites have lots of information: Harmful Algal Blooms | NH Department of Environmental Services or type the following into your browser: https://www.des.nh.gov/water and search “harmful algal blooms” or “cyanobacteria.” See also this article: “Our Lakes are Sick” 'Our lakes are sick': Upward trend of cyanobacteria blooms troubles residents, experts – New Hampshire Bulletin (may have to press CTRL + click to open)

Watershed Management Plan: Grant

In August 2021, a technical site visit by CEI (consultants on the current grant to mitigate runoff into the lake) was conducted to identify locations where structural BMPs (Best Management Practices) could be implemented to reduce pollutant loads within the watershed. Some BMPs were eliminated because they are beyond the scope of this grant (too expensive). Two were selected to move forward (one a residential property along Gilsum Mine Road and the other a Town project along Pine Cliff Road to stabilize an eroding bank). The development of a design to reconfigure Pine Cliff Road is a major component of this grant. CEI proposed six scenarios which included options to pave or not pave, narrow the road, straighten the road and create a walking path on the lake side. The work group could not agree on any of the six proposed options as written and requested more input from the consultants and a possible seventh plan which would combine ideas from two of the existing proposals. This part of the grant is for design phase only, another grant will need to be applied for to complete the work. We will provide updates to the project as it moves forward.

Matching Dollars:

A requirement of the grant is for the Town/watershed residents to provide “matching dollars” ($50,000 grant needs a $50,000 match) in the form of materials and labor expended to mitigate runoff issues within the watershed. For example, if anyone had to do repairs to their driveways, lawns, etc. as a result of the heavy rains experienced last summer, please complete the attached form. THIS IS NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF REIMBURSING YOUR EXPENSES. If you spent $1,500 to do repairs to your driveway, then that amount will be applied to the grant as a match. If we are unable to fulfill this part of the grant, we may be denied the funds and will lessen our chances for being awarded future grants. Other eligible expenses could include installing runoff mitigating projects such as a rain garden, water bars, purchase of a rain barrel to collect roof runoff, etc. You may request a form by emailing us at lakewarren.nh@gmail.com. Please email the completed form to the Lake Warren Association or mail it to the P.O. Box below.

Thank you and we hope to see you all soon!

Lake Warren Association

P.O. Box 331

Alstead, NH 03602