the Loon Flyer Fall 2000
Published by the Squam Lakes Association
TRAIL WORK COMPLETED
The SLA took an enormous step in maintaining its 50-mile trail network during the fall of 2000 by hiring a trail crew of Student Conservation Association (SCA) Resource Assistants. Thanks to the fund-raising efforts of hikers and sponsors in the 2nd Annual Hike for the Trails, a grant from the Recreational Trails Program, and an equipment grant from the Doris Benz L. Trust the SLA funded its first full-time trail crew.
The trail crew worked from August 28 through November 17, completing a tremendous amount of work on the following trails: the Old Bridle Path, Moon Island, Bowman Island, Doublehead trail, Belknap Woods trails, Mead trail, and the Crawford-Ridgepole trail.
The Old Bridle Path to West Rattlesnake is the most popular hiking trail in the Squam Lakes region, because of the amazing views from the summit, the moderate grade, and the accessible parking. Several hundred hikers ascend the Old Bridle Path each weekend, from spring through fall, and the impact has caused severe erosion on the trail. The trail crew has constructed 80-stairs and several water bars on the trail to control erosion.
Carron Mulligan (Trail Crew Leader), Becky Avrin, Kate Finley, Erik Kelley, and Vince Schachner (SCA Resource Assistants) were the SLA trail crew members and they lived at the Mead Base Camp in Sandwich Notch.
Carron, a graduate of Le Moyne College and the SCA's Massachusetts Forests and Parks Americorps Program directed the five-person trail crew. Carron's vast experience with the AmeriCoprps program assisted the trail crew in constructing stairs, water bars and native timber bog bridges.
"It has been a great experience, to work outdoors every day in such a beautiful place. The SCA's Resource Assistant program is excellent; I really enjoyed working with the other members of the trail crew," said Carron.
The trail crew relocated the Old Bridle Path around a section of massive erosion (see the cover photo from the Spring 2000 Loon Flyer). A switch back was created with 13-wood stairs (hemlock logs which were cut and peeled on site) and 11-rock stairs to hold
FISH KILL ON SQUAM LAKE
by Christopher Devine
On Wednesday September 13, 2000 an event occurred that resulted in the mortality of predominantly landlocked salmon in the Sandwich Bay area of Squam Lake. Investigations by the NH Fish & Game Department, NH Department of Environmental Services, and the University of New Hampshire are on-going to try to determine the cause of the kill that affected an estimated 30 to 100 fish.
Landlocked salmon were native to the Squam Lakes and had a naturally reproducing population in the early 19th century. The construction of dams and over fishing caused for a tremendous decline in the population and stocking was begun in 1878. Presently, natural reproduction of salmon in the Squam Lakes is negligible to non-existent. The New Hampshire Department of Fish & Game currently manages the salmon population in the Squam Lakes with a combination of stocking and regulatory limits. Salmon season is open from April 1 through September 30 with an 18-inch minimum and daily limit of two fish inclusive of trout species. Fish & Game stocks between 3,500 and 4,500 salmon into the lake each year and for the past six years they have been introducing a strain of Atlantic Salmon to reduce inbreeding and increase survival in the salmon population. The Squam Lakes have also been stocked every other year since 1990 with 4,500 lake trout.
Squam does have a naturally reproducing smelt population and smelt constitutes about 70% of the salmon's diet. Smelt are also consumed by rainbow trout, lake trout and smallmouth bass. The number of salmon and lake trout stocked is adjusted depending on smelt population assessments conducted by Fish & Game each summer. From 1924 through 1933, close to 40 million smelt eggs were planted in Squam to restore a declining smelt population that was later attributed to a particularly voracious strain of the Chinook Salmon that was stocked in the lakes at that time. Since 1949, the taking of smelt via nets or smelt dipping has been prohibited on Squam to further manage the population of cold-water game fish.
The salmon growth rate in Squam has typically been upward of 20 inches in length for a two-year old fish, however
over the past two years that growth has declined to about 17 inches. Also during this period the smelt have been
less abundant and therefore less salmon have been stocked to allow the smelt population to recover. Fisheries management
is a complex science and part art. Every now and again nature throws a curve ball such as the recent salmon kill.
At this time there are only theories as to the cause of the kill that include: a bloom of algae that contained
biotoxins; an influx of nutrients that caused for a depletion of dissolved oxygen; or a disease or parasite.
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
This past summer we experienced the discovery of invasive milfoil on Little Squam and the mysterious salmon kill in Sandwich Bay, both of these indicative of the impacts of our presence. Over the past year we have taken measure of our abilities to handle these as well as future challenges and made significant changes to address them. We are reaching out for the support of the membership to enable the association to continue our mission. I would like to explain what we have done, what we plan to do and why you have been receiving more than the usual amount of mail from us.
· Strategically, we have built positive, pro-active relationships with local and state agencies. We are working in collaboration with other lake associations throughout New Hampshire to formulate and guide legislation on issues we all face. We are in the midst of an assessment of our 21 plus years of water quality monitoring data that we will use to guide decision-making and we have begun a multi-year bioinventory of the watershed to provide comprehensive information for the future.
· Operationally, we had to address the tremendous growth we experienced over the past four years. We installed a new computer network, a new phone system and purchased membership software. We also greatly simplified and improved our administrative procedures. The result of all these efforts is that we are more efficient than ever and better equipped to focus on the big picture issues for which we exist.
· Financially, for the first time in our 95-year history we have initiated a capital campaign designed to strengthen our financial condition. Each year we seek your support in the form of membership dues and an annual appeal. The remainder of our income is derived from program fees, grants and income from a modest endowment. Currently, membership dues provides 26% of income, the annual appeal 20% and our endowment 8%. We evaluated our long-term goals and developed our 2000 Capital Campaign. One campaign goal is to increase our endowment to the point where it provides 14% of our income with a corresponding reduction in our annual appeal needs each year. Your support of the capital campaign has been magnificent, with pledges that put us 80% toward achieving our goal of raising $1.8 M. These pledges will begin to have an effect on our financial position in mid-2001.
As we approach the close of the millennium year, please help us achieve our campaign goals and meet our annual
appeal needs. Best wishes for the coming holiday season.
ASK THE WATER QUALITY EXPERT
Jeff Schloss, Coordinator of the New Hampshire Lay Lakes Monitoring Program and Water Resource Specialist for the University of New Hampshire answers your Squam water quality questions in each issue of the Loon Flyer.
For a few years now I've had a question about foam or suds forming on bodies of water so I'm delighted to see your column in the Loon Flyer.
We've been coming to Squam for about 12 years, usually spending two weeks in the Center Harbor Neck part of the lake. I seem to notice more foaming on the lake after it has been agitated (by a boat or choppy waves). I'm also an avid fly fisherman and notice in Pennsylvania and other states that some streams can develop quite a bit of foam while others do not.
Is foam something to be concerned about? When it builds up it certainly doesn't look attractive. I've read that it can come from fertilizer phosphates, from detergents or soaps, and that it is naturally occurring. What causes foam? Is it an issue on Squam?
I look forward to your reply. Keep up the great work of caring for our wonderful lake. Thanks.
Clifford W. Kozemchak
Gwynedd Valley, PA
Dear Clifford,
Many people often are concerned when they see foam on lakes and streams as they immediately suspect detergent pollution. However, foam may be naturally occurring in lakes, rivers and streams due to wind action or other causes of mixing (boat activity, waterfalls) on the organic substances released from aquatic organisms, plants and soils. These substances reduce the surface tension of the water and thus allow air bubbles to mix in causing a froth to appear.
Foam is especially prevalent during insect molting (Spring and Summer) and fish spawning times (Spring and Fall). Detergent foam tends to be white, sometimes smells of perfume, and can reach a thickness greater than about three inches. If commercial in nature it can be very persistent although new formulations sold to consumers must be biodegradable and are thus are short-lived.
Natural foams tend to be dirty looking or earth colored and have a musty or fishy smell. A good test is to collect some of the foam and water in a medium sized glass jar and shake the sample. Natural foams will tend to dissipate when diluted but detergent foams will tend to increase in froth. So unless the foam you are seeing has the characteristics described for detergents, there is no harm being done.
Please send your water quality questions to the SLA by e-mail: info@squamlakes.org, fax (603) 968-7444 or
mail: SLA, PO Box 204, Holderness, NH 03245.
BOATING SAFETY COURSES OFFERED AT SLA
In April 2000, a bill (HB449) requiring mandatory boater education, was signed into law by Governor Shaheen. The requirement will phase in over a seven-year period, beginning in January 2002 for those 19 years of age and younger. At the end of the phasein all those operating motorized boats will be required to have a certificate.
The SLA is sponsoring boating safety classes and the classes will be offered through the New Hampshire Marine
Patrol. The course is approximately 8-hours in length and concludes with an examination. Upon achieving a score
of 70% or better on the exam, the attendee will be given a certificate that is good for life. The course is FREE
and taught in two four-hour sessions. The first course will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2001 at 6pm and
Saturday, January 6, 2001 at 9am. To register please call the NHMP at 1-888-254-2125.
Bike Around The Lake
by Rachel Brooker
Sunday, July 16th some 22 bicyclists gathered at the SLA headquarters for the annual Bike Around The Lake. A hardy group, one and all, participants ranged in age from teens to 70-something. Some rode mountain bikes while others rode all-terrain or touring bikes. Riders collected pledges from sponsors for the 27-mile long ride that took them around Squam Lake. Some $900.00 in proceeds went to benefit the Squam Lakes Association's summer youth programs scholarship and equipment fund.
For almost 40 years the Junior Squam Lakes Association (JSLA), and more recently, the Community Youth Sailing Program (CYSP) have introduced young people to the unique resources of the Squam Lakes Region and have helped foster a sense of understanding, caring and stewardship for its environment. Campers and sailors develop a sense of community with each other and with the staff. They leave with a network of summer friends, memories of fun, learning and adventure and an appreciation for Squam's natural heritage.
Many thanks to Larry Mowbray for organizing this year's event, all those who rode the circuit along with him,
and all who gave their support to SLA's youth programs through pledges to the riders. Thanks are also due Rockywold-Deephaven
Camps for providing the refreshments and to Claire Mowbray and Nancy Ruhm for their time and enthusiasm in getting
the refreshments to the tired and thirsty riders!
Looking Back