the Loon Flyer Winter 2001
Published by the Squam Lakes Association
SLA BEGINS BIOMONITORING PROJECT
This past year the SLA took a proactive step towards the long-term conservation of the Squam Lakes Watershed. Recognizing the increasing significance of maintaining biodiversity, the SLA has recently contracted with Dr. Rick Van de Poll to begin a comprehensive bioinventory of the watershed.
Dr. Van de Poll is one of the most respected scientists in New England and has his doctorate in Natural Resource Management. He is currently performing resource inventories for the Lakes Region Conservation Trust on properties they have protected in the Ossipee Mountains and locally on the Red Hill and Kusumpe Pond parcels.
Biodiversity or biological diversity, encompasses the diversity of genes within species, species within ecosystems and of entire ecosystems. Biodiversity is declining at a rapid pace on a global scale and threatens ecological sustainability. Scientists have only recently begun to study this problem in detail. By learning more about biodiversity we increase our scientific knowledge and can make more informed decisions in environmental management and discover new products. A good example of this is the discovery of the rosy periwinkle, a species of plant originally native to Madagascar. As a result of this discovery, Hodgkin's disease and acute lymphocytic leukemia, cancers that affect young adults and children, are now largely curable.
While we may not be so fortunate as to make a potential life-saving species discovery, the data collected under this project will help us to understand our watershed and to make more informed decisions. For example, this past summer during some preliminary field work, Dr. Van de Poll observed a rare plant species known as Douglass' Knotweed growing on the summit of West Rattlesnake, a popular hiking destination. This plant species is currently identified by the state as a priority state-threatened species. SLA trail crews have been reconstructing the Old Bridle Path to the summit this past fall and will return in the fall of 2001 to continue work. Planned in the work is re-routing sections of the trail and installing visible barriers to protect the Douglass' Knotweed.
The SLA has been involved in long-term monitoring projects regarding water quality and the Common Loon, however we feel a pressing need to understand more about the flora and fauna that inhabit the watershed. A major element of our 2000 Capital Campaign was to raise sufficient funds to begin this project by performing a baseline assessment. We are fortunate that the membership contributed generously towards this cause and we are fortunate to have found Dr. Van de Poll.
During the first half of 2001, Dr. Van de Poll will be reviewing all relevant data for the Squam Lakes Watershed then developing a work plan to perform the inventory. A baseline inventory will then commence in the summer of 2001 and continue through the summer of 2002. After the baseline data have been collected and analyzed, monitoring transects will be established that provide representation of both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Longterm monitoring will then continue with the SLA planning to use Dr. Van de Poll and his team of specialists supplemented by volunteers.
SQUAM WINTERFEST An Afternoon of Family Fun
The weather cooperated with us this year, and Saturday, January 20th turned out to be a fine day for ice-skating, cross country skiing and snow shoeing at the SLA headquarters on Piper Cove. Close to 100 people of all ages dropped by to enjoy the casual, family oriented event.
Two ice skating areas were prepared, one rectangular for skating games and an oval track for general and speed skating. Jamie Hess of The Nordic Skater (www.nordicskater.com) demonstrated Swedish-made skate blades that clip onto cross-country ski boots.
Numerous cross country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts ventured onto Piper Cove proper, passing a local bob house that sits at the mouth of the SLA cove. Hot cocoa and cider and cookies were waiting for them on their return. Though not the dramatic bon fire of years past, the fire in a steel drum provided a place to warm hands and chat.
Naturalist Beth Roy of the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center brought a Barred Owl down to the launch area, drawing quite a crowd, and a bat was the center of attention in the headquarters' Great Room.
All in all it was a great way to spend a winter afternoon in the Squam Lakes region!
Status of loons on the Squam Lakes
By 1975 the Common Loon (Gavia immer) population in the state of New Hampshire was in notable decline. In 1976, the Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) was created to address concerns about human and predatory impacts on loons. Over the next few years, LPC biologists were able to document a decline in the historic numbers of loons in New Hampshire, resulting in the registration of the Common Loon as a state-listed threatened species in 1979. Today, LPC's mission continues to be the restoration and maintenance of a healthy loon population throughout the state as a component of a regional population and ecosystem.
Of all the lakes in the LPC's statewide survey, the Squam Lakes are unique both historically and biologically. The filming of the movie, "On Golden Pond" in 1981, and its subsequent popularity, served to elevate the status of loons nationally, and their presence continues of be of socioeconomic importance to the area. Squam hosts one of the highest concentrations of breeding loons in the state and represents the most complete subset of LPC's archival data, dating back 25 years. This long-term data set provides a measure of changes in environmental quality and is an important foundation for loon research, such as banding, mortality, and contaminants.
The Squam Lakes are the most intensely managed of all the loon-occupied lakes in New Hampshire, requiring the effort of a full-time seasonal biologist working in concert with lake residents. Last summer, 13 territorial loon pairs were counted on the Squam Lakes by LPC staff. Ten (69%) of these pairs attempted nesting, with nine (90%) successful in hatching sixteen chicks. Of the sixteen chicks hatched, only eight (50%) survived to the end of the season. All of the fledged chicks in 2000 were produced from artificial nesting islands, or rafts.
Rafts are used to offset egg loss from water level fluctuation and/or predation, and nine loon territories on Squam Lake are managed with rafts each year. Last season, seven of the rafts floated were successfully used as nesting platforms, hatching 12 chicks. Though rafts have clearly increased the hatching success of loons on the lake, that success does not translate into increased survivorship. Chick survivorship on Squam Lake continues to be low in comparison with other lakes surveyed in central New Hampshire (the "Lakes Region"), as well as with other lakes state wide. Last year, 95% of hatched chicks survived in the Lakes Region, and 73% chicks fledged statewide. The five-year average survivorship of chicks on Squam Lake is 55%, and last year was no exception to that depressed trend, as only 50% of chicks survived in 2000.
Analysis of eggs, feathers, and blood collected from loons on Squam indicate that the birds on the lake, as well as those in the Lakes Region as a whole, are not at risk of reproductive failure due contaminants. Primary stressors on Squam point more to human disturbance and pressures from high densities of loons as most likely factors impacting fledging success on the lakes.
In response, LPC has instituted the use of ropes and floating signs to cordon off high-risk territories in attempt to mitigate the impact of recreational activities. More importantly, support by lake residents, and education, continue to be most critical to changing human behaviors detrimental to loons. Attempts are currently in place to quantify disturbance, as well as aggressive interactions among loons in high densities, but these data are not yet summarized. We know that large lakes typically have common foraging areas that support populations of non-territorial birds. Individuals from this "floater" population frequently intrude on established territories, thereby disrupting established pair bonds, nest attendance, and parental care of chicks. All of these behaviors have been observed in high frequencies by field staff stationed on the lake.
Of all the lakes in New Hampshire, the loon is most intimately associated with the Squam Lakes. Though their numbers have increased on the lake, it is a tenuous victory in the face of ever-increasing pressures to loons. More than ever, we find ourselves in need of committed individuals to assist us on the lakes. If you, or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please contact Kate Taylor at the Loon Center, Moultonboro, NH (603) 476-5666.
Bowman Island Ski Tour
Six SLA members participated in SLA's Bowman Island Cross Country Ski Tour on February 3rd and 4th. The tour was lead by Eric Morse and Steve Sanders, and the skiers explored Squam during the beauty of winter. The tour started at the SLA headquarters, with a stop at the Bowman Island cabin where skiers left their overnight gear and warmed up the cabin by wood stove.
From Bowman Island the skiers headed to Five Finger Point, where they stopped for lunch on a snow covered beach. The tour headed east of Little Loon Island and stopped for a chat with local ice fisherman. Upon returning to the cabin, a hole was chipped in the ice for drinking water, and hot chocolate was served in the cabin.
SQUAM TRAIL MAP NEARS COMPLETION
Eric Morse, SLA Natural Areas Manager hiked the 50-mile trail network with a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit to create a new digital trail map of the Squam trails. The GPS unit, which was borrowed from the University of New Hampshire's Cooperative Extension, has extremely accurate resolution of less than 1.0 Meters, depending on the alignment of GPS satellites.
The trail map will be produced using ArcView Geographic Imaging Systems (GIS) software at UNH. The GIS program
will layer the digital trails over USGS topographic maps, resulting in a detailed topographic map of Squam's trail
system. The new trail map will be sold with an updated version of the Squam Trail Guide and will be available in
the spring at the SLA Store.
SLA ADOPTS RESOLUTION TO PROHIBIT PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ON SQUAM
In 1989, the New Hampshire Legislature adopted a law (RSA 270:74 a) that created a process whereby local residents or property owners could petition to the Commissioner of the Department of Safety to prohibit or restrict the use of skicraft on a body of water or portion thereof. Skicraft were defined by law (RSA 270:73 V) as any motorized watercraft or private boat which is less than 13 feet in length as manufactured, is capable of exceeding a speed of 20 miles per hour, and has the capacity to carry not more than the operator and one other person while in operation. The term includes a jet ski, surf ski, fun ski, or other similar device.
The Squam Lakes were one of 67 lakes that petitioned and were granted prohibitions or restrictions by the Department. Since that time the predominant watercraft manufactured in the skicraft or personal watercraft category has been greater than 13 feet in length and capable of carrying more than two persons. Thus the prohibitions or restrictions granted under this law are subject to a restrictive definition of skicraft that fails to regulate similar devices. The New Hampshire Legislature has introduced legislation on several occasions to rectify the discrepancy between the outdated and narrow definition of skicraft that exists and the vessels currently manufactured in this category. These legislative attempts have been unsuccessful.
"Our board made a decision to take a proactive approach to the issues surrounding the use of personal watercraft on Squam Lake" stated Chris Devine, Executive Director. "Our decision is based on many factors including the geography of the lakes and the desire to make the Squam Lakes a safer lake for all the public to enjoy."
Steve Sanders of Sandwich, NH has joined the SLA staff as the Facilities Coordinator and started working on February 12. Steve will be supervising maintenance and construction projects as well as overseeing the daily operation of the boat rentals program. Steve is well suited to manage the rentals as he managed the ski and bike rentals at Waterville Valley for the past three seasons. Steve and his wife Karen live in North Sandwich with their two year old daughter Mykenzie and two month old son Hunter. Both Steve and the SLA staff are excited about him joining our team.
ECONOMIC STUDY INITIATED
The SLA is one of a group of stakeholders organized by the New Hampshire Lakes Association and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Lakes Program that are supporting a study of the economic value of the surface waters of New Hampshire. The goal of the study is to obtain information that would guide decision-making regarding uses to support long-term economic health and conservation of resources. Dr. Lisa Shapiro, Chief Economist with Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell will be the principal researcher for the study. Phase I of the study has begun and focuses on providing a preliminary assessment of existing literature, data and methodologies need to perform a detailed analysis.
Memorial Contributions
The Squam Lakes Association appreciates the recent contributions in memory of Vaughan Harmon and Robert E. Van Vliet, both of whom passed away in December of 2000. Our sincere condolences are offered to their families.
20-YEAR WATER QUALITY DATA ASSESSED
In early 2000, the SLA received a $9,000 grant from the NH Department of Environmental Services-Non Point Source Program. The funding is provided under Section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act to encourage local initiatives to accomplish watershed protection. Under this grant the SLA is assembling and evaluating data associated with lake monitoring, tributary monitoring and the shoreline septic survey performed in 1993 to identify problem subwatersheds that affect the Squam Lakes. The goal is to identify these areas and present wastewater management alternatives.
The first task of the project has been completed and is presented in a report entitled "Lay Lake Monitoring Program Data Summary Report 1979-1999, Squam Lakes, New Hampshire". This report includes tabular and graphical representations of the lake monitoring data collected by volunteers over the past twenty years. The graph below shows water transparency at Livemore Cove from 1979 to 1999.
Ask The Water Quality Expert
Dear Jeff,
I hear the concern about the green slime on the bottom of boats at the end of the season. What is the correlation between water quality on Squam and the accumulation of slime on boats?
Lisa
Dear Lisa:
As discussed in a previous article in the Loon Flyer, slime on rocks, docks, bulkheads, floats and boats is generally a combination of bacteria, algae and sometime even microscopic animals. The process is initiated when bacteria that attach to the surface create a biofilm - an organic layer that attracts other organisms and allows for attachment. Typically the microscopic plants that attach (called eriphyton) are hard silica shelled diatoms that are very good at avenging the small amounts of nutrients that are available in the water. Eventually there may even be microscopic animals called hydroides that also anchor onto the surface waiting to capture the small protozoa type animals that can be found grazing on the diatoms and other plants.
The extent of growth on objects can be related to water temperatures, sunlight (bottom reflection in the case of a moored boat), and nutrients available. There are always natural variations in these conditions that could cause changes year to year. However, we also know that increased nitrogen and phosphorus loading from fertilizers, surface runoff and septic system outflows can also augment growth.
We only have anecdotal evidence of this accumulation but it would be very interesting to document these accumulations over time. It would be relatively simple to do this by placing a floating sampler that has glass slides and/or other materials (PVC or plexiglass) that one could remove and replace every other week or so during the summer. We would then examine the slides to determine the types of dominant algae species found and also measure the biomass of the periphyton collected. By tracking the growth over a series of seasons and comparing this to temperature, sunlight and nutrient concentrations we may eventually have a better understanding of the cause of any "slime" outbreaks and possibly use them as early indicators of water quality problems that can eventually impact the lake.
Thank you for your interest.
-Jeff