What can I do to protect Squam Water Quality?

The future of the lakes rest in our hands as everything we do on, in and around the lake will have its impact. Here are some simple ways you minimize your impacts on the lake.

• Keep your septic system properly maintained, have them inspected every 3 to 5 years and pumped when necessary.
• Dispose of waste materials (trash, leaves, clippings, ash) properly, not in or near the lake.
• Limit the creation of impervious surfaces (paving, roofing, decking) on your property.
• Divert any water flow on your property into vegetated areas. Use drains, swails, and waterbars.
• Store and apply dangerous materials with care following all instructions.
• Do not add sand, dredge or fill-in shoreline areas.

In your landscaping:

• Minimize clearing of vegetation, especially on shorelands.
• Leave vegetative buffer strips above and below clearings.
• Keep your grass cut high (at least 2 inches)or use dwarf fine leaf fescues.
• Use low or no phosphorous, slow release nitrogen fertilizers.
• Limit your use of chemical pest treatments, check out safer alternatives.

When you are boating:

• Take care when you fill your boat and do not overfill. Use absorbent pads to soak up oil and gas leaks and dirty bilge water rather than flushing them into the lake.
• If you plan to purchase a new outboard motor think about a four cycle model or a two cycle with electronic fuel injection to keep pollutant discharges down.
• Keeping your motor tuned will also minimize impacts.
• Never use harsh chemical boat products or cleaning products where they can run off into the lake. Even low phosphorous detergents can augment algae growth.
• When out on the water, follow the 150 foot safe passage law and respect no wake zones. Avoid shallow water whenever possible to prevent sediment re-suspension and habitat destruction. If you must cross shallow waters maintain headway speed and minimize your wake at all times.
• If you have a choice of areas to water ski, pick those locations that are over the deepest water, are furthest from shore and that have vegetated shorelines.
• Make sure you are not assisting in the spread of non-native plants and animals (millfoil, cabomba weed, zebra mussels). Check your watercraft, trailer and vehicle for these "hitchhikers". Also check all gear, live wells and bilge water. Keep out of shallow weed beds to prevent further spread of native weeds.
• Leave No Trace on Squam Lakes: Properly dispose of trash and "don't do it in the lake". Use toilets at Moon Island, Bowman Island and the Chamberlain Reynolds Memorial Forest (Neffa). Avoid disturbing wildlife and their nesting habitats.

For more information contact SLA Info@squamlakes.org or call (603) 968-7336