Lake Quassapaug Association

Welcome to Our Website

Welcome to the Lake Quassapaug Association website. The mission of the lake association is to preserve the
lake’s high water quality and promote responsible enjoyment of the lake.

2020 GIVE LOCAL CAMPAIGN
The LQA Give Local campaign at the Connecticut Community Foundation includes two generous matching pledges:

A $10,000 1-1 match for the annual LQA operating expenses and
A $5,000 1-1 match for contributions from new donors or those that increase their donations.

Your donation in 2020 is critical to meet our $50,000 goal.
In order to be eligible for the matches and the bonus contributions from CCF, donations can be made either :

online at the Connecticut Community Foundation website www.givelocalCCF.org from 7 AM April 21 to 7 PM on April 22 for any amount of $10 or more
or by check for $250 or more to Lake Quassapaug Assn., PO Box 285, Middlebury, CT postmarked by April 14.

HOW CAN WE HELP PRESERVE LAKE QUASSAPAUG?

REDUCE PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN FLOWING INTO THE LAKE

Most of the threats to Lake Quassapaug including: milfoil, reduced water clarity and quality can be tied, at least in part, to the high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in the lake. These nutrients lead directly to excessive plant growth as well as the rise of cyanobacteria. The problems are being exacerbated by the increase in annual temperatures. All residents in the lake’s watershed are urged to reduce these nutrients by:

Eliminating or significantly reducing fertilization on your properties. Even though phosphorus is outlawed in most fertilizers in CT, fertilizers with phosphorus are still widely sold here.
Reducing erosion into the lake and helping to create a watershed management plan.

Reducing traditional lawns and replacing with native shrubs, flowers and grasses that do not need fertilizers and at the same time provide habitat for birds and important insects. Local nurseries that specialize in native plants can assist you, and several home owners on the lake who have made this transition can provide you with examples.

NEWS AND EVENTS

CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR INVASIVE WEED CONTROL IN 2019

The reduction in invasive milfoil continued in 2019 through the hiring of the Pristine Company for 10 weeks to harvest variable and Eurasian milfoil in the main part of the lake and the coves. Survey data from LQA’s Northeast Aquatic Research (NEAR) consultants showed that the overall percentage of the lake’s area infested with variable milfoil has been reduced from 23% in 2014 to 8% in 2019 with none found in the main part of the lake. Eurasian Milfoil, which is the more aggressive form of milfoil, was harvested in small amounts in just two locations in the coves. In the past, numerous Eurasian milfoil plants were found in the coves. While LQA hires professional divers for the suction harvesting of the milfoil, the LQA volunteer weed team continues to spend many hours maintaining our boat and suction harvesting equipment and also guiding the divers. The full 2019 Northeast Aquatic Research reports are available on the LQA website under Publications. The plan for 2020 is to continue with 8 weeks of suction harvesting to ensure that all milfoil in the main part of the lake is removed and milfoil in the coves is further reduced.

HOW CAN WE HELP PRESERVE
LAKE QUASSAPAUG?

LQA has been very successful in reducing the milfoil in our lake and in monitoring its water quality. Our consultants from NEAR indicate that LQA is the only lake they are aware of in Connecticut that is managing the milfoil invasion successfully through suction harvesting. In addition Lake Quassapaug has some of the best water quality in CT, but the 2019 testing results outlined on pages 2-3 of this newsletter show areas of concern with the water quality. What can we do to continue preservation of the lake?

NUTRIENT TESTING RESULTS IN 2019

Nutrient testing for phosphorus and nitrogen is undertaken at the deepest point in the lake from April to October by either NEAR or LQA volunteers. In 2019 there were thirteen readings of concern for phosphorus and nitrogen levels especially in July-September
These nutrients feed plants, including the milfoil LQA is trying to minimize , and therefore the high readings directly counter our suction harvesting efforts. Cyanobacteria blooms are also more common at higher than optimal phosphorus readings.

WATER QUALITY AND CLARITY

Water quality, clarity and nutrient loading are all interrelated. Water clarity: In 2019 water clarity was the poorest since LQA began sampling and did not exceed 5.4 meters at our deepest spot in any month as compared to 9 meters in 2014. NEAR noted, “Continued monthly monitoring of the water clarity will be incredibly important in 2020 to ensure that water clarity does not continue to decline.”

Water Temperature: Significant warming of the lake occurred by May 2019 and lasted until late October resulting in less oxygen at the bottom of the lake. Low oxygen triggers additional release of phosphorus from the bottom sediment into the upper levels of the lake which in turn accelerates plant growth. NEAR notes : “As climate change leads to longer growing seasons , there is a potential for worsened internal loading of nutrients from the lake bottom.”

Dissolved oxygen: NEAR tests showed : “Mid-depth oxygen loss was unusually strong allowing nutrients stored in the sediments to be released from the bottom into the overlying water column.” LQA is increasing its budget for testing by NEAR in 2020 to further investigate these concerns and how to mitigate them.

CYANOBACTERIA BLOOM

After June sightings in the lake of possible cyanobacteria, LQA sent photos to NEAR and asked them to visit and check the outbreak. Sampling of the water showed very low amounts of cyanobacteria with pine pollen and other algae making up most of the samples, but NEAR indicated that the outbreak did appear to represent a localized cyanobacteria bloom. “ Such small scale blooms can be the result of suction harvesting or hydro-raking and are usually small in size and last only a few hours. Small blooms can be toxic and could still produce toxins at levels harmful to human or pet health.”

VOLUNTEERS are always NEEDED
As a volunteer organization we welcome assistance from all who are interested in preserving Lake Quassapaug. Join dedicated volunteers in tasks such as gathering water samples, working with our consultants, communicating with our members or other involvement that meets your interests. Please send us an email on the Contact page of this website or contact any of our Directors directly.