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. GIVE LOCAL CAMPAIGN A BIG SUCCESS RAISES $42,048
Thanks to our many generous individuals and organizations, LQA raised over $42,000 during the Give Local campaign including a $10,000 match from the Salem Foundation Fund at the Connecticut Community Foundation and a $4400 bonus allocation from Connecticut Community Foundation. In total LQA has now raised $55,000 in 2017 for our suction harvesting and lake preservation efforts. Special thanks to: Astro Electric CT Community Foundation Middlebury Swim Club Garrett & Antoinette Moore Joe & Beth Molder Quassapaug Sailing Club Quassy Amusement Park Salem Foundation Fund Sandy Beach Club Sportsman's Club 
D.A.S.H. BOAT FOR HARVESTING MILFOIL IS LAUNCHED
After many months of effort on the part of the LQA Weed Team, the new DASH boat was launched IN 2016. The hard-working team members, led by Jack Starr, include George Nybakken, Paul Anderson, Matt Holloway and Dave Marshall. They purchased a used pontoon boat, designed the layout of the suction harvesting equipment and ordered the equipment which was mounted onto the boat by Nutmeg Welding. Testing by the team then ensured that the boat and equipment were in perfect order before the suction harvesting team from A& E Diving Services in Vermont arrived. The dive team has noted that the equipment is excellent, allowing significant amounts of milfoil to be harvested daily. A trailer to haul away the milfoil has also been purchased which eliminates the cost of a dumpster. Funding for the boat and equipment was provided by a $11,500 State of Connecticut DEEP Invasive Weed grant matched by a grant from the Salem Fund at the Connecticut Community Foundation. By owning its own boat, LQA is able to save $8,000 this year in suction harvesting expenses. (See video link of DASH Boat launch - Republican-American) |
NEWS AND EVENTS
LQA MEMBERS AND DONORS ATTEND ANNUAL MEETING Lake Quassapaug Association’s 2017 Members and Donors attended a very special annual meeting at the home of the Petersons overlooking Lake Quassapaug. After a short meeting, the Petersons led guests on an historical tour of the beautifully restored Whittemore gardens followed by a wine and cheese reception. Guests, many of whom have lived on the lake for years, were delighted with the fabulous view and the story behind the Whittemore properties. At the annual meeting, two new Directors were elected to the LQA Board of Directors. Garrett Moore, Sr. and his family live on the lake and he was involved in the founding of LQA. Janet Helgeson is a summer resident who has taken on much of the publicity for LQA. LQA ACCOMPLISHES MUCH OF ITS 2017 PLANS IN MAY The suction harvesting crew from A&E Diving Services arrived in the cold month of May. With special diving suits that are warmed with 120 degree water, the crew achieved much of the 2017 milfoil control plan. All areas around the main part of the lake were cleared with very little milfoil harvested. Channels in both Dam Cove and Tylers Cove were checked with any regrowth harvested. The amount of regrowth was significantly less than in 2016. An additional acre in Tylers Cove has also been harvested for the first time this year. Less than 10 Eurasian milfoil plants were pulled throughout the lake except in Tylers Cove where additional plants were discovered in the northern part of the cove. Having the divers begin their work early before the water lilies were fully grown allowed the crew to detect the Eurasian milfoil. See map at bottom that outlines the areas harvested in past years and the new areas for 2017.George Knoecklein our consultant was pleased with the progress LQA made in 2016. See the Knoecklein report under Publications. LQA TACKLES MILFOIL IN BIG COVE The major work to control milfoil in Big Cove which was begun in 2016 will continue in 2017. In order to halt the migration of any milfoil fragments from Big Cove into the main part of the lake, a boom and buoy will be installed in Big Cove. Fragmentation of milfoil is a primary method by which the milfoil generates new plants. The boom will have an opening in the middle to allow boats to access Big Cove. Once the milfoil in the southern section of Big Cove is controlled, the plan is to move the boom and buoy further up the cove. 
WATER QUALITY AND CLARITY ARE EXCELLENT After his review of Lake Quassapaug this fall, LQA’s consultant rated Lake Quassapaug one of the “best in the state” for its water clarity and quality. The heat and drought of the 2016 summer affected Lake Quassapaug less than other lakes in area towns. The 2016 report on water quality and milfoil control will be available from our consultant in December. Lake Quassapaug water quality continues to be monitored monthly for most of the year by our volunteer Invasive Weeds Committee. 1. Monitoring includes measuring clarity, temperature and dissolved oxygen from top to very bottom. 2. Water samples from 5 depths (1, 6, 12, 16, and 19 meter water depths), are taken for analysis of total phosphorus concentrations. 3. Samples of storm water input to the lake were taken in spring to test for phosphorus levels. Due to the drought additional samples were not available in the fall. EDUCATION AND PREVENTION Preserving Lake Quassapaug is as much about preventing problems as it is about addressing issues after they have occurred. Although our phosphorus concentrations currently are within the recommended limits, we are on the borderline (See Knoecklein report) and need to do all we can to limit phosphorus input to the lake. Native plant gardens can limit degradation of the lake. Storm water run off can be checked for excess phosphorus. Deterring other, even more detrimental, invasive weeds from entering the lake requires education for boat owners and lake residents in spotting and eliminating such invasives. Anyone interested in serving on the Education and Prevention Committee or helping with these innovative projects, please send a message on our Contact page. |
At the celebration for the launching of LQA’s new suction harvesting boat, the boat was christened the “Anti Millie” by Thyrza Whittemore.
The LQA Board of Directors, thanked the Invasive Weed Team: Jack Starr, George Nybakken, Paul Anderson, Matt Holloway and Dave Marshall for their tremendous efforts in purchasing the used pontoon boat and designing the layout for the suction harvesting equipment.
The LQA Board of Directors, thanked the Invasive Weed Team: Jack Starr, George Nybakken, Paul Anderson, Matt Holloway and Dave Marshall for their tremendous efforts in purchasing the used pontoon boat and designing the layout for the suction harvesting equipment.
