NH LAKES

🌊✨ A healthier lake starts at the shoreline.

The Country Pond Lake Association, in partnership with the Town of Newton, recently completed the first phase of an important project to help protect Country Pond from harmful cyanobacteria blooms.

Thanks to funding awarded by NH LAKES through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the public boat launch area was upgraded with stormwater management features designed to reduce polluted runoff entering the lake. New infrastructure—including a catch basin, infiltration basin, permeable pavers, check dams, and native plantings—will help keep the nutrient phosphorus out of the water, improving water quality and reducing conditions that can fuel cyanobacteria blooms.

Even better? The improvements also create a safer, smoother, and more reliable boat launch area for everyone who enjoys the lake.

This project is a great example of what can be accomplished when lake associations, municipalities, state agencies, contractors, and community members work together to protect New Hampshire's lakes for future generations.

👏 Thank you to the Country Pond Lake Association, Town of Newton, NHDES, KV Partners LLC, Jamco Excavators LLC, and local volunteers for making this project a reality!

🚤🌊 How far from shore should you be boating? Now there's a map for that.

NH LAKES is excited to launch our new Lake-Friendly Boating Initiative, featuring an interactive online map that helps boaters visualize recommended distances from shore, water depths, and sensitive areas on New Hampshire lakes.

Whether you're cruising, waterskiing, wake surfing, tubing, fishing, or paddling, the choices you make on the water can help protect shorelines, wildlife habitat, water quality, and native aquatic plants.

The best part? Lake-friendly boating doesn't mean less fun—it means helping ensure our lakes stay healthy and enjoyable for generations to come.

🗺️ Explore the interactive map and learn the five pillars of Lake-Friendly Boating:

💧 Protect Water Quality
🌿 Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species
🏞️ Protect Shorelines and Lake Bottoms
🦅 Respect Wildlife
🌱 Protect Native Aquatic Plants

Every Boat. Every Lake. Leave No Trace.

Learn more: nhlakes.org/lake-friendly-boating

🚨🌿 First AIS Save of the Season! 🌿🚨

NH LAKES Lake Host John Webster recently made the first aquatic invasive species (AIS) save of the season when he discovered and removed a fragment of invasive curly-leaf pondweed from a boat trailer before it could enter Lake Sunapee.

This single plant fragment had the potential to spread an invasive species to the lake—but thanks to John's careful inspection, it never got the chance.

"It's for real," John said. "One person can make a save and help stem the tide of invasives, little by little."

This first save of the season is an important reminder that every boat inspection matters. A few extra minutes at the launch can make all the difference in protecting the lakes we love. Clean, Drain, and Dry every time!

Read John's story and learn how Lake Hosts help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species: https://nhlakes.org/how-one-inspection-protected-lake-sunapee/

Special thanks to our partners at the Lake Sunapee Protective Association! 👏

💙🌊

It's peak pollen season in New Hampshire, and we're seeing pollen accumulating on lakes across the state. These photos were taken in the Lakes Region yesterday.

🌿 If you've noticed yellow-green streaks, swirls, or patches floating on your lake lately, you're not alone.

While pollen is a normal sign of spring, it can sometimes be mistaken for cyanobacteria. If you're wondering what you're seeing on the water, our blog can help you spot the differences and know when it's time to take a closer look.

📖 Read: Is That Cyanobacteria... or Just Pollen? https://nhlakes.org/is-that-cyanobacteria-or-just-pollen/

Remember: if you're ever unsure what you're seeing, avoid contact with the water and report suspected cyanobacteria blooms to NHDES.

What are conditions looking like on your lake? Share a photo in the comments! 👇

💙 Last week, NH LAKES was honored to dedicate Lakes Congress 2026 to the life and legacy of Jody N. Connor as we approach the 15th anniversary of his passing.

Jody devoted 32 years to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, including 20 years as Director of the Limnology Center, which was renamed in his honor in 2012. His leadership helped establish programs that remain at the heart of lake protection efforts today, including the Volunteer Lake Assessment Program, Clean Lakes Program, Exotic Species Program, and Beach Inspection Program.

The hundreds of volunteers, scientists, lake associations, and community members who gathered at Lakes Congress last week are a testament to the enduring impact of Jody’s work. His vision helped build the foundation for protecting New Hampshire’s lakes, and his legacy continues to inspire those working to keep our waters healthy for future generations.

Thank you, Jody, for your lifelong commitment to New Hampshire’s lakes. 💙🌊

Congratulations to Representative John MacDonald, recipient of the 2026 Reverend Sidney Lovett Memorial Award for Exemplary Lake Advocacy! 💙🌊

Presented by NH LAKES every two years, this award recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary leadership in bringing people together to protect and restore New Hampshire's lakes through public policy and community action.

A lifelong Wolfeboro resident, retired New Hampshire State Police detective, former Marine Patrol officer, and current state representative, John has dedicated decades of service to protecting New Hampshire's natural resources and advancing policies that safeguard water quality, recreation, and our state's outdoor heritage.

We were honored to present this award at Lakes Congress 2026 alongside members of Reverend Sidney Lovett's family, whose legacy of environmental stewardship and public service continues to inspire lake advocates across New Hampshire.

Please join us in congratulating Representative John MacDonald on this well-deserved recognition for his commitment to protecting the lakes and waterways we all cherish.

(Photo from left to right: Lisa Lovett, Peter Lovett, Representative Rosemarie Rung, Tonya Albee, Representative John MacDonald, and Andrea LaMoreaux.)

What happens when lake advocates, volunteers, scientists, community leaders, and policymakers from across New Hampshire come together in one room? 💙

Lakes Congress 2026 reminded us that while our lakes face challenges, there is an incredible community of people ready to protect them.

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, exhibited, sponsored, and helped make this year's event possible. The ideas shared, connections made, and momentum built will fuel lake-friendly action all summer long.

Missed a session or want to revisit a favorite? Presentation materials, including Kivi Leroux Miller's keynote on Engagement Mindsets, are now available on our website. https://nhlakes.org/lakes-congress/

Together, we're building a stronger future for New Hampshire's lakes—one community, one conversation, and one action at a time.

Photo 1: Exhibitors, like SOLitude Lake Management, provide extra resources to attendees.

Photo 2: Attendees from various Ossipee Lake associations and organizations stewarding the Ossipee Lake Watershed

Photo 3: Kivi's Keynote presentation can help you reach a broader audience!

Photo 4: Our partners at Lake Life Brand brought some laughs to the day with the photo booth at their exhibit table.

It's the final day of NH Gives, New Hampshire's 24-hour fundraising event, and we're soaking up the excitement of seeing your donations doubled to restore lake health!

There are still matching funds available, so be sure to make your gift to protect lake health before 5:00 PM!

Click here to DOUBLE your gift: https://www.nhgives.org/organizations/nhlakes

🌊💙

NH Gives starts NOW!

For the next 24 hours, every gift to NH LAKES will be DOUBLED to help protect and restore New Hampshire's lakes.

Right now, 10 lakes are under cyanobacteria watches—and more blooms are likely to appear as summer continues.

Your gift will support programs that reduce polluted runoff water, one of the biggest drivers of toxic cyanobacteria blooms.

Click here to make your gift to restore lake health: https://www.nhgives.org/organization/nhlakes

🚨 Cyanobacteria blooms are already appearing on New Hampshire lakes, putting people and pets at risk.

NH Gives is New Hampshire's statewide day of giving, and this year, your support for healthy lakes goes twice as far. For 24 hours, every gift to NH LAKES will be DOUBLED to help prevent toxic blooms and protect the lakes we all love.

⏰ Starts June 9 at 5 PM.

Set a reminder for 5:00 PM and bookmark this link: https://www.nhgives.org/organization/nhlakes