A new state report shows local efforts are keeping the indestructible invasive weed in check. Several new treatments are recommended for later this month and September.
Danforth Pond and Ossipee Lake's bays are the focus of a public meeting set for 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24, at Freedom Town Hall.
Harry Vogel of the Moultonborough-based Loon Preservation Committee will be the speaker at a Freedom Old Home Week event on Monday, August 5 at 7 p.m. This free event is open to the public.
Jim McElroy and R.A. Oram of the Freedom Aquatic Invasive Species Committee have issued a report to the Select Board detailing the group's milfoil control and prevention activities for the season to date. In the picture, milfoil markers are prepared for placement at Huckins Pond. Photo: R.A. Oram.
The NH Department of Environmental Services' Exotic Species Program coordinates the state's activities to prevent, research, and control invasive plants and other species. It is funded by $7.50 from each boat registered in the state each year, much of which comes back to local towns via grants for weed control and Lake Host inspectors. This report summarizes the broad range of activities conducted by the DES between 2009 and 2012.
Two favorite hikes in the Ossipee Lake area are profiled in this post on the Hike NH online forum.
Prescribed burns help reduce the risk of wildfires and accelerate restoration of the unique pine-barrens ecosystem. Abutting property owners can receive notice of the burn dates by contacting The Nature Conservancy at (603) 356-8833.
The two layers of stop logs remain out of the north side of the dam, and there is a constant flow of water over the top boards. The south side gates are being used to make adjustments in the lake level to reduce fluctuation in lake level as we go from wet to dry and back to wet days. The bonus is that we now have a constant waterfall on the Ossipee River and flowing water over the rocks on the north side. It's a great photo op!
Former Long Sands Association president George Eisener says lake property assessments are "screwed up," and the threat the town's Selectmen holds over property owners who question their assessment is "a form of blackmail and ends up as a con game." He calls on the Select Board to restore integrity to the process by treating all property owners equally.
A lack of Old Home Week volunteers may mean no fireworks this year, according to the organization's co-chair. The fireworks display annually draws residents and visitors to the lake from all points.
The Ossipee River dam was almost completely closed down at 10 a.m. Monday morning. As for the reported lake level, it is 406.07 as of 4 p.m. yesterday and is increasing at a rate of 0.08’ per day. If nothing changes, the level will be up to about 406.6’ by this time next week. The “Operating Rule” for Ossipee Lake issued in the spring of 2005 calls for 406’ by May 1st and 407.25’ (summer level) by June 1st. So far, so good. [Click "Lake Water Level" on this page for real-time data].
The Friends of the Freedom Public Library will host "The Common Loon: Ongoing Recovery for a New Hampshire Icon" on May 2 at 6:30 p.m. John Cooley, who is senior biologist for the Loon Preservation Committee in Moultonborough, will make the presentation. Ossipee Lake Alliance annually coordinates the lake's loon census. Volunteer by contacting Susan Marks at smmarks@www.ossipeelake.org.
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